WO2024054981A1 - Système et procédé d'irradiation germicide ultraviolette programmable intelligente - Google Patents

Système et procédé d'irradiation germicide ultraviolette programmable intelligente Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2024054981A1
WO2024054981A1 PCT/US2023/073743 US2023073743W WO2024054981A1 WO 2024054981 A1 WO2024054981 A1 WO 2024054981A1 US 2023073743 W US2023073743 W US 2023073743W WO 2024054981 A1 WO2024054981 A1 WO 2024054981A1
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objects
illumination
radiation
enclosure
shape
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PCT/US2023/073743
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English (en)
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Stanley Pau
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Arizona Board Of Regents On Behalf Of The University Of Arizona
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B45/00—Circuit arrangements for operating light-emitting diodes [LED]
    • H05B45/20—Controlling the colour of the light
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
    • A47L11/40—Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups A47L11/02 - A47L11/38, or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers, levers
    • A47L11/4036—Parts or details of the surface treating tools
    • A47L11/405—Machines using UV-lamps, IR-lamps, ultrasound or plasma cleaning
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L2/00—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor
    • A61L2/02—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor using physical phenomena
    • A61L2/08—Radiation
    • A61L2/10—Ultraviolet radiation
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L2/00—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor
    • A61L2/24—Apparatus using programmed or automatic operation
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L9/00—Disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air
    • A61L9/16—Disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air using physical phenomena
    • A61L9/18—Radiation
    • A61L9/20—Ultraviolet radiation
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08—CLEANING
    • B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B7/00—Cleaning by methods not provided for in a single other subclass or a single group in this subclass
    • B08B7/0035—Cleaning by methods not provided for in a single other subclass or a single group in this subclass by radiant energy, e.g. UV, laser, light beam or the like
    • B08B7/0057—Cleaning by methods not provided for in a single other subclass or a single group in this subclass by radiant energy, e.g. UV, laser, light beam or the like by ultraviolet radiation
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F8/00—Treatment, e.g. purification, of air supplied to human living or working spaces otherwise than by heating, cooling, humidifying or drying
    • F24F8/20—Treatment, e.g. purification, of air supplied to human living or working spaces otherwise than by heating, cooling, humidifying or drying by sterilisation
    • F24F8/22—Treatment, e.g. purification, of air supplied to human living or working spaces otherwise than by heating, cooling, humidifying or drying by sterilisation using UV light
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B47/00—Circuit arrangements for operating light sources in general, i.e. where the type of light source is not relevant
    • H05B47/10—Controlling the light source
    • H05B47/105—Controlling the light source in response to determined parameters
    • H05B47/115—Controlling the light source in response to determined parameters by determining the presence or movement of objects or living beings
    • H05B47/125—Controlling the light source in response to determined parameters by determining the presence or movement of objects or living beings by using cameras
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B47/00—Circuit arrangements for operating light sources in general, i.e. where the type of light source is not relevant
    • H05B47/10—Controlling the light source
    • H05B47/16—Controlling the light source by timing means
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B47/00—Circuit arrangements for operating light sources in general, i.e. where the type of light source is not relevant
    • H05B47/10—Controlling the light source
    • H05B47/175—Controlling the light source by remote control
    • H05B47/196—Controlling the light source by remote control characterised by user interface arrangements
    • H05B47/197—Sound control or voice control
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B47/00—Circuit arrangements for operating light sources in general, i.e. where the type of light source is not relevant
    • H05B47/10—Controlling the light source
    • H05B47/175—Controlling the light source by remote control
    • H05B47/196—Controlling the light source by remote control characterised by user interface arrangements
    • H05B47/1975—Gesture control
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L2201/00—Robotic cleaning machines, i.e. with automatic control of the travelling movement or the cleaning operation
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L2202/00—Aspects relating to methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects
    • A61L2202/10—Apparatus features
    • A61L2202/11—Apparatus for generating biocidal substances, e.g. vaporisers, UV lamps
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L2202/00—Aspects relating to methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects
    • A61L2202/10—Apparatus features
    • A61L2202/14—Means for controlling sterilisation processes, data processing, presentation and storage means, e.g. sensors, controllers, programs
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L2202/00—Aspects relating to methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects
    • A61L2202/20—Targets to be treated
    • A61L2202/25—Rooms in buildings, passenger compartments
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L2209/00—Aspects relating to disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air
    • A61L2209/10—Apparatus features
    • A61L2209/11—Apparatus for controlling air treatment
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L2209/00—Aspects relating to disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air
    • A61L2209/10—Apparatus features
    • A61L2209/11—Apparatus for controlling air treatment
    • A61L2209/111—Sensor means, e.g. motion, brightness, scent, contaminant sensors
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L2209/00—Aspects relating to disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air
    • A61L2209/10—Apparatus features
    • A61L2209/12—Lighting means

Definitions

  • the disclosed technology relates to disinfection methods and systems that utilize ultraviolet radiation.
