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
• • 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
  • A61L2/0005—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor for pharmaceuticals, biologicals or living parts
  • A61L2/0011—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor for pharmaceuticals, biologicals or living parts using physical methods
  • A61L2/0029—Radiation
  • A61L2/0047—Ultraviolet radiation
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61N—ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
  • A61N5/00—Radiation therapy
  • A61N5/06—Radiation therapy using light
  • A61N5/0613—Apparatus adapted for a specific treatment
  • A61N5/0624—Apparatus adapted for a specific treatment for eliminating microbes, germs, bacteria on or in the body
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G02—OPTICS
  • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
  • G02B27/00—Optical systems or apparatus not provided for by any of the groups G02B1/00 - G02B26/00, G02B30/00
  • G02B27/10—Beam splitting or combining systems
  • G02B27/14—Beam splitting or combining systems operating by reflection only
  • G02B27/141—Beam splitting or combining systems operating by reflection only using dichroic mirrors
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G02—OPTICS
  • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
  • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
  • G02B6/02—Optical fibres with cladding with or without a coating
  • G02B6/032—Optical fibres with cladding with or without a coating with non solid core or cladding
  • G02B2006/0325—Fluid core or cladding

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a device for sterilizing microorganisims.
• it relates to a device for treatment of a patient for the purpose of killing microorganisms.
• Microbiological sterilization has been pivotal in the production of biological products with extended storage times.
• Various technologies have been developed to achieve this sterilization, including UV-irradiation, gamma-ray irradiation (or gamma irradiation), chemical sterilization, heat sterilization, autoclaving, and ultrafiltration. Because these technologies destroy microorganisms, they are inherently damaging to other biological components that may be in the product to be sterilized. In light of this fact, a particular technology may not always be acceptable for sterilizing a given biological product. Recently, an increase in the number and variety of biotechnology products has created a need for adequate sterilization without the damaging side-effects to the desirable components of the product.
• gamma-irradiation is often not an economically acceptable technology or a safe technology for sterilization of biotechnology products. Additionally, gamma-irradiation sterilizes products by lysising the biological molecules contained in microorganisms. This photochemical mechanism of sterilization may also degrade the desired product, rendering it inactive, and thus defeating the purpose of the sterilization.
• UV-irradiation has been used extensively for microbial sterilization. UV light breaks the hydrogen bonds between adenine-thymine moieties in the DNA polymer that comprises the genome of the cell or virus, and catalyzes the formation of a cyclobutane dimer between adjacent thymine moieties. This disruption of the genome blocks the replication cycle of the cell or virus, effectively inhibiting growth of the organism.
• devices that use UV light to sterilize products are composed of a power supply (ballast), a UV light source, a light-focusing and/or light- conducting device, a light filter, and a control system to assure proper operation.
• the ballast is designed to supply power to the lamp in a reliable fashion in order to ensure continuous optimal function of the lamp.
• low- pressure mercury vapor lamps have been used for microbial sterilization devices because these lamps are relatively inexpensive to operate and emit relatively higher amounts of UV irradiation than other sources.
• HgXe lamps mercury-xenon lamps
• HgXe lamps mercury-xenon lamps
• a preferred embodiment, according to the present invention employs a pencil type Hg(Ar) spectral calibration lamp. These lamps are compact and offer narrow, intense emissions. Their average intensity is constant and reproducible. They have a longer life relative to other high wattage lamps. Hg(Ar) lamps of this type are generally insensitive to temperature and require only a two-minute warm-up for the mercury vapor to dominate the discharge, then 30 minutes for complete stabilization.
• UV lamp sources emit light at discrete wavelengths and include filters to filter out or block wavelengths other than the specific UV wavelength, especially 254 nm. In the UV region, the most notable UV emission occurs at 254 nm. It is known that mercury vapor lamps emit radiation at 254 nm. This wavelength can damage the genome of cells and viruses, thus inhibiting their replication, thereby sterilizing the cells and viruses.
• a single wavelength detector tuned to 254 nm, has been used to determine the amount of UV radiation reaching the target.
