Bioaerosol disinfection device

Abstract

A bioaerosol disinfection device (100) for providing clean, disinfected, and odor-free air is disclosed. The device (100) comprises a prefilter (102) to clear dust and dirt particles from incoming air, a germicidal disinfection chamber (106) comprising UVC lights (106-2) that exposed pathogens present in the air to UV-C (253.4 nm) while flowing through the chamber (106) to kill the pathogens, a High MERV (>12 MERV) rated HEPA filter (108) that creates enough back-pressure to cause turbulence and air being forced multiple times through the disinfection chamber (106) and also filters over 99.7% of the pathogens greater than 0.3 micron to provide clean air, and an Odor control unit (110) comprising active carbon to ensure outgoing air to be clean and odor-free. The UVC from the germicidal disinfection chamber also keeps the high MERV filter (108) clean.

Description

BIOAEROSOL DISINFECTION DEVICETECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to the field of sterilization systems. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a portable, improved, and efficient bioaerosol disinfection device that provides clean, disinfected, and odor-free air.BACKGROUND

[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

[0003] Maintaining hygiene by sterilizing surfaces, air, and fluids is of utmost importance, particularly in sensitive areas like high-infection zones, crowded places, and hospitals. Ensuring sterile air becomes a critical necessity in hospitals and at home, especially in Intensive Care Units (ICUs), as it directly impacts the safety of patients and healthcare providers.

[0004] Various approaches and techniques are employed to achieve air sterilization in hospital environments. For example, fumigation with sodium hypochlorite (commonly known as bleach) and ozonation are commonly used methods. Additionally, improving air quality can be achieved by implementing regular air circulation or using specialized filters. However, these approaches may prove to be ineffective in fully sterilizing the air and may even pose health risks to patients and other individuals if used over an extended period. Besides, these approaches generally involve a bulky structure that is difficult to be installed and are also expensive. In addition, the existing approaches may also fail to effectively and efficiently clean and disinfect air while also removing odor from the air.

[0005] There is, therefore, a requirement in the art for a means to overcome the above drawbacks, shortcomings, and limitations associated with the existing air purification systems, and to design and develop a portable, improved, and efficient bioaerosol disinfection device that filters and kills pathogens present in the air and further removes odor from the air to provide clean and odor-free air.SUMMARY

[0006] The present disclosure relates generally to the field of sterilization systems. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a portable, improved, and efficient bioaerosol disinfection device that provides clean, disinfected, and odor-free air.

[0007] The subject matter of the proposed invention, in general, relates to air purifiers. More particularly, it relates to a bioaerosol disinfection device. The bioaerosol disinfection unit comprises a pre-filter; a germicidal disinfection chamber, a high merv hepa filter, and an odor control unit. The pre-filter clears / filters dust and dirt particle of incoming air. The germicidal disinfection chamber provides exposure of UV-C of wavelength 253.4 nm to the pathogens in the air, which kills bacterial and fungi, deactivate viruses, and keeps the high minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) filter clean. The high MERV (>12 MERV) rated high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter creates enough back-pressure to cause turbulence and air being forced multiple times through the disinfection chamber, which filters over 99.7% of the pathogens greater than 0.3 micron to provide clean air. The odor control unit incorporates active carbon to ensure outgoing air to be clean and odor free.

[0008] A bioaerosol disinfection unit include a pre-filter, a germicidal disinfection chamber, a HEPA filter and an odor control unit. The pre-filter clears / filters dust and dirt particle of the incoming air. The germicidal disinfection chamber provides exposure of UV-C (253.4 nm) to the pathogens in the air flowing to kill the bacterial and fungi or deactivate viruses. Further, the germicidal UVC also keeps the high MERV filter clean. The high MERV (>12 MERV) rated HEPA filter that creates enough back-pressure to cause turbulence and air being forced multiple times through the disinfection chamber, and also filters over 99.7% of the pathogens greater than 0.3 micron to provide clean air. The odor control unit is an active carbon to ensure outgoing air to be clean and odor free.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0009] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description,

[0010] FIGs. 1A to ID illustrate exemplary views of the proposed bioaerosol disinfection device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0011] FIG. IE illustrates an exemplary exploded view of the proposed bioaerosol disinfection device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosureDETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

[0013] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without some of these specific details.

