EP1907019A1 - Unite de desactivation virale par rayonnement uv - Google Patents

Unite de desactivation virale par rayonnement uv

Info

Publication number
EP1907019A1
EP1907019A1 EP06744117A EP06744117A EP1907019A1 EP 1907019 A1 EP1907019 A1 EP 1907019A1 EP 06744117 A EP06744117 A EP 06744117A EP 06744117 A EP06744117 A EP 06744117A EP 1907019 A1 EP1907019 A1 EP 1907019A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
unit
unit according
ultraviolet light
chamber
item
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP06744117A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
John James
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Medi UV Hold Ltd
Original Assignee
Medi UV Hold Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Medi UV Hold Ltd filed Critical Medi UV Hold Ltd
Publication of EP1907019A1 publication Critical patent/EP1907019A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L2/00—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor
    • A61L2/02—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor using physical phenomena
    • A61L2/08—Radiation
    • A61L2/10—Ultraviolet radiation

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a unit for cleansing items such as electronic equipment and the like.
  • the invention is particularly adapted for cleansing items used in hospital and in particular for deactivating viruses or other organism containing RNA or DNA which might be present on such items.
  • An object of the invention is to provide an improved unit for enabling virus deactivation on items, particularly static, three dimensional solid items, such as electrical equipment and even larger items such as hospital beds. Another object of the invention is to minimise the number and/or optimise the efficiency of UV exposures of an item to ensure complete deactivation over the entire surface of the item. A further object of the invention is to reduce the risk of exposure to users of excess ultraviolet radiation.
  • an aspect of the invention provides a virus deactivation unit comprising a body defining a chamber for location of an item to be cleansed, wherein the chamber comprises a plurality of ultraviolet light sources configured to minimise shadowing of UV light over the majority of the surface of the item in use.
  • the unit achieves UV radiation coverage of over 90%, and more preferably over 95%, of the surface of an item in a single exposure of UV to the item in the unit, and preferably this is achieved even when the item is stationary in the unit.
  • the unit has a moveable closure and is entirely closed in use to prevent egress of UV radiation from the unit.
  • a user does not need to wear protective clothing when using a unit according to the invention.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention
  • Figure 2 is a schematic end view of the interior of the unit shown in figure 1
  • Figure 3 is a schematic side view of three of the walls forming part of the unit shown in figure 1,
  • Figure 4 is a schematic side view of part of the door for the unit shown in figure 1,
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of some of the electronic circuitry used in the unit shown in figures 1 to 4.
  • Figure 6 is a schematic view of a wall of a unit comprising an array of lamps
  • Figure 7 is a schematic side view of another form of reflector panel.
  • a unit 10 comprising a main body 12 having closure in the form of a door 14, wherein the unit 10 comprises a chamber 16 for location of items to be cleansed.
  • the unit 10 has a width W, depth D, and height H (as shown in figure 1) which are preferably in the order of a meter each in one form of the unit thereby enabling insertion of solid three-dimensional items such as electrical equipment into chamber 16. In other forms the dimensions are considerably larger and, for example, the width, depth and height might be up to three meters thereby enabling insertion of larger items, such as hospital beds into unit 10.
  • door 14 comprises a hinge 18 and a handle 22 such that it is moveable between an open and closed position.
  • a seal 20 is provided at the interface of the door 14 and body 12 to prevent egress of ultraviolet light in use when the door is closed.
  • this comprises an outer UV stable material and can comprise magnetic strips to hold the door 14 against the body 12.
  • Other latching mechanisms can also be provided to hold the door 14 in a closed position.
  • the front of the door 14 further comprises a user interface 23, for example comprising a UV effectiveness display 24 which in this embodiment comprises one LED per ultraviolet light source contained within unit 10.
  • a UV effectiveness display 24 can be provided having a numeric output of the numbers of lamps which are in use. Beneficially therefore a user is able to determine whether or not the unit 10 is operating at maximum efficiency and whether or not any individual ultraviolet light sources require replacing. Preferably the location of any blown UV tubes is indicated by the display.
  • the user interface 23 further comprises a start button 26, a timer display 28, an instructions panel 30, which in one form is an interactive user interface with a central controller, and a main power on/off light 32.
  • each wall 34 of the unit 10 carries a panel 36 for supporting a reflector panel 38 positioned between the wall 34 and an array 39 of ultraviolet light sources 40, in this case a number of tubes.
  • each wall 34 carries eight UV lamps 40, so that forty eight lamps are provided in chamber 16.
  • a screen is provided in front of the ultraviolet tubes 40 to prevent damage by an item inserted into chamber 16.
  • the screen 42 comprises a wire mesh. Supports 44 are provided to hold the mesh 42 away from the tubes.
  • a single support 44 can be provided to hold the top layer of mesh and possibly a single support 44 is provided in the rear wall similarly to support the mesh 42.
  • the tubes 40 are aligned above or adjacent one another on the associated wall 34.
  • combinations of staggered arrays of UV light sources 40 can be positioned on a wall 34 in order to minimise shadowing of an item placed in chamber 16. For example if the depth d is larger than the width w or height h of the unit 10, longer tubes might be used on the side top and bottom walls than on other end wall and door or a staggered array of overlapping or interdigitated tubes might be appropriate as shown in Figure 6.
