GB2545687A

GB2545687A - Method and apparatus for killing pathogens

Info

Publication number: GB2545687A
Application number: GB1522622.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Warren Eric
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-12-21
Filing date: 2015-12-21
Publication date: 2017-06-28
Also published as: GB201522622D0; GB201616513D0; GB2545770A

Abstract

Apparatus and method are disclosed for killing pathogens by sanitising volumetric spaces and the exposed surfaces of the walls, ceilings and floors of the spaces and the exposed surfaces of items within the spaces comprising generating a fine mist, containing a chemical to kill the pathogens, and dispensing it into the air in the spaces so that it contacts and kills all pathogens in the air and on exposed surfaces in the spaces. The surfaces may be those of inanimate objects and / or the skin, hair or clothing of persons or the skin, fur or feathers of animals or birds. A flow of air through the chamber may be provided to ensure that the mist is fully distributed throughout the spaces and onto all exposed surfaces therein. The volumetric spaces may be of any size and the sanitising mist may be generated either by stand-alone units, mobile units (which may be moved or parked as required) or by fixed spray nozzles. The preferred chemical killing agent is hypochlorous acid (HOCI) or a solution thereof. The apparatus and method of the invention is intended for use in ambulances, and sensitive areas, such as medical treatment areas, food preparation areas, scientific research areas or satellite assembly areas, bird or animal rearing houses, egg production houses or milking parlours, etc.

Description

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR KILLING PATHOGENS

This specification relates to apparatus and method for killing pathogens, such as bacteria, viruses and other infectious agents, in volumetric spaces, and the exposed surfaces of any living beings or items in those spaces, whether the spaces are relatively small closed rooms or large relatively-open spaces, such as food preparation factories, bird or animal rearing areas, etc.

There is great concern about the lack of effectiveness of many antibiotics against a large number of common bacterial infections, such as MRSA, Norovirus, Tuberculosis,

Legionella, E-Coil, HIV, H1N1 and related strains of Avian Flu, Salmonella. Listeria, C. Difficile and Ebola, etc. and to have to use the few remaining effective antibiotics against these ‘everyday’ infections risks jeopardising their long term efficacy against these and more serious infections. Many of these areas may be relatively clean and hygienic, e.g. wards in hospitals, clinics, doctor’s surgeries, the insides of ambulances, etc. In others, the infections may be endemic, such as chicken rearing or egg-laying houses, indoor pig and cattle rearing establishments, etc.

In animal and some chicken houses, the young creatures are given antibiotics as a routine. This excessive use should be unnecessary if the premises are properly disinfected and the animals are clean on arrival and everything is kept clean. Antibiotics could then be reserved for only any sick ones. Hygiene in these houses can be maintained by regular, intermittent or continuous treatments.

All the infections listed above can be killed with commonly available chemicals, e.g. Hydrogen Peroxide (H202) and Quaternary Biocides (Quats) such as Benzyl Ammonium Chloride and related compounds. Unfortunately, H202 is a dangerous chemical, and a room has to be evacuated when it is to be disinfected and cannot be re-used for a period thereafter until it is safe to re-enter, and Quats are carcinogenic.

The 2014-15 West African Ebola outbreak was most effectively treated when a number of concentric layers of protection were employed. To some extent this is being employed in UK hospitals with the use of sanitising dispensers for people entering wards but use of these is not mandatory and it is doubtful if even a majority of visitors use them, let alone 100%. Such sanitising dispensers, treat only hands but many pathogens can be transmitted via hair, clothing, mobile ‘phones, handbags, soles of shoes, etc. where seemingly ‘clean’ hands can touch surfaces which, though apparently clean, are actually ‘medically contaminated’.

Thus, there is a pressingly, urgent need for a reliable means of killing bacteria, viruses and other infectious pathogens in volumetric environments and on the exposed surfaces of the people, creatures and equipment therein, so forming a part of concentric protective pathogen-killing rings.

According to the invention, there is provided apparatus for killing pathogens in the air in volumetric spaces and on the exposed surfaces of people and / or creatures and / or items in those volumetric spaces comprising:- i) a volumetric space having exposed surfaces therein; ii) a supply of a chemical to kill pathogens; iii) a means to dispense the chemical in the form of a mist into the volumetric space; and iv) a control system; characterised in that the control system activates the means to dispense the chemical as and when required so that the mist is dispersed throughout the volumetric space and thus contacts all exposed surfaces therein.

According to a first variation of the apparatus of the invention, the volumetric space is a relatively small enclosed room, such as inside an ambulance or a doctor’s consulting room.