  • UVGI ultraviolet germicidal irradiation
  • UVC ultraviolet C
  • the disclosed embodiments relate to methods, devices and systems that enable precise delivery of an exact dose of UV radiation to an area of interest.
  • the disclosed smart programmable sanitizers can be operated autonomously and remotely with minimal user intervention.
  • One example method for disinfecting one or more objects using UV radiation includes obtaining an image of an enclosure and information indicative of a material property of the one or more objects to be disinfected within the enclosure and a type of contaminant to be disinfected, and determining an irradiance and a shape of UV illumination for each of the one or more objects to be disinfected based on the obtained image, the information indicative of a material property of the one or more objects and the type of contaminant.
  • the method further includes operating a UV radiation system to illuminate each of the one or more objects with UV radiation according to the determined irradiance and shape of the UV illumination for a predetermined period of time, monitoring the enclosure by obtaining additional images of the enclosure, analyzing the additional images to determine whether a change is detected in the enclosure, and unless analysis of the additional images indicates that illumination of the one or more objects should be stopped or modified prior to expiration of the predetermined period of time, stopping or modifying the UV radiation upon expiration of the predetermined period of time.
  • FIGS. 1A to 1C illustrate different examples of an ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) system.
  • UVGI ultraviolet germicidal irradiation
  • FIG. 2 illustrates a smart programmable ultraviolet germicidal irradiation system in accordance with an example embodiment.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates a smart programmable ultraviolet germicidal irradiation system in accordance with another example embodiment.
  • FIGS. 4 A to 4D illustrate different ultraviolet (UV) coverage arrangements for the UV sanitizer in accordance with example embodiments.
  • FIG. 5 is an example diagram illustrating the surface of a target with a normal direction defined by a vector.
  • FIG. 6 illustrates a set of operations that can be carried out to disinfect an area with UV radiation in accordance with an example embodiment.
  • FIG. 7 illustrates a steering wheel that is disinfected in accordance with an example embodiment.
  • FIG. 8A and 8B illustrate a cell phone and an augmented reality/virtual reality (AR/VR) goggle device which can be utilized to control a UV disinfection system in accordance with example embodiments.
  • AR/VR augmented reality/virtual reality
  • FIG. 9 illustrates user interfaces for controlling a UV disinfection system in accordance with example embodiments.
  • FIG. 10 illustrates marking of objects inside the virtual environment for UV disinfection according to an example embodiment.
  • FIG. 11 illustrates a set of operations that can be carried out to disinfect one or more objects using UV radiation in accordance with an example embodiment.
  • FIGS. 1A to 1C show different types of UVGI system inside a room.
  • the simplest configuration is shown in FIG. 1A where a single UVC light source, 111, is utilized to illuminate an entire room 110.
  • the light source 111 can be fixed or portable.
  • FIG. IB shows another configuration where a light source is mounted on an autonomous vehicle, 121, which can turn on and off and navigate inside the room 120.
