RU2743249C1 - Photonic quantum mechanical (pqm) protective mask - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: medicine; protective antiviral medical masks.SUBSTANCE: mask is equipped with air filters and an ultraviolet radiation source located inside the bactericidal chamber. The source of ultraviolet radiation is made in the form of a small-sized UV-C LED, and the bactericidal chamber is made in the form of a spheroidal closed cavity with an equivalent radius R, the surface of which is perforated with holes with a diameter of d<R. The air filter of the bactericidal chamber is made in the form of a spheroidal shell. At the outlet of the air chamber, an additional anti-ozone air filter that does not pass ozone and an inlet air valve are installed. On the front part of the mask housing, an LED indicator and a second bactericidal chamber are installed, similar to the first, with a valve for releasing air. In addition, photovoltaic detectors are installed in the second bactericidal chamber to measure the level of radiation caused by the glow of viruses under the influence of UV radiation.EFFECT: technical result of the invention is aimed at improving effectiveness of protecting the mask carriers and the people around them from viruses.2 cl, 8 dwg

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to protective face masks and can be used as personal protection of the wearer of the mask and people around him from viral and bacterial infections transmitted by airborne droplets.

LEVEL OF TECHNOLOGY

The main criterion for the effectiveness of the mask is considered to be reliable protection against viral and bacterial infections transmitted by airborne droplets. It is also important to ensure comfortable conditions of use - the lightness and convenience of the mask, ease of use. Existing masks only partially protect against direct ingestion of a bacterial infection into the body and are not intended to protect against viruses, since viruses can penetrate through microscopic holes.

Cloth or paper masks can protect for 2 hours until damp. Some of them provide for the impregnation of filters with antibacterial compounds (extracts of onions, garlic, and other components) and thus have a slight bactericidal effect that lasts for several hours. The use of these formulations is uncomfortable and can cause allergies or asthma attacks. As a rule, masks are disposable and require special disposal.

Many technical solutions are known to improve the effectiveness of traditional gauze and paper masks.

For example, a medical mask (SU 1590071, A61F 13/12, 1990) containing a filtering layer made of special filtering material, which is subjected to an additional very complex treatment to improve filtering properties. The disadvantage of the mask is the high difficulty in manufacturing and maintaining its qualities.

Known medical mask (patent RU 2127619, IPC A62B 18/02, 03/20/1999), containing a filter layer of filter material impregnated with an antiseptic agent, which is not contraindicated for the mucous membrane. The disadvantage of this technical solution is the limited functionality of the mask.

Also known is a medical mask (patent RU 92336, IPC А62В 18/02, 03/20/2010) containing a filtering layer of filtering material and a gas filtering layer fixed on the filtering layer with the execution between the layers of small-sized cavities with gas filtering means placed in them, while in As a gas filtering agent, small-sized particles of activated carbon are used.

The disadvantage of this technical solution is also relatively narrow functionality, since it does not allow protection against a wider variety of pathogenic microorganisms.

Also known are medical masks (for example, patent RU 137861, etc.), in which antimicrobial filtering layers or their systems of various configurations are coated with fine or nanoparticles of silver.

Their main disadvantage is still their low bactericidal efficiency (an indicator of a decrease in microbial contamination, equal to the ratio of the number of deaths to the number of those available before exposure), since:

- firstly, the spectrum of action of silver does not apply to all pathogenic microorganisms;

- secondly, silver particles cannot have a detrimental effect on microorganisms remotely. Contact is required for a certain time, different for different microorganisms.

From this position, inactivation of microorganisms by ultraviolet (UV) radiation is attractive. The most effective destructive effect is radiation with wavelengths of 240-270 nm, and the maximum efficiency falls on the range of 250-265 nm, where the peaks of the DNA and RNA bands of microorganisms are located.

Known individual mask according to patent No. 40847, in which the disinfecting element is made in the form of an ultraviolet light-emitting diode with a power supply, creating a radiation flow (constant or pulsating), inactivating viruses and bacteria in the air passing through for breathing.

A similar principle of disinfection of the inhaled air is used in the known means of personal protection against viral infection according to patent No. 2404816, in which the destruction of viruses is also carried out by ultraviolet radiation.

Without analyzing other disadvantages of the mentioned devices, in which the disinfection of inhaled air is carried out by UV radiation of LEDs, we immediately note that they are characterized by an extremely low bactericidal efficiency (less than 0.1).

Also known is a utility model "Individual filter mask with bactericidal air treatment on emitting semiconductor elements" according to RU patent No. 94421, IPC A41D 13/11, publ. May 27, 2010.

The mask body, made of rubber or plastic, covers a person's mouth and nose, and has a free volume around the mouth and nose. The housing has a circular opening in the front face, made in the form of a thin-walled cylindrical tube, into which an annular board with LEDs is inserted, the luminous flux of which is directed inward towards the opening. To protect against dust and smoke particles from the outside, the cylindrical pipe is provided with a thread, onto which the second pipe is screwed, the inner space of which is filled with filtering substances. In addition, there are mask options with additional LEDs emitting in the 620-680 nm and 820-890 nm regions and a multi-channel pulse switch that allows you to turn on / off various combinations of LEDs. There are options with a valve with electrical contacts that are triggered by inhalation and exhalation and, accordingly, turn on the LEDs each time it is activated.

In a variant of the technical solution, a valve is also provided that freely passes the irradiated air outside during exhalation. The device according to patent No. 94421 has the following disadvantages:

1. Low bactericidal efficacy of the mask due to the impossibility of setting the number of LEDs in the mask, providing the volume dose of bactericidal radiation required for inactivation. For example, for inactivation with an efficiency of 0.999 of the influenza virus (the volumetric dose of which is 385 J / m ³ ), the LED is practically a point emitter and, without additional reflectors and diffusers, emits only in one direction, and the maximum radiation angle of UV LEDs is only 140 degrees. Therefore, to create a uniform flow of ultraviolet radiation of sufficient intensity, a large number of LEDs are required.

2. Other disadvantages relate to the design of the mask, to the choice of LEDs and their power supply:

2.1. The arrangement of the LEDs around the perimeter of the circle does not provide uniform illumination, and, therefore, the ubiquitous inactivation of viruses, bacteria and other infectious agents inside the cylinder.

2.2. Part of the radiation not absorbed by microorganisms (and this is approximately 99%, according to the assessment of the effective cross section of microorganisms at their usual concentrations during an influenza epidemic), is mostly absorbed by the chamber walls.

2.3. The use of two threaded pipes (for attaching the LED board and placing the filter) complicates the design of the mask and makes it heavier.

Thus, the disadvantages of the prototype mask are: low bactericidal efficiency, high energy consumption due to the low efficiency of UV LEDs in the 260 nm range, design complexity and high cost.

Closest to the set of essential features of the claimed utility model is "Protective medical mask", a filter mask with bactericidal air treatment with UV radiation according to RU patent No. 173502, IPC A41D 13/11, publ. 2017.08.29.

A protective medical mask containing a body with means of attachment to the face of the mask wearer and a germicidal chamber in the front face of the body, equipped with an input filter and an ultraviolet radiation source located inside the germicidal chamber and connected to a power supply unit, is characterized in that the ultraviolet radiation source is made in the form of a small-sized amalgam gas discharge lamp. In this case, the inner surface of the germicidal chamber is made of a material that reflects ultraviolet radiation, a partition made of a material transparent to ultraviolet radiation is installed inside the chamber, and an air filter made of a material that absorbs ultraviolet radiation is installed at the outlet of the germicidal chamber.

2. The mask according to claim 1, characterized in that the bactericidal chamber is made in the form of a rectangular parallelepiped, the partition is installed on the side of its lower face parallel to the lamp, and the air filter is installed on the rear face of the parallelepiped.

3. The mask according to claim 2, characterized in that the lamp is installed at a distance equal to 2/3 of the parallelepiped height from its lower edge, and the partition is installed at a distance equal to 1/3 of the parallelepiped height from its lower edge.

4. Mask according to claim 1, characterized in that the bactericidal chamber is made in the form of a cylinder, along the axis of which a lamp is installed, and the partition is made of two coaxially mounted shells fixed on opposite bases of the chamber, each of which is made of a material transparent to ultraviolet radiation.

