Sterilisation device and system

Abstract

A UV sterilisation device is described which is manipulable by a robotic arm with respect to a work area to be sterilised. The device comprises a plurality of UV emitting devices, and is configured to be mounted to the robotic arm. The sterilisation device may be moved with respect to the work area by the robotic arm, thereby enabling the work area to be sterilised effectively. Shadows can be avoided due to the movable nature of the sterilisation device (compared with a fixed sterilisation system mounted above the work area), and the UV intensity can be reduced by positioning the sterilization device close to the work area.

Description

[0001] Sterilisation Device and System

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to sterilisation device and system for sterilising a work area.

[0004] Background

[0005] In the life sciences industry, after any process of biological test or manufacturing operations within the areas of biological, chemical and pharmaceutical research, sterilisation of a work cell surface is required and may be carried out by exposing the work cell surface to ultraviolet (UV) light for extended periods.

[0006] The current process uses UV sterilisation systems which have a number of disadvantages. In particular, current UV sterilisation technology generally relies on high wattage UV lamps located within a ceiling of the biological work cell. This tends to create shadows (areas where the UV light cannot reach) around the test and manufacturing equipment, causing low sterilisation rates of the work cell surface in these areas. To overcome the lower sterilisation rates, the current UV lamps are required to held on for long periods of time, resulting in an increased health risk to people within the immediate area of the work cell, and requiring greater energy usage and therefore greater costs to the owner.

[0007] Embodiments of the present invention seek to alleviate at least some of these problems, resulting in an improvement in safety, and a decrease in energy requirements and cost.

[0008] Summary of the Invention

[0009] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a UV sterilisation device manipulable by a robotic arm with respect to a work area to be sterilised, the device comprising: a plurality of UV emitting devices; wherein the device is configured to be mounted to the robotic arm. Part of the UV sterilisation device may have, or be considered to have, a mounting arrangement for mounting the device to a robotic arm. This may for example simply be a standardised (in terms of size and / or shape) base plate, or a dedicated formation on the device to be grasped by the robotic arm.

[0010] The sterilisation device may be moved with respect to the work area by the robotic arm, thereby enabling the work area to be sterilised effectively. Shadows can be avoided or reduced due to the movable nature of the sterilisation device (compared with a fixed sterilisation system mounted above the work area) and its proximity to the work area, and the UV intensity (and / or required exposure time) can be reduced by positioning the sterilization device close to the work area.

[0011] The UV sterilisation device may comprise a tilt sensor or switch, configured to cause the UV emitting devices to deactivate if the device is tilted by more than a predetermined threshold. This provides a safety function to reduce the risk of a person in the vicinity being exposed to UV light if the device is tilted or dropped.

[0012] The plurality of UV emitting devices may be disposed (in an array for example) on a sterilisation plate, and the tilt sensor may cause the UV emitting devices to deactivate if the sterilisation plate deviates from a substantially horizontal orientation by more than a threshold amount (for example 5 or 10 degrees). The UV emitting devices in this configuration are only permitted to be active if the plate is generally level, and thus the principal direction of irradiation is vertically downwards. Since the work area can be expected to be significantly lower than head height for a human, the risk of a person having direct line of sight to the underside of the sterilization plate (and thus direct line of sight to the UV emitting devices) can be kept low.

[0013] The UV sterilisation device may comprise a housing, the sterilisation plate bearing UV emitters being disposed at one face of the housing (facing downwards, when in use for sterilisation), wherein the housing contains a power source. The power source may be rechargeable. The mounting arrangement and / or part of the device housing may dimensionally conform to ANSI SLAS 1-2004 (R2012) / ASI / SBS 1-2004. This makes it straightforward for a robot to engage with the device without the need for adaptation. The robot may be the same robot as used to carry out manipulations of other articles (such as microplates) within the work area during usage (rather than sterilisation) of the work area, removing the need for a separate and dedicated robotic arm.

[0014] The UV sterilisation device may comprise a power isolation switch for deactivating the UV emitting devices. This switch is preferably provided on an exterior of the housing for manipulation by an individual to power off the device when it is not to be required for an extended period.

