AMBULANCE WITH UV DISINFECTION DEVICE

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a disinfection device, in particular for disinfecting surfaces and air, preferably in a medical facility, such as an ambulance. Further aspects of the invention relate to a medical facility with such a disinfection device, the use of such a disinfection device for disinfecting surfaces and / or air, and a method for disinfecting surfaces and / or air with such a disinfection device.

[0002] The disinfection device comprises a UV radiation unit for emitting UV radiation, in particular UV-C radiation, for disinfecting surfaces and / or air. In this context, "disinfection" refers to the inactivation of bacteria, viruses, and molds. This can be achieved through UV radiation, as UV radiation, especially UV-C radiation, breaks down chemical bonds in the nucleic acids of DNA, depending on the wavelength and the applied dose.

[0003] Disinfection devices that use mercury vapor lamps as UV radiation sources are known in the prior art. However, such mercury vapor lamps are relatively bulky and cumbersome to handle. Furthermore, mercury vapor lamps do not possess long-term stability.

[0004] CN109 330 777 A discloses an ambulance with a UV sterilizer in the ceiling area for irradiating the interior of the ambulance.

[0005] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a disinfection device that is particularly simple, space-saving, effective and stable over the long term.

[0006] This task is accomplished by incorporating at least one UV light-emitting diode (LED) into the UV radiation device. These LEDs are specifically designed for emitting UV radiation. Such UV LEDs are particularly small, simple, and versatile. They can also operate at wavelengths above 254 nm, where it has been found that they provide enhanced disinfection. Furthermore, they exhibit exceptional long-term stability. Additional advantages of UV LEDs include high mechanical stability, the elimination of a warm-up phase, the possibility of variable geometric array arrangements, the option of low-voltage operation, and extremely high radiant intensity.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment, the at least one UV light-emitting diode is adapted to be operated for disinfection with a main emission at a wavelength between 260 nm and 280 nm, preferably between 260 nm and 275 nm, more preferably between 260 nm and 270 nm, even more preferably between 263 nm and 267 nm, and most preferably 265 nm, with a tolerance of + / - 5 nm preferably being allowed. According to investigations, the highest disinfection effect in the usable spectrum is achieved at wavelengths around 265 nm, which can be 50% higher than the disinfection effect at 240 nm. Although the disinfection effect also increases significantly below 240 nm, this range cannot be used because ozone is formed in this spectrum, which is not only harmful but also counteracts the effect of the UV-C radiation. In this context, the wavelength of the main emission is the one at which the highest intensity is achieved.

[0008] In a further preferred embodiment, the at least one UV light-emitting diode is adapted to generate an output power of between 50 mW and 200 mW, preferably between 80 mW and 150 mW, more preferably at least 100 mW, and most preferably 100 mW, for disinfection purposes. With such an output power of the UV light-emitting diodes, highly effective disinfection can be achieved with a manageable number of UV light-emitting diodes within a manageable timeframe. For example, UV-C light-emitting diodes from Bolb Inc., CA 94551, USA, such as type S6060-W268-P100-KL, can be used.

[0009] In a further preferred embodiment, the UV radiation device is adapted to achieve a disinfection efficiency of at least four log units, i.e., 99.99%, for disinfection with an irradiation duration of 10 min, preferably with an energy input of between 150 J / m² and 400 J / m², more preferably between 200 J / m² and 350 J / m², and most preferably between 250 J / m² and 300 J / m², and / or with an irradiation duration of 20 min, preferably with an energy input of between 300 J / m² and 800 J / m², more preferably between 400 J / m² and 700 J / m², and most preferably between 500 J / m² and 600 J / m², a disinfection efficiency of at least five log units, i.e., 99.999% disinfection efficiency is required. A disinfection efficiency of four log levels, i.e., 99.99%, is sufficient to inactivate the most common bacteria and viruses, and a disinfection efficiency of five log levels, i.e.,With a 99.999% effectiveness rate, even viruses with very high infection rates can be inactivated. For example, a 10-minute irradiation period is sufficient to disinfect the first-aid compartment in an ambulance to 99.99% effectiveness during a short journey to an emergency. Since the wavelengths of UV LEDs are more efficient at damaging DNA than, for example, mercury vapor lamps, this level of disinfection can only be achieved with a mercury vapor lamp after a significantly longer irradiation period or a significantly higher dose, which is impractical for short-term use in an ambulance.

