JP2021006256A - Decontamination apparatus and method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a method and apparatus for exposing surfaces in a room to a sufficient level of UVC light to achieve a predetermined level of pathogen reduction on the surfaces.SOLUTION: A decontamination apparatus 10 comprises: a motorized base 12 comprising a transport system that is operable to move the decontamination apparatus on a floor; a plurality of UVC bulbs 14 supported by the motorized base that each emit UVC light; and a sensor 141 that detects a marking on the floor defining a desired route to be traveled by the motorized base during a decontamination process; and a controller that controls operation of the transport system to move the motorized base supporting the plurality of UVC bulbs on the floor along the desired route.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

The present disclosure generally decontaminates multiple surfaces, optionally collects information about UV energy at a wide variety of physical locations within a given environment, and displays that information graphically for display, analysis, and recording. With respect to systems, equipment, and methods for providing to the collection point.

High touch environmental surfaces in healthcare facilities are recognized as a significant source of pathogens. To avoid exposing patients to infectious microorganisms in such an environment, medical personnel working there are required to take precautionary measures to disinfect frequent contact surfaces. One such measure is to expose the entire room, where high frequency contact surfaces are present, to high doses of UV C waves, i.e., disinfection techniques that employ UVC. These high doses may come from continuous or pulsed sources, but one challenge with these techniques is to properly expose virtually all surfaces to UVC. To ensure that the desired level of pathogen reduction is achieved.

Therefore, there is a need for methods and devices in the art to expose a surface in a room to a sufficient level of UVC light to achieve a predetermined level of pathogen reduction on that surface. Such systems and methods automatically reposition to expose various surfaces that are initially shielded from UVC light to UVC light while the decontamination device is placed in the starting position in the room. A plurality of relatively low-power UVC light sources can be optionally utilized.

The method and the device provide meaningful data on the strength received at a given point in real time for the purpose of qualifying and improving the effectiveness of disinfection efforts. The sensor that records in can be used arbitrarily. Such methods and devices capture multiple data points of UVC intensity, optionally present data simultaneously and / or in parallel, present the data in real time, record the data for future analysis, and medical applications. The accuracy and quality of the disinfection techniques provided for use in can be improved.

According to one aspect, the application includes a decontamination device that includes an electric base with a transfer system that can operate to move the decontamination device. A plurality of UVC bulbs, each emitting UVC light, are supported by an electric base. The controller remembers the learned path that the decontamination device will take from the starting point to the destination during the decontamination process, and controls the operation of the transfer system that moves the decontamination device along the learned path.

According to another aspect, the application includes a method of capturing UVC data points for use in medical applications. The method comprises detecting UVC levels at various locations using at least one UVC sensitive sensor, each sensor having the ability to communicate to provide UVC intensity information to a central device.

According to another aspect, each UVC sensor is designed so that the UVC sensor can be powered by a battery.

According to another aspect, each UVC sensor is designed so that the UVC sensor can be temporarily mounted at a position where intensity measurement is desired.

According to another aspect, each UVC sensor is designed to be permanently mounted in a position that allows the UVC sensor to be powered from a wall outlet.

According to another aspect, each UVC sensor is designed so that the UVC sensor can detect only energy in a specific band.

According to another aspect, the present application is sensitive to a wide angle to the input (eg, at least X °) so that the UVC, which has a significantly significant effect, is measured even if it is off the direct axis. ) Is included.

According to another aspect, the central data collection point is designed to be able to monitor multiple sensor inputs simultaneously.

According to another aspect, the central data collection point is designed to be able to collect data from the sensor via wireless communication.

According to another aspect, the central data collection point is designed so that the collected data can be reported in various units of measurement.

According to another aspect, the central data collection point is designed to be able to report the data collected in real time.

According to another aspect, the central data collection point is designed so that the central data collection point can be customized to include data uniquely identified for a particular sensor, room number, operator, etc.

According to another aspect, the application includes a method of capturing these UVC data points when used in manufacturing applications. The method includes a plurality of UVC sensitive sensors, each of which has the ability to communicate to provide UVC intensity information to a central device.

According to another aspect, the present application includes a decontamination device including an electric base with a transfer system capable of operating the decontamination device to move it on the floor. A plurality of UVC bulbs, each configured to emit UVC light, are supported at some height vertically above the electric base. The sensor detects a floor marking that defines the desired path that the electric base should follow during the decontamination process, and the controller attaches the electric base that supports multiple UVC bulbs along the desired path defined by the marking. Control the operation of the transfer system so that it moves on the floor.

The above overview provides a simplified overview to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the systems and / or methods discussed herein. This overview is not an extensive overview of the systems and / or methods discussed herein. It is not intended to identify key elements / important elements or to depict the scope of such systems and / or methods. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed explanation presented below.

The present invention may take physical form in the construction of specific parts and parts, the embodiments of which are described in detail herein and exemplified in the accompanying drawings forming a portion of the specification. ..

It is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a UVC sensor. It is a block diagram of a sensor operation. A graphic representation of the central collection point display and typical data fields. It is a flow diagram which graphically illustrates the connectivity and action between a sensor and a central collection point. It is a perspective view of the decontamination device which can move autonomously. It is a partial sectional view of the electric base of the decontamination apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of a decontamination device with a plurality of independently adjustable UVC bulbs supported by an electric base. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of one set of UVC bulbs shown in FIG. It is a flow diagram which schematically illustrates the method of performing a decontamination process. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an autonomously mobile decontamination device including a front-mounted spool. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a line sensor arranged so as to extend laterally across a cord on the floor. It is a figure which shows the alternative embodiment of the spool for collecting a code. FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of a housing surrounding a spool that collects decontaminated cords from the underlying floor. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an autonomously mobile decontamination device including a rear-mounted spool.

Certain terms are used herein for convenience only and should not be construed as a limitation to the present invention. The relative language used herein is best understood with reference to the drawings, in which similar symbols are used to identify similar or similar items. Moreover, in the drawings, certain features may be shown in somewhat schematic form.