• at least one filter was interposed in the light path in order to block non-UV light from reaching the target, allowing only UV and proximate-UV light to reach to target. Therefore, the industry has evolved over time with the solidly established paradigm that 254 nm is the sole and exclusive wavelength of importance for UV sterilization. As such, the prior art teaches away from the inclusion of non-UV wavelength light for microbial sterilization apparatus. Furthermore, this paradigm not only teaches that polychromatic or broad spectrum light as irrelevant or unimportant, but disadvantageous.
• a device for sterilizing microorganisms on a liquid or solid substrate comprising:
• an optical device positioned proximate the light source, wherein the optical device is configured to focus the light produced by the light source to provide a high intensity light output; and wherein the optical device includes:
• dichroic reflector configured to pass thermal energy produced by the light source through the dichroic reflector; and reflect the light produced by the light source;
• a power supply wherein the power supply is coupled to the light source and the optical device
• a device for microbiological sterilization of a substrate having a high intensity light output comprising a flexible fluid-core light guide, the flexible fluid-core light guide comprising:
• the light guide is configured to be positioned and connected with the first end proximate to the optical device such that the high intensity light output is configured to be focused into the first end of the fluid-core light guide and channeled through the tubular body toward and out through the second end onto the substrate to be sterilized.
• a polychromatic light source for producing a polychromatic light
• an optical device positioned proximate the polychromatic light source, wherein the optical device: is configured to focus the polychromatic light generated by the polychromatic light source to provide a high intensity light output of about 0.1 J/cm 2 to about 50.0 J/cm 2 ; the device including:
• reflector is configured to pass thermal energy generated by the polychromatic light source; and reflect the polychromatic light produced by the polychromatic light source;
• One example embodiment includes a device for sterilizing microorganisms.
• the device includes a light source for producing a light and an optical device positioned proximate the light source.
• the optical device is configured to focus the light generated by the light source to provide a high intensity light output.
• the optical device also includes a dichroic reflector.
• the dichroic reflector is configured to pass thermal energy generated by the light source and reflect the light produced by the light source.
• the device also includes a power supply, where the power supply is coupled to the light source and the optical device. The device thereby killing microbial organisms presented within the range of the high intensity light output.
• the microbiological sterilization device includes a flexible fluid-core light guide.
• the flexible fluid-core light guide includes a first end and a second end.
• the flexible fluid-core light guide also includes a tubular body.
• the light guide is configured to be positioned and connected with the first end proximate to the optical device such that the high intensity light output is configured to be focused into the first end of the fluid-core light guide and channeled through the tubular body toward and out through the second end onto the substrate to be sterilized.
• Another example embodiment includes a method for providing microbiological sterilization.
• the method includes providing a device for sterilizing microorganisms.
• the device includes a polychromatic light source for producing a polychromatic light and an optical device positioned proximate the polychromatic light source.
• the optical device is configured to focus the polychromatic light generated by the polychromatic light source to provide a high intensity light output of approximately 0.5 J/cm 2 .
• the optical device also includes a dichroic reflector.
• the dichroic reflector is configured to pass thermal energy generated by the light source and reflect the light produced by the light source.
• the device also includes a power supply, where the power supply is coupled to the polychromatic light source and the optical device.
• the method also includes activating the polychromatic light source for a predetermined period of time to provide an exposure period greater than approximately 0.01 seconds.
• the method further includes positioning the device a predetermined distance from a substrate to be treated.
• the method additionally includes exposing the substrate to be treated to the high intensity light output.
• the method moreover includes deactivating the polychromatic light source, having sterilized any microbiological agents existing on the substrate.
• Figure 1 illustrates a side view of the device for microbial sterilization.
• Figure 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing microbiological sterilization.
• references throughout this document to "one embodiment”, “certain embodiments”, and “an embodiment” or similar terms means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearances of such phrases in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments without limitation.
• the term "device for sterilizing microorganisms on a solid or liquid substrate” refers to a device that has a light source producing a wide spectrum of light capable of killing a microorganism, such as a bacteria or virus that is on a solid or liquid substrate. In particular, it produces a wide UV spectrum (i.e. more than just an isolated wavelength) even though it can produce other spectrums of light and, in one embodiment, the light produces a high UV output.