[0015] The sterilisation plate may comprise a printed circuit board having the UV emitters on one side, and electrical control and supply components on the other side, the other side being internal of the housing. The sterilisation plate may define (when the device is assembled) a (part of) a base of the housing.

[0016] The housing may comprise one or more ventilation slots in a roof and / or side(s) thereof.

[0017] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a charging station for a UV sterilisation device according to the above. The charging station comprises an area for receiving the UV sterilisation device having a size (length and width) which matches the base of the sterilisation device (and thus is itself dimensioned consistently with the ANSI SLAS 1-2004 (R2012) / ANSI / SBS 1-2004 standard.

[0018] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a UV sterilisation system comprising a UV sterilisation device according to the above and the robotic arm, wherein the robotic arm is configured to move the UV over the work area, at a predetermined distance therefrom.

[0019] The predetermined distance may be set in dependence on a virus or organism to be destroyed. A rate of lateral movement and / or a dwell time spent stationary at a position over the work area may be set in dependence on a virus or organism to be destroyed.

[0020] A docking station (the charging station) may be provided, connected to an electrical supply, for storing and charging a power source of the UV sterilisation device when it is not in use. The robotic arm may be configured to return the sterilisation device to the docking station when a battery of the sterilisation device has been depleted or requires recharging, or when a sterilisation operation of the work area has been completed.

[0021] It will therefore be appreciated that the present technique relates to a device for the microbial and virus UV sterilisation of biological test and manufacturing work cell surfaces using an (existing) integrated robot system within the work cell to carry out close quarters UV sterilisation processes. The proposed sterilisation device is graspable by, and manipulable by, the robot to affect sterilisation of the work area under user and / or automated control. Since the robot system is already controllable (to carry out normal operations within the work cell area), it can be readily programmed to additionally manipulate the sterilisation device to be moved in a manner which supports its operation and safely and effectively sterilises the work cell area.

[0022] To overcome existing problems and to improve the UV sterilisation process, the present technique proposes a rechargeable battery powered near field (device is located close to the area being sterilised) UV sterilisation plate I device utilised by the integrated biological work cell robot with dimensions according to ANSI SLAS 1- 2004 (R2012) (formerly recognized as ANSI / SBS 1-2004) carrying out the close quarters UV sterilisation process of the work cell surface.

[0023] The present technique provides a far safer operation, due to the reduced distance of the UV light to the work cell surface (permitting reduced power UV irradiation to be used, and dropping the UV devices to a position below a typical persons eye-line) along with isolation of the UV emitting devices if the near field UV sterilisation device is dropped by the integrated robot within the work cell, reducing risk of harm to the people within the immediate area of the work cell. The present technique also proposes long term isolation of the UV emitting devices when not in use by deactivating the device using an integrated power isolation switch.

[0024] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings where like parts are provided with corresponding reference numerals and in which:

[0026] Figure 1 schematically illustrates an isometric perspective view of a near field UV sterilisation system, with a sterilisation device and docking station of the system being separated from each other;

[0027] Figure 2 schematically illustrates the sterilisation device docked with the docking station;

[0028] Figure 3 shows an exploded isometric perspective view of the near field UV sterilisation plate / device identifying the mechanical enclosure and internal electronic components;

[0029] Figure 4 shows a bottom view of the near field UV sterilisation plate; and Figure 5 shows a side view of a work area including the sterilisation system.

