Sterilization apparatus

• US 20080265179A1
• Filed: 04/27/2007
• Published: 10/30/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hand Held Products Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hand Held Products Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: Havens, William H., Hennick, Robert J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,203,124 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 250/492.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/10 Ultraviolet radiation

Abstract

Embodiments of a sterilization apparatus and methods of using a sterilization system are disclosed in the present application. The sterilization apparatus can take the form of a sterilization chamber comprising a top wall, a bottom wall, end walls and side walls which define the interior of the chamber. Throughout the interior of the chamber, multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes (UVLEDs) irradiate energy at wavelengths for destroying pathogenic substances and achieving an efficient level of sterilization. A UV transparent plate located within the interior of the chamber can support one or more target devices, and can be proportionally sized to accommodate placement of a target device for the simultaneous and uniform distribution of UV sterilizing energy to the surfaces of a target. The sterilization chamber can provide the necessary decontamination and sterilization measures to effectively eliminate any residual biological contaminants on the exposed or hard-to-reach crevices or features of a medical device. Furthermore, one or more interior surfaces of the chamber may comprise a UV reflective material for distributing UV radiation upon substantially all surfaces of a target.

Claims

1. An apparatus for sterilizing surfaces of a target device from microorganismal contamination comprising:

one or more walls defining an interior for containing ultraviolet (UV) radiation, said interior proportionally sized to enclose a target device;

a source of radiation comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs), said LEDs positioned in combination with said one or more walls;

a power supply providing energy to said LEDs such that said LEDs emit UV radiation into said interior; and

a support positioning said target device within said interior;

wherein said support is enclosed by said one or more walls and said plurality of UVLEDs in combination with said support expose substantially all surface areas of said target device to UV radiation.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said UV radiation from said LEDs inactivate microorganismal contaminants on said surface areas of said target device.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said plurality of LEDs are encapsulated in at least one array and integral with said one or more walls of said interior.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said plurality of LEDs are distributed throughout said interior.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said UV radiation comprises induced high energy UV-B and UV-C exposure.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said UV-B and UV-C exposure comprises the range between about 240 nm-280 nm.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each LED in said plurality of LEDs have peak emission wavelengths in the range between about 250 nm-365 nm.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of said one or more walls of said interior comprises a reflective coating or material which distributes UV light.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said reflective coating or material comprises optically diffuse materials for spectral reflectance within a designated emissions range.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said target device is a portable data terminal, medical device, electronic data device, instrument or instrumentation for use in a clean-room or sterile environment.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said support is a rechargeable unit adapted to connect with said portable data terminal.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said portable data terminal comprises optical components protected by a housing material, said housing material preventing UV degradation.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, said housing material is chemically or microbially resistant.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said support is a UV transparent material or a holder which suspends said target device within said interior.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said UV transparent material comprises materials including quartz and optically fused quartz.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each said wall of said interior comprises at least one array of UVLEDs for absorption by DNA molecules during sterilization.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an aperture providing access to said interior and proportionally sized to accommodate said target device.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said aperture is closed using one or more doors, removable walls, or partitions.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a seal about the periphery of said aperture to prevent UV radiation from leaving said interior.

20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said door comprises an array of UVLEDs.

21. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a fan to disperse heat.

22. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said plurality of UVLEDs is affixed to a heat sink.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said heat sink comprises metal.

24. A method of sterilizing portable data devices comprising:

enclosing a data device in a chamber, said chamber comprising one or more walls, a holder for positioning a portable data device, an aperture in at least one said wall and capable of being sealed, a plurality of UVLEDs distributed throughout said chamber, and a power supply providing energy to said UVLEDs; and

irradiating the surfaces of said data device simultaneously with UV radiation thereby destroying biological contaminants which may be present on said data device.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising a step of chemically cleaning said data device prior to said step of irradiating.

26. The method of claim 24, further comprising a step of chemically cleaning said data device within said chamber.

27. The method of claim 24, wherein said step of irradiating comprises a step of calculating the surface area of said data device in combination with determining a distribution of UVLEDs such that an appropriate measure of UV radiation is utilized to inactivate pathogens including bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoans and parasitic microorganisms.

28. The method of claim 24, further comprising steps of removing said data device from said chamber, utilizing said data device in a sterile environment and repeating said steps of enclosing and irradiating without damaging physical, optical or electrical components of said data device.

29. A system for sterilizing a portable data terminal comprising:

a portable data terminal having a housing and plurality of features;

a holder transmissive to UV radiation and supporting said portable data terminal; and

one or more walls forming a closed compartment, said closed compartment for enclosing said sample holder in combination with said portable data terminal;

wherein said one or more walls comprises at least a first surface integrating an array of LEDs for emitting UV radiation upon said portable data terminal and at least a second surface comprising a UV reflective material;

wherein said second surface disperses UV radiation throughout said closed compartment.

30. The system according to claim 29, wherein said housing and said features of said portable data terminal comprise materials non-supportive of pathogens.

31. The system according to claim 29, wherein said features comprise a continuous interface.

32. The system according to claim 31, wherein said continuous interface comprises dome switches or keypad components resistant to biological growth and UV degradation.

33. The system according to claim 29, wherein said array of LEDs comprises a combined energy of UV radiation such that the emitted light sterilizes substantially all surface areas of said portable data terminal.

34. The system according to claim 29, wherein said portable data terminal includes a barcode reader and a data processor element.