When the phrase "at least one" is used herein, followed by a plurality of members herein, it is meant to mean one of the members, or a combination of two or more of the members. Should also be noted. For example, the phrase "at least one of a first widget and a second widget" means, in the present application, a first widget, a second widget, or a first widget and a second widget. .. Similarly, "at least one of the first widget, the second widget and the third widget" is, in the present application, the first widget, the second widget, the third widget, the first widget. And a second widget, a first widget and a third widget, a second widget and a third widget, or a first widget and a second widget and a third widget.

High doses of UVC are provided from the source during the irradiation process to disinfect the surface of the healthcare facility (eg, beds, tray tables, seats, etc. in the hospital room). Currently, irradiation protocols must be tested to ensure that each part of the area is well disinfected. However, different layouts of rooms and different shapes of furniture can expose each surface to be decontaminated to sufficient levels of UVC, making it difficult to achieve the desired level of pathogen reduction. .. It manually places a centralized high power UVC source in a desired position in the room, activates the UVC source to perform irradiation in one position, the irradiation is complete, and the source is When stopped, the source is often moved manually, requiring the source to be restarted in order to reilluminate.
This process is often repeated multiple times to ensure adequate exposure of all surfaces to UVC light, but is labor intensive, time consuming, and makes such protocols impractical. .. Therefore, the present disclosure continuously exposes a variety of different surfaces to UVC light, optionally collecting information about UV energy at a wide variety of physical locations within a given environment and graphicizing that information. It covers systems, equipment, and methods for providing to collection points for display, analysis, and recording.

One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a UVC sensor that can be optionally placed at various locations in a room with a surface to be decontaminated to sense the level of exposure to UVC light. One example of the UVC sensor 1 is shown in FIG. The UVC sensor 1 includes an optical sensor 2 that senses the UVC light 3 and transmits a signal indicating the intensity, output, or other characteristic of the UVC light indicating the sterilization effectiveness of the UVC light to which the sensor 2 is exposed. The photosensor 2 can be placed at any suitable position where it is expected to be exposed to UVC light sent by the UVC source, or at any suitable position where it is necessary to determine the exposure of the UVC light. .. In some embodiments, the UVC sensor can be made sensitive only to a specific narrow frequency band of UVC frequencies. Further, it is desirable that the UVC sensor be able to sense UVC light at a large angle of incidence so that the UVC sensor does not have to be directly in line with the location of the UVC source.

In some embodiments, hook and loop straps 3, magnetic mounts 4, the like, or any combination thereof, are provided for mounting the UVC sensor 1 in a wide variety of locations and on a wide variety of objects. May be good. In various embodiments, the UVC sensor 1 may be temporarily attached to test the effectiveness of the irradiation protocol for a room layout. However, in other embodiments, it may be desirable to permanently attach the UVC sensor 1. Depending on whether the UVC sensor is installed temporarily or permanently, it may be desirable to have a removable, rechargeable, or wired power source, such as a lithium-ion battery. Further, in this context, FIG. 1 shows an on / off power switch and a power LED indicator so that the UVC sensor can only be turned on during the irradiation process.

FIG. 2 illustrates a flowchart of the operation of the UVC sensor 1. According to the flowchart, the signal from the optical sensor 2 is passed to the operational amplifier multiplier 5. The signal is then multiplexed by the transmitter 7 and converted to a digital signal by the analog-to-digital converter 6 before being transmitted. As further illustrated in FIG. 4, a plurality of UVC sensors 1A, 1B, 1C work together to generate and report data related to UVC irradiation. In some embodiments, each UVC sensor 1A, 1B, 1C transfers data via a wireless communication channel 9 (eg, IEEE802.11, Bluetooth®, etc.) to a tablet 8 or similar personal computing device. May be sent directly to a tablet 8 or similar personal computing device that can generate a graphical representation of the collected data for the convenience of the clinician.
However, in other embodiments, the UVC sensor may transmit data to a central collection point. In such embodiments, the sensor may transmit data to the central collection point only within the industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) band. Thus, transmission from the UVC sensor can be on the order of megahertz, thereby saving power consumption in the UVC sensor. In contrast, WiFi and Bluetooth technologies, which are often most compatible with personal computing devices, transmit in gigahertz bandwidth, which requires additional power. The central collection point then collects all of the data from the UVC sensor and transfers this data to a tablet or other computing device using WiFi® or short range Bluetooth® technology. obtain.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of how UVC sensor data can be displayed on a tablet or similar device. In this example, one section of the screen illustrates a bar graph 31 to illustrate the light intensity measured by each UVC sensor. Each bar 34 of the bar graph 31 can represent one UVC sensor. These bars may change color (eg, green to yellow, yellow to red) to indicate if the detected UVC is at a sufficient level. In some embodiments, the bar 34 is customizable. For example, the first bar may represent a bed-located UVC sensor that requires a level of UVC irradiation. Another bar may represent a sensor placed on the wall of the room that requires a second level of UVC irradiation.
Therefore, the color coding of each bar can be specific to the customized irradiation level required. Table section 35 may show the current irradiation level and / or irradiation intensity accumulation over time (ie, indicated in joules or watts) for each sensor. In addition, a pie chart section 35 is also shown to show similar data. Of course, the above is only a few examples of what data can be exemplified and how that data can be exemplified, and does not represent a limited embodiment. Other data collected by the UVC sensor may be displayed in various formats as known to those of skill in the art. An application for displaying UVC sensor data may also include a setting screen (accessible by button 32, but not shown).
As discussed above, in many embodiments, the application on the computing device uses WiFi (R) or Bluetooth (R) technology to interact with the UVC sensor and / or central collection point. Interfaces are taken, but any communication technology is expected within the scope of this disclosure.

The embodiments described above utilize an array of sensors to detect the extent to which different areas of the room are exposed to UVC light emitted by a fixed decontamination device. In addition to displaying data, it is also expected that UVC sensors will be used to automatically control electric decontamination devices that travel to multiple different locations throughout the room. That is, for example, if one UVC sensor detects that the level of UVC is less than sufficient to achieve a predetermined level of pathogen reduction identified by the user, then the UVC sensor is the reporting UVC sensor. The position of may send a signal instructing the decontamination device to move autonomously to receive additional irradiation. For example, the decontamination device proceeds along a straight path to the requesting UVC sensor, or along a path programmed as described herein to approach the requesting sensor. be able to.
Other embodiments are also expected in which the UVC sensor is used as a safety mechanism during the period of irradiation. That is, for example, if a UVC sensor detects UVC when irradiation should not occur, the UVC sensor may be used to warn anyone within a potentially dangerous condition area. Good.