[0030] Detailed Description

[0031] Referring first to Figures 1 and 2, these schematically illustrate a near field UV sterilisation system 1 comprising a near field UV sterilisation plate (or device) 2 and a docking / charging station 3 for storing and charging the sterilisation device 2. In Figure 1 the sterilisation device 2 and the docking / charging station 3 are shown separated from each other, as would be the case when the sterilisation device 2 is being manoeuvred by a robotic arm (not shown) to sterilise a work area. In Figure 2 the sterilisation device 2 is shown to be mounted onto the top of the docking station 3, where it can be charged, and from which it can be subsequently retrieved by the robotic arm (which can be programmed to collect the sterilisation device from a known starting location - the location of the docking station 3 being known). Referring to Figure 3, an exploded isometric perspective view of the sterilisation device 2 is provided. This shows a lightweight ventilated enclosure cover 22 which incorporates a power isolation switch 23, and a heavy-duty enclosure base frame 24 shaped and dimensioned in accordance with ANSI SLAS 1-2004 (R2012) (formerly recognized as ANSI / SBS 1-2004). This standard is used to define the dimensions of microplates for use in biological I chemical testing. Specifically, such microplates are required by the standard to have a base footprint of length 127.76mm, and width 85.48mm. By conforming the base to this (or another) standard, a conventional work cell robot can be used to grasp, move and manipulate the device 2. That is, no special robot attachment I gripper is required, since the robotic arm is configured by default to be able to grasp an object with the dimensions of the base frame 24. Since such a robot may already be in place in association with the work area (to manipulate microplates), the robotic arm may be pre-existing, with its purpose expanded by the present technique to implement sterilisation of the work area. It may be acceptable for the dimensions of the base of the UV sterilisation device to deviate from these standardised requirements for microplates by more than the standardised permitted tolerances (0.25mm or 0.5mm) in some cases, since a conventional robotic arm may be able to handle greater tolerances than this. For example, the base 24 of the UV sterilisation device may have a length dimension in the range of 120mm to 135mm, or more preferably in the range of 125mm to 130mm, or approximately 127mm, while it may have a width dimension in the range of 80mm to 90mm, or more preferably in the range of 83mm to 87mm, or approximately 85mm.

[0032] The base 24 may therefore be described as a mounting arrangement for mounting the device 2 to a robotic arm. In alternative implementations a different type of mounting arrangement may be used, as could be readily envisaged by the skilled person.

[0033] Together, the cover 22 and the base frame 24 house an electrical board / plate 26 on which are mounted internal electronic components including pre-mounted battery cells 27 and a tilt sensor I switch 28. The power isolation switch 23 can be manipulated by a user to switch off the UV sterilisation device 2. It will be appreciated that the switch is electrically connected to the electrical board 26. The electrical (printed circuit) board 26 mounts into the base frame 24, and the cover 22 mounts over the electrical board 26 and onto the base frame 24. When assembled, the underside (as viewed in Figure 3) of the electrical board 26, upon which UV emitting devices are surface mounted, is exposed through the base frame 24.

[0034] The docking / charging station 3 can be seen to comprise an upper surface 30 for receiving the base frame 24 of the device 2. Formations 32 are disposed around the periphery of the upper surface 30 to retain the device 2 in place for charging. As such, the dimensions of the area of the upper surface 30 defined between the formations 32 substantially matches the dimensions of the base frame 24 of the UV sterilisation device 2 (in terms of length and width). Charging contacts 33 are provided to charge the batteries 27 of the device 2, as will be described subsequently. A USB-C port 31 is provided, for receiving a USB-C cable connected to an external power source (such as a mains power supply), to supply electrical power for charging the batteries 27. Within the docking / charging station (not shown) there are conventional charging components, including a transformer for converting high-voltage mains electricity received via the USB-C port 31 into a lower voltage, a rectifier for converting the AC input into a DC charging output, and related components such as voltage regulators, filters and protection circuitry, as is commonly known in the art for charging circuits.

[0035] Referring to Figure 4, this shows a bottom view of the sterilisation device 2, and in particular a view of the underside of the base frame 24, with the central region of the electrical board 26 being visible. Also clearly visible in Figure 4 are the plurality of UV emitters 29. In this example 20 UV emitters 29 are shown, but in alternative implementations a larger or smaller number of UV emitters may be provided instead, for example between 10 and 30. The UV emitters may be UV LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) for example (such as a UVC LED 275mm), and may emit in the 222nm to 280nm range. Also visible in Figure 4 are charging contacts 35. When the UV sterilisation device 2 is engaged with the docking station 3 as shown in Figure 2, the charging contacts 35 come into contact with the charging contacts 33 on the upper surface of the docking station 3, to transfer electrical power to the battery cells 27, to recharge them. Referring to Figures 1 , 2 and 3, ventilation slots 21 are provided in the top surface of the top of the enclosure 22 to reduce heat soaking of the electronic components from heat generated by the UV emitting devices 29.

