KAMPALA SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES, BULOBA CAMPUS

P.O BOX 14263, Kampala (U)

PROGRAM OF BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING

A REPORT ON UV STERILIZATION DEVICE FOR PERSONAL

ITEM RELATED INFECTION CONTROL DURING MEDICAL
PRACTICE IN HEALTH FACILITIES.

Multi-Disciplinary Design Project 1 and 2

Submitted to department of Biomedical engineering in partial fulfillment
of the requirements for the National diploma in Biomedical Engineering of Kampala School of Health
Sciences

BY
ALAMIGA GERALD JOB AND SSEBUYIRA MICHAEL
(THE ELITES)

September 2022-April 2023

ALAMIGA GERALD JOB ………………….,……………………….

(Group Member) (Signature) (Date)
SSEBUYIRA MICHAEL ………………………….. ………………………….
(Group Member) (Signature) (Date)
MR. OGWANG EMMANUEL ………,…………. …………………………….
(Project Supervisor). (Signature). (Date &Stamp)
 DECLARATION

We hereby declare that this report in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the award of
National Diploma in Biomedical Engineering is our very own authentic work based upon our
findings, research, discussions and consultations and the content of this document has never been
submitted to any institution.

NAME: ……………………………………………………………… ….
REGISTRATION NUMBER: …………………………………………….
SIGNATURE: ………………………………………………..

NAME: …………………………………………………
REGISTRATION NUMBER: ………………………………………
SIGNATURE: ……………..............................

i
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

First and foremost, we would like to acknowledge the mighty hand of the almighty God that we
have seen at work, not only during this field attachment period, but also throughout this
program.

Special heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Tumwesigye Jonathan of Jonathan Medical center for the
technical and administrative assistance rendered to us during our field study at his health
facility.

We would also like to express our gratitude and appreciation to our project supervisor Mr.
Ogwang Emmanuel for the professional guidance and direction rendered to achieve this success
up to this level of our project.

Further appreciation is extended to our parents for the financial support in the project
research.

ii
 ABSTRACT.

Multidisciplinary design is one of the requirements for the award of National diploma in
Biomedical Engineering considered with great importance by UBTEB in order to produce future
employees who are competent enough to work for the betterment of Uganda’s Health. As such
students are required to design any medical equipment in relation to the needs in the health
environment.

This report is the record of what we did that includes identification of areal life problem and an
innovative solution to the problem .This was covered between the month of August and
November, 2022.

The report consists of three chapters which altogether explain the public health need and impact,
conception of the innovation and project management. This entails identification of the need
from the source, definition of the problem and the objectives of the project, product design
specifications, various design alternatives and justification of the selected design alternatives,
project work plan and conclusion.

Chapter one covers public health need and impact which includes an introduction of the need,
problem statement, and current solutions to needs, their impacts and gaps, and the project
objectives.

Chapter two covers conception of the innovation and this includes; introduction of the
innovation, product design specification/criteria for success, project idea generation and project
idea selection.

Chapter three goes to introduce multi-disciplinary project team and respective responsibilities,
project work plan, project management tools, financial management and a summary of meeting
minutes for the project.

iii
 Table of contents.

Contents
Chapter one................................................................................................................................................1
1.0 Public health need and impact........................................................................................................1
1.1 Introduction/background of the need.........................................................................................1
1.2 Problem statement.......................................................................................................................3
1.3 Current solutions to the needs, their impacts and gaps............................................................4
1.4 Objectives.....................................................................................................................................7
Chapter Two..............................................................................................................................................8
2.0 Conception of the Innovation..........................................................................................................8
2.1 Product design specification........................................................................................................8
2.2 Project idea generation................................................................................................................9
2.3 Idea Generation.........................................................................................................................14
Chapter three...........................................................................................................................................17
3.0 Project Management.....................................................................................................................17
3.1 Project work plan......................................................................................................................18
3.2 Gantt Chart................................................................................................................................19
Conclusion........................................................................................................................................21
References........................................................................................................................................22

iv
List of figures.

Figure 1 shows a pulse ultraviolet disinfection unit...................................................................5

Figure 2 shows an ultraviolet disinfection unit using UV-C light...........................................10
Figure 3shows a hydrogen peroxide disinfection unit..............................................................12
Figure 4 shows a heat sterilization unit.....................................................................................13

v
List of tables.

