Hard surface disinfection system and method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of disinfecting surfaces comprising:
- determining an amount of light energy necessary to disinfect various surfaces in an area containing at least one ultraviolet emitting device by actively scanning the area and measuring distances from said at least one device to said surfaces prior to energizing said at least one device, said ultraviolet emitting device having at least one ultraviolet bulb and being moveable within said space;
energizing the bulb of the at least one ultraviolet emitting device;
focusing light from the bulb into a concentrated beam using a reflector;
moving the beam to the various surfaces by rotating the reflector around a circumference of the bulb;
de-energizing the bulb of the at least one ultraviolet emitting device when the determined amount of light energy has disinfected the various surfaces.
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Abstract
A system and method for disinfecting hard surfaces in an area such as a hospital room including a light source emitting UV light and a reflector mounted behind the light source for concentrating and directing the light toward a target. The light source and reflector rotate to direct the concentrated beam around a room, thereby making more efficient use of the energy being emitted.
25 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of disinfecting surfaces comprising:
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determining an amount of light energy necessary to disinfect various surfaces in an area containing at least one ultraviolet emitting device by actively scanning the area and measuring distances from said at least one device to said surfaces prior to energizing said at least one device, said ultraviolet emitting device having at least one ultraviolet bulb and being moveable within said space; energizing the bulb of the at least one ultraviolet emitting device; focusing light from the bulb into a concentrated beam using a reflector; moving the beam to the various surfaces by rotating the reflector around a circumference of the bulb; de-energizing the bulb of the at least one ultraviolet emitting device when the determined amount of light energy has disinfected the various surfaces. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A disinfection system comprising:
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a plurality of energy emitting assemblies, each including; a base assembly; at least one energy emitter extending from the base emitter and having a longitudinal axis; an antenna for sending and receiving data; a control circuit board operably connected to the antenna; an active scanner capable of measuring distances to various objects present in an area; an algorithm that determines desired exposure times for the various objects based on distance from the various objects to each of the various emitters. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of disinfecting an area comprising:
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using an active scanner to determine distances from a plurality of surfaces in an area to at least one energy emitter; rotating a beam of energy from the at least one energy emitter at various speeds to ensure that all of the plurality of surfaces in the area receive at least a minimum total exposure time based on said distances. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification