WO2022266741A1

WO2022266741A1 - Mobile ultraviolet lamp station for adjustable microbiological control of ambient air and critical surfaces

Info

Publication number: WO2022266741A1
Application number: PCT/BR2022/050237
Authority: WO
Inventors: Fishiler Pimentel Zitenfeld CARDIA
Original assignee: Cardia Fishiler Pimentel Zitenfeld
Priority date: 2021-06-25
Filing date: 2022-06-24
Publication date: 2022-12-29
Also published as: BR102021012622A2; BR102021012622B1

Abstract

The invention relates to an L-shaped tower (2) with a column (3) and a base (4) supported on casters (5), the column of which contains an exhaust fan (6) followed by UV-C lamps (1) arranged in an inverted cone, enabling spaces to be sterilized without the need for evacuation, simultaneous or otherwise, with sanitization of critical surfaces using a mechanical arm (34) with different joints that enable complete freedom of movement of a hood (39) containing UV-C lamps (1).

Description

MOBILE STATION WITH ULTRAVIOLET LAMPS FOR ADJUSTABLE MfCOBIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF AMBIENT AIR AND CRITICAL SURFACES

Introduction

[0001] Refers to the present patent application for a “MOBILE ULTRAVIOLET LAMP STATION FOR ADJUSTABLE MYCOBIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF AMBIENT AIR AND CRITICAL SURFACES”, deals with a station in which an “L” shaped tower, supported on casters , houses an upper extractor hood followed by UV-C lamps inside, so that the equipment can perform the biosafety of the ambient air, dynamically even with the presence of the vector present in the place, without the need for evacuation, as well as the sanitization of critical surfaces, simultaneously with air or not, by means of a mechanical arm with UV-C lamps duly protected by a dome. A thermal camera adjusts the power of the hood through software that maps the number of people in the environment and monitors individual body temperature.

Application field

[0002] The field of application of the invention is the hospital, outpatient and office segment in the current pandemic context of SARS-CoV-2, but not limited to this, and can be used in any environment with large crowds of people, such as airports, bus stations , supermarkets, auditoriums, etc., vulnerable environments occupied by risk groups, such as nursing homes, hemodialysis centers, among others that need to have purified air and sanitized critical surfaces.

convincing

[0003] UV-C light has been established with the germicidal function for disinfection for over 100 years, being used on a large scale in Europe and the USA for the disinfection of water, air and surfaces. Evaluation of the efficiency of ultraviolet radiation in the sterilization of plastic packaging. Agrotec. vol. 32 n 5 Lavras Sept/ Oct 2008 Koninklijike Philips Eletronics: UV disinfection: aplication Information- Site Philips Siemens water technologies: UV technology- Site Siemens Bravoluz- lampadas 254nm and 185nm germicides and ozonation HVAC biological inactivation efficiency Ultraviolet light devices in duct September 6, 2006, https://www.tds.ind.br/produtos/lampadas-germicidas-254-nm-6w-15w- or-30w-maximum-intensity-31 -60-76-95-152-191 -or-1400-w-cm-220v/.

[0004] The global effort to face the recent pandemic caused by COVID-19 has added great learning to the control of pathogens with high contagious power through the upper airways and subsequent self-inoculation to contact with hands as a vector on contaminated critical surfaces. This search for efficiency in contagion control has been supported by a combination of methods that are constantly being improved, ranging from traditional field hospitals with ample ventilation and the use of masks to new studies seeking to correct the imperfections of the methods. While some methods are proving to be ineffective, such as the disinfection tunnel, which wets the mask and facilitates the exchange of aerosols, which would be undesirable, other prophylactic methods are proving to be partially effective, as in the case of increased body hygiene and physical barriers by masks directing a new trend for epidemiological control that already reaches the future forecast of 01 pandemic every ten years.

[0005] Recent studies on the behavior of respiratory micro droplets that remain in the air (microdroplets) point out that a person's breathing affects the composition of air micro droplets in a space of 2m ² around them. Still, these droplets remain floating for up to 20 minutes in closed environments, and can also remain in a trail of up to 10 meters if the person walks through the environment.