According to a second variation of the apparatus of the invention, the volumetric space is a large room, such as a ward or clinic in a hospital.

According to a third variation of the apparatus of the invention, the volumetric space covers a large area, such as the food preparation area in a factory, a space satellite assembly area in a scientific works, an animal / bird rearing house, or a milking parlour.

According to a fourth variation of the apparatus of the invention, the exposed surfaces include the inside and internal walls, ceiling and floor of the space.

According to a fifth variation of the apparatus of the invention, the exposed surfaces include the skin, hair and clothing of people in the space.

According to a sixth variation of the apparatus of the invention, the exposed surfaces include the benches etc. on which people are working and tools and material they are using.

According to a seventh variation of the apparatus of the invention, the exposed surfaces include the feathers and skin of birds, their cages, feeding and drinking and related equipment.

According to an eighth variation of the apparatus of the invention, the exposed surfaces include the fur and skin of animals, their stalls / accommodation / bedding, feeding and drinking and related equipment and any other equipment associated with the animals’ needs, e.g. milking apparatus.

According to a ninth variation of the apparatus of the invention, the chemical to kill pathogens is Hypochlorous Acid (HOCI) or a solution thereof.

According to a tenth variation of the apparatus of the invention, the mist containing the pathogenic killing chemical solution also contains other additives, such as deodorisers, insect repellents and / or substances providing fragrances or aromas.

According to an eleventh variation of the apparatus of the invention, the means to dispense the chemical in the form of a mist is a variation of the apparatus disclosed in GB Patent No. 2 450 536.

According to a twelfth variation of the apparatus of the invention, the apparatus to dispense the chemical in the form of a mist is mounted on a moveable trolley.

According to a thirteenth variation of the apparatus of the invention, the trolley is moved around the volumetric space as and when required and / or parked at an appropriate place in that volumetric space.

According to a fourteenth variation of the apparatus of the invention, the means to dispense the chemical in the form of a mist is via nozzles.

According to a fifteenth variation of the apparatus of the invention, the means to dispense the chemical in the form of a mist is via fixed nozzles located at appropriate points in the large area volumetric space.

According to a sixteenth variation of the apparatus of the invention, the variation of the apparatus disclosed in GB Patent No. 2 450 536 or misting nozzles is / are incorporated as fixed items into the permanent equipment or furniture of the volumetric space.

According to a seventeenth variation of the apparatus of the invention, the mist is generated at a high level and allowed to move both laterally and downwardly into the volumetric space and onto the surfaces to be decontaminated.

According to an eighteenth variation of the apparatus of the invention, a means of withdrawing air from and / or circulating air within the volumetric space is provided.

According to a nineteenth variation of the apparatus of the invention the means of withdrawing air is either / both via an extraction means or vents accessing the external environment outside the space.

According to a twentieth variation of the apparatus of the invention, the means of circulating the mist within the space is a fan or an air-conditioning means.

According to the invention, there is provided a method for killing pathogens in the air in volumetric spaces and on the exposed surfaces of people and / or creatures and / or items in those volumetric spaces comprising the steps of:- i) providing a volumetric space having exposed surfaces therein; ii) providing a supply of a chemical to kill pathogens; iii) providing a means to dispense the chemical in the form of a mist into the volumetric space; and iv) providing a control system; characterised in that the control system activates the means to dispense the chemical as and when required so that the mist is dispersed throughout the volumetric space and thus contacts all the air and exposed surfaces therein.

According to a first variation of the method of the invention, the means of dispensing the chemical mist is to place a variation of the apparatus disclosed in GB Patent No. 2 450 536 in the volumetric space and provide it with a supply of chemical and power.

According to a second variation of the method of the invention, the means of dispensing the chemical mist is to move a trolley, fitted with a mist generator, around the volumetric space and / or park in at an appropriate place in said space.

According to a third variation of the method of the invention, the means of dispensing the chemical mist is to place nozzles at appropriate places in the volumetric space and provide them with supplies of the chemical and compressed air.

According to a fourth variation of the method of the invention, the means of dispersing the chemical mist uniformly around the volumetric space is to use a circulating fan.

According to a fifth variation of the method of the invention, the means of dispersing the chemical mist uniformly around the volumetric space is to use air conditioning apparatus.

