Crowdfunding since 2010

The LifeShift Sterilizer is the first solar sterilization unit providing germ-free operations independently from grid and clean water.

With the LifeShift Sterilizer we engineer the fist energy-self-sufficient medicine device which cleans, disinfects and sterilizes surgical instruments using only the power of the sun. This helps 1.4 billion people in Africa and Asia, who don't have access to energy and clean water. To ensure easy and intuitive operation, we must field-test the LifeShift Sterilizer under real conditions. For this we need your help!
Funding period
3/15/16 - 5/13/16
Realisation
September 2016
Website & Social Media
Minimum amount (Start level): €
20,000 €
City
Kassel
Category
Invention
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What is this project all about?

Currently more than 1.4 billion people worldwide have no access to electricity, and 768 million people have no access to clean water. In many regions of Africa and parts of Asia, these restrictions make it difficult to provide safe healthcare across the whole area. Conventional medical devices and hospital facilities require a constant power supply, and in many cases highly purified water, in order to function reliably. Based on current studies, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that two out of three patients in developing and emerging countries will have to deal with serious wound infections as a result of operations. In addition, there is the risk of transmitting infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis or hepatitis.

This is why we develop technological innovations that are specially adapted and energy self-sufficient. This way we can make a difference and change people’s lives.

LifeShift Sterilizer
Cleaning, disinfection and sterilisation of surgical instruments using only the power of the sun.

  • Self-sufficient The thermal solar collectors ensure reliable operation independently of the local power supply.
  • Durable We minimise the use of components susceptible to faults such as pumps or rotating components. This makes the LifeShift Sterilizer especially durable and low-maintenance.
  • Portable A rucksack carrier system enables transport to remote medical care centres independently of roads or runways.
  • Safe With the CE certification, the LifeShift Sterilizer meets all the requirements for the European medical device market.
  • Simple Simple and intuitive controls and a high degree of automation prevent operating errors and guarantee a high level of safety.

How does solar thermal energy work?
Solar thermal collectors convert solar energy into useable thermal energy. Water is heated and evaporates inside the LifeShift Sterilizer’s collectors.

How does the LifeShift water treatment system work?
Water from wells, lakes or rivers is pumped into the fresh water tank through a fine filter which separates even bacteria from the water. The pre-filtered water is then heated using the heat from the solar collectors, and evaporated. From the steam, a disstillate is produced which is used in the subsequent process for the cleaning, disinfection and sterilisation of surgical instruments.

How does cleaning take place in the LifeShift Sterilizer?
After being pre-cleaned, surgical instruments are placed in the compartment provided for cleaning and disinfection. After a heating up phase, the instruments are cleaned with water at temperatures of up to 99°C, similarly to a dishwasher, and subsequently disinfected with hot steam.

How does sterilisation take place in the LifeShift Sterilizer?
After cleaning and disinfection are finished, a visual inspection for impurities takes place. The disinfected surgical instruments are then placed in the sterilisation box, which is slid into the sterilisation compartment. Thermal sterilisation then takes place for 15 minutes at a temperature of over 120°C.

Which surgical instruments is the LifeShift Sterilizer suitable for?
The LifeShift Sterilizer can be used to clean unpackaged surgical instruments with flat surfaces and simple cavities (e.g. scissors, scalpels, needles, needle holders, tweezers, clamps).

How is safety guaranteed?
We apply the directives and laws valid in the European Union to every stage of the instrument treatment process. To ensure a consistently high level of quality, we only work with certified suppliers and in line with a standardised internal quality management system. The market-ready product will receive CE certification for medical products.

At a capacity of four treatment cycles, instruments can be treated to enable approximately 20-30 sterile operations each day.

What is the project goal and who is the project for?

It is important that people in developing regions can use the Life Shift Sterilizer safely. That is why we want to do a field test directly in Africa. With our partner organizations Dentists for Africa e.V. and Thabita Global Care we fly to Uganda and Kenya to test the unit with the local people.

It is important that the users can properly deal with the Life Shift Sterilizer after a short briefing. We will test the device in two countries with people of different backgrounds and cultures, to see how we can improve the operation and understanding of users even further.

We can't accomplish this alone. That's the reason why we appeal to you! If you want to join us to achieve a difference, you can support us and be part of this amazing project.

Why would you support this project?

Only together we can help people and enable germ free operations in developing countries. In this way we can lower the death rate which is caused by infectious diseases.
We already managed to develop a fully operative prototype. Now we need your help to test the prototype in Africa. Only then we can ensure an optimal adjustment of the LifeShift Sterilizer to human needs.

As a reward you can choose between numerous presents which are provided by our partners.
A special highlight are two overnight-stays in the "Bio-Hotel Wilhelmshöher Tor" in Kassel to have a look at the prototype.

How will we use the money if the project is successfully funded?

With succesful funding we fly to Uganda and Kenia to field test the performance and functionality of the LifeShift Sterilizer in small clinics and hospitals.
Further revenues will be used to develop the prototype to a market-ready product.

Your support will be used as mentioned as follows:
60% field test (material for two prototypes & air fare)
20% Duties (tax office & Startnext)
20% rewards postvage included

Who are the people behind the project?

Rucksackspende becomes LifeShift

The three founders Raphael Schönweitz, Philipp Odernheimer and Martin Reh met during their studies in Kassel more than three years ago. By this time Sven Haag and Meike Federmann complete the team. All of us, no matter which task we are responsible for, or which experience we have, are part of a team which works to achieve changes:

We engineer smart medical devices to provide the best healthcare for people in need.

This is our mission. We believe that intelligent introduced technical innovations make the difference. That's why we use our knowledge and lifeblood to develop machines which change people's lives. This goal we keep sight of. And this is what LifeShift means.

For more information see www.rso-shift.com.

LifeShift

Cooperations

Dentists for Africa

Dentist for Africa aims to enable the organization of assistance interventions and a qualified dental care by establishing dental clinics.

Tabitha Global Care Uganda

Tabitha Global Care is an Ugandan aid agency which aims community-baised capacity building in poor regions to give people better life perspectives.

Sponsors of the rewards

A big thank you to all our sponsors. Without your support we couldn't offer all the great goodies to our supporters. Thanks to: Biohotel Wilhelmshöher Tor Kassel, Deuter, Katadyn & SunnyBAG.

Legal notice
RSO Shift GmbH
Martin Reh
Universitätsplatz 12
34127 Kassel Deutschland
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LifeShift Sterilizer - always sterile operations
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