According to an alternative embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5-7, the decontamination device 10 can be mobile, with feedback from a UVC sensor or affecting the movement of the decontamination device 10. Without any other information, the electric base 12 can be autonomously transferred to a plurality of different locations along a programmed path within the room. Transferring the decontamination device 10 as described herein allows the decontamination device 10 to UVC light a surface (eg, chair 15 in FIG. 5) while the decontamination device 10 is in one position. Such a surface is provided adjacent to the UVC light 14 in a first position (eg, where the decontamination device 10 is first activated) by a shroud 17 (FIG. 8) that allows exposure to. , Shielded from UVC light emitted by the decontamination device 10.
In such embodiments, the speed at which the decontamination device 10 moves is appropriate for any surface that is irradiated along the way and whose pathogens are desired to be reduced to achieve at least a predetermined level of pathogen reduction. It can be set late enough to ensure that a high dose of UVC light is received. In this way, the UVC light can be focused on the surface of the object, giving a strong dose and indiscriminately spreading the UVC light in the room, not necessarily requiring high power UVC light, desired. Achieve a level of pathogen reduction. Transferring the decontamination device 10 to multiple different locations throughout the room is in close proximity to the decontaminated surface (eg, within 5 feet, or optionally within 4 feet, or optionally within 3 feet). Or optionally within 2 feet, or optionally within 1 foot) it is possible to place the UVC radiant bulb 14.
Therefore, instead of a central high-power UVC bulb that spreads UVC light from a single location in the room to achieve pathogen reduction (eg, at least 3 feet away from the surface, in less than 10 minutes, the surface. A plurality of UVC emitting bulbs 14 having a relatively low output (which cannot achieve the desired level of pathogen reduction, such as a reduction of 1 log ₁₀ above) can be included as part of the decontamination device 10.

As shown in FIG. 5, the decontamination device 10 is not fixed and is mobile. The decontamination device 10 includes at least one and optionally a plurality of vertically oriented and / or adjustable UVC radiating bulbs 14 extending upward from the base 12. As shown in FIG. 5, UVC bulbs 14 are supported individually or in groups of two or more, adjacent to the distal ends of the plurality of adjustable arms 19. Each arm 19 allows the position and / or orientation of the UVC bulb 14 to be adjusted, a hinge that allows each arm 19 to be articulated, adjusted in length, or a combination thereof. 21 or other universal joints are included. Each arm 19 may optionally be rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the segment extending vertically upward from the base 12 in the direction generally indicated by the arrow 25.

The electric cord 16 is configured so that one end is inserted into, for example, a conventional AC main line wall surface outlet to which electric energy from a public interest company is supplied, and is arranged in the base 12 from the outlet (schematically shown in FIG. 6). (Shown) operably connected to direct electrical energy to the controller 18. A plurality of wheels 20 are coupled to the underside of the base 12, which allows the decontamination device 10 to be moved along the surface of the floor. At least one, optionally, multiple wheels 20 are optionally pivotally coupled to the underside of the base 12 to allow the decontamination device 10 to rotate at the corners, or to change direction of travel. Can be made possible. At least one, optionally, a plurality of wheels 20 may optionally be arranged in a fixed orientation with respect to the base 12 and driven by the motor 22 as described below.
At least one, and optionally, a plurality of other wheels 20 can be pivotally coupled to the base 12. In such an embodiment, one, but all less, electric wheel is operated at a different speed than at least one other electric wheel to rotate the slidable wheel 20 and the base 12 is variable. It can rotate in a direction and allow it to move. According to yet another embodiment, the wheel 20 is optionally replaced with any suitable transfer device, such as one or more electric trajectories, including belts traveling over the wheels, eg, base 12. Can be skid-steered. However, for brevity and clarity, embodiments that utilize the wheels 20 to transfer the base 12 will be described in detail.

As shown in FIG. 7, the decontamination device 10 positions a plurality (three) independently, including one or more UVC bulbs 14, each directing UVC light to a surface on which the pathogen should be reduced. Includes possible sources. The UVC bulbs 14 are said to be independently positionable in that their respective positions can be adjusted and maintained relative to the other UVC bulbs 14. Such a decontamination device 10 is occupied or occupied based on the occupant sensor that determines whether the room 1 is occupied and the signal from the occupant sensing system. In this case, the controller 116 that interferes with the emission of UVC light can also be optionally included.

Looking up at a pair of parallel bulbs 14 in the direction indicated by the arrow 102 in FIG. 7, from the viewpoint illustrated in FIG. 8, the bulb 14 focuses UVC light towards the decontaminated surface 15. It is coupled to a reflective shield 118 provided on the inward facing surface of the matching shroud 17. The bulb 14 and / or the reflective shield 118 is decontaminated at the desired level within a predetermined time period (eg, less than 10 minutes, less than 8 minutes, less than 6 minutes, less than 4 minutes, less than 3 minutes, etc.) after being activated. Allows the bulb 14 and / or the shield 118 to be pivoted about the axis of rotation in the direction indicated by the arrow 121 and otherwise placed in the proper position with respect to the surface. , Can be pivotally coupled to the distal end of an articulated arm 122 or other suitable support.
The parallel bulb 14 provided with the common shield 118 can be positioned independently of the bulb 14 supported by the other arm 122. An example of such a repositionable light bulb is described in Dayton US Pat. No. 9,095,633, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

