Biohazard treatment systems
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system for exposing a fluid to ultraviolet radiation, wherein the fluid comprises at least one biohazard, the system comprising:
- a conduit for conveying the fluid, wherein the conduit has an input, an output, a length, and a cross section along its length, wherein the fluid has a distribution in the conduit, and wherein the conduit is baffled so that the fluid flow is rendered more uniform while being conveyed through the conduit; and
at least one light-emitting device mounted to emit short-wavelength radiation in the conduit for neutralizing the biohazard.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods for exposing fluids and other materials that may contain biohazards to ultraviolet radiation are provided. One system for exposing a fluid includes a baffled conduit for conveying the fluid so that the fluid flow and its exposure to ultraviolet radiation is rendered more uniform. Other systems include feedback for determining when to replace light sources and filters and to ensure proper biodosimetry. Additional methods and systems for exposing fluids and other materials that may contain biohazards are also provided.
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Citations
80 Claims
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1. A system for exposing a fluid to ultraviolet radiation, wherein the fluid comprises at least one biohazard, the system comprising:
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a conduit for conveying the fluid, wherein the conduit has an input, an output, a length, and a cross section along its length, wherein the fluid has a distribution in the conduit, and wherein the conduit is baffled so that the fluid flow is rendered more uniform while being conveyed through the conduit; and
at least one light-emitting device mounted to emit short-wavelength radiation in the conduit for neutralizing the biohazard. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A system for exposing a material to ultraviolet radiation, wherein the material comprises at least one biohazard, the system comprising:
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a conveyor for conveying the material, wherein the conveyor has an input, an output, and a length;
at least one light-emitting device mounted to emit short-wavelength radiation at the material while being conveyed by the conveyor, wherein the radiation has an intensity along the length of the conveyor;
at least one photodetector positioned to monitor the intensity at at least one point along the length; and
a conveyor controller for adjusting the speed of the conveyor such that the material is exposed to a predetermined radiation dose sufficient to neutralize the at least one biohazard, wherein the adjusting is based on an output of the at least one photodetector. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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24. A system for exposing a material to a directed beam of ultraviolet radiation, wherein the material comprises at least one biohazard, the system comprising:
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at least one mobile light-emitting device mounted to emit short-wavelength radiation in the form of a beam having a direction; and
a controller for adjusting at least the direction of the beam such that the material is exposed to a predetermined radiation dose sufficient to neutralize the at least one biohazard. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A system for exposing a surface to a directed beam of ultraviolet radiation, wherein the surface has at least one biohazard, the system comprising:
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a light source for emitting short-wavelength radiation in a direction;
a mirror device having at least one independently controllable mirror, wherein each mirror has a reflectivity greater than about 50% for the radiation;
a waveguide having an input and an output, wherein the input is positioned to receive at least a portion of the radiation and the output is positioned to direct toward the micro-mirror device; and
a mirror device controller coupled to the mirror device for controlling the orientation of each of the mirrors such that the surface is exposed to a predetermined radiation dose sufficient to neutralize the at least one biohazard. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
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46. A system for preventing and inactivating biohazards, wherein the system comprises:
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at least one light emitting diode for emitting ultraviolet radiation; and
a flexible carrier onto which the at least one light emitting diode is mounted. - View Dependent Claims (47, 48)
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49. A method for exposing a material to a predetermined minimum dose of ultraviolet radiation, said method comprising:
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conveying the material from an input to an output along a length;
exposing the material to short-wavelength radiation using a light-emitting device, wherein the radiation has an intensity along the length;
at least one photodetector positioned to monitor the intensity at at least one position along the length; and
adjusting the speed of the material while being conveyed such that the material is exposed to a predetermined minimum radiation dose sufficient to substantially neutralize the at least one biohazard, wherein the adjusting is based on an output of the at least one photodetector.
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50. An apparatus for attenuating ultraviolet light for use with a system that inactivates biohazards using an ultraviolet light source, said system having a conduit coupled to a port, wherein the port is selected from a group consisting of an input and an output, wherein the apparatus comprises:
an ultraviolet light-absorbing surface disposed on an inner surface of the conduit. - View Dependent Claims (51, 52, 53, 54, 55)
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56. A system for exposing air to ultraviolet radiation, wherein the air comprises at least one biohazard, the system comprising:
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a conduit having a length and for conveying the air; and
at least one array of light-emitting devices mounted to emit short-wavelength radiation in the conduit for neutralizing the biohazard, wherein the array comprises at least two different types of ultraviolet light-emitting devices, wherein the at least two different types comprises a first type having a first peak wavelength and a second type having a second peak wavelength, wherein the first peak wavelength is different from the second peak wavelength. - View Dependent Claims (57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70)
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71. A system for exposing air to ultraviolet radiation, wherein the air comprises at least one biohazard, the system comprising:
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a conduit having a killing zone, wherein the killing zone has a length in which the air is conveyed;
an array of light-emitting devices mounted to emit short-wavelength radiation in the conduit for neutralizing the biohazard;
at least one photodetector located in said conduit to sense an ultraviolet radiation intensity and generate a signal indicative of the ultraviolet radiation; and
a unit for determining, based on the at least one photodetector signal, whether any of the light-emitting devices require service. - View Dependent Claims (72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78)
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- 79. An ozone reactive surface for use with an air processing system that inactivates airborne biohazards using an ultraviolet light source, wherein the ozone reactive surface comprises a material selected from a group consisting of an unsaturated organic polymer, a metal sulfide, a metal hydroxide, and any combination thereof.
Specification