[0006] The need for a clean environment has accelerated the demand for sterilization technology with UV-C Light, a physical method that does not have residual effects, until then restricted to a few hospitals. However, in addition to the high cost, the UV-C sterilization devices available on the market operate along two main lines: one that sterilizes the enclosure slowly from scattered light pulses in spaces unoccupied by people; and another with a focus of light directed manually at small surfaces. Both methods require a long exposure time, as well as the removal of people from the enclosure, generating the inconvenience of idle time in using these environments - problems that were solved with the UV-C Spectrum technology.

[0007] What is verified is that there are no mobile devices that are capable of promoting both the sanitization of the environment, without the need for evacuation, and, simultaneously, the sterilization of critical surfaces with microorganisms using the action of the spectrum of lamps UV-C.

[0008] In this context, new technologies that use UV-C lamps to simultaneously purify the air and sanitize critical surfaces are welcome in the segment in question.

state of the art

[0009] The current state of the art anticipates patent documents that deal with devices used to sterilize the ambient air using UV-C lamps the basal cutting set of harvesters for two rows, such as PI 9103693 A entitled “APARELHO STERILIZADOR DE ENVIRONMENT” - comprising a metal tube, cylindrical or rectangular, which fits, inferiorly, into a piece of the same shape called a lower cup, supported by feet, the height of which is sufficient for air to enter without restrictions, the upper part of said tube being closed by another mug, called the superior mug; the lower mug has an opening (5) for the entry of air sucked in by a fan-aspirator, this air passing through a cold chamber, where an ultraviolet lamp is arranged, through a hot chamber, where there is an infrared lamp, leaving through an opening or through the holes of a third fully sterilized semi-hot chamber.

[0010] The sterilizing device in the above document has a number of technical limitations, in addition to not being multifunctional, that is, it does not operate to sanitize surfaces. [0011] One of the limitations is that it is static, which makes it difficult to move, in addition to the fact that it operates with a UV-C lamp and an infrared lamp, which requires three chambers, one cold, one hot and one semi-hot. It is a complex and ineffective construction. Finally, such device does not have any feature to perform self-tuning exhaust fan in the presence of people with hyperthermia, a factor indicative of the virus

SARS-CoV-2

[0012] The document US 2012282135 AA entitled “ROOM STERILIZA TION METHOD AND SYSTEM’ - consists of a mobile emitter, a detection subsystem and a data recording subsystem. The emitter has one or more UV-emitting lamps or devices. The detection system comprises at least one remote UV sensor and at least one door sensor. The door sensor comprises a security door detector and may contain an emergency stop detector and an alarm detector to protect people from being exposed to UV energy. The system has a remote control to start, stop and set system parameters which include but are not limited to: treatment time, dosage, room size, room number, unit number, floor, facility name, name operator number, operator identification number, password, default dosage values, dosage and patient identification number. The number of treatments per unit of time can be maximized due to the use of incident light measurement.

[0013] The solution in the document above, in addition to not being multifunctional, due to the fact that the UV-C lamps are exposed, requires complete isolation of the place and consequently a prolonged time for local sanitation and, after leaving the equipment, immediate contamination of the air by droplets issued by patients who enter the premises.

[0014] Document BR 102019009508-3 entitled “BACTERIOLOGICAL PROTECTION FOR AIR CONDITIONING” - characterized by a metallic strip ensuring correct positioning between the air to be sterilized and the luminosity of the UV lamp. A hole in the strip positions the sterilization set next to the air conditioning evaporator. This same strip has a slot whose function is to allow cooling of the lamp, preventing premature burnout. A socket receives the UVC lamp, which will promote the lethality of microorganisms present in the air, by photochemical effect

[0015] It is a solution linked to the equipment (air conditioning) in which it is applied, not suitable for other locations/environments. [0016] Document BR 202020012130-3 entitled “AUTONOMOUS ROBOTIC MOTORIZED APPLIANCE FOR DISINFECTION AND STERILIZATION OF SURFACES AND AIR, USING ULTRAVIOLET UVC RAYS” - characterized in that it comprises the following parts: body of the set of lamps and extractor, containing the lamps emitting UVC rays, fixed control panel, camcorder, protection bars, remote control man-machine interface - HMI, body of the automated robotic motorization system, where you can see the plug and battery recharge unit, signal antenna, short-distance sensors, socket extension cable, Drive wheels, drive system lock, steering wheel, steering system lock, exhaust, steering motor assembly, traction and steering assembly electronic board, battery and traction motor assembly.