[0014] Embodiments of the present disclosure elaborate upon a portable, improved, and efficient bioaerosol disinfection device that filters and kills pathogens present in the air and further removes odor from the air to provide clean, disinfected, and odor-free air.

[0015] Referring to FIGs. 1A to IE, the proposed bioaerosol disinfection device 100 (also referred to as a device 100, hereinafter) is disclosed. The device 100 comprises a prefilter 102 to clear dust and dirt particles from incoming air, and a germicidal disinfection chamber 106 comprising UVC lights 106-2, where exposure of pathogens in the air to UV-C (253.4 nm) while flowing through the chamber 106 kills the bacterial and fungi or deactivate viruses. The device 100 further comprises a High MERV (>12 MERV) rated HEPA filter 108 that creates enough back-pressure to cause turbulence and air being forced multiple times through the disinfection chamber 106 and also filters over 99.7% of the pathogens greater than 0.3 microns to provide clean air. The UVC light 106-2 from the disinfection chamber 106 also keeps the high MERV filter clean. In addition, the device 100 comprises an Odor control 110 comprising active carbon to ensure outgoing air is clean and odor-free.

[0016] In an embodiment, a first / front end of the prefilter 102 may be configured to receive the incoming air and the second end of the prefilter 102 may be further connected to an inlet of the disinfection chamber 106 such that the incoming air may flow into the disinfection chamber 106 via the prefilter 102. The HEPA filter 108 may be connected to or may remain at an outlet of the disinfection chamber 106 such that the UVC light 106-2 can also illuminate the HEPA filter 108 to keep the HEPA filter 108 clean. Further, the odor control unit 110 can be configured downstream of the HEPA filter 108.

[0017] The germicidal disinfection chamber 106 may be a hollow channel with a reflective inner surface 106-1 and a light source 106-2 housed within the channel. The lightsource 106-2 may emit a plurality of light rays (UVC light), such that the plurality of emitted light rays may be reflected from the inner surface 106-1 of the channel and traverse along the channel. The incoming air may be sterilized while flowing through the channel upon exposure to the emitted light (UVC) rays. Moreover, the germicidal UVC light may also keep the high MERV filter 108 clean.

[0018] In an embodiment, the light (UVC) source 106-2 may be implemented as a longitudinal array of the light source 106-2 in the channel. In another example, the light source 106-2 may be implemented as a single source 106-2 at any point within the channel or multiple source 106-2 on one or more walls or around the walls 106-1 of the hollow channel. However, it may be noted that the light source 106-2 may be implemented in any manner without deviating from the scope of the present subject matter.

[0019] The light source 106-2 may emit a plurality of Ultraviolet-C (UV-C) rays. As would be understood, UV-C rays possess anti-microbial properties. In yet another example, the plurality of emitted UV-C rays may have a wavelength in the range of about 220 nanometres (nm) to 270 nanometres (nm).

[0020] Those skilled in the art would appreciate that the HEPA fdter 108 at the outlet end of the hollow channel may create enough back pressure to cause turbulence and air to be forced multiple times through the disinfection chamber 106. Further, the HEPA filter 108 may also filter over 99.7% of the pathogens greater than 0.3 microns from the air received from the disinfection chamber 106 to provide clean air. Further, the Odor control 110 comprising active carbon may be configured at the second end / outlet of the HEPA filter 108 to ensure the outgoing air from the HEPA filter 108 remain clean and odor-free.

[0021] It is to be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that while various embodiments of the present disclosure elaborate upon the use of activated carbon for odor control and HEPA filter for air filtration, however, the device 100 can also have any other odor control unit or main air filter as well with some modifications, and all such embodiments are well within the scope of the present disclosure, without any limitations.