In a preferred application of the apparatus and method of the invention, a pathogenic-killing chemical in an aqueous solution is dispersed as an ultrafine mist throughout a volumetric space. As the mist droplets contact any pathogens in the air or on any exposed surface in the space, the active chemical will immediately attack and destroy them. The exposed surfaces will be the walls, ceiling, floor and any living beings or items of equipment permanently, or temporarily, in the volumetric space. The method may be used in small spaces with a stand-alone unit or in medium sized spaces with either a plurality of stand-alone units or fixed units. Alternatively, a trolley mounted unit may be used, which may be wheeled around the area to be sanitised and / or parked in an appropriate location. For very large areas, misting nozzles may be permanently installed and the active chemical and compressed air piped thereto. The apparatus may be operated permanently or on a periodic basis, as required.

Deodorisers, insect repellents, fragrances and / or particular aromas may be added to the chemical solution and dispersed with the mist, as required.

For a clearer understanding of the invention and to show how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings in which:-

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic, side elevation of an ambulance;

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic, front elevation of a misting trolley according to the invention; Figure 3 is a diagrammatic, side elevation of the misting trolley shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic, plan view of a cruciform arrangement of a misting nozzle assembly, according to the invention; and Figure 5 is a diagrammatic section through a large industrial unit showing preferred locations of the misting nozzle assemblies shown in Figure 4 and of the control unit.

In the following description, the same reference numeral is used for the same component in different Figures and / or for different components fulfilling identical functions.

Fig. 1 shows an ambulance 1 with a driving cab 2 and a patient transporting / treatment area 3. In some ambulances, the cab and treatment areas are interconnected but, in either case, the standard size of variation of the misting apparatus taught in GB Patent No. 2 450 536 has more than enough capacity to disinfect the whole internal volume of ambulance 1, even allowing for the rear door (not shown) to be opened or kept open. The variation of the apparatus disclosed in GB Patent No. 2 450 536 may be built in as a permanent part of the ambulance’s equipment or fittings.

Patients, treated by paramedics in ambulances, frequently have serious injuries and wounds and the infected areas may be covered in dirt and grime. It is a first essential to clean up the injured area and here the mist generator 8 is important in killing any pathogens that may be in the air or on their skin or clothing.

The variation of the apparatus disclosed in GB Patent No. 2 450 536 (not shown) uses an ultrasonic generator to agitate a chemical, or solution of a chemical, to generate a mist above the chemical pool. A fan and the geometry of the generator 8 discharge the mist consisting of droplets of nominally between 1 and 5 micrometres (pm) in diameter. These droplets are so fine that they are colloquially referred to as a ‘dry mist’. The mister has its own internal reservoir of chemical, which is refillable / replaceable, as required. A preferred chemical for use in the mist generator is Hypochlorous Acid (HOCI), or an aqueous solution thereof. The bacterial, viral and pathogen killing properties of this are well known but HOCI is an unstable compound and the technology for storing it on a long term basis has only recently been developed. HOCI does not affect people’s hair, skin, eyes, lungs or clothing but is lethal to pathogens, e.g. bacteria, viruses, etc. It has US Federal Drugs Agency (FDA) and USDA approval for use for a range of medical, food (direct and indirect contact) and human contact applications under 21 CFR 173,315, 21 CFR 172,2105, 21 CFR 176,170 and 21 CFR 177,2800 and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approval under 40 CFR 180 1054. Aqueous solutions of HOCI are preferred, are non-toxic to humans and animals and are fully biodegradable so do not represent an environmental hazard.

If required, other additives may be included in the HOCI solutions, such as deodorisers, insect repellents, e.g. against mosquitoes, and fragrances, e.g. lavender, sandalwood, citrus, etc. Aroma therapy is a known means of applying a calming influence on persons who may be highly stressed, e.g. a patient just taken to an ambulance, and such agents may also be used. Thus the mist may have up to four separate, simultaneous functions, viz:- i) sanitising the exposed surfaces of the people and their accoutrements in the volumetric environment; ii) providing a deodoriser to combat unpleasant, pre-existing odours; iii) repelling any insects in or on persons or their clothing; and / or iv) providing a fragrance or aroma therapeutic influence.

Though the primary purpose of the mist is sanitising the air volume inside the ambulance, the use of additives in the mist may assist the Paramedics. For example, initial first aid is usually performed at the scene of the mishap, where there may be unpleasant smells and insects present. Thus, deodorisers and insect repellents in the mist will be beneficial. The patient(s) will be nervous and highly stressed and pleasant fragrances and therapeutically calming aromas will help to reassure them.

