Abstract
This invention relates to a method, process and apparatus for disinfecting and sterilizing all types of surfaces contaminated with microorganisms and toxic substances to render both inactive. Furthermore, this invention relates to both a method and apparatus for disinfecting and/or sterilizing breathable air and then using this air to protect a confined space from external contamination. The apparatus consists of a new ultra-violet (NUV) source that is more effective than mercury based 254 nm light for destroying DNA of virus, bacteria, spores and cysts. It is most effective in breaking chemical bonds in toxic gases and Biotoxins that are useful to terrorists. It is combined with other apparatus that remove particulates and byproducts sometimes produced by the NUV source and maintains positive pressure of the confined space so as to prevent the influx of air from outside the protected zone.
Claims
1. A process for destroying a DNA or RNA of a microorganism on a substance or surface comprising the steps of: generating photons of at least one wavelength corresponding to a peak absorption wavelength of DNA or RNA, the at least one wavelength being at least one of 222 nm and 282 nm; directing the photons to the substance or surface to be disinfected, whereby the photons are selected to destroy a plurality of chemical bonds within the DNA or RNA of the microorganisms; and wherein the substance or surface to be disinfected is human or animal skin.
2. The process of claim 1 further comprising the step of providing an new ultra violet source for generating the photons.
3. The process of claim 1 wherein the directing step is performed by reflecting the photons to a desired surface.
4. The process of claim 1 wherein the step of directing the photons further comprises the step of providing 540 kJ/mole of photon energy to the substance or surface to be disinfected.
5. The process of claim 1 wherein the step of directing the photons further comprises directing the photons to provide a radiant dose energy of 40 mJ/cm.sup.2 to the substance or surface to be disinfected.
6. The process of claim 1 wherein the step of directing the photons further comprises directing the photons to provide a radiant dose energy of 60 mJ/cm.sup.2 to the substance or surface to be disinfected.
7. The process of claim 1 wherein the step of directing the photons further comprises providing a radiant dose energy of 10 mJ/cm.sup.2 to the substance or surface to be disinfected.
8. The process of claim 1 further comprising the step of selecting a source for generating the photons, the source for generating the photons selected to produce an irradiance of approximately 100 mw/cm.sup.2 or less.
9. The process of claim 1 wherein the step of directing the photons further comprises exposing the substance or surface to be disinfected to the generated photons for less than 0.1 second.
10. The process of claim 1 further comprising the step of selecting a source for generating the photons, wherein the source for generating photons is a hand held lamp, and wherein the step of directing the photons further comprises the step of waving the hand held lamp over the surface or substance to be disinfected, exposing the surface or substance to the generated photons for approximately 0.1 second or less.
11. The process of claim 1 wherein the at least one wavelength is 222 nm and wherein the step of generating photons further comprises generating photons at a wavelength of 207 nm.
12. A process for destroying a DNA or RNA of a microorganism on a substance or surface comprising the steps of: generating photons of at least two single line wavelengths corresponding to a peak absorption wavelength of DNA or RNA, the at least two single line wavelengths being at least two of 222 nm, 254 nm and 282 nm; and directing the photons to the substance or surface to be disinfected, whereby the photons are selected to destroy a plurality of chemical bonds within the DNA or RNA of the microorganisms.
13. The process of claim 12 wherein the directing step is performed by reflecting the photons to a desired surface.
14. The process of claim 12 wherein the step of directing the photons further comprises the step of providing 540 kJ/mole of photon energy to the substance or surface to be disinfected.
15. The process of claim 12 wherein the step of directing the photons further comprises directing the photons to provide a radiant dose energy of 40 mJ/cm.sup.2 to the substance or surface to be disinfected.
16. The process of claim 12 wherein the step of directing the photons further comprises directing the photons to provide a radiant dose energy of 60 mJ/cm.sup.2 to the substance or surface to be disinfected.
17. The process of claim 12 wherein the step of directing the photons further comprises providing a radiant dose energy of 10 mJ/cm.sup.2 to the substance or surface to be disinfected.
