Mobile Ultraviolet Sterilization Systems and Methods
First Claim
1. A sterilization chamber, comprising:
- walls enclosing a sterilization area;
one or more ultraviolet light bulbs attached to one or more of the walls inside the sterilization area, wherein the one or more ultraviolet light bulbs are capable of irradiating germicidal ultraviolet light at sufficient levels to kill or render non-viable microorganisms exposed to the ultraviolet light;
a corrugated reflective material that lines an inside surface of the walls; and
a control unit including controls to operate the one or more ultraviolet light bulbs.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Sterilization units and systems and related assemblies, devices, and methods are disclosed. The sterilization units may be mobile and used in a variety of locations. The sterilization units and systems use germicidal ultraviolet-C light to kill or render non-viable bacteria and viruses. The various sterilization units and systems disclosed herein may have improved ultraviolet light distribution and/or improved ability to direct and focus the ultraviolet light in a desired area. The sterilization units and systems may optionally be made of non-magnetic materials such that the sterilization units and systems may be used in the vicinity of MRI equipment without causing complications or damage to the MRI equipment.
37 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A sterilization chamber, comprising:
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walls enclosing a sterilization area; one or more ultraviolet light bulbs attached to one or more of the walls inside the sterilization area, wherein the one or more ultraviolet light bulbs are capable of irradiating germicidal ultraviolet light at sufficient levels to kill or render non-viable microorganisms exposed to the ultraviolet light; a corrugated reflective material that lines an inside surface of the walls; and a control unit including controls to operate the one or more ultraviolet light bulbs. - 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 method of sterilization comprising:
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placing one or more items to be sterilized inside an interior of a sterilization chamber, the sterilization chamber comprising walls enclosing a sterilization area; one or more ultraviolet light bulbs attached to one or more of the walls inside the sterilization area, wherein the one or more ultraviolet light bulbs are capable of irradiating germicidal ultraviolet light at sufficient levels to kill or render non-viable microorganisms exposed to the ultraviolet light; and a corrugated reflective material that lines an inside surface of the walls; and sterilizing the one or more items by turning on the one or more ultraviolet light bulbs inside the sterilization chamber and leaving them on for an amount of time sufficient to kill or render non-viable 100% or nearly 100% of the microorganisms on the one or more items, wherein ultraviolet light from the one or more ultraviolet light bulbs is reflected in many different directions by the corrugated reflective material such that non-uniform surfaces of the one or more items are exposed to the ultraviolet light. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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22. A sterilization apparatus, comprising:
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a base; a central tower portion attached to the base, wherein the central tower portion has multiple sides of equal size, wherein each of the multiple sides is constructed of a reflective material; multiple ultraviolet light bulbs, each of the multiple ultraviolet light bulbs attached to a different one of the multiple sides, wherein the multiple ultraviolet light bulbs are capable of irradiating germicidal ultraviolet light at sufficient levels to kill or render non-viable microorganisms exposed to the ultraviolet light; and a control unit to operate the one or more ultraviolet light bulbs. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
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25. A method of sterilization comprising:
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moving a sterilization device into a room to be sterilized, the sterilization device comprising; a base; a central tower portion attached to the base, wherein the central tower portion has multiple sides of equal size, wherein each of the multiple sides is constructed of a reflective material; multiple ultraviolet light bulbs, each of the multiple ultraviolet light bulbs attached to a different one of the multiple sides, wherein the multiple ultraviolet light bulbs are capable of irradiating germicidal ultraviolet light at sufficient levels to kill or render non-viable microorganisms exposed to the ultraviolet light; and sterilizing the room to be sterilized by turning on the one or more ultraviolet light bulbs and letting ultraviolet light radiate throughout the room to be sterilized. - View Dependent Claims (26)
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Specification