Because the mist droplets are so fine, the liquid will not ‘wet’ the surface, e.g. as with condensation running down a wall, but nevertheless, over a period of time, the mist will contact all external surfaces and sanitise them. HOCI, in the concentrations present, does not harm people or things but it is lethal to bacteria, viruses and other pathogens and so its use represents a significant benefit to medical science.

In larger volumetric spaces, e.g. wards or corridors in hospitals, a plurality of the GB Patent No. 2 450 536 variant apparatus’ may be used. An alternative is periodic, or continuous, treatment using a trolley 4, such as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Trolley 4 may be used in one of two ways.

Firstly, it may be wheeled 11 around the ward at appropriate times, e.g. before meals or after visiting times. Trolley 4 includes a blower 6, drawing in ambient air, a tank 7 for the HOCI chemical solution and any additives required, electronic control and operating systems 8 and a spray nozzle assembly 9. When not in use covers 12 protect nozzle assembly 9. Power is either via batteries or a mains cable (neither shown).

Operator 5 would push trolley 4 forward via handle 10. Nozzle assembly 9 (Fig. 4) would have three nozzles 12A, pointing respectively forward and to both sides but not rearwards towards operator 5, (i.e. there would be no nozzle 12B (shown dashed)). As shown (Fig. 4), nozzles 12A are arranged mutually at 90° to each other and the solid angle of the spray from each nozzle 12A is at least 90°, so that the mist spray is directed throughout the whole volume being sanitised. Control unit 8 would supply chemical solution 15 and compressed air 16 via manifold 14 to each nozzle 12A. Operator 5 would push the trolley at a slow walking speed and his / her motion would create a degree of turbulence to aid the dispersal of the mist throughout the volumetric space.

The second mode of use is to park trolley 4 at a given location and leave it there operating to sanitise the whole, or that part of, a larger volumetric area. In this case, mains power would be used. Handle 10 would be lowered, causing control unit 8 to open covers 12 and operate in the second mode. Here, mist would be sprayed from all four nozzles 12A and 12B and nozzle assembly 9 would slowly rotate, possibly through the full 360°, as a further means of dispensing and dispersing the mist throughout the whole of (or that part of) the volumetric space. Pipes 15 and 16 would feed manifold 14 via rotatable connections (not shown). If, or when required, trolley 4 may be moved to another location.

Where much larger volumetric spaces, e.g. abattoirs, food preparation factories, satellite assembly facilities, poultry rearing or egg laying houses, cattle or sheep rearing facilities, milking parlours, etc. 17 (Fig. 5), are to be sanitised, nozzle assemblies 9 (Fig. 4) would be provided as permanent fixtures 18. Here, assemblies 9 would have four nozzles 12A and 12B and have fixed pipes 15 and 16 for the chemical and air respectively (not shown) and control unit 21 would operate them continuously. Control unit 21 would also activate any extraction fans or open vents and / or operate circulating fan 19, as required. Circulation 19 may also be via an air conditioning system. The mist would sanitise walls 22, ceiling 23 and floor 24 as well as all exposed surfaces of the people, equipment, birds, animals, etc. in industrial unit 17. The apparatus of the invention may be operated either permanently or on a periodic basis, as required.

Though some infections like Salmonella and E-Coli may be endemic in certain birds, animals and eggs, etc., these are internal and do not normally affect people in contact with living creatures. The pathogens are killed when the flesh or eggs are properly cooked. However, use of the apparatus and method of the invention will add an extra layer of protection for people employed in abattoirs and food preparation activities.

The skilled person will appreciate the teaching above to sanitise small, medium and large volumetric areas and the contribution the disinfecting mist will have in providing and additional layer of medical protection. He / She will know of many other applications of the principles herein all falling within the scope of the disclosure.

The teaching herein is related to that of a co-pending application.

Claims

Claims:-

1. Apparatus for killing pathogens in the air in volumetric spaces and on the exposed surfaces of people and / or creatures and / or items in those volumetric spaces comprising:- i) a volumetric space having exposed surfaces therein; ii) a supply of a chemical to kill pathogens; iii) a means to dispense the chemical in the form of a mist into the volumetric space; and iv) a control system; characterised in that the control system activates the means to dispense the chemical as and when required so that the mist is dispersed throughout the volumetric space and thus contacts all exposed surfaces therein.

2. Apparatus for killing pathogens as claimed in claim 1, wherein the volumetric space is a relatively small enclosed room, such as inside an ambulance or a doctor’s consulting room.

3. Apparatus for killing pathogens as claimed in claim 1, wherein the volumetric space is a large room, such as a ward or clinic in a hospital.