18. The process of claim 12 further comprising the step of selecting a source for generating the photons, the source for generating the photons selected to produce an irradiance of approximately 100 mw/cm.sup.2 or less.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention defining the location of important components of the NUV source therein.
(2) FIG. 2 is a perspective schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention defining the location of important components for disinfecting or sterilizing large volumes of air therein
(3) FIG. 3 is a perspective schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention defining the location of important components for disinfecting floor surfaces and other surfaces such as chairs, hand rails, counter tops, trays, table tops and the like therein.
(4) FIG. 4 is a perspective schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention defining the location of important components for disinfecting food prior to handling by kitchen or cooks before serving therein.
(5) FIG. 5 is a perspective schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention defining the location of important components for sterilizing air that is used to cover and protect the zone around a surgical operation or procedure independent of the location of the operation therein.
(6) FIG. 6 is a perspective schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrating the zone air sterilization apparatus in conjunction with the remote protected operation zone therein.
(7) FIG. 7 is a CFD view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention defining the emitted airflow pattern from the sterilization apparatus that is used to cover and protect the zone around a surgical operation or procedure independent of the location of the operation therein.
(8) FIG. 8 is a graphic showing dimer formation in a DNA molecule.
(9) FIG. 9 is a graph plotting UV absorption of DNA according to wavelength.
(10) FIG. 10 is a graph plotting DNA absorption without the influence of water.
(11) FIG. 11 plots the effectiveness for reduction of the MS-2 phage virus by different wavelengths of UV radiation.
(12) FIG. 12 plots the UV dose required to achieve a four log deactivation of selected microbes using 254 nm UV light.
(13) FIG. 13 is a graphic comparing the range of effectiveness of various filters for removing airborne particles.
(14) FIG. 14 is a graph comparing tests of different pathogens for log reduction for different radiant dosages of NUV light.
(15) FIG. 15 is a low power exposure at 300 and 1000 micrographs of the Bacillus atrophaeus organism after receiving a radiant dose from the NUV light source.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
(16) The drawings illustrate the invention in its different forms and the apparatus required for sterilization or disinfection of air and surfaces that contain VSP's. FIG. 1 illustrates the NUV light source. FIG. 1a shows the NUV source. The high voltage electrode 1 is located inside the inner tube of the annular lamp. The ground electrode screen 2 is located on the outside of the annular lamp. The gas that produces the UV photons is located in the annular region 3 between the inner and outer tubes 4. The gas type is chosen so that the emitted UV photons are absorbed by the targeted microorganism or chemical. The preferred embodiment is 222 nm but could also be 282 nm. UV radiation is emitted radially outward 5. Changing the voltage or current between the two electrodes changes the amount of UV radiation that is produced.
(17) FIG. 1 b illustrates the NUV light source used to direct the UV photons towards a specific location, direction, surface, material or substance. The NUV source is shown in the center of the drawing as an end view. The specialized reflector 6 end view incorporates a specialized gull wing design so that >90% of the emitted light is directed to the planar surface below. The specialized reflector 6 also incorporates barium sulfate (Ba.sub.2SO.sub.4) as the reflective material in order to maximize the number of photons that are reflected onto the planar surface. In some cases, a cover 6a is necessary to protect the NUV source and reflector from dirt. This cover is transparent to 222 nm and 282 nm light. The specialized reflector can also have different shapes that change the directed radiation for different applications.
(18) This design provides a convenient method and apparatus to disinfect commonly touched objects that act as fomites to transmit pathogens from one person to the next. It would also provide a means for wound treatment prior and post surgery and for the treatment of chronic wounds. It is also provides a means to disinfect hospital and health care rooms, operating tables, hand rails and equipment surfaces that support patient care.
(19) Furthermore, in cases of critical shortages of gloves, robes and masks, the NUV source can be used in this manner to disinfect periodically when appropriate instead of retrieving new ones from supply.