[0017] The document above proposes a solution for carrying out the remote sanitization of environments by means of UVC lamps embedded in a remote-controlled robot.

[0018] Document BR 202020022460-9 entitled “PROVISION INTRODUCED IN AN ELECTRONIC TOTEM FOR SANITIZATION” - provides for a support base for the assembly of a tower formed to sanitize the hands and shoes of users, said electronic totem tower has a cross section in ' U' forming front wall and side walls with rear opening, and along the inner face of the front wall are fixed platforms aligned with openings made in the same wall that make up compartments for receiving disinfection devices, namely: i) lower compartment that can be receive a short ultraviolet light - UVC - emission module for disinfecting the soles of the user's shoes; ii) intermediate compartment for assembling an alcohol gel bottle with an injector nozzle for disinfecting the hands of the same user; iii) upper compartment where a thermometer is installed to measure body temperature; said devices are triggered simultaneously by sensors controlled by a circuit board and arranged in each compartment.

[0019] The totem above uses UV-C light and air to disinfect the sole of the user's shoe and not the environment, in addition to a thermometer, in the upper module, to measure the temperature, however this thermometer does not infer any component of the totem, it is only a checking instrument.

Objectives of the invention

[0020] It is the objective of the present invention to propose a mobile station that, using UV-C lamps, is capable of quickly sterilizing environments, without the need for evacuation and/or isolation of the place, as well as, simultaneously, sanitizing critical surfaces prone to direct contact with the same type of lamps installed in a mechanical arm;

[0021] It is the objective of the present invention to propose a mobile station that using UV-C lamps can act in places even with a certain degree of agglomeration;

[0022] It is the objective of the present invention to propose a mobile station with a dynamic sterilizing action due to the thermal camera, which, when detecting body temperature above the stipulated in at least one person in the sterilizing environment, acts on the hood potentiometer, providing a power adjustment and air recirculation, according to the possibility of potential cases of patients with hyperthermia; [0023] It is the objective of the present invention to propose a mobile station that maintains a continuous flow of decontamination in environments with a high flow of people;

[0024] It is the objective of the present invention to propose a mobile station that, using UV-C lamps, allows repeatability of movements in the sanitization of critical surfaces without major efforts and without promoting fatiguing movements to the operator; [0025] It is the objective of the present invention to propose a mobile station that, using UV-C lamps, is able to guarantee a higher quality in the sanitization of critical surfaces as a result of the uniformity of their exposure to the action of UV-C lamps;

[0026] It is the objective of the present invention to propose a mobile station capable of increasing agility in cleaning and safety for the team of health professionals;

[0027] It is the objective of the present invention to propose a mobile station capable of reducing hospital infection rates;

[0028] It is the objective of the present invention to propose a mobile station capable of reducing the contaminating areas of physical contact; [0029] The objective of the present invention is to propose a mobile station that uses UV-C lamps with an excellent cost-benefit ratio.

Summary of the invention

[0030] "MOBILE ULTRAVIOLET LAMP STATION FOR ADJUSTABLE MYCOBIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF ROOM AIR AND CRITICAL SURFACES" - consists of an "L" shaped tower, supported by casters, which in the column houses an upper exhaust followed by UV-C lamps in position of inverted cone, which enhances the action of the irradiation of the air to be sterilized in the downward direction and leaked in slots located in the lower row of the said column accessed through a rear hatch. Still on the column, on its side, there is a sliding asepsis drawer intended for the sterilization of parts and small objects, such as, for example, gloves and fabrics. A photographic camera (RGB) and a thermal camera, located on the upper side of the column, form a facial temperature detection system that automatically adjusts the speed of the hood when a person with hyperthermia is found in the environment. Inside the base of the "L" tower is the energy compartment with the reactors, battery and source, electronic components of the camera panel and mechanical arm motor, in addition to the lower end of the counterweight tube, while the upper face of said the said tube with a guide rail is projected from the base, which carries out the vertical movement of a mechanical arm, motorized, in a labeled coupling, at the end of which a dome is defined, also articulated, which houses the UV-C lamps that will sanitize critical surfaces, concomitant or not with air sterilization.