  • the autonomous vehicle is shown to be moving on the floor, but it can also be positioned on rail on the ceiling.
  • FIG. 1C shows multiple light sources, 131 and 132, mounted on the ceiling of a room 130. The light sources are positioned to illuminate only the top part of the room, e.g., the ceiling.
  • a fan 133 is utilized to create air flow from the bottom of the room to the top of the room, where the irradiation occurs.
  • This upper-air UVC system performs disinfection above the heads of the occupants and tends to have a low UVC flux and flow rate, resulting in ventilation of 2 to 6 air change per hour (ach).
  • UVGI systems tend to be imprecise, static and non-programmable and illuminate different areas indiscriminately and uniformly. While such systems tend to be low cost and can be hand operated by a user to apply to different surfaces, there is a need to develop a smart programmable sanitizer that can be operated autonomously and remotely with minimal user intervention.
  • a programmable sanitizer can precisely deliver an exact dose of UV radiation to an area and can be safer than existing UVGI system.
  • UVC light in UVGI systems is a low-pressure mercury discharge lamp, with about 85% of the energy at 253.7 nm, which is close to 265 nm - the optimal wavelength for inactivation of microorganisms. It has been shown that a dose of about 25000 pW-s/cm 2 per log of kill is needed to inactivate bacillus subtilis endospores at 254 nm. For 6 log kill, a dose of 150000 pW-s/cm 2 is more than enough to kill other viruses and bacteria, such as influenza A, mycobacterium tuberculosis and escherichia coli.
  • UVC LEDs currently have about 6% efficiency and 10000 hours of lifetime, compared to mercury lamps which have about 30-40% efficiency and 9000 hours of lifetime.
  • UVC LED is catching up fast and is anticipated to have a similar efficiency as the mercury lamp within 10 years.
  • UVC LEDs also have many additional advantages over lamps, including having a long lifetime, being environmentally friendly in disposal, being compact and having a flexible geometry. Non-imaging optical designs that are otherwise not possible when using conventional lamp sources can be implemented using UVC LEDs by fully taking advantage of the light distribution and shape of the UVC LED.
  • FIG. 2 One configuration of a smart programmable ultraviolet germicidal irradiation system 200 in accordance with an example embodiment is shown in FIG. 2.
  • Ultraviolet light 205 from a source 201 is collimated by optics 204 and is incident onto a beam steering device 206.
  • a tunable attenuator 202 and a shutter 203 may be placed in the beam path.
  • the shutter can act as an emergency beam block.
  • the beam steering device is a UV-hardened device which can be, for example, a rotating drum, a rotating polygon, a spatial light modulator, a digital micromirror device or a mirror scanner which redirects the incoming light to output optics 207.
  • the beam steering device 206 scans the beam over an area by modifying the direction of the light 208 to cover a range of a predefined area.
  • a predefined area is a bedroom 230.
  • a camera 209 is also incorporated in the system 200.
  • the source 201, tunable attenuator 202, shutter 203, beam steering device 206, and camera 209 are connected to a controller 211.
  • An optical filter 210 can be used to filter out a part of the spectrum and prevent feedback to the source.
  • the camera is a simple RGB camera that can acquire color images or a UV camera that can measure UV illumination in real time.
  • the camera is a sophisticated imaging instrument that can incorporate an illuminating source, a hyperspectral camera, a SWIR camera, a MWIR camera, a LWIR camera, a spectrometer, an imaging polarimeter, and/or a 3D camera such as LIDAR system or plenoptic system.
  • the camera can be a network of multiple cameras located at different locations, and the scanning light sources can be a network of light sources at different locations.
  • FIG. 3 An alternate embodiment of a smart programmable ultraviolet germicidal irradiation system 300 is shown in FIG. 3.
  • Ultraviolet light 303 from a source 301 is collimated by optics 302 and is incident onto a light modulation array 304.
  • a shutter 310 may be placed in the beam path. The shutter can act as an emergency beam block.