Disadvantages:

- A method that uses short-wave UV radiation to destroy microorganisms by destroying nucleic acids and destroying their DNA is very dangerous for humans and is usually used for disinfecting closed rooms and can only be used in closed, isolated from humans, for example, for sterilizing them ( widely used in Israel).

- Placing an amalgam gas-discharge lamp with a radiation level of the order of 500-1000 J / m ³ )) inside a limited volume of the mask, near the respiratory tract of a person, is extremely dangerous and carries a potential danger of direct and side effects.

- It is problematic to implement effective protection against side factors of exposure to powerful UV radiation in low-volume spaces (taking into account the dependence of the system reliability factor on the number of its elements).

- UV radiation (radiation level of the order of 500-1000 J / m ³ ) can very quickly cause burns and lead to skin cancer.

- UV radiation, not visible to the human eye, produces ozone at 254 nm, which can also pose a hazard to human health.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The technical result of the invention is aimed at increasing the bactericidal efficiency, while increasing the safety for the wearer of the mask and the surrounding people, reducing energy consumption and simplifying the design of the protective mask.

The technical problem solved by the claimed invention is to create a protective mask design that provides comfort, safety and reliable protection of the mask wearer from pathogens transmitted by airborne droplets, while simplifying its design and ensuring acceptable economic performance of the mask.

The basis of the bactericidal action is the destruction of cells of a living organism by ultraviolet rays in the wavelength range of 200-300 nm. This phenomenon is used for the disinfection of liquids, air and gases from various microorganisms, yeast and mold fungi and viruses (Fig. 4, 5).

A method that uses short-wavelength UV radiation to kill microorganisms by destroying nucleic acids and destroying their DNA.

The bactericidal effect of UV radiation on microorganisms is observed in the spectral range 205-315 nm, but the DNA and RNA of most bacteria and viruses are most sensitive to radiation with a wavelength of 260-270 nm (Fig. 6). It was found that the shape of the Sδk (λ) curves for different types of pathogenic microorganisms is practically the same.

The efficacy depends on the dosage (power x time) and wavelength, the same dosage can be achieved at lower irradiation levels if the exposure time is increased (Fig. 7). The value of the dose required for 10-fold reduction of N _o, dependent on the kind of microorganism, for many bacterial dose is 2-20 mJ / cm ^2.

However, there is no need to kill pathogens using the hard and powerful UV radiation, which is done to sterilize contaminated medical facilities. A smaller amount of UV radiation prevents their multiplication and this value for many cases is about 100 μJ / cm ² .

Thus, the required dose of UV radiation to ensure individual effective bactericidal protection of people in normal household conditions is about 100 μJ / cm ² .

This circumstance makes it possible to significantly simplify the construction of household protective masks for the population, to make them safer and more comfortable for people, without reducing their effectiveness, while reducing their cost.

The above circumstance allows us to pay more serious attention to small-sized UV LEDs as sources of UV radiation.

UV LEDs, along with their classic "brothers", are actively conquering niches, where not so long ago fluorescent or gas-discharge ultraviolet lamps were used.

In the operation of an ultraviolet LED, the principle is laid, according to which light is emitted when a constant current of a fixed value passes through a semiconductor junction. To create just ultraviolet radiation, additives such as gallium aluminum arsenide, gallium nitride, aluminum nitride, etc. are used. As a result, LEDs are obtained with a radiation spectrum ranging from 100 to 400 nm (near part of the UV range) (Fig. 8).

The doses of UV-C LED radiation required to inactivate viruses and prevent their multiplication are orders of magnitude lower than those required to kill viruses and bacteria, which makes the cost of LED UV disinfection units commercially viable.

UV LEDs have high life and performance characteristics. They are distinguished by high reliability and long service life and are divided into classes according to spectral regions of radiation:

- A. The range is 365-415 nm;

- B. 280-365 nm;

- C. 200-280 nm.

The most effective for water disinfection and air sterilization are UV-C-range (200-280 nm) LEDs. The main application of LEDs in this range is ultraviolet water disinfection, air sterilization, and removal of unpleasant odors.

For example, Seoul Viosys and Sensor Electronic Technology, Inc. (SETi) announced that they were able to sterilize the area charged with coronavirus (COVID-19) by 99.9% in 30 seconds. The tests were carried out in a research group at Korea University using Violeds semiconductor technology, which is used in the mass production of UV LEDs.