  • FIG. 3 The arrangement of the support panels 36, tubes 40 and supports 44 can be seen also in figure 3 wherein the side walls 34 are removed for clarity. Also shown in figure 3 is an extension of the walls at the open end adjacent to the door in the form of a lip 46 which preferably extends into the door when closed thereby helping to prevent egress of ultraviolet light from the chamber 16 when in use. Preferably lip 46 protrudes from all four edges of the entry to chamber 16 thereby to engage the door 14 when closed, along the entire circumference of the interface of the door 14 with the unit 12.
  • the door 14 is shown in greater detail in figure 4 wherein one edge of the door is removed for clarity. As is shown, the door 14 comprises a hinge 18, an array of ultraviolet light tubes 40 mounted on a support panel 36 which carries a reflective panel (38 not shown). Behind the support panel 36 there is space between the wall of the door and the panel 36 for the ballast for each of the ultraviolet lights 40.
  • the reflector plate provides a recess behind each lamp 40 which rather than simply being a two sided V shape, is a three sided truncated V shape.
  • the base indicated at 38 b has a width approximately twice the diameter of lamp 40.
  • the depth of the recess indicated by reference to panel 38 d is in the order of or greater than the diameter of the light source 40.
  • the unit 10 according to the invention can be constructed about a tubular framework forming a cube or other six sided structure having tubes along each of the corners.
  • the tubes have a square cross section and enable folding of a blank of
  • a blank can be formed having all of the walls 34 for the main body 12 cut to a single blank whereby folding of the blank about the framework enables formation of the outer wall which can then be closed through welding along for example two edges between the top wall and the end wall and one side wall and similarly between the bottom wall and the end wall as well as one side wall.
  • the walls are joined along edges by tig welding. Accordingly, a light tight box is ideally formed for use in the virus deactivation unit.
  • the support panels 36 By mounting the support panels 36 in a removeable manner within units 10, it is possible to place the ballast 48 for each of the lights behind 40 each of the panel 36.
  • the top bottom and side wall support panels 36 might be more permanently positioned and the support panel 36 in the rear wall might be removable and thereby enable positioning of ballast for some or all of the UV light sources 40 within the main body 12 to be located behind a support panel 36 positioned (removeably) against the rear wall 34.
  • the reflector panels 38 are detachably mounted on the support panels 36 for example using a nut and bolt arrangement or a magnetic arrangement.
  • FIG 5 there is shown a schematic diagram of some electronics for operating the unit 10 according to the invention.
  • a power supply 52 connected to an overall array 64 of light sources 40 represented schematically by a single tube 40 having an associated ballast 60.
  • an LED 62 is provided for each lamp 40 forming part in an LED array in display 24 shown in figure 1.
  • the start button 26 is shown schematically in figure 5 at switch 58 and a timer 56 is also provided which is linked to timer display 28 on the door 14 shown in figure 1 thereby to indicate to a user the length of exposure of an item being cleansed.
  • a door proximity sensor 54 is also provided which preferably acts to prevent operation of the unit, that is exposure of an item to ultraviolet radiation, unless it is determined that the door 14 is properly closed.
  • a user loads an item to be cleansed into chamber 16.
  • the item can be mounted directly onto the mesh or on a knife edge support for example in the form of a triangular structure having minimal contact with the item and the base mesh 42 in chamber 16.
  • the user then closes door 14 ensuring a close fit of the door 14 with body 14 preferably through overlap of lips 46 with the door and/or due to contact of seal 20.
  • the user ensures that the power on light 32 is lit then starts the unit using start button 26.
  • the unit 10 is configured automatically to provide a single exposure of say 30 seconds, or other predetermined time, to each item upon activation of the unit by depression of start button 26.
  • a user interface to an electronics control device can be provided enabling the user to determine the length of exposure.
  • power is then supplied to each of the lamps 40 within the unit and an individual LED 24 light according to the functionality of those lights 40. Assuming that all lights are operational (or another number or percentage of the overall number of lights are functional beyond a predetermined limit to ensure satisfactory cleansing), the timer 56 counts down the predetermined exposure time such as 30 seconds and this is displayed at timer display 28.
  • the user Upon completion of the predetermined exposure, the user opens the door 14 and, preferably using a sterilised tool, moves the item being cleansed to a different position to effect radiation of the entire surface of item.
  • the user then closes door 14 again and, in one embodiment, the unit is configured automatically to repeat a second exposure for the predetermined time limit again indicating the number of lamps and the time for the exposure on the relevant display. Alternatively the user presses start button 26 again to commence cleansing.
  • the user After completion of the second exposure, the user is able to remove the cleansed item and repeat the cleansing procedure on a second item.
  • the unit 10 is configured not to allow activation of the lamps thereby preventing accidental leakage of radiation of ultraviolet light from the unit 10.
  • the unit 10 ceases further exposure and provides a warning to the user for example through display 28.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Apparatus For Disinfection Or Sterilisation (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention se rapporte à une unité de désactivation virale, qui comprend un corps définissant une chambre dans laquelle peut être placé un article destiné à être purifié, ladite chambre comportant une pluralité de sources de lumière ultraviolette adaptées de manière à réduire au minimum l'ombrage de la lumière ultraviolette sur la majeure partie de la surface de l'article en cours d'utilisation.
EP06744117A 2005-06-06 2006-06-06 Unite de desactivation virale par rayonnement uv Withdrawn EP1907019A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0511474A GB2427113B (en) 2005-06-06 2005-06-06 Virus deactivation unit
PCT/GB2006/002063 WO2006131720A1 (fr) 2005-06-06 2006-06-06 Unite de desactivation virale par rayonnement uv