  • the light modulator array 304 is a UV- hardened device which can be, for example, a spatial light modulator or a digital micromirror device that projects a pattern of light to output optics 305.
  • the light modulator array 304 directs a programmable patterned image of UV radiation 307 over an area 308 to cover different objects.
  • One example of the area is a bedroom 330.
  • a camera 309 is also incorporated in the system 300.
  • the source 301, shutter 310, light modulator array 304, and camera 309 are connected to a controller 311.
  • An optical filter 306 can be used to filter out a part of the spectrum and prevent feedback to the source.
  • the system acts as a UV light projector with a functionality that is similar to that of a visible light projecting display.
  • Both systems 200 and 300 can be designed with different projection optics and motion stages to cover a range of distances, R, and solid angles, £1, depending on the application requirements.
  • FIG. 4 shows different coverage arrangements for the UV sanitizer, which can range from a circular cone in FIG. 4A, to a rectangular cone in FIG. 4B, to a circular arc region in FIG. 4C and to a spherical region in FIG. 4D.
  • These and other patterns can be produced in a variety of ways; for example, by selectively turning on or off the illumination beam (e.g., via turning on/off the DMD elements) that is projected onto the object of interest, by producing a particular pattern of illumination (e.g., a linear illumination pattern) that is scanned across a desired area and/or by introducing masks with different transmission patterns in the illumination path.
  • a particular pattern of illumination e.g., a linear illumination pattern
  • the disclosed embodiments enable a specific dosage to be provided to the target.
  • the dosage incident on the target depends on the angle of incidence of the incoming UV light relative to the surface normal.
  • FIG. 5 shows the surface of a target 501 with a normal direction defined by a vector n.
  • Incident UV light 502 has a propagating direction k making an angle 6 relative to n, where
  • the incident light has the highest irradiance when k is parallel to n (the UV light is incident normal to the surface).
  • the incident light has the lowest irradiance when k is perpendicular to n (the UV light is parallel to the surface).
  • the irradiance E (0) falling on the surface changes as the cosine of the incident angle 6, and is described by the Lambert’s cosine law:
  • E t is the incident irradiance.
  • Exposure of UV light can irritate skin and eyes. Tn some embodiments, the system operates by actively sterilizing all areas inside the room, keeping track of the beam size and path and all motions insides the room and avoiding illumination of the occupant and objects that can be damaged by UV radiation. In some embodiments, the system can also keep track of locations of reflectors inside the room in order to avoid unwanted secondary illumination from the reflection. The location of reflectors can be provided to the system (e.g., if the locations are already known), can be determined via images of the area of interest, and/or can be monitored via live feeds and image recognition logic to identify and track the reflectors.
  • images taken by cameras 209 and 309 can be used to determine the location of the objects of interest (e.g., objects that should be sterilized and/or object that should not be irradiated).
  • the premises can be further continuously or intermittently monitored to keep track of any changes in the location or orientation of those objects, or to determine if new objects are introduced into the premises.
  • the system can be installed in a vehicle, a plane, as well as in indoor and outdoor environments.
  • the system can be installed on a moving robot to disinfect hard-to-reach areas that are not in direct line-of- sight, on a fixed-position or fixed-rail system.
  • the system can be installed on an autonomous vacuum cleaner that moves around a room, on a different type of robotic or movable platform that can navigate around different parts of a room, or as part of a flying autonomous vehicle.
  • a compact version of the system can be incorporated in appliances such as a refrigerator, a washer or a dryer.
  • the cameras 209 and 309 can be used to conduct additional operations akin to calibration and determination of material properties of various objects. For example, all or parts of the room can be illuminated, and the reflected spectra can be measured by the camera(s) to determine the reflectivity of various objects, to determine whether or not the proper dosage is received by the objects of interest, and/or to determine whether the objects are fully or partially obstructed.
  • the cameras are used to monitor the premises during the exposure to detect, for example, any shifts in the objects’ positioning or entry/presence of people or pets.