Also serially produced UV LEDs for UVC range (200-280 nm) (Azimuth Photonics).

Ultraviolet LEDs UVC series for 200-280nm range are mainly used in industrial applications. LG Innotek UV LEDs are available to order as a bare chip or in a surface mount package. Shorter emission wavelengths are currently under development and will be introduced to the range shortly.

CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The specified technical result is achieved in that a protective medical mask 1 containing a body with means of attachment to the face of the mask wearer and a bactericidal chamber, the inner surface of which is made of a material that reflects ultraviolet radiation, is equipped with a protective filter 7 made of a material that absorbs ultraviolet radiation, and a source of ultraviolet radiation 11 located inside the bactericidal chamber and connected to the power source 5 by electrically conductive channels 6, while the source of ultraviolet radiation 11 is made in the form of a small-sized UV-C LED, and the bactericidal chamber 9 is made in the form of a spheroidal closed cavity with an equivalent radius R, the surface which N> 1, air channels 10 with a diameter d <R, while the protective filter of the bactericidal chamber 7 is made in the form of a spheroidal shell and installed so that its inner surface tightly fits the outer surface of the bactericidal chamber 9, and the bactericidal chamber itself The th chamber 9 is hermetically installed in the body of the protective mask 1 so that a cavity is formed between the outer surface of the germicidal chamber 9 and the inner part of the shell of the mask body - air chamber 8 for free access of air inside the mask. In this case, at the outlet of the air chamber 8, an additional air filter 13 is installed that does not allow ozone to pass into the open cavity of the mask and an inlet air valve 14.

In addition, a light indicator of the presence of viruses 4, a second bactericidal chamber 16, made similarly to the first 9, with an outlet air valve 19 and a spheroidal protective filter 15 in the form of a shell installed on the outer surface of the second bactericidal chamber 16. And the bactericidal chamber itself is installed on the front part of the mask body. chamber 16 mounted photoelectric detector 17 for measuring the level of radiation-induced luminescence of viruses exposed to UV radiation at a wavelength λ _lv> λ _UV, the UV-C radiation source 18, the photoelectric detector 17 and the LED 4 are connected to the power supply section 5, where λ _uf . - the wavelength of the initial ultraviolet radiation, λ _лв - the wavelength of the radiation caused by the glow of viruses under the influence of UV radiation.

The essence of the present invention is illustrated by graphical materials, where Fig. 1 shows a general view of a protective mask, where:

1 - protective mask,

2 - input gateways of the mask,

3 - mask output gateway,

4 - a light indicator of the presence of viruses,

5 - power source,

6 - electrically conductive channels;

in fig. 2 shows a diagram of the construction of an entrance gateway 2, a protective mask for entering the mask of external air, where:

1 - element of a protective mask,

7 - protective filter,

8 - air chamber,

9 - bactericidal chamber,

10 - air channels of the germicidal chamber,

11 - UV radiation source,

12 - fasteners of the germicidal chamber,

13 - air filter (anti-ozone),

14 - inlet air valve;

in fig. 3 shows a variant of the scheme of the entrance gateway of the mask 3 for exhalation from the air mask, where:

1 - element of a protective mask,

15 - protective filter,

16 - the second bactericidal chamber,

17 - photoelectric detectors of the presence of fluorescent viruses under the influence of UV radiation,

18 - second UV - radiation source,

19 - outlet air valve,

20 - air chamber, mask outlet sluice 3.

The essence of the proposed technical solution is to create a protective medical mask 1, which contains a body with a face covering the nose, mouth and lower part of the chin of the mask wearer (not shown in the drawing). The body is made of elastic material (for example, gauze, rubber, silicone or elastic plastic, etc.). It is held on the face by means of a strap having a fastener with a lock (not shown in Fig. 1).

In the front face of the body, the entrance gateway of the mask 2 is mounted, into which a bactericidal chamber 9 is mounted, inside which a UV radiation source 11 is installed, for example, LEDs for the UVC range (200-280 nm). The spatial radiation power of the UV source is set from the condition of preventing the multiplication of most viruses (> 100 μJ / cm ² ) and is determined by the required volume of the bactericidal chamber of the mask 9.

