Method for eliminating airborne microorganisms

• US 7,514,696 B2
• Filed: 08/09/2004
• Issued: 04/07/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Donald Spector
• Original Assignee: Donald Spector
• Inventors: Spector, Donald
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, KIET TUAN
• Application Number:
  US10/914,434
• Publication Number:
  US 20050017200A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,702 Days
• Field of Search: 422/121, 422/122, 250/435, 250/432.R, 250/436
• US Class Current: 250/435
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0644 Handheld applicators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0651 Diodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0661 ultraviolet
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0616 Skin treatment other than tanning

Abstract

A method for eliminating airborne microorganisms in an air duct comprises placing a device containing at least one light emitting diode (LED) in the air duct so that the air flow passes through the beam emitted by the LED.

Claims

1. A method for the destruction of airborne microorganisms, comprising:

installing in an air duct a flow-through device comprising at least one ultraviolet light emitting diode (LED) disposed so as to emit light substantially perpendicularly to a flow of air in the air duct; and

destroying airborne microorganisms by direct interaction of the microorganisms with the ultraviolet light.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the light is emitted from the LED comprising an aluminum gallium arsenide crystal.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the device has a rechargeable power source.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the device is installed in a heating duct.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the device is installed in an air-conditioning duct.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of placing a fan inside the enclosure to force air past the light emitted by the LED.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the LED power is 20,000 to 35,000 microWatt-seconds per square centimeter (μ

W-s/cm²).