  • the disclosed systems and methods can be used to determine and administer the dosage delivered to an object for proper disinfection.
  • the proper dosage can be determined based on the irradiance received by the target object (which depends on the angle between the illumination direction and the surface normal), the duration of the exposure, and the material properties (e.g., reflectivity) of the object’s surface.
  • the angle of incidence can be obtained by either via image analysis, or via measuring the ratio of emitted and received irradiance for an object with known reflectivity.
  • the reflectivity of the object can be determined by determining the reflected irradiance for a known incident irradiance.
  • the user can select the type of contaminant (e.g., virus or bacteria) that needs to be eliminated, and the system can determine, via computations and/or measurements, the dosage that is needed to sterilize the various objects of interest.
  • the user may select the type of contaminant via a user interface, such as a drop-down or pop-up menu (e.g., 930 in FIG. 9), may type or otherwise enter the name of contaminant, or conduct a search of a database of contaminants.
  • the system can obtain the required dosage (e.g., via retrieving values stored in a local or remote database and assuming a value of log kill), determine the required dosage, and irradiate the selected objects. It is expected that the output power of the UV source will change over the lifetime of the sanitizer, due to device degradation and environmental changes.
  • the system can be designed to be self-calibrated in order to take into account the changes, such as source output power or beam direction.
  • the determination of the exposure, including the exposure duration and irradiation dosage, will take into consideration the latest calibration.
  • the process of irradiation starts at 601 with the acquisition of image and information of the target area.
  • This information can include but is not limited to location of objects or surfaces in the area, surface transmissions, reflection and absorption characteristics, refractive indices, Mueller matrices, and types of material of the objects or surfaces.
  • regions in the area are classified based on dosage and type of pathogens or contaminants. For example, some regions may have zero dosage, while other regions may have a high dosage.
  • the exposure area and the dosage are calculated based on the classification.
  • the classification and dosage can be input by the user or can be determined by algorithms, neural networks, and artificial intelligent systems.
  • An exposure path, or the sequence in which different objects are exposed, can be calculated based on the different classified areas.
  • the path can be set, for example, to minimize scan time or to maximize disinfection over certain areas.
  • the target is exposed to the UV radiation for a predetermined duration of time to deliver the required dosage to the target.
  • the target is continuously monitored for changes. Tn some embodiments, the UV exposure is stopped or is modified, if a person or pet is detected.
  • the target area is re-exposed if needed.
  • a disinfection example is illustrated in FIG. 7, where a steering wheel 701 is the target to be disinfected.
  • a circular light beam 710 is scanned over the target area. Regions where the user’s hands 702 are located are not exposed in this example.
  • the disinfection can be carried out when the user is not in the car or is not behind the wheel (e.g., overnight, and/or when the car is parked).
  • the illumination source can be incorporated into a section of the roof; for example, as part of the dome light or in another location that allows illumination of the steering wheel from above.
  • the operation of the disinfection system requires initial calibration of the source, based on the location of the source and objects and the environment, with inputs (e.g., obtained from a user) such as the type of pathogens and start time.
  • the system can operate periodically in the evening or during a specific time window when no occupant is around.
  • the system can have safety built-in features to prevent accidental UV exposures to the users/occupants and can remember the history of disinfecting different locations and targets.
  • the system may include temperature, humidity and motion sensors.
  • UV disinfection dosage can increase with relative humidity to compensate for water absorption.
  • the system can be voice activated or controlled by user from a remote location. For example, the user can ask the system to disinfect the surface of the red sofa in the room or the toilet seat and bathtub in a bathroom.
  • the system can also be controlled by using a virtual reality/augmented reality (AR/VR) interface such as a head mounted goggle, a portable computer, a tablet and a cell phone.
  • AR/VR virtual reality/augmented reality
  • FIG. 8A and 8B show a cell phone 800 and an AR/VR goggle device 810 which can be utilized to control the UV disinfection system (for example, while the user is in a different location away from the system to prevent accidental exposure).