• Solid and liquid substrates refer to non-gas substrates, such as liquids, blood, skin, bone, organs, or inanimate liquids/solids.
• the term "light source” refers to a bulb of any kind which produces a sterilizing UV light.
• Regular bulbs, but also high intensity discharge (HID) bulbs are also embodiments of the invention. So, for example, a high intensity mercury xenon (HgXe) bulb can be utilized. These types of bulbs are high UV output bulbs. In general, the light output of some bulbs of the invention are from about 0.1 J/cm 2 to about 50.0 J/cm 2 .
• optical device refers to a device that collects light reflected off of the dichroic reflector and focuses the light into a high output stream. The focusing creates a high intensity light output.
• the device can be electric powered or have a manual way to focus the light.
• high intensity light output refers to light output of about at least 80 lumens per watt output in order to achieve this high intensity light output, one cannot use low or medium pressure lamps that produce UV light, as they do not produce enough light output.
• An arc discharge lamp produces does not produce the level of light output intensity needed.
• an elliptical reflector which collimates the polychromatic light into still greater intensity (intensity being understood as energy per area) of about 100 lumens per watt (i.e. producing the high intensity light output needed).
• the term "dichroic reflector” refers to a reflector that takes light from the light source and allows the thermal energy to pass through the reflector while taking the light, especially the UV light, to be reflected to the optical device for focusing.
• the reflector can be any shape that works but, in one embodiment, it is elliptical. This is different from a dichroic filter, which only filters or reflects light, but does not reflect heat.
• power supply refers to an AC or DC source that powers the light supply and, where needed, the optical device or any other part of the device.
• polychromatic refers to light comprising multiple wavelengths of light.
• predetermined exposure period refers to the time period that light produced by the device is shown on a microorganism in order to kill it. In one embodiment, it is from about 0.01 seconds to about 5 seconds. In one embodiment, a shutter is utilized to open, close, and modulate the passage of light from the light source to the microorganism.
• the term "fluid-core light guide” refers to a light guide for taking light emitting from the focusing device and helping to deliver it to a product substrate or patient as needed. While the guide is not necessary to use the invention, it is an embodiment that helps focus or make it easier to deliver the focused light to a desired location/substrate, patient, or the like.
• the guide is generally a tube having a first and a second end of the tube, wherein the first end is used to collect light outputting from the device when positioned proximate to the device, such that the light channels through the tube and is delivered to the second end and out thereof, to deliver light where desired e.g. a substrate.
• the light guide could include a collimator.
• the light guide can be at least one of:
• flexible, UV transmissive have or be a liquid, have an aqueous salt solution, have a metallic salt solution, wherein, in one embodiment, the metallic salt is Na, K, Mg or combinations thereof, a non-aqueous solution, or a gas.
• the present invention relates generally to microbial sterilization (or DNA disruption, DNA inactivation), and more particularly to microbial sterilization using brief pulses of high-intensity polychromatic light directed optionally through a flexible, infrared-absorbing light guide.
• One of the objects of the present invention is to improve on the prior art by more effectively sterilizing a biological substrate, a product, or any substrate of microorganisms without excessive denaturing of any of the active biological molecules, (e.g. sterilizing microorganisms on a patient body surface).
• a further object of the present invention is the use of a shutter mechanism for the modulation of the exposure period to polychromatic, full spectrum light.
• a further object of the present invention is the use of a dichroic reflector for removal of thermal energy and the focusing (concentrating) of polychromatic, full spectrum light.
• a further object of the present invention is the use of an electronic circuit board for modulating lamp power, thermals and shutter timer of polychromatic, full spectrum light.
• those structures such as muscle, fat, bone, hair, fluid, plant and fungus structures, are affected by such light.
• non- biological materials, such as plastics are also affected by germicidal light aimed at DNA disruption and our design provides less destructive effects. With the removal of the heat associated with such treatments, biological surfaces and other surfaces and substrates are spared.
