A volunteer worker with the Hualien-based Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation has created a smart gadget to help disaster victims, among others, maintain their oral health.
Chou Chin-yuan (周金元), who was a truck driver before retiring and becoming a volunteer for the foundation, has invented a portable dental equipment case dubbed the “Tzu Chi 007” because of its similarity to 007’s briefcase as seen in the James Bond series of films.
“The healthcare environment in disaster zones is really bad. I hope that my ‘Tzu Chi 007’ can help those affected by disasters benefit from more efficient medical services,” Chou said.
Chou made the original version of his case in 2001, capitalizing on his expertise in machinery and his rich volunteer experience to develop a dental equipment case based on a model originally invented by a dentist in Tzu Chi’s US headquarters.
After modifying the case over a decade, Chou recently developed the fourth generation of the portable product that weighs 12.2kg and measures 45cm by 33cm by 20cm.
The portable dental kit contains a set of miniature dental instruments and equipment, including a dental handpiece, scaler, light and halogen lamp.
“With 1,250cc of water, a dentist can immediately set to work by simply stepping on the kit’s motor,” Chou said.
More than 80 kits have been used by charitable organizations providing free dental services in countries such as China, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and the Dominican Republic.
“I am happy to be able to use what I know to do something for people in need,” Chou said.
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