According to an embodiment of FIG. 7, each arm 122 may include a portion comprising an adjustable length extending approximately away from the base 125, which is an external that flexibly accepts the internal member 126. It can be facilitated by member 124, or other suitable length adjusting mechanism (eg, sliding track, etc ...). Lock member 127, for example, a spring urging pin urged toward the locking position, a detent, etc. .. .. Is provided to one or both of the outer member 124 and the inner member 126 so that the desired length of the arm 122 can be maintained once manually established. A hinge 128, or other suitable connector to allow for angle adjustment of the arm 122 with respect to the base 125, can be placed between the base 125 and the arm 122.
The bendable fitting 130 may also be optionally provided anywhere along the length of the arm 122, eg, adjacent to the distal end of the arm 122 on which one / more bulbs 14 are supported. Can be done. The fitting 130 can be manually bent to place the bulb 14, but is deformable and flexible enough to maintain the position of the housing with respect to the arm 122 when the bending force is removed. It can be formed from various materials. In addition, the hinge 132 also has an arm before and / or after the fitting 130 to allow further adjustment of the position of the bulb 14 to achieve the desired coverage of the surface to be decontaminated using UVC light. It can be arbitrarily arranged along 122. As with any of the hinges described herein, the hinge 132 can be selectively lockable and is coupled to both sides of the hinge 132 by loosening a locking member such as a set screw. It means that the structures can be pivotally adjusted with respect to each other.
Once the desired adjustment is complete, the set screw or other locking member can be tightened to interfere with further pivot adjustment of the structure relative to each other.

The base 125 may optionally be mounted on an adjustable platform 137 that supports the arm 122 at a desired height above the floor of the room and rotates about a vertical axis in the direction generally indicated by arrow 129 in FIG. .. The base 125 controls the operation of the decontamination device 10 (eg, independently controls the operation of each light bulb 14 to emit UVC light, making one light bulb 14 more than another of the light bulbs 14). Supplied by an electric utility, which can be used to support a controller 116 that can be operated by the user to (optionally stay in a long energized state), energize the bulb 14, and power the controller 116. An on-board power supply, such as a rechargeable storage battery group or circuit for utilizing power from an AC main source such as a wall outlet, is optionally built in. The power cord 16 can be plugged into an AC main line electrical outlet supplied by an electric power company in order to obtain the electrical energy required to supply power to the decontamination device 10.

Regardless of the embodiment of the decontamination device 10, at least one wheel 20, and optionally each of the plurality of wheels 20, will be used while the decontamination device 10 is in motion, without the direct assistance of a human user. It can be driven by an electric motor 22 to allow the decontamination device 10 to proceed autonomously. In other words, the decontamination device 10 is manually entered in real time by a human operator without physical contact by a human user to steer the decontamination device 10 during the decontamination process and optionally by a human operator. It is possible to reduce pathogens in a room by navigating along a route in multiple different directions between multiple waypoints in a decontaminated room without receiving remote control signals.

In order for "pathogens to be reduced", at least a portion, optionally less than all, of the biologically active presence on the exposed surface of the object exposed to the UVC light emitted by the UVC bulb 14. Inactivated. For example, reducing the pathogens of objects in a room means that they become 100% sterile, free of any biologically active microorganisms that can infect humans in a feasible way. Not necessarily required. Instead, the reduction of pathogens means that the infection remains on the surface of the object after the decontamination process is performed, rather than being present on those surfaces prior to the decontamination process. It requires a lower level of biologically active transmission that is feasible to cause. Also, the inactivation of biologically active transmissions at least moderates their ability to stop active transmissions or propagate to the extent that they result in infection of humans exposed to the inactivated transmission. It can include harmonizing (eg, making them no longer viable).

According to other embodiments, the decontaminated surface is below the threshold amount allowed under the requirements of the US Food and Drug Administration for objects dedicated to use in sterile areas such as operating rooms during surgery. It may be required to have a level of live transmission, or a lower level of biologically active transmission. According to other embodiments, the decontamination process is at least any active, or otherwise biologically active, infectious disease present on the surface exposed immediately prior to the execution of the decontamination process. It may be necessary to kill 99% or otherwise inactivate to reduce pathogens on their surface.

According to yet another embodiment, the achievement of pathogen reduction, which results in a high level of disinfection of the surface in the room utilizing the decontamination device 10, inactivates the appropriate portion of the biologically active infection. Reducing at least 1 log ₁₀ of live transmissions on an object, which remains infectious (ie, less than one-tenth of the originally existing biologically active transmission when the decontamination process is complete, is active Can be accompanied by achieving (remains or remains infectious). According to yet another embodiment, the achievement of high level disinfection of the surface utilizing the decontamination device 10 inactivated the appropriate portion of the biologically active transmission and was exposed to UVC light. It may involve achieving a reduction of at least 3log ₁₀ (ie, 1/1000) of the bioinfection originally present on the surface. According to yet another embodiment, the achievement of disinfection at such a high level of surface inactivates the appropriate portion of the biologically active transmission and at least 5log ₁₀ of the live transmission on that surface. (Ie, 1 / 100,000) may be involved.

As shown in FIG. 6, an independently controllable electric motor 22 is provided for each of the wheels 20, but an alternative embodiment is common electricity through the use of a drive train (power transmission) (not shown). A plurality of wheels 20 driven by a motor 22 can be included. Yet another embodiment can include a steering mechanism (not shown) for controlling the direction in which the decontamination device 10 travels so that less than all wheels 20 are driven by a motor. to enable. However, for the purposes of the present disclosure, each of the wheels 20 is driven so that the direction in which the decontamination device 10 travels can be controlled by individually selectively controlling each operation of the motor 22 at different speeds. Will be done. Therefore, the first motor 22 is operated to drive its respective wheels at one speed, and the second motor 22 on the opposite side of the base 12 drives its respective wheels at a higher speed. If so, the decontamination device 10 is rotated towards a slower driven wheel 20.

A schematic representation of the controller 18 is shown in FIG. In the illustrated embodiment, the controller 18 includes a UVC control component 24 that selectively controls the delivery of electrical energy supplied to the UVC radiating bulb 14 via the power cord 16. The UVC control component 24 can include a timer that causes the UVC radiating bulb 14 to stop after a predetermined time period has elapsed, and the predetermined time period can be optionally manually specified by the user.

