| Dr. Kestner: A simple invention to save lives |
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Posted: Sunday, September 6, 2009 7:11 am
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Some inventions are handy for many consumers, but don’t necessarily have a profound impact on their lives.
For example, at some point, some thoughtful person had to come up with the clever idea to wrap a piece of plastic-coated wire around the end of a bag of bread. What did people do before the twist-tie was invented?
Ever think about what led to the invention of the rubber band? Windshield wipers? Pop-top cans? Zippers? Paper clips? The list could go on. A creative person conceived of an idea for a simple solution to address a common problem.
Before you start thinking that all of the really great or profitable inventions have already been created, recall the Topsy-tail. Remember this item on the TV infomercials of the 1990’s? The Topsy-tail is a simple little plastic weaving tool that allowed women with long hair to easily create many styles in seconds. The inventor, Tomima Edmark, made millions!
One of the more interesting inventions to hit the news has the potential to not only resolve a nuisance, but to save lives as well.
In many areas of the world, uncontrolled infestations of mosquitoes infect millions of people annually with malaria and other blood-borne diseases. Efforts have been made to control the mosquitoes through various methods, including chemical sprays, genetic modification, traps and other trials. However, costs, concern about chemical toxicity and other obstacles have prevented success.
For the past 10 years, researcher Tom Kollars of Georgia Southern University has attempted various methods to reduce the plague of mosquito-borne disease in developing countries.
Kollars is the director of the Biodefense and Infectious Disease Laboratory in Georgia Southern’s Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health. With his latest effort, he may have found success. His invention has caught the attention of researchers throughout the world and has been successfully tested by military scientists.
The invention is called a ProVector. It is a simple plastic device that is effective in luring mosquitoes to a nectar dispenser that has a unique but effective mosquito killer.
Mosquitoes are attracted by colors. Different species of mosquitoes are attracted to different colors. The ProVector is a simple plastic device about a foot wide with colored “petals” surrounding the central, baited, nectar dispenser. There are four colored zones of red, yellow, green and blue, giving the device an appearance similar to the familiar Simon toy manufactured by Milton Bradley/Hasbro. These zones are surrounded by black petal tips that make the whole device resemble a large flower.
The nectar is laced with Bacillus thurengiensis (Bt), a biopesticide. Biopesticides are living microbes that kill target insects instead of using chemical pesticides. The beneficial effect on the environment is significant. Instead of using massive amounts of chemicals sprayed over large areas indiscriminately, the device is placed in homes, businesses, schools and public buildings where people congregate.
It’s like using “bugs” to kill “bugs”!
A screen with tiny holes that are barely large enough for a mosquito to insert its mouthparts to consume the bait covers the nectar insert. This prevents accidental exposure to other non-target insects, animals and humans.
In tests conducted by a Walter Reed Army Institute of Research laboratory, the ProVector reportedly killed 50 to 100 percent of mosquitoes within days.
Dr. Kollars estimates that the device will cost $10 initially and require a new nectar pack four times a year. The nectar refill will cost about $1. Kollars envisions the device being used throughout the world, especially in areas where diseases such as malaria, dengue and West Nile virus infect tens of millions of people annually.
“The average Kenyan, for example, spends about $110 a year out of their $360 annual salary to treat their family for malaria alone. That’s one disease,” Kollars said. “A health department could buy this device for the family, and then the family could protect itself for $4 a year instead of $110 a year.”
If your great invention idea hasn’t made it to the final stages of production just yet, keep working! The world may be waiting for it.
Next week: There’s a fungus among us!
Dr. Mark Kestner
mkestner@DrKestner.com
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