• FIG. 1 shows that the device for microbial sterilization 100 can include: a power supply 102; a UV light source 104; at least one optical device 106 (which, in this embodiment, includes a dichroic reflector 108); a light shutter mechanism 1 10; a cooling fan 1 12; a timer 1 14; a light guide or light guide-conducting device 1 16 (that also functions as an infrared light filter) with a first end 1 17a and a second end 1 17b; and an exposure control system 1 18 to assure proper operation.
• a power supply 102 a UV light source 104
• at least one optical device 106 which, in this embodiment, includes a dichroic reflector 108
• a light shutter mechanism 1 10 which, in this embodiment, includes a dichroic reflector 108
• a cooling fan 1 12 includes a cooling fan 1 12; a timer 1 14
• a light guide or light guide-conducting device 1 16 that also functions as an infrared light filter
• UV-sensitive diodes in a light-screened box 122, a detector circuit 124, as well as a neutral density filter and a UV-selective filter 123.
• Figure 1 also shows the invisible infrared light (radiated heat) 130, a beam of incident light 129, a microorganism 121 , and a substrate 120.
• the components of the embodiment are configured, positioned, and connected such that the power supply 102, in this embodiment consisting of an electronic circuit board, provides energy to the system.
• the power supply provides energy to the UV light source 104, which emits a light that is reflected off the at least one optical device 106, and otherwise focused or directed into the light guide 1 16.
• the dichroic reflector 108 provides a means for removing heat from the system.
• the cooling fan 1 12 provides another means for removing excess heat from the system.
• the shutter mechanism 1 10, timer 1 14, and control system 1 18 are interconnected to provide a controlled on/off light output which reaches the substrate 120 having microorganisms 121 .
• the present invention includes a power supply 102 consisting of an electronic circuit board; a mercury xenon (HgXe) lamp as the UV light source 104; an elliptical dichroic reflector 108 in an optical device 106; a light shutter mechanism 1 10; a light guide 1 16 that also functions as an infrared light filter; and a control system 1 18.
• the power supply 102 consists of a ballast that provides electricity at the appropriate voltage and amperage to power the ultraviolet (UV) light source 104.
• the power supply 102 consists of a transformer to supply electricity at the proper voltage and amperage to power the UV light source 104.
• the power supply 102 is an electronic circuit board (PCB) that provides electricity at the appropriate voltage and amperage to power the ultraviolet (UV) light source/lamp 104.
• the electronic circuit board connects other electronic equipment to, typically, a lamp igniter associated with a power supply.
• the lamp igniter delivers 8 - 12 amps to start the lamp.
• the power supply holds the lamp output with approximately 3 - 5 amps for a 100W Hg or Hg/Xe lamp.
• the UV light source 104 is an HgXe vapor lamp, although other sources of UV light are also envisioned.
• the HgXe lamp is of a sufficient intensity to supply an energy density of between about 0.01 Joules per centimeter squared (J/cm 2 ) to about 50 J/cm 2 in a wavelength of between approximately 170 nanometers (nm) to approximately 2600 nm depending on the microorganism 121 to be sterilized.
• the energy density impinging on the microorganism 121 to be sterilized is about 0.5 J/cm 2 .
• the lamp is cooled by the continuous flow of air or a fluid, preferably water, directed over the lamp at a rate sufficient to prevent the lamp from overheating.
• the dichroic reflector 108 assists in dissipation from the lamp 104.
• Dichroic reflectors tend to be characterized by the color(s) of light that they are configured to reflect, rather than the color(s) they pass, as opposed to dichroic filters, thin-film filters, or interference filters, which are very accurate color filters characterized by the colors of light they selectively pass.
• the dichroic reflector 108 can be used behind the light source/lamp 104 to reflect visible (or other desired) light 129 forward while allowing the invisible infrared light (radiated heat) 130 to pass out of the rear of the device 100, resulting in a beam of light 129 that is literally cooler (of lower thermal temperature) i.e. there is an 80% reduction of thermals.
• the dichroic reflector 108 is elliptical shaped.
• the dichroic surface of the reflector 108 is constructed of a sufficient surface coating to allow for the majority of incident light 129 to reflect, while allowing thermal light 130 to pass.
• the elliptical shape is designed such that a majority of the light emitted by the light source 104 that strikes the reflector 108 is reflected and focused towards the first end 1 17a of the light-conducting device 1 16.