According to an alternative embodiment, one or more of the UVC sensors described above relative to the controller 18 in order to limit the duration of the decontamination process in which the one / multiple UVC radiating bulbs 14 are activated. Can optionally communicate in real time with any communication component 26 provided. For example, a plurality of UVC sensors can be arranged in a room to be decontaminated using the decontamination device 10. The decontamination device 10 can be placed in the same room, and the UVC bulb 14 operates until all of the UVC sensors in the room are exposed to the lowest threshold level of UVC light emitted by the decontamination device 10. Can be started in a mode that maintains. Each UVC sensor measures the degree of UVC exposure and transmits a radio signal to be received by the communication component 26 in response to sensing exposure to the lowest level of UVC light.
All of the UVC sensors transmit such a signal indicating sufficient exposure to UVC light for the decontamination process, and when the signal is received by the communication component 26, the communication component 26 will be subjected to the UVC control component 24. The UVC control component 24 then shuts down the UVC bulb 14.

An alternative embodiment of the communication component 26 can optionally receive a signal used to control the relocation of the decontamination device 10 using the wheel 20 as described below. For example, the UVC sensors described above as being dispersed throughout the room can optionally emit a signal indicating the level of UVC light to which they are exposed. Such signals are received by the communication component 26 and are not exposed to sufficient levels of UVC light to achieve the desired level of decontamination in the area adjacent to the UVC sensor, the UVC sensor in the room. It can be utilized by the communication component 26 to determine if it exists. Based on such a determination, at least in part, the decontamination device 10 is exposed to the appropriate level of UVC light to achieve the desired level of decontamination before going to the next position. Can remain in close proximity to an underexposed UVC sensor.

According to an alternative embodiment, the controller 18 controls the operation of the electric motor 22 that drives the wheel 20 based on a plurality of waypoints stored by computer-readable memory that forms part of the memory component 30. Component 28 can also be included. Each waypoint establishes a location within a room or other environment that the decontamination device 10 should reach autonomously as part of its progress during the decontamination process. Waypoints can be optionally stored by memory components to reflect common patterns in multiple hospital rooms, rooms in a hotel, or other commonly configured locations. Thus, the decontamination device 10 is located at a common starting point for each such room, optionally labeled in each such room, and autonomously proceeds to each waypoint to complete the decontamination process. As described above, it is possible to activate the decontamination mode required for the decontamination device 10.
Once the decontamination process is completed in one such commonly constructed room, the decontamination device 10 is manually transferred to the next commonly constructed room, placed at the starting point and in that room. Can also be restarted in that mode to decontaminate. This process can be repeated for each such commonly constructed room to be decontaminated. The memory component 30 can optionally store different waypoints for different room configurations, where the operator presses a button specific to a given room to decontaminate the waypoint specific to the pressed button 10. Allows you to navigate autonomously.

According to another embodiment, the decontamination device 10 can be in a "learning" mode to allow the operator to manually enter the desired waypoints for a particular room into the memory component 30. .. In use, as illustrated by the flow diagram of FIG. 9, the operator of this embodiment contaminates in step S200 at the starting point of the route to be navigated by the decontamination device 10 to complete the decontamination process. The removal device 10 can be manually transferred (eg, pushed or otherwise directly controlled). Once placed at the starting point, the operator causes the decontamination device 10 to enter learning mode in step S210 via a suitable user interface, and then in step S220, the UVC radiant bulb 14 after the operator leaves the room. The decontamination device 10 can be manually moved along a path that the decontamination device 10 should take autonomously while being supplied with energy.
The drive control unit 28 has a heading (eg, the angular pivot of the wheel 20 to determine the direction with respect to the starting point) and the distance traveled to reach the final position as manually indicated by the operator (eg, the motor). It can include one or more sensors that can be used to sense a signal indicating that the 22 is a timer that determines how long it will be able to move between waypoints. This navigation information can be recorded by the controller 18 in step S230.

Upon reaching the final position where the decontamination device 10 will proceed as part of the decontamination process, the operator identifies this position in step S240 by exiting the learning mode via the appropriate user interface. Can be done. To perform the decontamination process, the operator manually returns the decontamination device 10 to the starting point in step S250 and optionally places one or more UVC sensors in the desired positions throughout the room for completeness. The decontamination process can be initiated in step S260 by ensuring decontamination and selecting a navigation mode learned via the appropriate user interface. Following the lapse of a predetermined time period sufficient to allow the operator to leave the room and close the door, the UVC control component 24 activates the UVC radiant bulb 14 in step S270.
With the decontamination device 10 at the starting point, when the desired level of decontamination is achieved on the surface of the room exposed to the UVC light emitted by the UVC bulb 14, the drive control component 28 will In step S280, the operation of the motor 22 is controlled so as to move the decontamination device 10 along the path learned in the learning mode. Again, the movement of the decontamination device 10 is optionally feedback from one or more of the UVC sensors in the room and may or may be influenced by the feedback received by the communication component 26. It may be independent of feedback, may be affected by a timer (eg, stay at the starting point for a given period of time and then move forward), and / or contaminate the surface near the starting point. It may be affected by any other factor that indicates the level of removal.
The decontamination device 10 includes a trigonometric survey for GPS navigation, a timer and direction sensor for activating the motor 22 in a specific direction for a known length of time, and along a learned (or pre-programmed) path. Any other control factor during autonomous transfer of the decontamination device 10 can be utilized. The speed at which the decontamination device 10 advances can be sufficient to achieve the desired level of decontamination as the decontamination device 10 moves, and / or the decontamination device 10 is in learning mode. A desired level of decontamination of the exposed surface can be achieved by stopping at one, more or all of the waypoints learned in. Upon reaching the final destination of the learned path, the UVC bulb is de-energized and the decontamination process is complete.

Instead of returning the decontamination device 10 to the starting point where the learning mode was started in step S210, the decontamination device 10 learns in step S240 in order to prepare the decontamination device 10 to proceed along the learned path. You can optionally stay in the final position where the mode ended. According to the present embodiment, the learned navigation mode can be activated while the decontamination device 10 is in this position (ie, without returning the decontamination device 10 to the place where the learning mode was started). The decontamination device 10 will travel in reverse along the learned path. In other words, in step S260, the decontamination device 10 started operating in the learned navigation mode, in step S270 the UVC bulb was energized, but in step S240 the decontamination device 10 ended the learning mode in step S240. From the final position, the process proceeds backward along the learned path toward the starting point where the learning mode was started in step S210. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the need to manually return the decontamination device 10 to the original starting point of the route.

