Ultraviolet area sterilizer and method of area sterilization using ultraviolet radiation

• US 6,656,424 B1
• Filed: 09/19/2000
• Issued: 12/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Uvas LLC
• Original Assignee: Uvas LLC
• Inventors: Deal, Jeffery L
• Primary Examiner(s): MCKANE, ELIZABETH L
• Application Number:
  US09/665,151
• Time in Patent Office: 1,169 Days
• Field of Search: 422/24, 422/121, 422/3, 422/62, 250/455.11
• US Class Current: 422/3
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/10 Ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/24 Apparatus using programmed or automatic operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/28 Devices for testing the effectiveness or completeness of sterilisation, e.g. indicators which change colour apparatus involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M1/34; methods involving enzymes or microorganisms C12Q1/00

Abstract

An ultraviolet area sterilizer (UVAS) is mobile or stationary. The UVAS is positioned in a room, such an operating room or intensive care unit. Motion detectors sense movement, to assure that personnel have evacuated the space to be sterilized. Subsequently, UV-C generators, such as a bank of mercury bulbs, generate intense levels of UV-C. An array of multiple UV-C sensors scan the room, and determine the darkest area, or the area reflecting the lowest level of UV-C back to the sensors. A BASIC Stamp contained in the device calculates the time required to obtain a bactericidal dose of UV-C reflected back from darkest area. Once a bactericidal dose has been reflected to all the sensors, the unit notifies the operator and shuts down. By relying on reflected doses rather than direct exposure, the UVAS is able to sterilize or sanitize all surfaces within the room that are within view of an exposed wall or ceiling.

Claims

1. A method of sterilizing an area using ultraviolet radiation, comprising the steps of:

(a) causing ultraviolet-C radiation to be emitted within an enclosed area;

(b) measuring a reflection of ultraviolet-C radiation from each of multiple points within said enclosed area;

(c) calculating the ultraviolet-C radiation level necessary to sterilize said enclosed area and comparing it with the measured reflected ultraviolet-C radiation;

(d) terminating the emission of ultraviolet-C radiation after determining that the required minimum ultraviolet-C radiation has been reflected from each of said multiple points within said enclosed area.

2. A method of sterilizing an area using ultraviolet radiation as described in claim 1, wherein motion within said enclosed area is detected prior to the initiation of emission of ultraviolet-C radiation.

3. A device for sterilizing an area using ultraviolet radiation, comprising:

(a) a base;

(b) a plurality of ultraviolet-C radiation emitters, wherein said plurality of ultraviolet-C radiation emitters are positioned on said base to emit ultraviolet-C radiation 360 degrees around said base and above said base;

(c) at least one radiation sensor which is attached to said base which receives reflected ultraviolet-C radiation from multiple points in an area that is external to the device, wherein said sensor measures said reflected ultraviolet-C radiation.

4. A device for sterilizing an area using ultraviolet radiation as described in claim 3, further comprising a motion detector which communicates with said plurality of ultraviolet-C radiation emitters.

5. A device for sterilizing an area using ultraviolet radiation as described in claim 3, wherein said area that is external to the device is a room.

6. A method of disinfecting an area using ultraviolet radiation, comprising the steps of:

(a) causing an emission of ultraviolet-C radiation within an enclosed area;

(b) providing at least one sensor that receives only reflected ultraviolet-C radiation from said emission of ultraviolet-C radiation;

(c) measuring a level of reflected ultraviolet-C radiation received by said at least one sensor; and

(d) terminating the emission of ultraviolet-C radiation upon determining that a cumulative level of reflected ultraviolet-C radiation has been received by said at least one sensor.

7. A method of disinfecting an area using ultraviolet radiation as described in claim 6, wherein said enclosed area is a room having a plurality of walls, and wherein a portion of said emission of ultraviolet-C radiation is reflected from said plurality of walls, and wherein ultraviolet-C radiation reflected from said walls is received by said at least one sensor.

8. A method of disinfecting an area using ultraviolet radiation as described in claim 7, wherein said ultraviolet-C radiation is emitted from a location that is remote from said plurality of walls, and said at least one sensor receives reflected radiation from said plurality of walls.

9. A method of disinfecting an area using ultraviolet radiation as described in claim 8, wherein said at least one sensor is positioned at a location that is remote from said plurality of walls.

