THE PARTNERS: Xenex Disinfection Services
THE PROBLEM: Too often, pathogens are spread on hospital equipment, leading to dangerous infections in hospitalized patients. Hospital equipment is used many times per day, but it may not be cleaned often enough or as thoroughly as required by policy. Even when equipment is cleaned, studies have shown that over 50 percent of surfaces are missed completely during manual cleaning, and 40 percent of high-touch surfaces are inadequately disinfected. When these surfaces are not properly cleaned, pathogens can live there for months, posing a threat to susceptible patients.
THE SOLUTION: TrackMate is a disinfection tracking system that monitors how often equipment is disinfected. The device can be attached to a computer workstation, IV pump or other hospital equipment; when the equipment is disinfected with a wipe or with UV light, the system recognizes moisture and UV and updates the time of disinfection in a digital log for managers, data tracking or audits. TrackMate also has a screen with a digital readout showing the last time of the last disinfection. This technology is designed to help healthcare facilities keep patients safe and maintain compliance with policies.
THE TECH TRANSFER MECHANISM: In 2012, when TrackMate was first developed, then known as Disinfection Tracking System (DTS), it was reported to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Technology Transfer Program (TTP). The VA TTP filed for a provisional patent that same year, followed by a PCT (patent cooperation treaty) application in 2013. In 2014, the VA TTP set up a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) between the VA and Xenex Disinfection Services, which was selected for its track record in commercializing infection control technology and its evidence-based approach to product development. In 2015, TrackMate was exclusively licensed to Xenex. Xenex won two SBIR grants to study the impact of TrackMate on microbiology, cleaning, behaviors and other factors. Xenex created and studied 250 beta devices, which led to four peer-reviewed published papers covering behavioral and worker acceptance of the technology. TrackMate was formally launched as a commercial product in 2023.
THE TECH TRANSFER EXCELLENCE: The VA TTP had an important role in TrackMate's success, facilitating the technology evaluation and patenting and later establishing the CRADA and license with Xenex. Xenex contributed heavily to refining the technology and developing a market-ready product. While the initial patents were filed by the VA, the collaboration between the VA and Xenex has been close and productive. This has included patent prosecution, modifying the device based on feedback from healthcare workers, manufacturing, developing new applications and final deployment. As part of its commercial launch, VA Technology Transfer Specialist Bhoomija Hariprasad recorded a first-of-its-kind video interview with Xenex’s chief scientific officer and senior scientist to discuss the problem TrackMate solves, how the VA and Xenex partnered, how the VA TTP contributed to the process and TrackMate’s potential impact.
THE OUTCOMES: TrackMate benefits both veterans and non-veterans by mitigating hospital-acquired infections in patients and monitoring disinfections in not just VA medical centers, but all healthcare settings where equipment is moved and reused among patients. TrackMate also has applications in any public place that requires frequent disinfection, including childcare centers, airports and planes. Studies have shown that using TrackMate prompts twice as many cleanings, helping to prevent the spread of dangerous pathogens such as MRSA, Staph, or Enterococcus – protecting the health of the more than 9 million veterans enrolled in the VA health system, as well as countless civilians in American hospitals.