Apparatus and method for detecting fecal and ingesta contamination on hands using an lllumination imaging device

A system for detecting the presence of ingesta or fecal matter on the surface of an object that is placed in an area adjacent to the system, the system being mounted on a support device such as a wall, the system comprising:

• a) a supporting structure;
• b) a light source;
• c) said supporting structure supporting said light source;
• d) said light source comprising light emitting diodes in an array emitting light at a wavelength of about 420 nm into the area adjacent to the system;
• e) a light detection device;
• f) said light detection device being positioned so as to detect fluorescence light emissions from area adjacent to the system;
• g) said light detection device detecting fluorescent light emissions having a wavelength between about 660 to 680 nm from the object surface.
• h) a light filter;
• i) said light filter being positioned between said light detection device and the area adjacent to the system;
• j) said filter substantially filtering out light other than light at a wavelength between about 660 to 680 nm;
• k) a processor;
• l) an indicator;
• m) said processor being in communication with said detection device;
• and
• n) said processor transmitting a signal between said light detection device and said indicator.

A method for detecting the presence of ingesta or fecal matter on the surface of an object using a system, where the system is mounted on a support device such as a wall and has a supporting structure and a light source which emits light having a wavelength effective to elicit fluorescence from the ingesta or fecal matter on the object at a wavelength between about 660 to 680 nm, comprising the steps of:

• a) placing the object in an area adjacent to the system;
• b) illuminating the object in the area adjacent to the system with light having a wavelength effective to elicit fluorescence from the ingesta or fecal matter at a wavelength between 660 to 680 nm;
• and
• c) detecting fluorescent light emission from the surface of the object at a wavelength between about 660 to 680 nm, wherein detection of fluorescent light emission at said wavelength between about 660 to 680 nm is an indication of the presence of ingesta or fecal material on said surface.

A method for reducing the spread of ingesta or fecal contamination by a worker from an object to other workers or other items in a workplace, comprising the steps of:

• a) placing the object in an area adjacent to a system, where the system has a supporting structure and a light source which emits light to the area adjacent to the system having a wavelength effective to elicit fluorescence from the ingesta or fecal matter on the object at a wavelength between about 660 to 680 nm;
• b) said placing step occurring at least one time per day;
• c) illuminating the object within the chamber with light having a wavelength effective to elicit fluorescence from the ingesta or fecal matter at a wavelength between 660 to 680 nn;
• and
• d) detecting fluorescent light emission from the surface of the object at a wavelength between about 660 to 680 nm, wherein detection of fluorescent light emission at said wavelength between about 660 to 680 nm is an indication of the presence of ingesta or fecal material on said surface;
• e) preserving the results of the detecting step for later review;
• f) reviewing the preserved results of the detecting step to identify trends relating to contamination;
• and
• g) taking corrective action based upon the trends to reduce the instances of continued handling of contaminated objects.