[0022] In an embodiment, the device 100 may further comprise a variable flow rate induction fan 104 at an inlet of the hollow channel downstream or upstream of the prefilter 102. The induction fan 104 may be configured to suck the air at a certain flow rate and cause the air to flow through the channel at the given flow rate. However, the induction fan 104 may also be configured at the outlet of the hollow channel, downstream of the HEPA filter 108 or odor control 110, and all such embodiments are well within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0023] In an embodiment, the device 100 may further comprise a controller operatively connected to the fan 104 and the light source 106-2. The controller may be configured to control the operation of the light (UVC) source 106-2 and the fan 104. Further, the operation of the light source 106-2 may include switching on and switching off of the light source 106- 2 to emit the plurality of light rays and further control the intensity of the light emitted. Further, the controller may control the speed of the fan 104 to suck the air at a predefined flow rate and cause the air to flow through the channel at the predefined flow rate.

[0024] The device 100 may further comprise a plurality of sensors to monitor the volume of fluid discharging from an outlet of the channel of the system. Based on the monitored volume of air discharging from the outlet of the channel of the device 100, the controller may be configured to determine a measure of bio load in the volume of air discharging from the outlet. Based on the determined measure of bio load, a measure of the purity of the air may be determined. Thereafter, based on the determined measure of purity, the controller may cause the light source 106-2 to emit the plurality of light rays and also control the flow rate to retain the incoming air within the disinfection chamber 106 under exposure to the UVC light for a sufficient time.

[0025] The device 100 may further include one or more activation switches 116 operatively coupled to the light source 106-2 and the fan 104. The activation switches 116 may be configured to operate the light source 106-2 and the fan 104. The operation of the light source 106-2 includes switching on or switching off the light source 106-2 and controlling the intensity of the light rays. The activation switches 116 further allow adjusting or controlling the speed of the fan 104, thereby controlling the flow rate of the air through the channel.

[0026] In an implementation, the device 100 may be a part of an air duct. The device 100 may also be a part of an enclosed chamber 106.

[0027] In an embodiment, the device 100 may further comprise an inbuilt power source 106-2 such as a battery to supply electrical power to the fan 104, the light source 106-2, and the controller. In addition, the device 100 may also include a charging unit and a charging port 118 being operatively connected to the controller and the battery to allow electrical coupling of the device 100 or the battery to an external power source 106-2.

[0028] In an embodiment, the prefilter 102, disinfection chamber 106, HEPA filter 108, fan 104, and odor control unit 110 may be coaxially configured with each other. The germicidal disinfection chamber 106 may be a hollow channel where the prefilter 102 and fan 104 may be configured at an inlet side of the channel and the HEPA filter 108 and odorcontrol 110 be configured at an outlet side of the channel. Further, the inlet and outlet ends may be covered or secured by additional casings 112-1, 114-1, 112-2, and 114-2 having an opening such that the prefilter 102, fan 104, disinfection chamber 106, HEPA filter 108, Odor control unit 110, and the casings 112-1, 114-1, 112-2, and 114-2 at the inlet and outlet of the hollow channel remains coaxially configured with each other to form a single portable unit.

[0029] Accordingly, the present invention overcomes the above drawbacks, shortcomings, and limitations associated with the existing air purification systems, by developing a portable, improved, and efficient bioaerosol disinfection device that filters and kills pathogens present in the air and further removes odor from the air to provide clean and odor-free air.

[0030] In an exemplary embodiment, a portable bioaerosol disinfection device (100) is provided. The device has a pre-filter (102) adapted to receive an incoming air from atmospeher, and filters dust and dirt particle present in the incoming air, a germicidal disinfection chamber (106) operatively coupled to the pre-filter, and a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter (108) operatively coupled to the germicidal disinfection chamber.

[0031] The germicidal disinfection chamber is adapted to treat pathogens present the filtered air received from the pre-filter using ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

[0032] The HEPA filter is adapted to create a back-pressure on the pathogen cleared air to cause turbulence and force the pathogen cleared air back at leats one time through the germicidal disinfection chamber.