According to an alternative embodiment, hospital rooms, hotel rooms, etc. may have one or more markings on the floor (eg, reflective material) that can be sensed by sensors provided underneath the base 12. Stripes, paint points, etc ....) can be optionally provided. The sensor communicates a directional signal to the drive control component 28 to cause the motor 22 to selectively operate, if necessary, in order for the decontamination device 10 to follow the path defined by the markings on the floor. Can be connected operably. According to such an embodiment, the marking can eliminate the need to pre-program waypoints in the memory component 30, instead the decontamination device 10 simply follows the marking along the desired path. To enable.

Another embodiment of the decontamination device 10 is shown in FIG. According to this embodiment, the base 12 also includes a line sensor 141 capable of sensing a color and transmitting a signal that distinguishes between the perceived different colors. The line sensor 141 is optionally supported and used by a pivotable arm 144 to support the line sensor 141 at a sufficient distance in front of the base 12 to allow the base 12 to follow the cord 16. When not, it can be arbitrarily pivoted around the pivot point 146 in a direction perpendicular to the base 12. The electrical cord 16 can include a flexible sheath in which a portion of the cord 16 is moved without interfering with another section of the cord 16 within at least 2 feet of the portion being moved. To enable. The spool 142 can operate to wind the cord 16 at about the same speed as the base 12 travels along the path following the cord 16.
Depending on factors such as the material used to form the coating of the cord 16, the wire gauge of the conductor within the cord 16, and other such factors, the cord 16 may be "twisted", "crimped", Alternatively, it can be plastically deformed to include other deformations of the original linear shape of the cord. In an embodiment in which the base 12 is traveling along a path defined by the layout of the code 16, such deformation moves the base 12 in an undesired direction that reflects the deformed shape of the code 16. It is possible. Base 12 that avoids the formation of such variants of the cord 16 or is greater than at least 2 inches, or at least 4 inches, or at least 6 inches, or at least 8 inches, etc. from the desired linear path defined by the cord 16. As part of efforts to at least mitigate the formation of such deformations of the cord 16 to the extent that it deviates laterally, the externally exposed material surrounding the conductor has a diameter of less than 6 inches without plastic deformation at room temperature. It can optionally be made from vinyl with the appropriate flexibility to be wound up by a spool with.
According to an alternative embodiment, the vinyl sheath of the cord 16 is plastically deformed at room temperature to the extent that it prevents the cord 16 from being deployed so that the base 12 follows a substantially straight portion of the path to follow the cord 16. It can be appropriately flexible to be wound by a spool having a diameter of less than 5 inches, or less than 4 inches. Although the spool 142 is shown in FIG. 10 as being located in front of the electric base 12 (ie, in front of the electric base 12 traveling along the cord 16), an alternative embodiment of the spool position is shown in FIG. It is shown in 14. According to that embodiment, the spool 142 is placed behind the electric base 12 (ie, behind the electric base 12 traveling along the cord 16) to provide segments of the cord 16 and the electric base 12 to those segments. Collect after going up. It is believed that mounting the spool 142 behind the electric base 12 would cause less movement of the cord 16 segment located on the floor near the line sensor 141 as the spool 142 collects the cord 16. ..

The cord 16 also optionally includes a conductor of appropriate gauge to supply the current required to energize the UVC bulb 14 and the motor and / or controller to transfer the base 12 along the cord 16. be able to. However, it is not a low gauge (ie, large diameter) that interferes with the placement of the cord 16 on the floor 145 (FIG. 5). For example, the cord 16 can include a stranded set of wire or other suitable conductive material as low as 14 gauge, 16 gauge, or 18 gauge without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

According to an alternative embodiment, the spool 142 from which the cord 16 is wound during collection is suitable to avoid twisting or other plastic deformation of the cord 16 as a result of long-term storage at room temperature. It can have any size of diameter. Such spool 142 can be used with or without a flexible cord that resists the plastic deformation described above, at least 25 feet, and optionally at least 35 feet, at least 50 feet, or optionally up to 100 feet. The cord 16 having a length of up to feet can be configured to be collected and stored. For example, the spool 142 around which the cord 16 is wound can optionally have a circular cross-sectional shape and can be at least 1 foot in diameter, or at least 6 inches in diameter, or at least 3 inches in diameter.
According to an alternative embodiment, the spool 142 has a plurality of circular hubs 147 (FIG. 12) in which the belt 149 can extend to form a generally elliptical spool 142 around which the cord 16 is wound. Can be included. Any desired configuration of the spool 142 that avoids plastic deformation of the cord 16 can be utilized without departing from the scope of the present disclosure when deployed as described below to route.

The take-up speed of the spool 142 was sensed based on the signal from the line sensor 141 based on the speed of the electric wheel 20 as determined based on the signal from the drive control unit 28 shown in FIG. Any other perceived value that indicates the speed at which the base 12 is moving along the code 16 or based on the speed at which the base 12 is traveling, calculated from the GPS signal. , Or it can be variable based on the calculated value. The speed at which the base 12 is spinning or turning, as determined based on the perceived layout of the cord 16, is also a factor in the speed at which the spool 142 spins to pick up the cord 16. Can be considered as. For example, at such a rate that the surface exposed and decontaminated by the UVC light emitted by the UVC bulb 14 receives an appropriate dose of UVC light to ensure that the desired level of pathogen reduction is achieved. , The base 12 can be configured to travel along the code 16.
A specific example of the speed at which the base 12 can travel along the cord 16 is that the particular surface being decontaminated has the appropriate strength, such as at least 30 seconds, or at least 60 seconds, or at least 90 seconds. Includes the rate at which exposure to UVC light ensures that the desired level of pathogen reduction is achieved.