[0010] In a further preferred embodiment, the UV radiation device comprises between eight and 480 UV light-emitting diodes, preferably between 48 and 320, and most preferably 144, for emitting the UV radiation. Such a number of UV light-emitting diodes can provide the required disinfection performance and simultaneously be integrated into the disinfection device in a space-saving manner.

[0011] In a further preferred embodiment, the UV radiation device has a modular design. The modular design comprises a predetermined number of mainboards, preferably two to twelve, more preferably six to ten, and most preferably eight. Each mainboard is assigned a predetermined number of UV radiation modules, preferably two to four, and more preferably three, which are supplied and controlled by the respective mainboard. Each UV radiation module has a predetermined number of UV LEDs arranged side by side, preferably two to ten, more preferably four to eight, and more preferably six. Such a modular design can be expanded or reduced very flexibly.The specified number of mainboards, UV radiation modules and UV LEDs can provide the required disinfection performance and at the same time be integrated into the disinfection device in a space-saving and effective manner.

[0012] All circuit boards are preferably controlled via CAN bus and have a separate power supply. This allows multiple boards to be interconnected modularly. Addressing is preferably done via DIP switches and offers 128 possible addresses, guaranteeing high flexibility.

[0013] In a further preferred embodiment, the disinfection device has a support structure on which the UV radiation unit is mounted. The support structure is preferably designed as a heat sink to absorb and dissipate the power loss from the main circuit boards and the UV LEDs. This eliminates the need for active air cooling during limited operating times. The support structure can also be equipped with, for example, handles for holding or aligning the disinfection device, as well as an operating panel for manually entering control commands.

[0014] It is particularly preferred that the support structure comprises at least one elongated profile support, preferably made of aluminum, in particular extruded aluminum, on which the main circuit boards and the associated UV LEDs are preferably arranged linearly one behind the other. However, the main circuit boards and / or the UV LEDs can also be arranged on the profile support in other configurations, for example, in a circular, round, or angled sequence. Such extruded aluminum profile supports form effective heat sinks. The at least one profile support preferably has a plurality of cooling fins for dissipating the heat loss, which extend away from the main circuit boards and UV LEDs on the rear side of the profile support in the area of ​​the main circuit boards and UV LEDs. The UV LEDs are preferably covered with quartz glass discs, and the main circuit boards are preferably covered with plastic covers.Quartz glass discs absorb UV-C radiation not at all or only to a negligible extent. The mainboard cover is preferably made of a semi-transparent plastic glass to create a diffuse light distribution from the RGB and white LEDs mounted on the mainboards.

[0015] It is further preferred that the support structure comprises a base plate and two profile supports, which are mounted parallel to each other, and in particular symmetrically, on the base plate at opposite ends. Preferably, four main circuit boards, each with three associated UV radiation modules, each containing six UV LEDs, are arranged in a row on each profile support, preferably offset parallel to the main circuit boards. This represents a particularly compact and effective design for the disinfection device.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the disinfection device includes one or more additional LEDs for emitting white light and / or RGB light, preferably arranged directly on a main circuit board. Preferably, each main circuit board includes at least one white light LED and at least one RGB light LED. The white light and / or RGB light LEDs can be used for illumination, for example, to illuminate a first-aid room in which the disinfection device is used.