[0033] In an exemplary embodiment, the germicidal disinfection chamber (106) comprises a plurality of UV light sources (106-2) adapted to emit Germicidal UV or Ultraviolet-C (UVC) light of wavelength 253.4 nm to kill bacterial and fungi, and deactivate viruses.

[0034] In an exemplary embodiment, the germicidal disinfection chamber (106) comprises a reflective inner surface (106-1) positioned at least partially opposite to a plurality of UV light sources (106-2). The plurality of UV light sources (106-2) are adapted to emit Germicidal UV or Ultraviolet-C (UVC) light of wavelength 253.4 nm to kill bacterial and fungi, and deactivate viruses, and the reflective inner surface (106-1) are adapted to reflect the emitted Germicidal UV or Ultraviolet-C (UVC) light.

[0035] In an exemplary embodiment, the the HEPA filter is a high minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) HEPA filter.

[0036] In an exemplary embodiment, the the MERV HEPA filter by forcing the pathogen cleared air back at leats one time through the germicidal disinfection chamber filters about 99.7% of the pathogens greater than 0.3 micron to provide a clean air.

[0037] In an exemplary embodiment, the the bioaerosol disinfection device further comprises an odor control unit (110) operatively coupled to the HEPA filter incorporates active carbon to ensure outgoing air to be clean and odor free.

[0038] In an exemplary embodiment, the the pre-filter (102), the germicidal disinfection chamber (106), and the high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter (108) are enclosed inside the portable bioaerosol disinfection device, and wherein the incoming air is sterilized while flowing through a channel, upon exposure to the emitted light (UVC) rays.

[0039] In an exemplary embodiment, the germicidal disinfection chamber (106) is adapted to emit the ultraviolet (UV) radiation for cleaning the pre-filter (102) and the high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter (108).

[0040] In an exemplary embodiment, the germicidal disinfection chamber (106) comprises a longitudinal array of the light source (106-2), or a single source (106-2) within the portable bioaerosol disinfection device or multiple sources (106-2) on one or more walls or around the walls within the portable bioaerosol disinfection device.

[0041] In an exemplary embodiment, the device further includes a induction fan (104) at an inlet of the portable bioaerosol disinfection device of the prefilter (102) to suck the air at a certain flow rate and cause the air to flow through the channel at the given flow rate.

[0042] In an exemplary embodiment, the device further includes a controller operatively connected to the fan 104 and a light source (106-2) provided in the the germicidal disinfection chamber (106) to control operations of the light source (106-2) and the fan (104).

[0043] In an exemplary embodiment, the device further includesa plurality of sensors to monitor a volume of fluid discharging from an outlet of the portable bioaerosol disinfection device to thereby determine a measure of bio load in the volume of air discharging from the outlet.

[0044] In an exemplary embodiment, the device further includes one or more activation switches (116) operatively coupled to the light source (106-2) and the fan (104) to switch on or switch off the light source (106-2) and to control the intensity of light rays from the light source (106-2).

[0045] In another exemplary embodiment, a method performed by a portable bioaerosol disinfection device (100) is disclosed. The method incudes a step of receiving an incoming air from atmospeher by a pre-filter (102) and filters dust and dirt particle present inthe incoming air, a step of treating by a germicidal disinfection chamber (106) operatively coupled to the pre-fdter and using ultraviolet (UV) radiation the pathogens present the fdtered air received from the pre-filter, and by a step of creating a back-pressure on the pathogen cleared air to cause turbulence and force the pathogen cleared air back at leats one time through the germicidal disinfection chamber by a high efficiency particulate air (HEP A) filter (108) operatively coupled to the germicidal disinfection chamber.

[0046] If the specification states a component or feature “may”, “can”, “could”, or “might” be included or have a characteristic, that particular component or feature is not required to be included or have the characteristic.

[0047] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0048] Moreover, in interpreting the specification, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refer to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C . . . .and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.

