Method and Device for Ultraviolet Light Sterilizing

• US 20120261593A1
• Filed: 04/18/2011
• Published: 10/18/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gilda Noori
• Original Assignee: Gilda Noori
• Inventors: Noori, Gilda
• Granted Patent: US 8,779,385 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 250/492.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/10 Ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/122 Chambers for sterilisation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/24 Medical instruments, e.g. endoscopes, catheters, sharps

Abstract

In accordance with the present invention, a device and method is provided for covering and sterilizing a stethoscope or other medical instrument for safer use. The device comprises a closed housing for shielding the object to be sterilized, a means for receiving the object, a power supply, an ultraviolet light source within the housing, and a switch for controlling that lamp.

Claims

1. A device employing UV light for sterilizing, comprising:

a closed housing with an opening configured to receive an object to be sterilized;

a power supply;

a control switch;

an object sensor; and

at least one ultraviolet light source mounted within the housing, wherein the ultraviolet light source is controlled by the control switch and the object sensor.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the housing contains a reflective material on a plurality of its inner surfaces.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the opening is configured to receive the head of a stethoscope.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the object sensor is configured to sense the presence of an object that is placed in the opening and thereby activate the at least one ultraviolet light source.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the object sensor is an infrared sensor.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the object sensor is a normally-off, push-button switch that is activated upon placement of the object in the opening.

7. The device of claim 1, further comprising a fastener configured to fasten the device to the user'"'"'s clothing.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the UV lamp generates radiation with a wavelength ranging from 200 nm to 290 nm.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the UV lamp generates radiation with a wavelength of 254 nm.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the power supply is a re-chargeable battery.

11. The device of claim 1, further comprising a mechanism for mounting the device on a vertical wall.

12. A device employing UV light for sterilizing, comprising:

a closed housing;

a retractable tray that extends from the housing, the tray configured to receive an object to be sterilized.

a power supply;

an object sensor;

a switch; and

at least one ultraviolet light source mounted within the housing, wherein the ultraviolet light source is controlled by the control switch and the object sensor.

13. The device of claim 12 wherein a plurality of the inner surfaces of the housing contain a reflective material.

14. The device of claim 12 wherein the retractable tray is configured to slide horizontally in and out of the housing.

15. The device of claim 12 wherein the retractable tray is hinged at a bottom end and free at a top end, wherein the tray opens at an angle from the vertical axis.

16. A stethoscope sterilizing device comprising:

a housing means;

a means for receiving a stethoscope head within said housing means;

a mean for generating an ultraviolet light within said housing means;

a means for reflecting light within said housing means;

a power supply means contained in said housing means;

a switching means for activating the ultraviolet light.