Yuvee® Mechanism of Action – How UV-C Works

Before diving into our Chronos®* and Chronos® Max** systems, take a step back and explore the fundamentals of UV-C disinfection.

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What is UV-C light?

UV-C is a form of electromagnetic radiation within the ultraviolet spectrum, with wavelengths ranging from 200 to 280 nanometers (nm), invisible to the naked eye.

Its germicidal activity peaks at 254 nm, a wavelength at which nucleic acids strongly absorb energy, making it particularly effective for microbial inactivation.

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How does UV-C achieve disinfection?

UV-C photons penetrate the outer structures and membranes of microorganisms and induce photochemical damage to critical cellular components, leading to irreversible microbial inactivation.

Specifically, UV-C exposure results in:

• Direct alteration of DNA and RNA, including the formation of pyrimidine dimers, which block replication and transcription mechanisms

• Disruption of protein bonds, impairing essential cellular functions

• Irreversible loss of microbial viability, rendering pathogens unable to replicate or cause infection

Unlike chemical disinfectants, UV-C acts through a physical mechanism, eliminating the risk of chemical residues, operator exposure, or resistance driven by metabolic adaptation.

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Why UV-C Is Relevant for High-Level Disinfection

UV-C enables a rapid, reproducible, and chemical-free disinfection process that is well suited to sensitive medical devices such as ultrasound probes.  

Its effectiveness spans bacteria, viruses, fungi, and spores, including multidrug-resistant organisms, making UV-C a robust option for high-level disinfection.

However, achieving reliable High-Level Disinfection with UV-C requires more than light exposure alone. It depends on dose control, precise exposure, and continuous monitoring throughout each cycle. These requirements are central to ensuring consistent efficacy and clinical reliability.

Yuvee®: Germitec’s Patented UV-C Technology

To meet these challenges, Germitec developed Yuvee®, its patented UV-C disinfection technology designed by our engineering team to deliver validated high-level disinfection performance.  

Yuvee® combines controlled UV-C dose delivery with real-time monitoring and validated exposure parameters, ensuring efficacy at every cycle.

Yuvee® technology is embedded in Germitec’s UV-C disinfection systems, including Chronos®* and Chronos® Max, providing a standardized, traceable, and clinically adapted solution for the high-level disinfection of probes in healthcare environments.

Conclusion

Built on decades of research and development, Yuvee® reflects Germitec’s expertise in UV-C High-Level Disinfection.  

By combining a proven physical mechanism of action with controlled and monitored exposure conditions, Yuvee® helps reduce the risk of cross-contamination while ensuring reliable disinfection performance.

Embedded in Chronos® and Chronos® Max , Yuvee® stands as a reference UV-C technology for High-Level Disinfection.  

To better understand how Yuvee® technology is applied in our systems, discover our next article: A Closer Look Inside Our Patented Disinfection Chambers – Designed to Guarantee Effectiveness

*Chronos® is indicated for use in a healthcare environment to achieve High-Level Disinfection of surfaces of external, transvaginal and transrectal ultrasound probes that do not contain lumens and that do not contain indentations or channels that are deeper than their widths.

** Product available in Europe and Oceania, not available in the US