10. A method of disinfecting an area using ultraviolet radiation as described in claim 7, wherein said room further comprises a ceiling, and ultraviolet-C radiation is emitted from a location that is remote from said plurality of walls, and said at least one sensor receives reflected radiation from said plurality of walls and from said ceiling.

11. A method of disinfecting an area using ultraviolet radiation as described in claim 10, wherein said at least one sensor is positioned at a location that is remote from said plurality of walls.

12. A method of disinfecting an area using ultraviolet radiation as described in claim 6, wherein said method comprises providing at least two sensors that receive only reflected ultraviolet-C radiation from said emission of ultraviolet-C radiation, and wherein a level of reflected ultraviolet-C radiation received by each of said at least two sensors is measured for said each of said at least two sensors, and the emission of ultraviolet-C radiation is terminated after determining that a minimum cumulative level of reflected ultraviolet-C radiation has been received by said each of said at least two sensors.

13. A method of disinfecting an area using ultraviolet radiation as described in claim 6, wherein said at least one ultraviolet-C radiation sensor is positioned to receive reflected ultraviolet-C radiation from 360 degrees around said at least one ultraviolet-C radiation sensor.

14. A device for disinfecting an area using ultraviolet radiation, comprising:

(a) at least one ultraviolet-C emitter which emits ultraviolet-C radiation which is subsequently reflected by a surface in the area; and

(b) at least one ultraviolet-C radiation sensor that is positioned relative to said at least one ultraviolet-C emitter to receive only reflected ultraviolet-C radiation.

15. A device for disinfecting an area using ultraviolet radiation as described in claim 14, wherein said at least one ultraviolet-C radiation sensor measures ultraviolet-C radiation received by said at least one ultraviolet-C radiation sensor, and said device comprises means for terminating an emission of ultraviolet-C radiation from at least one ultraviolet-C radiation emitter upon determining that a cumulative level of reflected ultraviolet-C radiation has been received by said at least one ultraviolet-C radiation sensor.

16. A device for disinfecting an area using ultraviolet radiation as described in claim 14, wherein said device comprises at least two ultraviolet-C radiation sensors that are positioned relative to said at least one ultraviolet-C radiation emitter to receive only ultraviolet-C radiation that is emitted by said at least one ultraviolet-C radiation emitter and is subsequently reflected, and said device comprises means for terminating an emission of ultraviolet-C radiation from said at least one ultraviolet-C radiation emitter upon determining that a cumulative level of reflected ultraviolet-C radiation has been received by each of said at least two ultraviolet-C radiation sensors.

17. A device for disinfecting an area using ultraviolet radiation as described in claim 14, wherein said at least one ultraviolet-C radiation emitter is positioned to direct ultraviolet-C radiation 360 degrees around said at least one ultraviolet-C radiation emitter and above said at least one ultraviolet-C radiation emitter, and said at least one ultraviolet-C radiation sensor is positioned to receive reflected ultraviolet-C radiation from 360 degrees around said at least one ultraviolet-C radiation emitter.

18. A device for disinfecting an area using ultraviolet radiation as described in claim 14, wherein said at least one ultraviolet-C radiation sensor measures ultraviolet-C radiation received by said at least one ultraviolet-C radiation sensor, and the device further comprises a computer, wherein said computer terminates an emission of ultraviolet-C radiation from said at least one ultraviolet-C radiation emitter upon determining that a cumulative level of reflected ultraviolet-C radiation has been received by said at least one ultraviolet-C radiation sensor.

19. A device for disinfecting an area using ultraviolet radiation as described in claim 14, wherein the device comprises at least two sensors that are positioned to receive only ultraviolet-C radiation that is emitted by said at least one ultraviolet-C radiation emitter and is subsequently reflected, and the device comprises a computer, wherein said computer terminates an emission of ultraviolet-C radiation from said at least one ultraviolet-C radiation emitter upon determining that a cumulative level of reflected ultraviolet-C radiation has been received by each of said at least two ultraviolet-C radiation sensors.

20. A device for disinfecting an area using ultraviolet radiation as described in claim 14, wherein said at least one ultraviolet-C radiation emitter and said at least one ultraviolet-C radiation sensor are positioned in a room, wherein said room comprises walls, and wherein said at least one ultraviolet-C radiation sensor is positioned remotely from said walls.