Table 1 showing weighted criteria. 16

Table 2 showing project management team 17
Table 3 shows a project work plan that has been followed in the project compilation. 18
Table 4 shows a gantt tool which we used as our project management tool. 19
Table 5 shows a summary of meeting minutes 21

vi
List of acronyms and abbreviations
UV…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Ultraviolet

HAI………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Healthcare Acquired

Infection

DNA……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Deoxyribonucleic Acid

V…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Voltage

W……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. Wattage

Hz……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. Hertz

Kg……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. Kilogram

Ugx………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Ugandan shillings

vii
This page was left intentionally.

viii
 Chapter one
1.0 Public health need and impact.
1.1 Introduction/background of the need.
Medical equipment plays an important role in the heath sector as far as the provision of health
services is concerned. These include medical workers’ personal items and other portable electronics
such as smartphones, stethoscopes, watches, eye goggles and are considered important in the
epidemiology of transmission of healthcare associated infections. Policymakers generally agree that
the use of these personal items in health care settings can’t and shouldn’t be banned. But there aren’t
really any useful guidelines on how to handle the germ threat. The Ministry of Health recommends
only that facilities address “multi-use electronic equipment” in their infection control policies and
procedures. The substance of those directives is left up to each health institution. But regulation
remains virtually absent even in the operating room, where personal item use would seem to merit the
tightest restriction. Facilities that lack an effective medical workers’ personal item infection-control
strategy may jeopardize their accreditation status. But it’s tough to find a means of cleaning or
disinfection that’s effective, affordable, convenient, and safe for both people and electronics.

However the problem is that 90 percent of health care personnel never clean their devices. In the
course of a day’s work, a nurse or doctor’s phone can be splashed, splattered, or smeared with wound
drainage, blood, or god-knows-what other bodily dreck. Handling the device can transfer bacteria to
the ears, nostrils, and hands. If the germs are lucky, they’ll get to cross-contaminate something the
provider later touches a nice fresh incision, a cozy catheter, or a warm ventilator tube, say. The
constant handling these personal items by users in hospitals makes it an open breeding place for
transmission of microorganisms, as well as health care-associated infections (HAIs). This is
especially so with those associated with the skin due to the moisture and optimum temperature of
human body especially our palms [2 (Tagoe DN)]. These factors and the heat generated by mobile
phones contribute to harboring bacteria on the device at alarming levels. When we consider a phone’s
daily contact with the face, mouth, ears, and hands, the dire health risks of using germ-infested
personal items are obvious [3 (Singh A, 2014)]

Due to the negligence of medical workers to disinfect their personal items and reluctance in practicing
hand hygiene 3% of hospital patients per year in Uganda will develop health associated infection
which is associated with significant morbidity, mortality and hospital costs. In Uganda, bacterial
infections alone were accountable for 26% of all admissions, 23% of all mortalities and 20% of all

9
death in children under the age of 5 in 2018 (Ssekitoleko , RT,Oshabaheebwa,
S.,Munabi,IG.,Tushabe, 2020) There’s need to ensure that these personal items are being sterilized
regularly by medical workers as they do their daily jobs to mitigate the potential risks associated with
the increased use of personal items in the clinical environments.

10
1.2 Problem statement.
RISKS ASSOCIATED DUE TO EXPOSURE OF PERSONAL ITEM TO INFECTION DURING
MEDICAL PRACTICE IN HEALTH FACILITIES.

During medical practice, it is advised that right safety precautions needs to be put into consideration
including the right procedures of putting on personal protective equipment’s. This practice reduces
the risks of cross infection from medical workers to patient, medical workers to their personal
equipment’s, patient to their personal equipment and patient to medical workers. However, it has been
observed that at Jonathan medical Centre, most of the medical practitioners do not follow these advice
yet they constantly use their personal equipment’s without cleaning or disinfecting them. As a result,
these items harbor bacteria, viruses and fungal spores that are crossed along their chain of interactions
with the patients and their personal equipment’s and also the medical workers with their personal
equipment’s during day to day work.

According to our investigations, it has been found out that these cross contaminations are possible
because of splashes, splatters, or smears with wound drainage, blood, or other body fluids as they are
exposed to them during their routine of work. These personal equipment’s can harbor bacteria and
viruses for long hours or even days. Handling these items without the implementation of the use of
personal protective equipment increases the risk of exposure to bacteria and viruses.

Since these microbes are associated with significant infection resulting into increased hospital
costs ,there’s need to ensure that these personal items are being effectively disinfected regularly by
medical workers as they do their daily medical practices to prevent the transmission of mic robes
through their personal items.