Description of figures

[0031] The following figures are presented to better explain the patent application in an illustrative and non-limiting manner:

Figure 1 : Perspective view of the mobile ultraviolet lamp station for adjustable microbiological control of ambient air and critical surfaces;

Figure 2: Inverted perspective view of the mobile ultraviolet lamp station for adjustable microbiological control of ambient air and critical surfaces; Figure 3: Exploded perspective view of the mobile ultraviolet lamp station for adjustable microbiological control of ambient air and critical surfaces;

Figure 4: Cross-sectional view of the mobile ultraviolet lamp station for adjustable microbiological control of ambient air and critical surfaces;

Figure 5: Detail of the base compartment of the facial temperature detection system and automatic air treatment control of the ultraviolet lamp mobile station for adjustable microbiological control of ambient air and critical surfaces;

Figure 6: Detail of the cameras of the facial temperature detection system and automatic air treatment control of the ultraviolet lamp mobile station for adjustable microbiological control of ambient air and critical surfaces;

Figure 7: Detail of the labeled coupling of the facial temperature detection system and automatic air treatment control of the ultraviolet lamp mobile station for adjustable microbiological control of ambient air and critical surfaces;

Figure 8: Detail of the coupling of the motorized device of the facial temperature detection system and automatic air treatment control of the ultraviolet lamp mobile station for adjustable microbiological control of ambient air and critical surfaces;

Figure 9: Detail of the coupling of the dome of the facial temperature detection system and automatic air treatment control of the ultraviolet lamp mobile station for adjustable microbiological control of ambient air and critical surfaces;

Figure 10: Flowchart of the facial temperature detection system and automatic air treatment control of the ultraviolet lamp mobile station for adjustable microbiological control of ambient air and critical surfaces;

Figure 11 : Perspective view of mobile ultraviolet lamp station for adjustable microbiological control of ambient air and critical surfaces, showing use in a cleanroom;

Figure 12: Perspective view of mobile ultraviolet lamp station for adjustable microbiological control of ambient air and critical surfaces, showing use in a hospital corridor. Detailed description of the invention

[0032] THE “MOBILE STATION OF ULTRAVIOLET LAMPS FOR ADJUSTABLE MYCOBIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF ROOM AIR AND CRITICAL SURFACES”, object of this patent application, deals with a tower (2) in an “L” shape with a column (3) and a base (4), supported on casters (5), whose column has an extractor hood (6) inside, followed by UV-C lamps (1), in an inverted cone position, enabling the sterilization of environments without the need for concomitant evacuation or not, with the sanitization of critical surfaces using a mechanical arm (34) with different joints that allow total freedom of movement to a dome (39) containing UV-C lamps (1).

[0033] More particularly, the invented mobile microbiological control station that uses UV-C lamps (1) for air purification and sanitization of critical surfaces (S) in direct contact, consists of a tower (2) in "L", with a column (3) and a base (4), supported on castors (5), in which said column (3), preferably in a square prismatic format, houses an exhaust fan (6) in the extreme upper part, which it is followed by UV-C lamps (1), in an inverted cone position, which enhances the irradiation and, therefore, the sterilizing effect in the air (A) that goes downwards from the hood (6) to the outlet (7) on the side wall (8) of the column (3) itself, thus recirculating and renewing the air (A) in the environment with the germicidal action of the UV-C lamps (1) which, being enclosed in the column (3), eliminates the need of evacuation and/or isolation of the site. The column (3), i.e. UV-C lamps (1) and extractor hood (6) are accessed through a rear hatch (9). The mobile station presents mechanical mobility due to the fact that it is supported on castors (5) with steering through the guidance by the handle (10), as well as independence in relation to the utility's energy supply network, since it has a compartment (11) , accessed through a hatch (12) at the base (4), for reception of reactors (13), battery (14) and source (15). On the wall (16), opposite the wall (8), an asepsis drawer (17) sliding towards the interior of the column (3) and in contact with the irradiation of the UV-C lamps (1) enables the sterilization of parts and small objects such as gloves and fabrics. One RGB camera (18) and a thermal camera (19), located on the upper side wall (16) of the column (3), form a facial temperature detection system that automatically adjusts the speed of the hood (6). The RGB camera (18) captures color images while the thermal camera (19) captures infrared images, which are forwarded to a processing center (20). After processing the RGB images to detect the faces present (21) in the image, the pixel correspondence between the RGB images and the thermal images is performed through the homography process (22). The processing of the thermal image will provide information on the facial temperature (23) of the individuals present in the environment. The detection of facial temperatures above a pre-established limit will cause the processing center (20) to send a control signal (S) to the frequency inverter (24), which in turn will adjust the exhaust fan speed (6 ). By means of a selector switch (25), the user will be able to control the speed of the hood (6) through a potentiometer (26). A central (27) comprising the processor, the frequency inverter, the manual/automatic selector switch and the potentiometer make up the sterilization control.