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1907019A1 true EP1907019A1 (fr) 2008-04-09

Family

ID=34835193

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP06744117A Withdrawn EP1907019A1 (fr) 2005-06-06 2006-06-06 Unite de desactivation virale par rayonnement uv

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1907019A1 (fr)
GB (1) GB2427113B (fr)
WO (1) WO2006131720A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8203124B2 (en) 2007-04-27 2012-06-19 Hand Held Products, Inc. Sterilization apparatus
GB2614028A (en) 2021-09-24 2023-06-28 Finsen Tech Limited UV-C disinfection cabinet
US20230134766A1 (en) * 2021-10-28 2023-05-04 Air Alpine Innovative Research Inc. Low-Profile In-Duct Air Sanitizer Using UV Emitter and Cooperating Wall-Mountable Reflectors

Family Cites Families (12)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2929805A1 (de) * 1979-07-23 1981-01-29 Wolff System Service Gmbh Entkeimungsgeraet
US5166528A (en) * 1991-10-04 1992-11-24 Le Vay Thurston C Microwave-actuated ultraviolet sterilizer
US5446289A (en) * 1994-04-15 1995-08-29 Despatch Industries Limited Partnership Ultraviolet passthrough sterilization device
US5958336A (en) * 1996-04-26 1999-09-28 Duarte; Raul Surface sterilization device
FR2755430B1 (fr) * 1996-11-04 1999-07-09 Tsr Dispositif de support d'instruments dans une enceinte notamment de decontamination. enceinte correspondante
JP3057036B2 (ja) * 1997-09-01 2000-06-26 一郎 横田 歯科用の抗菌印象用トレー
GB0006616D0 (en) * 2000-03-20 2000-05-10 Afos Ltd Sterilisation apparatus and method
US20020119569A1 (en) * 2001-02-26 2002-08-29 Menz John C. Apparatus for denaturing DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC ACID and fragments thereof
US7175806B2 (en) * 2002-03-15 2007-02-13 Deal Jeffery L C-band disinfector
US7326387B2 (en) * 2002-05-20 2008-02-05 Theodore A. M. Arts Air decontamination devices
EP1554551A4 (fr) * 2002-10-01 2008-01-23 Next Safety Inc Procedes et appareil pour une sterilisation par ultraviolets
US6811748B2 (en) * 2003-02-28 2004-11-02 Eugene Ettlinger System for and method of sterilization of objects

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO2006131720A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2427113B (en) 2011-02-23
GB2427113A (en) 2006-12-13
WO2006131720A1 (fr) 2006-12-14
GB0511474D0 (en) 2005-07-13

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