[0017] Another aspect of the invention relates to a sanitary facility comprising a disinfection device according to one of the previously described embodiments. The sanitary facility can be a mobile or a stationary sanitary facility and, in particular, may include a first-aid room. The features and effects previously described in connection with the disinfection device are applicable and preferred with respect to the sanitary facility.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the medical equipment is an ambulance. The disinfection device is preferably located in a medical compartment inside the ambulance, so that when the disinfection device is activated, both the air and the surfaces in the ambulance or medical compartment are disinfected. The disinfection device can be used very effectively in an ambulance, as it allows the ambulance to be disinfected very quickly, for example, while en route to an emergency. Furthermore, individual instruments required for the treatment of a patient can also be disinfected selectively. Alternatively, instead of an ambulance, the medical equipment can also be designed, for example, as a stationary medical room, such as in a hospital or doctor's office, or as a mobile medical room in crisis areas.

[0019] It is particularly advantageous if the disinfection device is mounted on a ceiling-mounted unit or ceiling panel of the ambulance. The ceiling-mounted unit is located on the ceiling of the medical compartment inside the ambulance and is a particularly suitable location for the disinfection device, as it requires little space and the emitted UV radiation can reach the entire medical compartment, especially all air and surfaces within the ambulance's medical compartment. Simultaneously, it can also serve as the ceiling lighting for the medical compartment by means of fluorescent or white light-emitting diodes.

[0020] Another aspect of the present invention relates to the use of a disinfection device according to one of the previously described embodiments for disinfecting surfaces and / or air, preferably in sanitary facilities. The features and effects previously described in connection with the disinfection device are applicable and preferred with regard to the present use of this device.

[0021] A further aspect of the present invention relates to a method for disinfecting surfaces and / or air, preferably in sanitary facilities, comprising the steps of: a) providing a disinfection device according to one of the previously described embodiments and b) operating the disinfection device such that the UV radiation device emits UV radiation in the direction of the surfaces and / or air to be disinfected. The features and effects previously described in connection with the disinfection device are applicable and preferred with respect to the present method.

[0022] A preferred embodiment of the present invention is explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing. The drawing shows in Fig. 1 a perspective view of a disinfection device according to the invention, Fig. 2 a perspective view of an isolated profile support of the disinfection device made of Fig. 1 , Fig. 3 a top view of the profile beam made of Fig. 2 , Fig. 4 a schematic representation of an ambulance with a detailed view of a medical compartment provided therein, in which a disinfection device according to Fig.1 is provided for, and Fig. 5 shows a simulation of the disinfection performance by irradiation with the disinfection device in the medical compartment of the ambulance. Fig. 4 .

[0023] In Fig. 1 Figure 1 shows a disinfection device 1 according to the invention. The disinfection device 1 comprises a UV radiation device 3 for emitting UV-C radiation for disinfecting surfaces and / or air. The UV radiation device 3 comprises 144 UV light-emitting diodes 5 with an output power of 100 mW for emitting the UV-C radiation, which are adapted to be operated for disinfection with a main emission at a wavelength of 265 nm ± 5 nm tolerance.

[0024] Thus, the UV radiation device 3 is adapted to achieve a disinfection performance of approximately four log levels, i.e. 99.99%, with an irradiation duration of 10 min and an energy input of between 250 J / m² and 300 J / m², and with an irradiation duration of 20 min and an energy input of between 500 J / m² and 600 J / m², a disinfection performance of approximately five log levels, i.e. 99.999%.

[0025] The UV radiation device 3 has a modular design comprising eight main boards 7, each main board 7 being assigned three UV radiation modules 9, which are supplied and controlled by the respective main board 7, and each UV radiation module 9 having six UV light-emitting diodes 5 arranged side by side. Furthermore, each main board 7 has a white light-emitting diode and an RGB light-emitting diode that can be used for illumination.

[0026] The disinfection device 1 has a support structure 11 on which the UV radiation device 3 is mounted. The support structure 11 is designed as a heat sink to absorb and dissipate the power loss of the main circuit boards 7 and the UV LEDs 5. Handles 13 for holding or aligning the disinfection device 1 and an operating panel 15 for manually entering control commands are also arranged on the support structure 11.