[0034] In the compartment (11) of the base (4) the lower end (28) of the tube (29) of the counterweight (30) is anchored, which projects through it until it exceeds the height of the column (3), having the aforementioned tube (29) a guide rail (31) that receives, in a labeled coupling (32), the motorized device (33) of the mechanical arm (34), which allows inclination of up to

(α) part of spindle action (35) and thread (36), and vertical movement (Y), and at the end of such mechanical arm (34) a semicircular coupling (37) with perforations (38) for adjustments of up to

(β) enables the rotation of the dome (39) containing the UV-C lamps (1) that will effect the sanitization of critical surfaces, concomitantly or not with the sterilization of the air.

Claims

1) “MOBILE ULTRAVIOLET LAMP STATION FOR ADJUSTABLE MICGBIQLOGICAL CORTROLETION OF ROOM AIR AND CRITICAL SURFACES” the mobile microbiological control station that uses UV-C lamps (1 ) for air purification, consists of a tower (2) in “L” ”, with a column (3) and a base (4), supported by casters (5) characterized by the column (3) housing an upper exhaust fan (6) followed by UV-C lamps (1), in a position of inverted cone, in which the sterilized air (A) is discharged through the outlet (7); a mechanical arm (34) with freedom of movement, connected to a motorized device (33) connected to a rail (31) and guide tube (29), has a dome (39) with UV-C lamps (1) that make it possible to carry out the sanitization of critical surfaces; an RGB camera (18) and a thermal camera (19) form a facial temperature detection system that performs the automatic adjustment of the hood speed (6).

2) "MOBILE STATION OF ULTRAVIOLET LAMPS FOR ADJUSTABLE MYCOBIOLOGICAL CORTROLE OF THE ROOM AIR AND CRITICAL SURFACES" according to claim 1 characterized by a compartment (11), accessed through a hatch (12) in the base (4), receiving reactors (13 ), battery (14), source (15), electronic components of the camera panel and mechanical arm motor, in addition to the lower end (28) of the counterweight tube.

3) "MOBILE STATION OF ULTRAVIOLET LAMPS FOR ADJUSTABLE MYCOBIOLOGICAL CORTROLETION OF THE ROOM AIR AND CRITICAL SURFACES" according to claim 1 characterized by the processing center (20) after processing the RGB images for the detection of faces present (21) in the image, the pixel correspondence between the RGB images and the thermal images is performed through the homography process (22); the processing of the thermal image will provide information on the facial temperature (23) of the individuals present in the environment; the detection of facial temperatures higher than a pre-established limit will cause the processing center (20) to send a control signal (S) to the frequency inverter (24), which in turn will adjust the exhaust speed (6 ); per By means of the selector switch (25), the user will be able to control the speed of the hood (6) by means of a potentiometer (26).

4) "MOBILE STATION OF ULTRAVIOLET LAMPS FOR ADJUSTABLE MYCOBIOLOGICAL CORTROLE OF THE ROOM AIR AND CRITICAL SURFACES" according to claim 1 characterized by the guide rail (31) receiving the motorized device (33) of the mechanical arm (34) in a labeled coupling (32).

5) "MOBILE STATION OF ULTRAVIOLET LAMPS FOR ADJUSTABLE MYCOBIOLOGICAL CORTROLE OF THE ROOM AIR AND CRITICAL SURFACES" according to claim 4 characterized by the motorized device (33) actuating the mechanical arm (34) by means of a spindle (35) and thread ( 36).

6) "MOBILE STATION OF ULTRAVIOLET LAMPS FOR ADJUSTABLE MYCOBIOLOGICAL CORTROLE OF ROOM AIR AND CRITICAL SURFACES" according to claim 4 characterized by the mechanical arm (34) being connected to the dome (39) by a semicircular coupling (37) with perforations ( 38).