The bactericidal chamber 9 is made in the form of a spheroidal cavity, the outer surface of which is covered with a protective shell of a protective filter 7, and the inner surface of the bactericidal chamber 9 has a coating that reflects UV radiation. On the spheroidal surface of the bactericidal chamber 9 there are air channels 10 (air channels of the bactericidal chamber), for the passage of external air. The number and diameter of the holes is selected from the requirements for free passage of air into the cavity of the bactericidal chamber 9 and the possibility of effective cleaning of passing air flows with UV radiation. If the camera body is made of metal, the function of the reflective coating can be performed by the polished inner surface of the camera. Due to multiple reflections from the walls of the chamber, the efficiency of using UV radiation for the bactericidal treatment of the air space inside the bactericidal chamber 9 increases.

The bactericidal chamber 9 is equipped with a protective filter 7 made in the form of a spheroidal shell made of a material that protects the entry of viruses into the mask and does not transmit UV radiation to the skin of the mask wearer (this property is possessed by most of the fine-fiber filter materials used for personal respiratory protection). A protective filter 15 is installed on the outside of the spheroidal bactericidal chamber 9 for mechanical filtration of the air and retaining some of the pathogens. The germicidal chamber 9 is hermetically installed inside the protective housing of the air chamber 8, so that the upper part of the spheroidal germicidal chamber 9 has access to the open air space, and a cavity is formed between the lower outer surface of the spheroidal germicidal chamber 9 and the protective body of the mask, the air chamber 8, along which air flow through the holes in the germicidal chamber 9 through the protective filter 7 and the inlet air valve 14, which allows the inside of the mask.

At the same time, to clean the air from ozone, which can appear when the UV-C source acts on the air inside the air chamber 8, an anti-ozone air filter 13 is installed.

It should be emphasized that at the selected low-power UV-C LED radiation level (<100 μJ / cm ² ), ozone should not appear, however, to increase the safety of the mask, this filter will perform a safety function.

The upper part of the spheroidal housing of the germicidal chamber 9 is tightly pressed against the upper part of the protective housing of the air chamber 8, forming an airtight cavity, into which air can enter only through the holes in the germicidal chamber 9. This design allows to provide both effective mechanical and quantum-photonic purification of the air Wednesday. It should be noted that the design of the protective mask uses the effect of preventing the multiplication of viruses (without resorting to the effect of rigid bactericidal sterilization), which significantly increases the safety of using the mask, improves the efficiency of cleaning the air environment, and simplifies and reduces the cost of production of protective masks.

FIG. 3 shows a variant of the scheme of the entrance gateway of mask 3 (mask for exhalation of air), where:

16 - the second bactericidal chamber,

17 - photoelectric detectors of the presence of fluorescent viruses under the influence of UV radiation and 18 - the second UV radiation source.

The second bactericidal chamber 16 is made similarly to the first 9 in the form of a spheroidal cavity with holes, protected by an external air filter 15.

In contrast to the first bactericidal chamber 9, a second UV radiation source 18, an air outlet valve 19, a photoelectric display side - photoelectric detectors 17 of the presence of fluorescent radiation caused by the glow of viruses under the influence of UV radiation at a wavelength λ _лв > λ _{у are built into it} . In this case, UV-C diodes, a photoelectric detector and a LED indicator are connected to a power source 5 through electrically conductive channels 6. This signal will be supplied to light indicator 4 (a light signal for the presence of viruses), by the burning of which it is possible to judge the danger of the mask wearer to others.

The second UV-C radiation source 18 is electrically connected to the power source 5, fixed, for example, on the back of the mask body 1, by means of a belt. The power supply unit 5 is removable, consists of a constant voltage source (battery or accumulator) and is built according to a known power supply scheme.

The mask is used as follows.

Initially, make sure that the mask is working.

Then put on the mask on the face and fix it on the face using fastening elements (not shown), so that the bactericidal chamber is in the area of the respiratory organs - the nasal-oral region.

Then turn on the power. When the UV-C power is turned on, the LED starts to emit ultraviolet radiation, which is known to inactivate viruses and bacteria.