However its unknown if through the application of engineering principles in biology can mitigate the
existing gap that has resulted into cross infection due to the failure of medical practitioner’s at
Jonathan medical center failing to adhere to the right procedures of putting on personal preventive
equipment to improve service workflow with limited risk of cross infection.

11
1.3 Current solutions to the needs, their impacts and gaps.
1.3.1 Pulse Ultraviolet (UV) Disinfection unit.

Where manual disinfection may not hit every spot on medical workers’ devices such as the
smartphones and watches and the fact that liquid disinfection does not work for paperwork, UV
disinfection has become another disinfection method for disinfecting medical surfaces.

Producing a high intensity ultraviolet light covers the entire disinfecting spectrum (UV-C), this
energy then passes through the cell walls of microbes. Destroying the nucleic acid and disrupting
DNA, UV-C kills or inactivates the micro-organism, preventing its reproduction.

Most of the ultraviolet disinfection technology in hospital concentrate on the disinfection of medical
devices which is associated with the production of ultraviolet light on a large scale or maybe in a
specific room. Ultraviolet light does not damage the integrity of medical workers’ personal items and
has no residual effect which could damage those who come into contact with the treated surfaces, as
well as being relatively simply to implement and requiring little space. It’s a great choice for medical
workers personal items, especially if they have been closed for a deep clean.

12
However the adoption of UV-C technology for disinfection of medical workers’ personal items is so
low due to the bulkiness and high costs of existing UV-C sterilization which are difficult to procure
and the cost was prohibitive hence health facility managers find it hard to acquire for their health
facilities. The adoption of UV-C technology is also low due to the definitive, knowledge and uniform
performance standards or measures for efficacy to help heath facility managers make informed,
investment decisions towards the prevention of the risks of infections through medical workers’

personal items.

Figure 1 shows a pulse ultraviolet disinfection unit.

1.3.2 Use of Personal Protective Equipment’s (PPE), Hand Hygiene and Antibacterial wipes.

Hand hygiene and the use of personal protective equipment’s reduces cross infections and it is cost
effective but this comes through the effective compliance of the medical workers in practicing hand
hygiene and use of personal protective equipment’s while at the health facilities.

Besides, antibacterial wipes with alcohol or alcohol free disinfectants can also provide an exceptional
barrier against harmful pathogenic microorganisms keeping surfaces clean for long hour but this
antibacterial wipes do not cover every spots especially in medical workers’ personal items such as the
smartphones and watches. Using alcohol based sanitizers and cleaners for wiping the surfaces of the
personal items can also cause damages leading to malfunctioning of some of the small portable
electronics devices. Wiping can also diminish coatings such as oleo phobic coating of an iPhone.

13
Antibacterial wipes cannot be done on other personal items especially the paperwork since liquid
substances ends up wetting papers.

14
1.4 Objectives
1.4.1 General Objective

To reduce infections that are passed on through contacts with the personal items of both medical
workers and patients in the health environment.

1.4.2 Specific Objectives.

To design and construct a light low cost portable disinfection box that can help disinfect all kind of
medical workers’ personal items.

To sensitize health facility managers to make informed, credible investment decisions concerning
disinfection of medical workers’ personal items.

To test the working of the designed device.

15
 Chapter Two.
2.0 Conception of the Innovation.
This chapter introduces us to the product design specifications, the different project idea generation
and the formulae we used to come up the final ideas.

2.1 Product design specification.

Technical specifications.

The device shall have a power consumption of;

Voltage 220-240v

Wattage 135W

Frequency 50-60 Hz

Shape and color.

The device shall have a rectangular shape with black outer surface.

Internal reflecting sides, for maximizing reflections and giving effective 360-degree coverage.

Performance of device

The device is intended to kill about 99.5 % of the bacteria and viruses found on the surfaces of the
items. This will lower the chances of cross infections among medical workers themselves and
between medical workers and patients.

Sterilizing duration

The device shall take a minimum of 10 minutes to kill the germs that will have been carried with the
items. This time is to be managed by the medical worker operating this equipment since it won’t have
an automated sterilization duration.

Weight.

The device shall be relatively light in weight and it’s estimated to weigh less than 10kg there by
portraying portability and easiness in terms of transportation from one place to another.

Safety.

16
 The device shall be properly enclosed with magnetic doors to prevent escape of ultraviolent light rays
to the surrounding.

Since the material used is wood which is a good insulator, it’s expected to be safe from electrical
shocks that may be brought due to voltage drops due to poor grounding.

Sales

Since the current sterilization technologies are ranging between hundreds of thousands to millions, we
are intended to come up with a cost friendly product whose prices will range between Ugx.80 000 to
Ugx.150000.

