World Journal of Medical Innovations - Use of Far-UVC Light in Neurosurgical Procedures: A Novel Approach

NEUROSURGERY

Use of Far-UVC Light in Neurosurgical Procedures: A Novel Approach

Serdar Baki Albayrak1,2,3, Ayhan Olcay1, Türker Karancı3, Onur Yolay1,2, Vedat Öztürk1,2

WJMI 2025; 5(1):1-4

Online publish date: 2025.03.30

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15108593

Citation: Albayrak, S. B., Olcay, A., Karancı, T., Yolay, O., & Öztürk, V. (2025). Use of Far-UVC Light in Neurosurgical Procedures: A Novel Approach. World Journal of Medical Innovations, 5(1), 1–4. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15108593

Affilations

1Innoway RG, Istanbul, Turkey

2Innoway RD, Kft, Research and Development Department, Budapest, Hungary

3Pineal HealthCare, Istanbul, Turkey

Corresponding author. Serdar Baki Albayrak, MD, Professor of Neurosurgery, Address: Setany Infopark 1.; Hrsz, 4082 21/E 1117, Budapest, Hungary. Email: serdarbaki@gmail.com, www. innowayrd.hu, mobile(s): +905323089772, +36704060364

Abstract

Objectives. Surgical site infections remain a significant challenge, particularly in neurosurgical procedures involving instrumentation, with infection rates reaching 7–10%. This study explores the integration of far-UVC light technology as a preventive measure, focusing on its safety and efficacy during a clinical neurosurgical trial.

Material and methods. A textile-based far-UVC emitting device (INITUS V) was utilized in the operating room to disinfect air and surfaces during the microsurgical drainage of perineural cysts in a 56-year-old male with severe sciatalgia. Dermatological and ophthalmological evaluations were performed pre- and post-operatively to assess safety. Results: The surgery, conducted under far-UVC irradiation, was completed without complications. The patient demonstrated significant postoperative symptom relief, with no dermatological or ophthalmological abnormalities observed.

Conclusions. This first documented surgery under far-UVC light highlights its potential as a safe and effective tool for reducing surgical site infections, warranting broader adoption in healthcare settings.

Introduction

Surgical site infections continue to pose significant challenges in contemporary medical practice. In particular, neurosurgical procedures, especially

those involving instrumentation or implantation, are associated with infection rates as high as 7–10% in various case series, highlighting the critical need for effective preventive strategies [1, 2,3].

Ultraviolet C (UVC) light has been utilized for over seven decades in diverse medical applications, including air and surface disinfection as well as tuberculosis prevention [4, 5]. However, its adoption for use in human environments has been severely limited due to its carcinogenic potential and keratotoxic effects [6, 7]. Historically, UVC light was employed only briefly in human presence before its use was restricted to non-human applications, where it became a widely accepted technology for air and surface disinfection [8].

Recent advancements in far-UVC light technology have presented a promising alternative. Far-UVC light exhibits significantly lower penetrance in human skin and corneal tissues, with no documented carcinogenic effects. This reduced risk is attributed to the absorption of far-UVC wavelengths by the stratum corneum of the epidermis (9, 10). Furthermore, a growing body of literature supports the potent antimicrobial properties of far-UVC light, demonstrated through numerous in vitro studies [11, 12].

In this context, we have pioneered the integration of a far-UVC emitting device—INITUS V—developed by Vestel (Manisa, Turkey) in collaboration with Innoway R&D (Istanbul, Turkey). This device has been incorporated into a textile-based system, enhancing safety for use in human environments. Importantly, the INITUS V device has achieved a germicidal efficacy of 4 log reduction and has been granted CE certification, confirming its effectiveness and safety [4, 5, 8, 9].