The inhaled air passes through a protective filter 7, on which drops of moisture and particles of dust, smoke, etc. are retained, and through the air channels 10 it enters the bactericidal chamber 9, where ultraviolet radiation UV-C radiation source 11 inactivates the viruses present in the passing air and bacteria.

In the bactericidal chamber 9, the air passes through the air channels 10, which increase the duration of its irradiation, which contributes to an increase in the bactericidal efficiency of the mask, and once again through the air channels 10 of the lower cavity, the bactericidal chamber 9, the protective filter 7 adjacent to these holes, enters the air chamber 8. Protective filter 7 and air chamber 8 prevent UV radiation from reaching the front of the body. In this case, multiple reflection of radiation from the mirror walls of the bactericidal chamber 9 helps to increase the bactericidal effectiveness of the mask. Next, air is drawn into the lungs through the nose or mouth through the antiozone air filter 13 and the air inlet valve 14, the purpose of which is to prevent ozone from getting (if it suddenly appears) under the mask.

When you exhale, air from the lungs through the outlet air valve 19 and the air chamber 20 of the outlet gateway of the mask 3 is directed to the second bactericidal chamber 16 (similar to the first bactericidal chamber 9), the air filter 15 and the openings of the lower cavity to the second bactericidal chamber 16. Then the air stream contaminated with viruses is irradiated the second UV radiation source 18 and through the holes in the upper part, the second germicidal chamber 16 and the air filter 15 are released into the external environment. At the same time, the volume of viruses released into the external environment decreases quantitatively, and their inactivation is carried out, which is especially important when using a mask in public places during a pandemic. Additionally, photoelectric detectors of the presence of fluorescent (under the influence of UV radiation) viruses 17 are installed in the second bactericidal chamber 16.

According to the level of emitted viruses in the exhaled air (determined by the level of their glow under the influence of UV radiation), the indicator light 4 of the presence of viruses will light up on the surface of the protective mask 1, by which one can judge the state of health of the wearer of the mask and its danger to others.

In principle, it is possible to combine the functions of inlet 2 and outlet gateways of mask 1, creating two zones in the bactericidal chamber, operating at the inlet and outlet with an alternately connected air valve (not shown in the figure). But such a technical solution will complicate the design of the bactericidal chamber of the entrance gateway, but in no way reduce the merits and essence of the proposed technical solution.

Thus, when using the proposed technical solution:

- increases the protective effectiveness of the mask for the wearer of the mask and others;

- it becomes possible to quickly identify potential carriers of the virus with light alarms, warning others about infection of the mask carrier,

- makes the mask more comfortable and safe with a significant increase in the duration of its continuous operation,

- it is possible to use low-voltage UV sources that are safe for humans,

- it is possible to fully use the resource of the power source

- Provides easy replacement of consumable parts of the protective mask.

It should be especially emphasized that the use of a new photonic quantum-mechanical method for purifying the air in the critically close zone of the human respiratory tract makes it possible to create a new class of protective equipment (photonic), which is especially important during periods of a global pandemic or during viral and bacteriological terrorism.

An invention characterized by the above set of essential features is not known in the Russian Federation or abroad as of the filing date of the application and meets the requirements of the “novelty” criterion.

The invention can be implemented industrially using known technical means.

Claims (2)

1. A protective mask containing a protective case with means of attachment to the face of the mask wearer and a bactericidal chamber, the inner surface of which is made of a material that reflects ultraviolet radiation, equipped with an air filter made of a material that absorbs ultraviolet radiation, an ultraviolet radiation source located inside the germicidal chamber and connected to a power supply unit, characterized in that the source of ultraviolet radiation is made in the form of a UV-C LED, the bactericidal chamber is made in the form of a spheroidal closed cavity with a surface perforated with holes, while the air filter of the bactericidal chamber is installed so that its inner surface fits tightly the outer surface of the germicidal chamber, and the germicidal chamber itself is hermetically installed in the protective body of the mask so that a cavity is formed between the outer surface of the germicidal chamber and the inner part of the shell of the protective body of the mask for free air access to the inside of the mask, while an additional air filter is installed at the outlet of the cavity, which does not allow ozone to pass into the open cavity of the mask. 2. The mask according to claim. 1, characterized in that the second bactericidal chamber is installed at the outlet of the protective body of the mask, in its front part, and is equipped with a valve to release air from the mask.

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