2.2 Project idea generation.

As a group, we generated ideas to the problem of the risk of exposure to infections through personal
items of medical workers through brainstorming. Each member was allowed to jot down any solution
to the problem and we came up with 12 solutions ass below

Antibacterial wipes

Environmental Use of personal

cleanliness protective equipment

Sterilization box using

Multiple bag combination of heat and UV light
system.

Infections through personal Cleaning personal items

Aseptic items with soap and water
technique

Sanitizer dispensers.
Heat
sterilizer.
Hand washing machine
for hand hygiene
UV-C sterilization
device.

17
hydrogen peroxide system
2.2.1 The UV Sterilization box

The UV Sterilization box performs disinfection of microbes to prevent cross infections by producing
Ultraviolet C radiations of 265nm for peak germinal action. The protons of the UV C light are
incredibly energetic and therefore destroy viruses and bacteria by using the light to target proteins and
genetic materials (DNA and RNA). These irradiations of UV-C speed up cross-linking of this genetic
material, which reduces the ability of the genetic material to participate in healthy replication. Hence,
the intended personal item to be sterilized is placed in the box and with power connected to the
device, sterilization occurs inside the box through UV-C rays continuously bouncing against the walls
and base of the box (and the lid), covering any object placed in the box with UV light in its entirety.
Thus, killing any pathogens or viruses that may be living on it. The sterilization process is complete
after a minimum of 10 minutes. After successful, the UV Sterilization box can be disconnected from
the power source and the object can be removed from the box.

Figure 2 shows an ultraviolet disinfection unit using UV-C light

2.2.2 The hydrogen Peroxide System

The hydrogen peroxide system has a chamber that is evacuated and hydrogen peroxide solution is
injected from a cassette and is vaporized in the sterilization chamber to a concentration of 6 mg/l. The
hydrogen peroxide vapor diffuses through the chamber (50 minutes), exposes all surfaces of the load
18
to the sterilant, and initiates the inactivation of microorganisms. An electrical field created by a radio
frequency is applied to the chamber to create a gas plasma. Microbicidal free radicals (e.g., hydroxyl
and hydroperoxyl) are generated in the plasma. The excess gas is removed and in the final stage (i.e.,
vent) of the process the sterilization chamber is returned to atmospheric pressure by introduction of
high-efficiency filtered air. The by-products of the cycle (e.g., water vapor, oxygen) are nontoxic and
eliminate the need for aeration. Thus, the sterilized materials can be handled safely, either for
immediate use or storage. The process operates in the range of 37-44°C and has a cycle time of 75
minutes. If any moisture is present on the objects the vacuum will not be achieved and the cycle
aborts. Therefore, the hydrogen peroxide system is used for materials and devices that cannot tolerate
high temperatures and humidity, such as some plastics, electrical devices, and corrosion-susceptible
metal alloys.

Figure 3shows a hydrogen peroxide disinfection unit

19
2.2.3 Heat Sterilizer

In this case a heat source such as a filament bulb of high power ratings e.g. 50W and above is housed
within a box which prevents heat loss to the surrounding. The induced heat from the bulb kills about
95% of the microbes that are carried along with the medical workers’ personal equipment.

Figure 4 shows a heat sterilization unit

20
2.3 Idea Generation.
Our idea selection was through the weighted criteria assessment having scores awarded after an
intensive research and the goal of the weighted scoring approach was to derive quantitative value for
each of the three innovative solutions brought up by the team. This was meant to help us use those
values to determine which of the solutions the team can prioritize on majorly based on the choices of
the client and the product design specifications.

First, the team came up with the elements to be considered for the idea selection which included and
were ranked 1, 2,3,4,5 and 6 respectively. The weights for each element was calculated using the
formula .A scale was developed as shown in the details below;

0-poor

2-fair

4-good

6-quite good

8-very good

10-excellent

21
2.4 Project Idea Selection
The weighted criteria assessment that team came up with is as shown below.

UV Hydrogen
Weight Sterilization
Specification Rank sterilization peroxide
(W1) using heat
Box system

Ability to 1 92 9.2 (10) 7.36(8) 4.6(5)

sterilize all types
of equipment’s

Low purchase 75 5.25(7) 1.5(2) 6(8)

cost
2

Portability 3 58 5.22(9) 1.16(2) 4.06(7)

Time for use 4 42 3.36(8) 0.42(1) 1.68(4)

Power 5 25 2.25(9) 0.75(3) 1.75(7)

consumption

Weight. 6 8 0.64(8) 0.32(4) 0.64(8)

25.92(51) 11.51(20) 12.73(39)

Total

Table 1 showing weighted criteria.