4. Apparatus for killing pathogens as claimed in claim 1, wherein the volumetric space covers a large area, such as the food preparation area in a factory, a space satellite assembly area in a scientific works, an animal / bird rearing house, or a milking parlour.

5. Apparatus for killing pathogens as claimed in claims 2, 3 or 4, wherein the exposed surfaces include the inside and internal walls, ceiling and floor of the space.

6. Apparatus for killing pathogens as claimed in claims 2, 3 or 4, wherein the exposed surfaces include the skin, hair and clothing of people in the space.

7. Apparatus for killing pathogens as claimed in claims 2, 3 or 4, wherein the exposed surfaces include the benches etc. on which people are working and tools and material they are using.

8. Apparatus for killing pathogens as claimed in claims 2, 3 or 4, wherein the exposed surfaces include the feathers and skin of birds, their cages, feeding and drinking and related equipment.

9. Apparatus for killing pathogens as claimed in claims 2, 3 or 4, wherein the exposed surfaces include the fur and skin of animals, their stalls / accommodation / bedding, feeding and drinking and related equipment and any other equipment associated with the animals’ needs, e.g. milking apparatus.

10. Apparatus for killing pathogens as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the chemical to kill pathogens is Hypochlorous Acid (HOCI) or a solution thereof.

11. Apparatus for killing pathogens as claimed in claim 11, wherein the mist containing the pathogenic killing chemical solution also contains other additives, such as deodorisers, insect repellents and / or substances providing fragrances or aromas.

12. Apparatus for killing pathogens as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means to dispense the chemical in the form of a mist is a variation of the apparatus disclosed in GB Patent No. 2 450 536.

13. Apparatus for killing pathogens as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apparatus to dispense the chemical in the form of a mist is mounted on a moveable trolley.

14. Apparatus for killing pathogens as claimed in claim 13, wherein the trolley is moved around the volumetric space as and when required and / or parked at an appropriate place in that volumetric space.

15. Apparatus for killing pathogens as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means to dispense the chemical in the form of a mist is via nozzles.

16. Apparatus for killing pathogens as claimed in claim 15, wherein the means to dispense the chemical in the form of a mist is via fixed nozzles located at appropriate points in the large area volumetric space.

17. Apparatus for killing pathogens as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the variation of the apparatus disclosed in GB Patent No. 2 450 536 or misting nozzles is / are incorporated as fixed items into the permanent equipment or furniture of the volumetric space.

18. Apparatus for killing pathogens as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the mist is generated at a high level and allowed to move both laterally and downwardly into the volumetric space and onto the surfaces to be decontaminated.

19. Apparatus for killing pathogens as claimed in claim 18, wherein a means of withdrawing air from and / or circulating air within the volumetric space is provided.

20. Apparatus for killing pathogens as claimed in claim 19, wherein the means of withdrawing air is either / both via an extraction means or vents accessing the external environment outside the space.

21. Apparatus for killing pathogens as claimed in claim 19, wherein the means of circulating the mist within the space is a fan or an air-conditioning means.

22. A method for killing pathogens in the air in volumetric spaces and on the exposed surfaces of people and / or creatures and / or items in those volumetric spaces comprising the steps of> i) providing a volumetric space having exposed surfaces therein; ii) providing a supply of a chemical to kill pathogens; iii) providing a means to dispense the chemical in the form of a mist into the volumetric space; and iv) providing a control system; characterised in that the control system activates the means to dispense the chemical as and when required so that the mist is dispersed throughout the volumetric space and thus contacts all the air and exposed surfaces therein.

23. A method for killing pathogens as claimed in claim 22, wherein the means of dispensing the chemical mist is to place a variation of the apparatus disclosed in GB Patent No. 2 450 536 in the volumetric space and provide it with a supply of chemical and power.

24. A method for killing pathogens as claimed in claim 22, wherein the means of dispensing the chemical mist is to move a trolley, fitted with a mist generator, around the volumetric space and / or park in at an appropriate place in said space.

25. A method for killing pathogens as claimed in claim 22, wherein the means of dispensing the chemical mist is to place nozzles at appropriate places in the volumetric space and provide them with supplies of the chemical and compressed air.

26. A method for killing pathogens as claimed in claims 23-25, wherein the means of dispersing the chemical mist uniformly around the volumetric space is to use a circulating fan.

27. A method for killing pathogens as claimed in claims 23-25, wherein the means of dispersing the chemical mist uniformly around the volumetric space is to use air conditioning apparatus.

28. Apparatus and method for killing pathogens as described in and by the above statement with reference to the accompanying drawings.