Case presentation

In a clinical trial conducted with informed consent, we performed a neurosurgical procedure under far-UVC light. The patient was a 56-year-old male presenting with severe back pain accompanied by right-sided sciatalgia. Clinical evaluation revealed a focal neurological deficit in right plantar flexion, as well as hypoesthesia in the L5 and S1 dermatomes on the right side. Lumbosacral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated the presence of extensive perineural cysts (Tarlov cyst) spanning the S1 to S3 levels, resulting in marked compression of the right S1 nerve root (Figure-1, black arrow shows compressed R- S1 nerve root in axial MR image). The operating room was equipped with four INITUS V devices strategically positioned to ensure circumferential irradiation without directly exposing the surgical field. Instead, the devices targeted the operating room’s surfaces and air volume for disinfection.

The microsurgical procedure involving the minimal L5-S1 right laminectomy and drainage of the spinal perineural cyst and thus decompression of the right S1 nerve root, was completed within one hour without intraoperative complications (Figure-2, Initus V device, surgical set up, peri-neural cyst before and after microsurgical drainage). The patient demonstrated a marked improvement in symptoms during the early post-operative period, suggesting a favorable response to the surgical intervention. Additionally, dermatological and ophthalmological evaluations conducted pre- and post-operatively revealed no abnormalities.

Figure 1. Lumbosacral magnetic resonance imaging. Black arrow shows compressed R- S1 nerve root in axial MR image

Figure 2. Initus V device, surgical set up, peri-neural cyst before and after microsurgical drainage

Discussion

To the best of our knowledge, this represents the first documented surgery performed under far-UVC light in a clinical trial setting. The successful implementation of far-UVC technology in this case underscores its potential as a groundbreaking adjunct in medical practice. We firmly believe that far-UVC light will soon become a standard in various healthcare environments, including operating theaters, intensive care units, angiography suites, and radiology departments [12].

References

1. Buonanno M, Welch D, Shuryak I, Brenner DJ. Far-UVC light (222 nm) efficiently and safely inactivates airborne human coronaviruses. Sci Rep 2020; 10 (1): 10285.

2. Narita K, Asano K, Morimoto Y, [et al.]. Chronic exposure to 222-nm UVC light induces no DNA damage in mouse skin, even at high doses. PLoS One 2020; Jul; 15 (7): e0235948.

3. Welch D, Buonanno M, Grilj V, [et al.]. Far-UVC light: A new tool to control the spread of airborne-mediated microbial diseases. Sci Rep 2018; Feb; 8 (1): 2752.

4. Olcay A, Albayrak SB. et al A new Far-UVC based method for germ free hospitals and travel: Initus-V MedRxiv doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.04.23.21255969

5. Olcay A, Albayrak SB, et al, Results of Far-UVC and Protective Textile Based System For Germ Free Angiography Units, 2021, IUVA World Congress.

6. Barnard IRM, Eadie E, Wood K. Further evidence that far-UVC for disinfection is safe for human skin and eyes. Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed 2020; Sep; 36 (5): 485–487.

7. Heilingloh CS, Hönes K, Sprenger A, [et al.]. Susceptibility of SARS-CoV-2 to UV irradiation. Am J Infect Control 2020; Nov; 48 (11): 1273–1275.

8. Memarzadeh F, Olmsted RN, Bartley JM. Applications of ultraviolet germicidal irradiation disinfection in health care facilities: Effective adjunct, but not stand-alone technology. Am J Infect Control 2010; May; 38 (5): S13–S24.

9. Höns K, Lampel I, Albrecht M, [et al.]. UV-C-based virus inactivation: Basics and applications. Arch Microbiol 2021; Feb; 203 (2): 407–416.

10. Kaidzu S, Sugihara K, Sasaki M, [et al.]. Evaluation of acute corneal damage induced by 222 nm and 254 nm ultraviolet light in Sprague-Dawley rats. Free Radic Res 2021; Mar; 55 (3): 268–278.

11. Wlch D, Buonanno M. Far-UVC light appliations in healthcare: Current evidence and future directions. J Infect Contro 2021; Jan; 45 (1): 34–42.

12. Bener DJ, Welch D, Buonanno M, [et al.]. Non-inizing far-UVC (222 nm) efficiently and safely inactivates airborne human coronaviruses. Nat Rep 2017; Oct; 6 (1): 124–130.

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