• Shutter mechanism 1 10 can deliver exposure periods of between about 0.01 seconds to about 5 seconds, preferably between about 0.1 seconds and about 3 seconds, more preferably about 3 seconds.
• the shutter mechanism 1 10 can deliver these exposure periods in a repetitive manner in order to achieve a total exposure time sufficient to sterilize the microorganisms 121.
• the low exposure time can be critical to ensure that sterilization occurs without damaging the underlying substrate 120.
• this exposure interval is typically in the range from about 0.01 to about 3 seconds, preferably 0.1 seconds.
• the light-conducting device 1 16 is a fluid-core light guide consisting of a tube with a fluid core, having a first end 1 17a and a second end 1 17b.
• the tube in light guide 1 16 is a flexible, hollow tube, the walls of which are composed of a highly reflective material, of at least as high or higher reflectivity as the contained fluid itself, thereby increasing transmissivity within the light guide 1 16, or at least maintaining the transmissivity of the fluid itself.
• the highly reflective material used in the tube walls has a diffraction coefficient sufficient such that the majority of light in the 200 nm to 1200 nm range transmitted through the fluid core of the tube is reflected back into the fluid core, should it contact the walls of the tube.
• the fluid core is composed of a gas, an aqueous metallic salt solution (or some other aqueous solution), or a non-aqueous solution.
• the fluid in fluid-core light guide 1 16 is formulated such that it absorbs infrared light that may be emitted by the HgXe lamp/light source 104 and transmitted into the fluid-core light guide 1 16.
• the fluid is a non-aqueous solution composed of organic fluids.
• Organic fluids are desirable for this use since they have high infrared (IR) absorptivity, and infrared light can damage the proteins, enzymes and cell components of a microorganism 121 , precluding the viability of a sterilized organism for use as a vaccine.
• the fluid is an aqueous metallic salt solution, such as an aqueous sodium chloride (NaCI) solution - although the salt may also be selected from the group consisting of KCI, MgCI, MgSO 4 , other organics, and the like.
• the concentration of NaCI is between about 5% to about 50%.
• the concentration can range between about 5% to about 10%.
• the ends 1 17a and 1 17b of the light guide 1 16 may be fabricated from translucent quartz, fused silica, or synthetic or natural diamond, all of which do not absorb UV light.
• the light guide 1 16 directs the exiting light out of second end 1 17b towards the microorganism 121 which is on substrate 120.
• a dichroic reflector 108 of an appropriate shape is used to focus reflected light on the microorganism 121 which is on substrate 120 while passing thermal energy 130 away from the substrate 120 to prevent damage to the substrate 120 while sterilizing the microorganism 121 .
• the proper functioning of the sterilizing device 100 is assured by a control system 1 18.
• the control system 1 18 is composed of a UV-sensitive diode placed in a light-screened box 122 juxtaposed to the microorganism 121 on the substrate 120.
• the UV sensitive diode 122 is coupled to a detector circuit 124 that provides an output indicative of the amount of light impinging upon the UV- sensitive diode 122 during the exposure period.
• a neutral density filter and a UV- selective filter 123 are interposed between the light guide 1 16 and the UV- sensitive diode 122 in order to attenuate the light and to impede passage of wavelengths outside the UV range, respectively.
• the detector circuit 124 detects that the light impinging on the UV-sensitive diode 122 is below a sufficient level, the power delivered to the light source/lamp 104 (which could be a flash lamp, gas lamp, etc.) may be increased, the exposure period may be lengthened, or the sterilization operation may be suspended until the device 100 can be serviced.
• the light source/lamp 104 which could be a flash lamp, gas lamp, etc.
• an alternate means of controlling the amount of UV light landing on the microorganism 121 on the substrate 120 is to use a control system 1 18 as above, but instead of measuring the UV light impinging on a UV- sensitive diode 122, the detector circuit 124 is paired with a means to measure the fluorescence emitted by the microorganism 121.
• fluorescence is a key factor in the effectiveness of this device for microbial sterilization using polychromatic light for inactivation of microorganisms. Fluorescence is an indication of an activated state, and is the result of absorbing high-energy radiation that is then emitted at a low energy wavelength. An activated state is believed to be associated with a greater chemical reactivity, and thus is believed to favor the formation of cyclobutane dimers in the genome of the cell or microorganism.