(20) The NUV source(s) can also be used to disinfect patient examining tools, records, pens and equipment between patients. Everything that is brought into the room for examining the patient should be put through the medical caddie after exiting the room and retrieved only after changing gloves and/or garments.
(21) In use, the NUV source can be made to any size and length. In air ducts, the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 item 6b would have the NUV source supported from the side, top or bottom of the duct so that its irradiation travels parallel to the airflow. For unique applications, a second embodiment FIG. 5 item 16 would have the NUV source and cylinder reflector supported inside the duct so that irradiation is perpendicular to the airflow. An example of this embodiment would be a NUV source positioned in the center of a tumbling dryer. All garments or objects or food stuffs would be irradiated during the drying or tumbling process for a length of time that would guarantee a high level of disinfection.
(22) FIG. 2 illustrates the apparatus required for the disinfection and sterilization of airflow inside a large duct. NUV sources 7 precede an electrostatic precipitator (ESP) 9 by some distance 8 that permits a short action time to complete the destruction of the toxic gases or VSP's. A humidifier 10 may follow the precipitator with control sensors 11 so that the humidity of the exiting air can be selected and maintained. A fan(s) 12 may also be used to pressurize the exiting air so that a slight pressurization can be applied to a protected zone to prevent contaminated air from entering. Depending on the nature of the zone, restricting baffles (not shown) are used to assist in maintaining a positive pressure inside the protective zone.
(23) FIG. 3a illustrates the NUV source 13 located inside the forward compartment of a vacuum cleaner or floor cleaning machine. The vacuum cleaner can be either a standup floor model or a canister model. It could also be any device that would support and carry the NUV source close to the floor. The significant part is that the NUV source with reflector 6 consists of the components as described in FIG. 1 b. FIG. 3b illustrates a preferred embodiment with the NUV source contained in a hand held wand. Sensing switches 14 can be included in this embodiment that shut off the NUV source when the wand is not directed correctly to the desired treatment surface.
(24) FIG. 4a illustrates the NUV source(s) located above a conveyor that carries raw and unprepared food prior to kitchen preparation as well as industrial packaging assembly lines that carry products that require disinfection. The conveyor assembly 24 is designed to maximize the surface area exposed to the NUV source(s). In some cases, several sources 13 are required because the exposed surface of the food or product can not be changed to expose the entire surface during the illumination time of one NUV source. Tumblers or vibrators are typically used to change the orientation of the foodstuffs or parts as they move along the conveyor. However, a rotary tumbler similar to a cloth dryer with the NUV source located in the center would be the preferred embodiment for disinfecting leafy greens. FIG. 4b illustrates the NUV source(s) 13 located beside heat lamps 15 or other heating surfaces used to keep the food hot on a serving counter prior to being delivered from the kitchen to the customer. In another embodiment, the NUV source is used to irradiate cool or cold foods, so heat lamps 15 are not used.
(25) FIG. 5 illustrates the NUV source located inside an air sterilization apparatus that provides air for remote and separate operation tables. The NUV source 16 is located inside a UV reflector chamber 17 in order to reduce the loss of UV photons. A light trap 18 stops the UV light prior to the turning vanes 19 that direct the air flow vertically downward onto the operation site. A diffuser 20 ensures that the airflow is uniform across the duct. A high E field electrostatic precipitator (ESP) 21 follows the diffuser to remove particulates and reduce any ozone to oxygen. The airflow then passes through a second diffuser and humidifier 22 to ensure that the airflow is uniform across the duct and that the humidity level is controlled to some preset value.
(26) FIG. 6 illustrates how the air sterilization apparatus would be used in conjunction with a remote operation site, where the doctor is using remote controlled surgical instruments that are inside the sterilized air zone.
(27) FIG. 7 illustrates the airflow pattern using CFD computational fluidic design to ensure that the air above the operation zone is uniform and prohibits contaminated air from entering the protected zone.
(28) FIGS. 8 through 15 are discussed in the technical and background sections of this specification.
(29) Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described herein, the above description is merely illustrative. Further modification of the invention herein disclosed will occur to those skilled in the respective arts. All such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and not limited thereto.