[0027] The support structure 11 has two elongated profile supports 17 made of extruded aluminum, on which the main circuit boards 7 and the associated UV light-emitting diodes 5 are arranged linearly one behind the other, and one of which is located in the Fign. 2 and 3 is described in more detail. As in Fig. 2 As shown, the profile supports 17 have a multitude of cooling fins 19 for dissipating the heat loss, which extend away from the mainboards 7 and the UV LEDs 5 on the back of the profile support 17. As also shown in Fig. 2 As shown, the UV light-emitting diodes 5 are covered with transparent covers 21 made of quartz glass discs, while the main boards 7 are covered with not completely transparent covers 23 made of plastic glass, which produce a diffuse light distribution from the RGB and white light-emitting diodes provided on the main boards 7.

[0028] As in Fig. 1 As can be seen, the two profile supports 17 are mounted parallel and symmetrically to each other at opposite ends of a base plate 25. On each profile support 17, four main circuit boards 7, each with three associated UV radiation modules 9, each containing six UV light-emitting diodes 5, are arranged in a row, offset from the main circuit boards 7.

[0029] The disinfection device 1 can be used for disinfection in medical facilities 27, such as an ambulance 29. Such a medical facility 27 in the form of an ambulance 29 is in Fig. 4 depicted. As shown in Fig. 4 As can be seen, ambulance 29 has a medical compartment 31 for the transport and emergency care of a patient. The medical compartment 31 has a ceiling 33 in which a ceiling center 35 with various functional elements is centrally located. In the Fig. 4 In the embodiment shown, the disinfection device 1 is also integrated into the ceiling center 35, so that when the disinfection device 1 is activated, both the air and the surfaces in almost all areas of the first aid compartment 31 of the ambulance 29 can be effectively disinfected. This is shown in the Fig. 5 The simulation shown confirms what happened in medical room 31. Fig. 4 the energy input after 10 minutes of irradiation with the in Fig. 1 The disinfection device 1 shown, i.e., with 144 UV light-emitting diodes 5, each with a power output of 100 mW at a wavelength of 265 nm, is depicted, with the white areas of the illustration representing a sufficient disinfection performance of 400 J / m². The disinfection device 1 can be used very effectively in an ambulance, as it allows the ambulance to be disinfected very quickly, for example, while en route to an emergency.

[0030] The disinfection device 1 described above is particularly advantageous because the UV LEDs 5 used are especially small, simple, and flexible in their application. They can also be operated at wavelengths above 254 nm, thus providing increased disinfection efficacy, and are also particularly stable over long periods. Furthermore, the UV LEDs 5 exhibit high mechanical stability, require no heating phase, can be arranged in variable geometric configurations within the array, and can be powered by a low-voltage supply and emit extremely high radiation.

Claims

1. Ambulance (29) with a ceiling center (35) or with a ceiling panel, wherein the ceiling center or the ceiling panel is equipped with a disinfection device (1), characterized in that the disinfection device comprises a UV radiation device (3) with 8 to 480 UV light-emitting diodes (5), and that the UV radiation device (3) is adapted to achieve a disinfection performance of at least four log levels for disinfection with an irradiation duration of 10 min and an energy input of between 150 J / m2 and 400 J / m2.

2. Ambulance (29) according to claim 1, wherein the disinfection device (1) is operated such that the UV radiation device (3) emits in the direction of the surface to be disinfected and / or the air.

3. Ambulance (29) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the UV light-emitting diodes (5) are adapted to operate for disinfection with a primary emission of 260 to 270 nm.

4. Ambulance (29) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the disinfection device (1) comprises one or more additional light-emitting diodes for emitting white light and / or RGB light.

5. Ambulance (29) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the UV radiation device (3) is adapted such that a disinfection efficiency of at least 99.999% is achieved with an irradiation duration of 20 min and an energy input of between 300 J / m2 and 800 J / m2.