Researchers invent new puking medicine robots

"Speeding" robot provides scientists with information about the spread of noroviruses
A robot that can simulate vomiting is designed to help scientists track the spread of noroviruses. According to a statement from North Carolina State University, the highly contagious viruses that cause vomiting diarrhea spread in the air and deposit on surfaces.

Noroviruses cause gastrointestinal flu
Infection with norovirus usually results in the typical symptoms of gastrointestinal influenza: diarrhea, nausea and vomiting and general malaise. Although the disease is usually overcome quickly, the patients are still contagious for several days. As a result, the viruses spread quickly, for example, in old people's homes and day-care centers. In people with a weakened immune system, noroviruses cause severe disease that can even be fatal.

The spread of norovirus should be investigated with the help of the spouting robot. (Image: fotoliaxrender / fotolia.com)

According to experts, already ten to 100 virus particles are enough to get infected. Epidemiological studies have shown that exposure to noroviruses is common when people come into contact with patients with vomit, the statement said.

With their self-constructed robot, the norovirus researcher Lee-Ann Jaykus and her team wanted to find out if the viruses are released into the air during vomiting and subsequently deposited on surfaces. For this purpose, a pressure chamber was equipped with a sound head with tubes that should symbolize the stomach, esophagus and mouth. The construction was then placed in a plexiglas box under a safety air vent. In order to map the gastrointestinal tract as well as possible, the scientists had support from a gastroenterologist.

"Speeding" robot can show propagation pathways of Noroviruses
The robot is capable of delivering artificial vomit, a liquid of varying viscosity, in varying amounts and pressures. As pathogen bacteriophages were used, which are harmless to humans, but still very similar to norovirus.

With the help of the robot, the scientists found that a small percentage of virus particles is released into the air during vomiting. These could be responsible as deposition for the high infection rates, the scientists write in the journal "PLOS ONE".

"This machine may seem strange, but it helps us understand a disease that affects millions of people. This work can help prevent or stem the spread of noroviruses - and there's nothing strange about that, "Lee-Ann Jaykus is quoted in the university's announcement. (Ag)