  • a user interface can be implemented on the portable device, such as on a cell phone 800.
  • the control of the operations of the UV disinfection system can be implemented on the user interface of an AR/VR goggle device 810 that can allow a user to operate the UV disinfection program using AR/VR controllers.
  • FIG. 9 illustrates a set of AR/VR controllers that appear as a pair of hands 920 (selection icons) in the AR/VR world. The user can use the hands 920 to mark different surfaces in a room 900 for disinfection. Alternatively, the user can use the physical controllers 910 to direct a virtual marker beam inside the virtual room to mark different objects inside the virtual environment. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the user can mark the pillows 1011 on a bed 1010.
  • the user can then initiate the disinfection process by selecting a start/go button (and with an optional start time) to disinfect the surface of the marked pillows 1012 by the sanitization system.
  • a start/go button and with an optional start time
  • the user may also select the type of contaminant to be disinfected by using, for example a pop-up menu 930.
  • the selection can be carried out by the controllers 910, 920.
  • clicking or double-clicking on a menu entry may start the U V radiation.
  • the U V radiation may commence when a separate icon 940 is selected.
  • the AR/VR device can be a pair of glasses or other types of eyewear.
  • FIG. 11 illustrates a set of operations that can be carried out to disinfect one or more objects using ultraviolet radiation in accordance with an example embodiment.
  • an image of an enclosure and information indicative of a material property of the one or more objects to be disinfected within the enclosure and a type of contaminant to be disinfected are obtained.
  • an irradiance and a shape of UV illumination are determined for each of the one or more objects to be disinfected based on the obtained image, the information indicative of a material property of the one or more objects and the type of contaminant.
  • a UV radiation system is operated to illuminate each of the one or more objects with UV radiation according to the determined irradiance and shape of the UV illumination for a predetermined period of time.
  • the enclosure is monitored by obtaining additional images of the enclosure.
  • the additional images are analyzed to determine whether a change is detected in the enclosure.
  • the UV radiation is stopped or modified upon expiration of the predetermined period of time.
  • the information indicative of the material property of the one or more objects includes reflectivity of the one or more objects.
  • determining the irradiance includes: obtaining a required dosage value based on the type of contaminant, obtaining a direction of a surface normal associated with each of the one or more objects, computing the irradiance based on an angle between the surface normal and direction of the UV illumination incident on each of the one or more objects, and determining an emitted irradiance by the UV illumination system to produce the required dosage at each of the one or more objects.
  • the shape of the UV illumination for each of the one or more objects matches a surface area of the corresponding object.
  • the shape of the UV illumination includes one or more of a circular shape, rectangular shape, a hemispherical shape, a circular arc shape, or a spherical shape.
  • the UV illumination system includes a movable scanning device that is used to produce the UV radiation according to the determined shape.
  • the UV illumination system includes a spatial light modulator that is used to produce the UV radiation according to the determined irradiance and shape.
  • analyzing the additional images results in detection of a change in the enclosure that indicates a presence of a person or an animal, and the above method further includes stopping or modifying the UV radiation.
  • the above method further includes repeating the operating, monitoring, analyzing and stopping at a subsequent time.
  • determining the irradiance and the shape of UV illumination includes classification of the image into one or more regions requiring different exposures.
  • the method further includes determining an exposure path based on the classification.
  • the UV illumination comprises a pattern that includes regions with no UV radiation and regions with UV radiation having a particular irradiance.
  • a programmable ultraviolet disinfection system that includes a UV radiation source, a beam scanner or a spatial light modulator configured to produce an output beam having a particular shape, and a camera configured to capture images of an enclosure having one or more objects of interest, where the camera is further configured to detect UV radiation reflected from the one or more objects upon illumination by the UV radiation from the source.