[0049] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are comprised to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

Claims

We Claim:

1. A portable bioaerosol disinfection device (100) comprising: a pre-fdter (102) adapted to receive an incoming air from atmospeher, and fdters dust and dirt particle present in the incoming air; a germicidal disinfection chamber (106) operatively coupled to the pre-fdter, wherein the germicidal disinfection chamber is adapted to treat, using ultraviolet (UV) radiation, pathogens present the fdtered air received from the pre-fdter; and a high efficiency particulate air (HEP A) filter (108) operatively coupled to the germicidal disinfection chamber, wherein the HEPA filter is adapted to create a backpressure on the pathogen cleared air to cause turbulence and force the pathogen cleared air back at leats one time through the germicidal disinfection chamber.

2. The portable bioaerosol disinfection device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the germicidal disinfection chamber (106) comprises a plurality of UV light sources (106-2) adapted to emit Germicidal UV or Ultraviolet-C (UVC) light of wavelength 253.4 nm to kill bacterial and fungi, and deactivate viruses.

3. The portable bioaerosol disinfection device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the germicidal disinfection chamber (106) comprises a reflective inner surface (106-1) positioned at least partially opposite to a plurality of UV light sources (106-2), wherein the plurality of UV light sources (106-2) are adapted to emit Germicidal UV or Ultraviolet-C (UVC) light of wavelength 253.4 nm to kill bacterial and fungi, and deactivate viruses, and the reflective inner surface (106-1) are adapted to reflect the emitted Germicidal UV or Ultraviolet-C (UVC) light.

4. The portable bioaerosol disinfection device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the HEPA filter is a high minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) HEPA filter, and wherein the MERV HEPA filter by forcing the pathogen cleared air back at leats one time through the germicidal disinfection chamber filters about 99.7% of the pathogens greater than 0.3 micron to provide a clean air.

5. The portable bioaerosol disinfection device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bioaerosol disinfection device further comprises an odor control unit (110) operatively coupled to the HEP A fdter incorporates active carbon to ensure outgoing air to be clean and odor free.

6. The portable bioaerosol disinfection device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pre-filter (102), the germicidal disinfection chamber (106), and the high efficiency particulate air (HEP A) filter (108) are enclosed inside the portable bioaerosol disinfection device, and wherein the incoming air is sterilized while flowing through a channel, upon exposure to the emitted light (UVC) rays.

7. The portable bioaerosol disinfection device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the germicidal disinfection chamber (106) is adapted to emit the ultraviolet (UV) radiation for cleaning the pre-filter (102) and the high efficiency particulate air (HEP A) filter (108).

8. The portable bioaerosol disinfection device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the germicidal disinfection chamber (106) comprises a longitudinal array of the light source (106-2), or a single source (106-2) within the portable bioaerosol disinfection device or multiple sources (106-2) on one or more walls or around the walls within the portable bioaerosol disinfection device.

9. The portable bioaerosol disinfection device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device further includes: a induction fan (104) at an inlet of the portable bioaerosol disinfection device of the prefdter (102) to suck the air at a certain flow rate and cause the air to flow through the channel at the given flow rate; a controller operatively connected to the fan 104 and a light source (106-2) provided in the the germicidal disinfection chamber (106) to control operations of the light source (106-2) and the fan (104); a plurality of sensors to monitor a volume of fluid discharging from an outlet of the portable bioaerosol disinfection device to thereby determine a measure of bio load in the volume of air discharging from the outlet; andone or more activation switches (116) operatively coupled to the light source (106-2) and the fan (104) to switch on or switch off the light source (106-2) and to control the intensity of light rays from the light source (106-2).

10. A method performed by a portable bioaerosol disinfection device (100), the method comprising: receiving, by a pre-fdter (102), an incoming air from atmospeher, and fdters dust and dirt particle present in the incoming air; treating, by a germicidal disinfection chamber (106) operatively coupled to the pre- fdter, using ultraviolet (UV) radiation, pathogens present the fdtered air received from the pre-fdter; and creating, by a high efficiency particulate air (HEP A) filter (108) operatively coupled to the germicidal disinfection chamber, a back-pressure on the pathogen cleared air to cause turbulence and force the pathogen cleared air back at leats one time through the germicidal disinfection chamber.

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