Regardless of the dimensions of the spool 142 and the configuration of the cord 16, the spool 142 may optionally include a housing 157 that substantially encloses at least one, optionally a plurality of UVC bulbs 159, as shown in FIG. .. The UVC bulb 159 radiates UVC light to decontaminate the cord 16 as the base 12 travels along the length of the cord 16 as the cord 16 is being collected from the underlying floor 145 by the spool 142. To do. In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 157 defines the interior space 158, in which the spool 142 is pivotally mounted and in the viewpoint of FIG. 13 (generally indicated by arrows 165). Rotating counterclockwise to collect the cord 16 and rotating clockwise from the viewpoint of FIG. 13 allows the cord 16 to be unwound from the spool 142.
The housing defines an opening 167 in which the cord 16 enters the housing 157 and an inlet chamber 169 in which one or more UVC bulbs 159 are located. According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 13, the UVC bulb 159 is located in the inlet chamber 169, whereby a portion of the housing 157 separates the UVC bulb 159 from the underlying floor 145 and the UVC bulb 159. Protects against impact from under the base 12. However, in an alternative embodiment, as the cord 16 is lifted from the floor 145 and wound around the spool 142, it emits UVC light acting on the cord 16 at some height vertically below the interior space 158. UVC bulbs 159 arranged in the can be optionally included. These UVC bulbs 159 may be exposed to the floor 145 (eg, not protected by housing 157 or some other shield), or the base 12 may follow the path defined by the cord 16. Or that the UVC light from the UVC bulb 159 affects the floor 145 as it follows the learned path, or otherwise the path established elsewhere in the specification during the decontamination process. These UVC bulbs 159 can optionally be shielded from below by the enabling UVC transmissive material.
According to such an alternative embodiment, the UVC light emitted by the UVC bulb 159 can also optionally achieve the desired level of pathogen reduction on the floor 145 as the base 12 advances. However, in the embodiment in which the base 12 follows the path defined by the code 16, the UVC light emitted by the UVC bulb 159 is on the exposed surface of the part of the code 16 and that part is inside the floor 145. A desired level of pathogen reduction is achieved as it travels between space 158. In other words, the portion of the cord 16 that has been lifted above the floor 145 but not yet in the interior space 158 will be reduced in pathogens as a result of exposure to UVC light from the UVC bulb 159.

UVC light can adversely affect the integrity of the exposed surface of Code 16 that is continuously exposed to UVC light over an extended period of time. To protect the code 16 against UVC light from such long-term exposure, the housing 157 can include a light shield 161 that is substantially opaque to UVC light. The shading unit 161 interferes with the transmission of UVC light from the UVC bulb 159 into the internal space 158 where the cord 16 is stored on the spool 142, but allows the cord 16 to enter the internal space 158 while being collected. To do. An exemplary embodiment of the light-shielding section 161 includes opposing bristle that extends a sufficient distance from the facing surface so that the cord 16 overlaps with each other within the opening into the interior space 158. Code 16 can temporarily deform such a bristle into the internal space 158, where the bristle is the majority of the UVC light from the UVC bulb 159 (eg, at least 50%, or at least 60%, Or at least 70%, or at least 80%, or at least 90%, etc.) are fully adapted to prevent them from entering the internal space 158.
An alternative embodiment of the shading portion 161 is flexible and / or deformable, defining the opening with dimensions that tightly adapt to the outer shape of the cord 16 extending over the opening into the interior space 158. It can include a membrane. However, any structure suitable to allow the cord 16 to enter the interior space 158 while interfering with the incident of UVC light from the UVC bulb 159 into the interior space 158 can be utilized.

Any externally visible color of code 16 does not match the color of the underlying floor 145 (FIG. 5), at which code 16 extends to route the base 12 as described herein. It can also be the desired color. At the time of use, the cord 16 is removed from the spool 142 and plugged into an AC main wall outlet in the room to be disinfected. The portion of the cord 16 between the base 12 and the wall outlet can be located on the floor 145 so that the base 12 defines the path to navigate. Any excess length of cord 16 removed from spool 142 can be stored by spool 142 or accumulated near a wall outlet to mark the end of the path. A marker 156 of color, configuration or other characteristic that can be sensed by the line sensor 141 can optionally be deployed on a portion of code 16 placed on the floor 145 to identify the end of the path.

The external color of Code 16 should be bright yellow, orange or other suitable color that contrasts well with the flooring commonly found in healthcare facilities or in other environments where the decontamination device 10 should be used. be able to. As shown in FIG. 11, which is a cross-sectional view of the line sensor 141 along lines 11-11 of FIG. 10, the line sensor 141 has a plurality of areas directed downward in the sensory direction, exemplified by the dashed line 155. The sensor 151 can be included. The area sensor 151 can sense the color of the floor 145 on which the code 16 is deployed and transmit a signal indicating the sensed color to the drive control component 28. The color of the floor can be sensed continuously, occasionally or periodically, and the drive control component 28 can optionally determine the average color of the floor 145.
As the base 12 advances over the cord 16 deployed on the floor 145, the signal received by the drive control component 28 averages the colors of the floor 145 based on the plurality of values sensed by the area sensor 151. To do. Since the color of code 16 contrasts with the color of floor 145, the individual perceived color values based on the signal transmitted by one or more of the area sensors 151 have begun to drift on the base 12. That, or otherwise, indicates that it has begun to deviate from the path defined by code 16 on floor 145. The drive control component 28 determines which area sensor 151 transmitted such a signal and determines the direction in which the base 12 is heading so that the color sensed by each of the area sensors 151 indicates the floor 145. The operation of one or more drive motors 22 can be adjusted for modification.
When the surplus code 16 is reached near the wall outlet and / or marker 156 as detected by the area sensor 151, the drive control component 28 terminates the drive motor 22 operation and the UVC controller 24 is a UVC bulb. The operation of 14 is terminated, thereby terminating the decontamination process along the path marked by code 16.

The line sensor 141 is described in detail herein as including an area sensor 151 for detecting and following the code 16, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. According to another embodiment, the line sensor 141 can include a probe that extends generally downward towards the floor 145 and is sensitive to contact with the cord 16, for example. In such an embodiment, the probe can include at least a left and right probe located on opposite sides of the line sensor 141 and a cord 16 deployed on the floor. When the right probe comes into contact with the cord 16, the base 12 controls the direction of the base so as to move in the direction of separating the right probe from the cord 16, and the cord 16 is disposed between the left probe and the right probe. The state can be maintained. The left probe can work in the same way, but advances the base 12 in the opposite direction so that the cord 16 is maintained between the left and right probes.