  • the system further includes a processor and a memory including instructions stored thereon, wherein the instructions upon execution by the processor cause the processor to obtain an image of an enclosure and information indicative of a material property of the one or more objects to be disinfected within the enclosure and a type of contaminant to be disinfected, and determine an irradiance and a shape of UV illumination for each of the one or more objects to be disinfected based on the obtained image, wherein the information is indicative of a material property of the one or more objects and the type of contaminant.
  • the instructions upon execution by the processor further cause the processor to operate the programmable UV disinfection system to illuminate each of the one or more objects with UV radiation according to the determined irradiance and shape of the UV illumination for a predetermined period of time, monitor the enclosure by obtaining additional images of the enclosure, analyze the additional images to determine whether a change is detected in the enclosure, and unless analysis of the additional images indicates that illumination of the one or more objects should be stopped prior to expiration of the predetermined period of time, stop or modify the UV radiation upon expiration of the predetermined period of time.
  • the spatial light modulator is one of a digital micromirror device (DMD) or a liquid crystal modulator (LCM) and is configured to produce both the shape and the irradiance of the UV illumination for illuminating the one or more objects.
  • the programmable UV disinfection system includes a tunable attenuator configured to selectively attenuate the UV illumination for illuminating the one or more objects.
  • the programmable UV disinfection system is incorporated as part of a movable platform configured to move along a path in the enclosure.
  • the programmable UV disinfection system is incorporated as part of an illumination system in a car to disinfect a particular section of the car.
  • the programmable UV disinfection system further includes a user interface on an electronic mobile device, wherein the user interface is configured to display a representation of the enclosure including the one or more objects of interest, enable a user to select the one or more objects of interest, commence the UV radiation to disinfect the one or more objects of interest.
  • the user interface is a user interface of a mobile phone.
  • the user interface is a user interface of an augmented reality (AR) or a virtual reality (VR) device.
  • AR augmented reality
  • VR virtual reality
  • the user interface is configured to select a contaminant that is to be eliminated.
  • the user interface configured to operate an ultraviolet (UV) disinfection system.
  • the user interface is configured to display: a representation of an enclosure including the one or more objects of interest to be disinfected, and a selection icon configured to move across the representation of the enclosure and to allow selection or deselection of the one or more objects of interest, a menu comprising a listing of a plurality of contaminants or a text entry area that allows entry of a name of a contaminant, wherein the selection pointer allows a user to select one or more of the plurality of contaminants from the menu or to place a cursor in the text entry area.
  • the user interface is further configured to display an activation mechanism configured to allow a user to commence the UV radiation to disinfect the one or more objects of interest or to stop the UV radiation.
  • the selection icon is a pair of hands.
  • the menu and the selection pointer are controlled by voice command from user.
  • Various information and data processing operations described herein may be implemented in one embodiment by a computer program product, embodied in a computer- readable medium, including computer-executable instructions, such as program code, executed by computers in networked environments.
  • a computer-readable medium may include removable and non-removable storage devices including, but not limited to, Read Only Memory (ROM), Random Access Memory (RAM), compact discs (CDs), digital versatile discs (DVD), etc. Therefore, the computer-readable media that is described in the present application comprises non-transitory storage media.
  • program modules may include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types.
  • Computer-executable instructions, associated data structures, and program modules represent examples of program code for executing steps of the methods disclosed herein. The particular sequence of such executable instructions or associated data structures represents examples of corresponding acts for implementing the functions described in such steps or processes.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Plasma & Fusion (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Apparatus For Disinfection Or Sterilisation (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne des procédés, des dispositifs et des systèmes pour la délivrance précise d'une dose exacte de rayonnement ultraviolet (UV) pour désinfecter une zone. Un procédé donné à titre d'exemple pour désinfecter un ou plusieurs objets comprend l'obtention d'une image d'une enceinte et d'informations indicatives d'une propriété de matériau des objets et d'un type de contaminant à désinfecter. Le procédé de désinfection comprend en outre la détermination d'un éclairement énergétique et d'une forme d'éclairage UV, et le fonctionnement d'un système de rayonnement UV pour éclairer chacun des objets en fonction de l'éclairement énergétique et de la forme déterminés de l'éclairage UV pendant une période de temps prédéterminée. L'enceinte est surveillée en obtenant des images supplémentaires, et en les analysant pour déterminer si un changement dans l'enceinte est détecté. Le rayonnement UV peut être surmonté ou modifié à l'expiration de la période de temps prédéterminée, ou sur la base de l'analyse des images.
