Single-emitter lighting device that outputs a minimum amount of power to produce integrated radiance values sufficient for deactivating pathogens

• US 10,765,765 B2
• Filed: 04/27/2018
• Issued: 09/08/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kenall Manufacturing Company (Legrand SA)
• Original Assignee: Kenall Manufacturing Company (Legrand SA)
• Inventors: Hawkins, James W., Heiking, Nathan D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Joyner, Kevin
• Application Number:
  US15/965,046
• Publication Number:
  US 20180243453A1
• Time in Patent Office: 865 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/084 Visible light
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/24 Apparatus using programmed or automatic operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/11 Apparatus for generating biocidal substances, e.g. vaporisers, UV lamps
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/14 Means for controlling sterilisation processes, data processing, presentation and storage means, e.g. sensors, controllers, programs
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/25 Rooms in buildings, passenger compartments
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2209/111 Sensor means, e.g. motion, brightness, scent, contaminant sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2209/12 Lighting means
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/18 Radiation A61L9/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/20 Ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0662 Visible light
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/06 using light
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0624 for eliminating microbes, germs, bacteria on or in the body
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/00 Light sources using semiconductor devices as light-generating elements, e.g. using light-emitting diodes [LED] or lasers
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/026 intended to be recessed in a ceiling or like overhead structure, e.g. suspended ceiling
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 15/01 Housings, e.g. material or assembling of housing parts F21V15/02 takes precedence housings forming signs or letters G09F13/04
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 19/006 of point-like light sources, e.g. incandescent or halogen lamps, with screw-threaded or bayonet base of sources having contact pins, wires or blades F21V19/0005; of LEDs or sources mounted on printed-circuit board F21V19/001
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0442 activated by means of a sensor, e.g. motion or photodetectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0471 the sensor detecting the proximity, the presence or the movement of an object or a person
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/06 the elements being coupling devices , e.g. connectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/70 characterised by passive heat-dissipating elements, e.g. heat-sinks
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 31/005 : Sealing arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0068 : Medical equipment
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 5/04 : of lens shape
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/00 : Reflectors for light sources characterised by cooling arrangements F21V29/505
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/20 : Lighting for medical use
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2101/00 : Point-like light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2105/10 : comprising a two-dimensional array of point-like light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2113/00 : Combination of light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2113/13 : comprising an assembly of point-like light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 : Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 33/50 : Wavelength conversion elements
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 33/505 : characterised by the shape, e.g. plate or foil
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/20 : Controlling the colour of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/56 : involving measures to prevent abnormal temperature of the LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/10 : Controlling the light source
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/105 : in response to determined parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/13 : by using passive infrared detectors
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/165 : following a pre-assigned programmed sequence; Logic control [LC]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/17 : Operational modes, e.g. switching from manual to automatic mode or prohibiting specific operations
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/175 : by remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/19 : via wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 : Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

Methods and lighting systems to deactivating deactivate MRSA bacteria in a volumetric space over a period of time. At least one lighting element of each of one or more lighting fixtures provide light. The light includes a first disinfecting light having a wavelength of about 405 nm and a minimum integrated irradiance of 0.01 mW/cm², and a second component having a wavelength of greater than 420 nm. The one or more lighting elements of the one or more lighting fixtures apply a determined total radiometric power to produce a desired power density measured at any exposed surface within the volumetric space during the period of time. The minimum power density includes a minimum integrated irradiance of the disinfecting light equal to 0.01 mW/cm².

Claims

1. A method of deactivating MRSA bacteria in a volumetric space over a period of time, the method comprising:

providing light from at least one lighting element of each of one or more lighting fixtures installed in the volumetric space, wherein the light provided by the at least one lighting element is produced from a single light source, wherein at least a first component of the light is a disinfecting light having a wavelength of about 405 nm and has a minimum integrated irradiance of 0.01 mW/cm², and wherein at least a second component of the light has a wavelength of greater than 420 nm;

receiving first data associated with a desired illuminance level for the volumetric space and second data indicative of desired correlated color temperature for the volumetric space;

determining, based on the first and second data, an arrangement of the one or more lighting fixtures in the volumetric space; and

determining, based on the second data and the volumetric space, a total radiometric power to be applied via the one or more lighting fixtures to produce a desired power density measured at any exposed surface within the volumetric space during the period of time, the desired power density comprising the minimum integrated irradiance of the disinfecting light equal to 0.01 mW/cm².