W=1− [ i−0.5
n ]; n=6

22
Based on the weighted criteria shown above the solution of the use of UV sterilization box to curb the
risks of exposure to infections through personal items of medical workers takes position number one
This is because the UV sterilization box has the highest overall scores of 25.92(51) compared to that
of the other technologies of sterilization using heat having a score of 12.73(39) and hydrogen
peroxide system which scored 11.51(20).

2.4 Conclusion
Based on the outcome weighted criteria assessment, UV-C sterilization device is the innovative
solution the group would take for execution in Multidisciplinary Design 2.

23
24
 CHAPTER THREE
3.0 SELECTED INNOVATION
3.1 Introduction
The UV-C Sterilization device is based on Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) which is a
disinfection method that uses short-wavelength germicidal ultraviolet (ultraviolet C or UV-C)
radiation of wavelength approximately 254nm, which has been proven to be effective against viruses,
bacteria, and other pathogens by damaging their genetic material and obstructing pathogenic
multiplication, leaving them unable to perform vital cellular functions. The device will be used to
disinfect personal items of medical workers in health facilities as these items are exposed to microbes
during medical practices leading to their cross contamination resulting in to possible infections. These
personal items include mobile phones, wallets, keys, paper work, masks, goggles, stethoscopes and
any other small objects that can transmit microorganism and pathogens.

3.2 Working Principle

Disinfection with UV-C s based on the fact that UV-C radiation can damage the DNA or RNA. This is
achieved by UV C photon energy produced by the device of wavelength approximately 253.7 nm. This high
energetic UV light can induce formation of pyrimidine dimers when it breaks through the cell wall [2] and
other damages to the DNA which can inhibit multiplication of cells such as bacterial and fungal cells.
Similarly, the UV light can damage the RNA of viruses leading to their inactivation.

25
 3.3 Block Diagram

Power Step Down

Supply Rectifier Smoothing
Transformer

OBJECT TO BE
STERILIZED
UV-C LEDs Regulator

3.4 Working Mechanism

The step-down transformer converts the AC mains supply of 230V to 12V AC. A 1A fuse which is in
between the bridge rectifier and the transformer to stop the flow of current that is drawn through the
1A circuit. The bridge rectifier generates a rectified DC that is smoothened using 470μF Capacitor.
So, the output of the 470μF capacitor is 12V unregulated DC.
This DC is then given as an input to the IC 7805 voltage regulator. After that, this regulator changes
regulated 5V DC and the output p is attained at its o/p terminals. It gives a constant regulated output
of 5V which can be used to give input to the UV-C LEDs. Here the 5V is used to bias the UV-C
LEDs through a resistor.
The UV-C LED produces a pre-selected wavelength from a small amount of electricity. The LED
then emits UV-C photons that are reflected and directed with the help of aluminum foils to the
viruses, bacteria and other pathogens on the surfaces of objects placed within the sterilization
chamber that penetrate the cells and damage the nucleic acid in the microorganism DNA. As these
cells cannot replicate, it renders the harmful microorganism inactive. As a result, UV-C LEDs allow
for high-intensity radiation to kill the bacteria in seconds.

26
3.5 Engineering Calculations

In air and surface disinfection applications, the UV effectiveness is estimated by calculating the
UV dose which will be delivered to the microbial population. The UV dose is calculated as follows:

UV dose μWs/cm2 = UV intensity μW/cm2 × exposure time (seconds)

The UV intensity is specified for each lamp at a distance of 1 meter. UV intensity is inversely
proportional to the square of the distance so it decreases at longer distances. Alternatively, it
rapidly increases at distances shorter than 1m. In the above formula, the UV intensity must
always be adjusted for distance unless the UV dose is calculated at exactly 1 m (3.3 ft) from the
UV-C LED. Also, to ensure effectiveness, the UV dose must be calculated at the end of lamp life
(EOL is specified in number of hours when the lamp is expected to reach 80% of its initial UV
output) and at the furthest distance from the lamp on the periphery of the target area.

Dosages for a 90% kill of most bacteria and viruses range from 2,000 to 8,000 μW ∙s/cm2.
The details for the UV-C sterilization box is as shown below

‐ Our UV- C LED is with 28 μW/cm2,

‐ The UV band used 253.7 nm (UV C),
‐ The distance to target is 10 cm max.