Other embodiments of the line sensor 141 may include a left side ultrasonic sensor and a right side ultrasonic sensor in place of the area sensor 151 or in combination with the area sensor 151. As in the probe embodiment, each ultrasonic sensor can sense the proximity of the cord 16 to its respective ultrasonic sensor, and the base 12 has the cord 16 too close to one of the ultrasonic sensors. Allows the direction to change depending on the distance from the other ultrasonic sensor too far. Therefore, the base 12 can be driven to maintain the cord 16 in the central region between such sensors.

Another embodiment of the line sensor 141 is a single current sensor that senses the current being conducted through the conductor of the cord 16 to power the base 12 and / or the UVC bulbs 14, 159. Can include current sensors, or arrays of current sensors. The center of the line sensor 141 with respect to the longitudinal axis of the cord 16 based on the magnitude of the current sensed by each of the current sensors and the position of each sensor that senses the magnitude of the current along the width of the line sensor 141. The position of the region can be determined and the drive direction of the base 12 can be corrected so that the base 12 follows the code 16.

According to yet another embodiment, instead of or in combination with the area sensor 151, the line sensor 141 is along the width of the line sensor 141 arranged substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cord 16. It can include one temperature sensor or a plurality of temperature sensors. The temperature sensor can be sufficiently sensitive to detect the thermal response of the code 16 to directing electricity during the operation of the decontamination device 10 as part of the decontamination process. Such a line sensor 141, along with the base 12, can be configured to follow the thermal signature of the cord 16 that conducts electricity with respect to the thermal signature of the underlying floor 145. For the sake of concise and clear description of the invention, a particular structure and / or sensor for sensing the path defined by the code 16 on the floor is described in detail herein as an area sensor 151. However, it should be understood that any suitable sensor and / or structure can be used in place of or in addition to the area sensor 151 to make the base 12 follow the code 16. ..

In any of the above embodiments where the decontamination device 10 is mobile, the base 12 or other parts of the decontamination device 10 (eg, any part of the arm 19, shroud 17, light bulb 14, etc.) are super Proximity sensors and optical sensors that use ultrasonic waves. .. .. Any part of the decontamination device 10 approaches a foreign substance (for example, furniture in a room, medical equipment on the floor, etc.) and tries to make physical contact with the foreign substance. In some cases, it can be detected. The proximity sensor can be operably connected to transmit a signal to the drive control component 28, which, in turn, the motor 22 before the decontamination device 10 actually comes into contact with the foreign matter. Can be stopped and the decontamination device 10 can be stopped. Close contact with a foreign object can be optional as a basis for stopping the UVC radiating bulb 14 and thereby ending the decontamination process prematurely.
Under such circumstances, the operator is outside the decontaminated room in response to the reception of the signal transmitted by the communication component 26 by the visible and / or audible indicator provided to the decontamination device 10. Decontamination process via remote control, only by the position of the decontamination device 10 at an unexpected location where decontamination ended prematurely, or via any other indicator, instead of the known end of the route You can optionally be notified of the early termination of.

Illustrative embodiments have been described above. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the above devices and methods may incorporate modifications and modifications without departing from the overall scope of the invention. All such modifications and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention. Further, as long as the term "contains" is used in either the form for carrying out the invention or in the claims, such term is used when "provide" is adopted as a transitional phrase in the claim. It is intended to be as inclusive as the term "prepare", as interpreted in.

Claims (14)

It is a decontamination device
An electric base with a transfer system that can operate to move the decontamination device on the floor.
A plurality of UVC bulbs supported by the electric base, each emitting UVC light,
A sensor that detects the floor markings, which defines the desired path for the electric base to follow during the decontamination process.
A controller that controls the operation of the transfer system so that the electric base supporting the plurality of UVC bulbs is moved on the floor along the desired path.
Is equipped with
Decontamination equipment. The transfer system comprises a plurality of wheels and a motor that drives at least one of the plurality of wheels.
The decontamination device according to claim 1. The plurality of bulbs are tunably coupled to the electric base so that they can be positioned independently of each other.
The decontamination device according to claim 1 or 2. The sensor is a color sensor that detects the color of the marking.
The controller controls the operation of the transfer system based on the color contrast of the marking to the floor color.
The decontamination device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. It further includes a flexible cord to direct electricity between the wall outlet and the electric base and to be placed on the floor to route the desired path.
The sensor is said on the floor so that the controller controls the operation of the transfer system to allow the electric base to travel on the floor along the desired path defined by the cord. Equipped with a code sensor that detects the quality of the code,
The decontamination apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. Further comprising a retractor to collect the cord as the electric base travels along the desired path during the decontamination process.
The decontamination device according to claim 5. The code sensor senses the color of the code on the floor.
The decontamination device according to claim 5 or 6. As the electric base advances along the desired path defined by the cord, it further comprises a spool that can operate to wind the cord.
The decontamination device according to claim 1. The spool is capable of operating to wind up the cord at a speed at which the electric base travels approximately along the desired path defined by the cord.
The decontamination apparatus according to claim 8. The speed at which the electric base travels along the desired path defined by the code is
Signal from the drive control unit,
Perceived speed of travel based on the signal from the sensor,
The speed at which the electric base calculated from the GPS signal is moving, or
Any other perceived or calculated value indicating the speed at which the electric base travels along the desired path defined by the code.
Determined based on at least one or more of
The decontamination device according to claim 9. The spool is placed behind the electric base to collect the segment of the cord after the electric base has advanced onto the segment.
The decontamination apparatus according to claim 8. It further comprises a proximity sensor configured to detect the foreign matter when the decontamination device approaches the foreign matter.
Claim The decontamination apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11. The proximity sensor is configured to transmit a signal to the controller in response to detecting the foreign matter when the decontamination device approaches the foreign matter.
The decontamination apparatus according to claim 12. In response to receiving the signal from the proximity sensor, the controller stops the electric base to stop the decontamination device before the decontamination device comes into contact with the foreign matter.
Stop the multiple UVC bulbs to end the decontamination process early, or
It is configured to perform one or more of notifying the operator by an indicator of the early termination of the decontamination process,
The decontamination apparatus according to claim 13.

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