2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the total radiometric power based on the second data and the volumetric space comprises determining the total radiometric power at least partially based on data indicative of a length, a width, and a height of the volumetric space.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising installing the arrangement of the one or more lighting fixtures in the volumetric space, such that the determined radiometric power can be applied to the volumetric space via the one or more lighting fixtures.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the arrangement further comprises one or more of a reflector, a lens, or a diffuser for directing the disinfecting light.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the one or more lighting fixtures applies a radiometric power at 20 degrees from a center axis of light distribution that is equal to 50% of a radiometric power applied at the center axis of light distribution, wherein the radiometric power at 20 degrees and the radiometric power at the center axis are measured at equal distances from the at least one lighting element.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the exposed surface in the volumetric space is 1.5 m from an external-most luminous surface of the one or more lighting fixtures at nadir, and wherein the minimum integrated irradiance of the disinfecting light is equal to 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25, or 0.30 mW/cm².

7. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the total radiometric power to be applied comprises determining the total radiometric power using the following formula:

the total radiometric power to be applied=((the minimum integrated irradiance of the disinfecting light*duration)/volume of the volumetric space), where duration represents a period of time per day that the volumetric space is to be occupied, and where the volume of the volumetric space is calculated by multiplying a length, a width, and a height of the volumetric space.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one lighting element comprises at least one light-emitting diode (LED).

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the at least one lighting element further comprises at least one phosphor element covering or arranged proximate to the at least one LED, the at least one phosphor element configured to produce the second component of the light provided from the at least one lighting element.

10. A method of providing doses of light sufficient to deactivate MRSA bacteria throughout a volumetric space over a period of time, the method comprising:

installing an arrangement of one or more lighting fixtures in the volumetric space, each of the one or more lighting fixtures configured to at least partially provide, via at least one lighting element, disinfecting light having a wavelength of about 405 nm; and

applying, via the one or more lighting fixtures, a determined radiometric power to the volumetric space, wherein the determined radiometric power produces a minimum power density measured at any exposed surface within the volumetric space during the period of time, the minimum power density comprising a minimum integrated irradiance of the disinfecting light equal to 0.01 mW/cm²,

wherein applying the determined radiometric power comprises providing light from the at least one lighting element of each of the one or more lighting fixtures, wherein the light provided the at least one lighting element is produced from a single light source, wherein at least a first component of the light is the disinfecting light, and wherein at least a second component of the light has a wavelength of greater than 420 nm.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the arrangement of the one or more lighting fixtures further comprises one or more of a reflector, a lens, or a diffuser for directing the disinfecting light.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the at least one lighting element comprises one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and one or more phosphor elements covering or arranged proximate to the one or more LEDs, the one or more LEDs configured to emit the disinfecting light, and the one or more phosphor elements configured to produce the second component of the light.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the exposed surface in the volumetric space is 1.5 m from an external-most luminous surface of the one or more lighting fixtures at nadir, and wherein the minimum integrated irradiance of the disinfecting light is equal to 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25, or 0.30 mW/cm².

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising automatically adjusting at least one of a wavelength, intensity, or bandwidth of the disinfecting light to maintain the minimum power density.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein applying the determined radiometric power comprises controlling an intensity of the disinfecting light responsive to a control signal received from a user of the one or more lighting fixtures or a central controller located remotely from the one or more lighting fixtures.

16. A lighting system configured to deactivate MRSA bacteria in a volumetric space over a period of time, the lighting system comprising:

one or more lighting fixtures each configured at least partially to provide, via at least one lighting element, disinfecting light having a wavelength of about 405 nm; and

one or more control devices configured to;

receive first data associated with a desired illuminance level for the volumetric space, and second data indicative of desired correlated color temperature for the volumetric space,

determine, based on the first and second data, an arrangement of the one or more lighting fixtures in the volumetric space,

determine, based on the second data and the volumetric space, a total radiometric power to be applied via the one or more lighting fixtures to produce a desired power density measured at any exposed surface within the volumetric space during the period of time, the desired power density comprising a minimum integrated irradiance of the disinfecting light equal to 0.01 mW/cm², and

cause the at least one lighting element of each of the one or more lighting fixtures to provide light, wherein the light provided by the at least one lighting element is produced from a single light source, wherein at least a first component of the light is the disinfecting light, and wherein at least a second component of the light has a wavelength of greater than 420 nm.

17. The lighting system of claim 16, wherein the one or more control devices comprise a local controller located within the volumetric space, and wherein causing the at least one lighting element of each of the one or more lighting fixtures to provide light comprises:

receiving, at the local controller via one or more servers located remotely from the volumetric space, one or more control signals indicating operational instructions for the one or more lighting fixtures, and

causing, via the local controller, the at least one lighting element of each of the one or more lighting fixtures to provide light at least partially based on the one or more received control signals.

18. The lighting system of claim 16, wherein each of the one or more lighting fixtures further comprises one or more of a reflector, a lens, or a diffuser for directing the disinfecting light.

19. The lighting system of claim 16, wherein the at least one lighting element comprises at least one light-emitting diode (LED).

20. The lighting system of claim 19, wherein the at least one lighting element further comprises at least one phosphor element covering or arranged proximate to the at least one LED, the at least one phosphor element configured to produce the second component of the light.