Xenex Disinfection Services, the manufacturer of LightStrike Germ-Zapping Robots™, has received $38 million of investment in a funding round led by Essex Woodlands (EW).

The financing reflects new participation from Piper Jaffray Merchant Banking and continued investment from existing investors Malin Corporation and Tectonic Ventures. The money will be used to grow the company’s sales force, product development, scientific research and international expansion, Xenex said.

The robots use an environmentally-friendly noble gas to create high-intensity UV light to quickly destroy infectious germs. This includes C. difficile and MRSA.