PCT/US2023/073743 2022-09-08 2023-09-08 Système et procédé d'irradiation germicide ultraviolette programmable intelligente WO2024054981A1 (fr)

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Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1069444B1 (fr) * 1999-07-13 2006-03-08 Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. Système de radiation ultraviolette ayant des matériaux d'atténuation sélective de radiation
US20140252249A1 (en) * 2011-07-13 2014-09-11 Doros Teodora - D.A.Glass Method of obtaining a uniform beam of electromagnetic radiation of arbitrary geometrical shape and a mechanical-optical device for applications of this method
US20180265375A1 (en) * 2015-08-20 2018-09-20 Trojan Technologies Fluid disinfection with ultraviolet radiation and a chemical disinfectant
US20200179543A1 (en) * 2018-12-07 2020-06-11 Germitec Modeling to assist high-level uv-c disinfection
US20200390922A1 (en) * 2011-06-08 2020-12-17 Xenex Disinfection Services Inc. Systems Which Determine Operating Parameters And Disinfection Schedules For Germicidal Devices And Germicidal Lamp Apparatuses Including Lens Systems
WO2021195003A1 (fr) * 2020-03-23 2021-09-30 Nuvinix Inc. Systèmes et procédés de désinfection en temps réel et en continu par ultraviolets d'espaces intérieurs peuplés
US20210322613A1 (en) * 2020-04-15 2021-10-21 Robotic Research, Llc Systems and methods for autonomous sterilization
KR20210138485A (ko) * 2020-05-12 2021-11-19 삼성전자주식회사 단말 장치, 조리 기기, 단말 장치의 제어 방법 및 조리 기기의 제어 방법
WO2022097173A1 (fr) * 2020-11-06 2022-05-12 Rajasekar Petthannan Système et procédé pour récipient portable de désinfection par ultraviolet ayant un accès à distance

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1069444B1 (fr) * 1999-07-13 2006-03-08 Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. Système de radiation ultraviolette ayant des matériaux d'atténuation sélective de radiation
US20200390922A1 (en) * 2011-06-08 2020-12-17 Xenex Disinfection Services Inc. Systems Which Determine Operating Parameters And Disinfection Schedules For Germicidal Devices And Germicidal Lamp Apparatuses Including Lens Systems
US20140252249A1 (en) * 2011-07-13 2014-09-11 Doros Teodora - D.A.Glass Method of obtaining a uniform beam of electromagnetic radiation of arbitrary geometrical shape and a mechanical-optical device for applications of this method
US20180265375A1 (en) * 2015-08-20 2018-09-20 Trojan Technologies Fluid disinfection with ultraviolet radiation and a chemical disinfectant
US20200179543A1 (en) * 2018-12-07 2020-06-11 Germitec Modeling to assist high-level uv-c disinfection
WO2021195003A1 (fr) * 2020-03-23 2021-09-30 Nuvinix Inc. Systèmes et procédés de désinfection en temps réel et en continu par ultraviolets d'espaces intérieurs peuplés
US20210322613A1 (en) * 2020-04-15 2021-10-21 Robotic Research, Llc Systems and methods for autonomous sterilization
KR20210138485A (ko) * 2020-05-12 2021-11-19 삼성전자주식회사 단말 장치, 조리 기기, 단말 장치의 제어 방법 및 조리 기기의 제어 방법
WO2022097173A1 (fr) * 2020-11-06 2022-05-12 Rajasekar Petthannan Système et procédé pour récipient portable de désinfection par ultraviolet ayant un accès à distance

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