About
the LouseBuster™ Device
The
LouseBuster™ technology is based on breakthrough research conducted
by evolutionary parasitologist Dr. Dale Clayton and students at the
University of Utah. The initial
research was published in November, 2006 in the peer-reviewed Journal
of Pediatrics. Two later
clinical research studies were done, the last of which was submitted
to the FDA for review, prior to receiving clearance in March 2009 to
market the LouseBuster™ device. A publication of this most recent
clinical data can
be found by clicking the title below.
Efficacy
of the LouseBuster™ Device
History:
The Little LouseBuster™ device that could!
The
idea behind the LouseBuster™ device originated in the laboratory of
Dr. Dale Clayton, a Biology professor at
the University of Utah. Dr. Dale Clayton focuses most of his
research on the evolution of bird lice, known as feather lice.
During
the 1980's and early 1990's Dr. Clayton successfully cultured lice on
captive birds, such as common pigeons, for basic research purposes.
However, when he moved his lab in 1996 from Oxford University in
England to the University of Utah, he encountered great difficulty
keeping lice alive on captive birds. Perplexed, he consulted
colleagues working on other small insects, such as fruit flies. He
was informed that, because of Utah's arid climate, they too had
difficulty keeping insect cultures alive. The large surface to volume
ratio of these small insects apparently makes them vulnerable to
desiccation in such an arid climate. One solution was to install
steam lines in insect culture rooms to increase the ambient humidity.
Upon installing such lines in his bird rooms, Clayton found that the
problem was resolved and feather lice were relatively easy to
culture.
Around
this time, Dr. Clayton's elementary school children contracted head
lice that appeared to be resistant to chemical shampoos. Clayton's
experience with pigeon lice suggested that it might be possible to
control head lice by reducing the level of humidity near the scalp.
The question was how to accomplish this trick. Over the next several
years a variety of methods were tested in Clayton's lab, ranging from
the use of chemical desiccants, to heat caps fitted with electrodes,
to rice bag caps heated in a microwave, to various hair dryers and
blowers up to the size of a leaf blower (don't try this at home).
These approaches were tested on student volunteers in the lab -
including Clayton's own children - many of whom were temporarily
infested with small numbers of head lice that could be removed
quickly with a nit comb at the end of each test.
These
tests showed that it is not feasible to control head lice using
existing hair dryers. Although bonnet style hair dryers heat the hair
and scalp, static heated air will not kill head lice (unless it is
much hotter than a person can tolerate). A combination of heat and
considerable airflow is required to desiccate the lice. But
conventional blow driers do not work well either. This is because
they tend to mat the hair, effectively protecting the lice from the
effects of the moving, hot air. Blow driers are also dangerously hot
and can cause burns, especially if they are used to direct hot air
for a long period of time on one location, as is needed to treat head
lice.
LouseBuster™ Prototype
Following
months of tinkering, it looked like it might be possible to kill head
lice and their eggs with a novel, custom- built device that combines
fast moving warm air, a precise angle of application, and the right
duration of treatment. Working out the specifications required a good
deal more experimentation over many more months using custom
engineered LouseBuster™ prototypes.
The culmination of this work
was published in a 2006 paper in the Journal
of Pediatrics reporting
data on the relative success of the different kinds of hair dryers,
compared to the LouseBuster™ device, for killing head lice and
their eggs. An accompanying press release by the University of Utah
generated a feeding frenzy of worldwide media attention that
validated widespread interest in such a device, and the critical need
for it.
See: Website
Dale H. Clayton, Ph.D
More on Dale H. Clayton, Ph.D
Besides
being the lead inventor and scientist
behind The LouseBuster™ technology, Dale is one of the world’s
leading experts on the evolutionary biology of lice. He has 2 books,
8 book chapters, and over 100 relevant publications to his credit. In
2008 he received the Ward Medal, the American Society of
Parasitologists' highest honor. He is a past Secretary of the Society
for the Study of Evolution, and a Fellow of the American
Ornithologist's Union. He is a frequent guest lecturer around the
world and has received substantial federal research support for his
work. Dr. Clayton currently resides in Salt Lake City, Utah where he
teaches and conducts research as a Professor in the Department of
Biology at the University of Utah.
The LouseBuster™ device
Product Description
The LouseBuster™ device is
a durable, portable medical device measuring
roughly 14 inches wide x 19 inches long and 12 inches tall (35 cm x
48 cm x 30 cm) and weighs less than 17 pounds (7.7 kg). It has wheels
for good maneuverability and is designed to rest on the floor during
use. A 6-1/2 ft (2m) removable hose delivers heated air from the
LouseBuster™ device to a single-use, disposable applicator tip.
The device runs on electricity from any
standard power outlet (120V/15A; 240V/10A).
A precise temperature controller and dual
sensors ensure that the temperature and air flow of the LouseBuster™
device remain constant.