• the device for microbial sterilization 100 has virtually unlimited application.
• the device can be used for the inactivation and or sterilization of all known pathogens, including viruses (such as herpes simplex virus and HIV), bacteria (such as E. coli and Staphylococcus spp.), and fungi (such as Candidiasis) by creating vaccines from the sterilized microorganism(s).
• viruses such as herpes simplex virus and HIV
• bacteria such as E. coli and Staphylococcus spp.
• fungi such as Candidiasis
• the device for microbial sterilization 100 can be used to sterilize remote or large fixed substrates.
• the device 100 can be used to rapidly sterilize remote or large substrate areas.
• a person in this case a sterilization administrator, can sterilize a large substrate area with ease by simply maintaining the direction of the light guide 1 16 towards the substrate and the moving the light 129 over the substrate area while the sterilization administrator potentially moves or walks around.
• Figure 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method 200 for providing microbiological sterilization.
• the method allows for sterilization of any desired substrate without damaging structures such as muscle, fat, bone, hair, fluid, plant and fungus structures.
• harmful portions of high intensity light have been eliminated such that the resulting output only damages microorganisms without damaging the underlying structure.
• Figure 2 shows that the method can include providing 202 a device for sterilizing microorganisms.
• the device for sterilizing microorganisms can include the device 100, reference above with respect to Figure 1 . Therefore, the method 200 will be described, exemplarily, with reference to the device 100 of Figure 1. Nevertheless, one of skill in the art can appreciate that the method 200 can be used with a device other than the device 100 of Figure 1 .
• Figure 2 also shows that the method 200 can include activating 204 the polychromatic light source for a predetermined period to provide an exposure period greater than about 0.01 seconds.
• the exposure period can be from 0.01 seconds and about 5 seconds, preferably between about 0.1 seconds and about 3 seconds, more preferably about 3 seconds.
• a shutter mechanism can deliver these exposure periods in a repetitive manner in order to achieve a total exposure time sufficient to sterilize the microorganisms.
• Figure 2 further shows that the method 200 can include positioning 206 the device a predetermined distance from a substrate to be treated.
• the device can be positioned 206 approximately 2.25 inches away from the substrate. The distance can be adjusted based on the substrate being treated, the intensity of the output, the microorganisms being sterilized and other facts.
• Figure 2 additionally shows that the method 200 can include exposing 208 the substrate to be treated to the high intensity light output. That is, the high intensity light output is directed onto the substrate, sterilizing the microorganisms thereon.
• the exposure can include constant exposure or a "sweep" that moves the high intensity light output along the substrate.
• Figure 2 moreover shows that the method 200 can include deactivating 210 the polychromatic light source, having sterilized any microbiological agents existing on the substrate. That is, once the microorganisms have been sterilized the light source is turned off and the substrate is now sterilized for the desired use
• This example is based upon an experiment conducted with a fluid-filled light guide, available commercially from Edmund Scientific®, clamped to a position with the light emitting end of the light guide substantially perpendicular to the substrate to be exposed and sterilized, approximately 2.25 inches away from the substrate.
• the fluid-filled light guide was connected to an aperture housing and shutter mechanism positioned in front of and coupled with a light source, in this experiment the light source is a high power, 1 kilowatt mercury-xenon (HgXe) lamp, available commercially from the LESCO UV division of American Ultraviolet ⁇ .
• HgXe high power, 1 kilowatt mercury-xenon
• Herpes virus (HSV) cultures were prepared from herpes-virus infected cells by dilution of culture supernatant into cell culture media at a dilution sufficient to provide 10 6 plaque-forming units (PFUs)/ml_. An aliquot of approximately 10 mL was exposed to UV light, at a distance 2.25" from the device, according to one embodiment, for a period of 3 seconds. After the exposure period, triplicate samples of 2 mL were taken from the treated sample and applied to freshly prepared HSV cells and incubated at 37° C for 72 hours.
• PFUs plaque-forming units

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• 2016
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