As UV intensity is inversely proportional to the square of the distance, and our distance is 0.3
incomparison to 1 m, the formula to apply is the following*:

UV dose μWs/cm2 = UV intensity μW/cm2 × exposure time (seconds) / (0.3)2

Applying our figures, we get the following formula:

UV dose μWs/cm2 = 28 × exposure time (seconds) / 0.01

An exposure for 10 mins, or 10 x 60 = 600 seconds, results in:

UV dose μWs/cm2 = 12× 600 / 0.09 = 168,666 μW∙s/cm2, which is far above the required dose.
*Note: The fact that the UV-C sterilization box is closed and has a reflective surface which the
power of the radiation and compensates for the 80% expected intensity drop of the UV-C LED at
the end of its life.

27
3.6 Material analysis and justification
3.6.1 Wood as Casing of the Ultraviolet Sterilization Device
Electrical property
In terms of the electrical properties, the wood forms an excellent electrical insulator in the
absence of moisture, with resistivity in the order of 1017 ohms at room temperature making it
suitable for use as the casing for the electronic components present in the ultraviolet sterilization
device.
Viscoelasticity
In contrast to metals and plastics, wood is an orthotropic material, meaning its properties will be
independent in three directions – longitudinal, tangential and radial, as illustrated in Figure 1.
Another unique property of wood is its viscoelasticity, which can be described as having both
plastic and elastic characteristics when exposed to a certain deformation.

Figure 1. Orthotropic structure of wood.

Elastic materials easily stretch under an applied load. However, they return to their original
conditions once the load is released. In contrast, plastic materials stay at the stretched condition
even if the load is released after a long period time. The behavior of wood products is between
the above two types of conditions.

1
Strength
The most important fact about the strength of timber is that it is not the same in all directions.
This is because wood is an anisotropic material hence the strength of wood is determined with
reference to the direction of the grain of the wood under load.
Besides grain, many other factors also influence the strength of timber. These are;
1. Density. Higher the density of timber, greater will be its strength. This is because the high
density of thicker cell walls i.e., the greater amount of wood substance per unit volume.
2. Moisture content. Higher the moisture content, lower is the strength of the timber. This is
because water in itself has no load-bearing capacity.
Its increased volume in the cell simply decreases the volume of the wood tissue.
Moreover the higher amount of water in the cells invites many fungal and insect growths
which destroy the wood tissue. They tend to reduce the strength directly.
Tensile strength.
Wood is very strong to tensile forces acting parallel to grain but very weak when these forces are
made to act perpendicular to the grain. Thus the tensile strength of some woods ranges from 500-
2000kg/cm2 for the same varieties when tested perpendicular to the grain.
Transverse or bending strength.
The most important use of timber as beams is based on the fact that wood has very high bending
from 300 to 900km/cm2 or more.
Cost
Wood, while not cheap is an economical option than other materials. It is more adaptable on-site
and flexible in its use. Wood is available in a variety of types, products and dimensions. It is also
lighter in volume/weight, which amount to cost savings.
Sustainability
Wood has been found to have least impact on the environment when sourced sustainably. It uses
fewer natural resources and does not release as many contaminants into the air and water.
Weight
Wood is relatively lightweight and can outperforms materials like steel in terms of supporting its
own weight, so it is just as strong or strong in the casing of the device. The lightweight makes
the device portable.
Maintenance

2
Due to its durable nature, hardwood timber is easy to clean, whilst scratches and dents can be
fixed with ease.

Color
Wood can be painted to a desired color with easy without getting worn out after a long period of
time.

3.6.2 Aluminum Foil as the Internal Lining for the Ultraviolet Sterilization Device
Corrosion resistance
The naturally-occurring surface oxide on all aluminum in the presence of oxygen in the
atmosphere acts as a shield and renders foil substantially corrosion resistant. Aluminum is also
chemically resistant in contact with substances in the pH range 4 to 9.
Formability
Aluminum is very malleable and can be deformed considerably without losing its barrier
integrity.
Hygiene
Foil is sterile following annealing, and does not harbor or support the growth of microbes which
may be encountered by the foil material.
Opacity
Foil is a solid metal. It transmits no light and is a total barrier to light including the UV spectrum
hence the ultraviolet light produced will be trapped within the device chamber.
Reflectivity
Aluminum foil reflects approximately 98% of radiant heat and light and therefore the uv light
and heat produced by the UV LEDs will be effectively distributed.
Weight
At 6.35 µm foil weighs 17.2 g/m2 which contributes a very small mass to the device’s total
mass.

3
 CHAPTER FOUR.
4.0 Prototyping and testing.
4.1Introduction
This chapter shows the proposed budget made for the selected material of the design solution, the
budget justification and prototype of the proposed solution which included building of the project
circuitry and its enclosure. This was followed by testing of the working principle. The future prospect
has also been included to cover up some of the gaps of the built design solution.

4.2 Bill of Quantity

The table covers the description of each material that is needed, along with the quantity, and unit cost.
Materials that are included in the cost are the material of the chamber, the racks that go into the
chamber, the UV lights, UV components and miscellaneous hardware. The material for the chamber
includes the aluminum, and the wood that encases everything. The total estimated cost for the bill of
materials is Ugx. 200,500.

ITEM/ QUANTITY UNIT COST (UGX) COST

COMPONENT (UGX)
Vero board 5,000 5,000
Transformer 1 15,000 5,000

Power Cable 1 15,000 15,000

LED (Yellow) 1 500 500
10KΩ Resistor 1 500 500
Diode 1N4001 4 500 2,000

UV- C LED 10 2,000 20,000

Aluminum foil 5,000 5,000
Wood 50,000 50,000

Regulator IC 7805 4 1,500 6,000

100 Ω Resistor 2 500 1000
Metallic Mesh 1 5,000 5,000

Capacitors 3 500 1,500

Hinges 1 12,000 12,000

Connecting wires 10,000 10,000

Switch 1 2,000 2,000

Transport 30,000 30,000

4
 Miscellaneous 20,000 20,000
TOTAL 200,500

4.3 Procurement list for the purchased electronics.

This clearly indicates the total costs that were spent on purchasing all the necessary electronics
components.

4.4 Future prospect

The device shall be equipped with a timer set, which would cut off the circuit to the UV-clamp if the
door was opened accidentally or intentionally during a disinfection cycle. An emergency stop button
shall also be in incorporated in the designing case of any other unexpected accident.

The device shall have a fixed UV- C light system on the lower side of the chamber that shall remain in the
interior section of the box.

The device shall have a LCD display to indicate the time that would decrease till sterilization process is
complete, the operation state of the machine of sterilization.

Chapter Five.
5.0 Project Management.
5.1 Multi-disciplinary project team and responsibilities

5
 Name Title Responsibility

Mr.Ogwang Emmanuel Project supervisor Supervision of all activities

related to the project and also
providing guidance where
necessary.

Dr. Tumwesigye Jonathan Client. He owns the problem and is

ready to receive the solution as
per stated need.

Alamiga Gerald Job Coordinator He has been coordinating and

ensuring all activities are
accomplished in time.

Ssebuyira Micheal Secretary and architect Typing the project related

of the project. documents and generation of 3D
drawings.

Mr. Kasolo Christopher. Carpenter He was available to gives

technical advice when designing
the box.

Table 2 showing project management team

5.1 Project work plan for the multi-disciplinary project 1

Week Activity
Week 1 Identification of public health needs
Week 2 Need description and presentation
Week 3 Writing the problem statement for the need
Week 4 Generating the introduction/background
Week 5 Description of the existing technologies to the

6
 need.
Week 6 Generating objectives for the project
Week 7 Developing the project design specifications
Week 8,9&10 Project idea generation
Week 11, 12 Project idea selection.
Week 13 Compilation of the report.
Week 14 Typing the presentation document.

Table 3 shows a project work plan that has been followed in the project compilation.

7
5.2 Project work plan for Multi-disciplinary Design 2
The group developed a project work plan that would be followed as time went on to help guide in
execute the weekly activities and this is as shown below.

Week Activity
Week 1 Engineering Analysis of the underlying
working principle.

Week 2 Working Mechanism of the proposed

solution.
Week 3 Design Calculations
Week 4 Material selection and Justification of the
proposed design

Week 5 Block diagram of the proposed design.

Week Circuit layout of the proposed design.

Week 7 Bill of Quantity & Purchase of components

Week 8 Building the design circuitry and enclosure

Week 9 Testing of the prototype

Week 10 Generation of report and presentation

Week 11 Report submission and Presentation

8
5.4 Project Financial Management Flow Chart

Project budget approved by group

Budget planning members.

Document
Documentation of expense
expenses

Planned or
Approval for
unplanned
unplanned
expenses
process

Track expenses

Track the expenses of

the planned process

Update the project plan

Finalized close
budget

Yes Project NO
complete on
budget

Finalize and close

the budget Consult members and add
more money

9
 5.4 Gantt Chart

Task s August September October November

Week M T W T F M T W TF M T W T F M T W T F
1 Identification of public
health need identification
2 Need description and
presentation
3 Writing the problem
statement for the need
4 Generating the
introduction/background
Multi-disciplinary design 1

5 Description of the existing

technologies to the need.
6 Generating objectives for
the project
7 Developing the project
design specifications
8,9,10 Project idea generation

11,12 Project idea selection

13 Compilation of the report.

14 Typing the presentation

document.
January February March April
disciplina
Multi-

Wee Activity M T W T F M T W TF M T W T F M T W T
k
1 Engineering analysis of the
underlying working principle
2 Working mechanism of the proposed
design

10
 3 Design calculations

4,5 Material selection and justification

of the proposed design
6 Block diagram of the proposed
design
7 Circuit layout of the proposed design

8 Bill of quantity and purchase of

components and material
9 Building of the design circuitry and
enclosure
10 Testing of the prototype

11 Generation of report and

presentation
12 Report submission and presentation

Table 4 shows a Gantt tool which we used as our project management tool for both multi-disciplinary
design 1

Table 5 shows a Gantt tool which we used as our project management tool for both multi-disciplinary
design 2

DATE ACTIVITY.

16/08/2022 Groups were tasked to come up with three public health needs

11
17/08/2022 We had the first meeting and members were able to come up with two needs
that were identified from Kayunga regional referral hospital.
Members agreed to visit jonathan medical center for the third need.
18/08/2022 Members visited jonathan medical Centre and we had an interview with Dr.
Tumwesigye Jonathan the senior medical consultant of this facility and he
shared the problem with us.

22/08/2022 AS a group, we had a meeting and generated soft copy of the three problems for
presentation.
30/08/2022 We presented the three needs and class members were able to select one need
which the group had to focus on.
We were tasked to generate a problem statement for the group.
03/09/2022 We were able to generate a problem statement to our need after a meeting held.
12/09/2022 We held a meeting with our project supervisor for guidance on the problem
statement.
14/09/2022 We were tasked to come up with a background for our project.
We met and generated the background as a group.
16/09/2022 We were tasked to research about the current technologies and objectives in line
with the need
We researched the current technologies and also generated the objectives of our
project.
20/09/2022 We then met with the project supervisor to check on the progression of the
project.
27/09/2022 Attended to the tutorial on the product design specification.
30/09/2022 We had a meeting and members agreed to make more research to be able to
come up with the product design specification.
5/10/2022 We had a meeting and generated the product design specification

25/10/2022 We attended to a tutorial on concept/idea generation

27/10/2022 We met and came up with 12 ideas to the need and this was through brain

12
 storming.
Members also agreed and selected three innovative solutions out of the 12
generated.

01/11/2022 We attended to a tutorial on a project idea on idea selection

02/11/2022 We met and generated parameters for the idea selection.

Using the weighted criteria assessment, we were able to come up with an ideal
innovative solution to the need.

05/11/2022 We had a meeting and members agreed to start compilation of the report.

06/11/2022 Compilation of the report begun

Table 4 shows a summary of meeting minutes

13
Challenges faced.
Acquiring some of the electronic components especially the UV – C LEDs was difficult due to their
unavailability in most places of sale which caused delay in execution of the project. The group incurred
extra costs in search of the devices.

Conclusion

The use of personal items by medical workers in health care facilities without disinfection is a major
challenge that has contributed to the microbial contamination of other hospital surfaces leading to
many hospital acquired infections. The UV- C sterilization device will help disinfect most of the personal
items owned by medical workers thereby reducing on the rate of spread of hospital acquired infections.

14
References
Singh A, P. B. (2014, Feb 18). Mobile phones in hospital settings:. aserious threat to infection,
42-44. Retrieved Mar 3, 2012, from http://ohsonline.com/articles/2012/03/01/mobile-
phones-in-hospital-settings.aspx.

Ssekitoleko , RT,Oshabaheebwa, S.,Munabi,IG.,Tushabe. (2020, Oct). The role of medical

equiopments in the spread of nosocomial infections. Retrieved from
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-09662-w[crossref],[pubmed],[web of science]

Tagoe DN, G. V. (n.d.). Bacterial Contamination of Mobile Pjones;when your mobile phone
could Transmit More Than Just acall. WebmedCentral
Microbiology.2011;2(10):WMC002294.DOI:10.9754/journal.wmc.2011.002294.
Available from http://dx.doi.org/10.9754/journal.wmc.2011.002294.

15