[0036] The tilt sensor 28, which may be of any form such as a PCB mounted mechanical tilt switch, is used to deactivate the UV emitters 29 when the device 2 is tilted away from a horizontal position. This is to ensure safe handling - such that if the device 2 is dropped for example (e.g. due to a robot malfunction) and lands on its side or in an inverted position, a person can safely retrieve it without UV exposure due to the tilt sensor having deactivated the UV emitters 29 in response to the device 2 becoming tilted from horizontal.

[0037] Referring to Figure 5, a work area 200 is shown, in this case a desk or work surface. Upon the work surface are provided three potentially contaminated items 302, 304, 306. These could be any form of laboratory equipment for example. A robotic arm 100 is provided, which is mounted to the work area 200. The docking / charging station 3 can also be seen to be provided on the work area 200. The robotic arm 100 is controllable by an external computing device 500, in this case a tablet device (although any kind of computing device could be used). This is connected wirelessly to the robotic arm 100, although in other implementations a wired connection could be used instead. The robotic arm 100 can be seen to be holding the UV sterilisation device 2 above and away from the work area 200. An extent of illumination 400 is also shown. In this example the UV illumination is not collimated, which has the advantage of a reduction in “shadows” being caused by items in the work area, particularly in combination with the relatively close positioning of the UV sterilisation device 2 to the work area 200.

[0038] Generally, and as shown in Figure 5, the work area 200 is a horizontal, or generally horizontal, surface. As a result, the sterilisation device is configured in use to direct UV radiation vertically (downwards) from above onto the work area 200. Thus, the underside (base 24 and board 26) are, in use, horizontal and disposed above the work area 200 while projecting UV light onto the work area 200. The computing device 500, which comprises a processor, is configured to control the robotic arm 100 in various ways. In particular, the controller is configured to control the robotic arm to move the UV sterilisation device 2 over the work area 200, at a predetermined distance therefrom. This predetermined distance influences the intensity of UV irradiation experienced at any given point on the work surface being sterilised, and also influences the area being sterilised at any given time (assuming that the UV light is not collimated). The predetermined distance is set by the controller in dependence on a virus or organism to be destroyed. In some implementations the user may simply need to specify the virus / organism and the computing device 500 may automatically determine the required distance above the work area to set the device 2. Similarly, a rate of lateral movement and / or a dwell time spent stationary at each position over the work area may be set at the controller in dependence on a virus or organism to be destroyed. That is, while the predetermined distance governs the instantaneous intensity of UV light, the rate of movement and / or dwell time at any given position influences the total amount of UV light received at each given position on the work area 200. Again, in some implementations the user may simply need to specify the virus / organism and the computing device 500 may automatically determine the required rate of movement I dwell time.

[0039] Finally, the computing device is configured to control the robotic arm to return the sterilisation device 2 to the docking station 3 when a battery of the sterilisation device 2 has been depleted or requires recharging, or when a sterilisation operation of the work area 200 has been completed.

[0040] As explained, in use the UV sterilisation device 2 will be removed from the docking / charging station 3 by the integrated work cell robot 100 and traversed across the biological work cell surface 200 at a pre-defined close quarters distance with a pre-defined traversal speed which is defined dependent upon the microbe or virus required to be sterilised. Once a pre-defined maximum usage time of the rechargeable battery cells 27 has expired or the UV sterilisation process is complete, the work cell robot 100 will place the sterilisation device 2 back onto the docking / charging station 3 where the rechargeable battery cell 27 will be charged ready for the next UV sterilisation process. It will be understood that the robotic arm may release its hold of the UV sterilisation device 2 while it is docked (and charging). The robotic arm may during this time undertake microplate manipulations (for example) within the work area, as discussed above.

[0041] The described UV sterilisation system provides safer operation due to the decreased UV exposure (compared with a fixed UV steriliser) and therefore reducing risk of harm to the people within the immediate area of the work cell. In particular, safer operation is achieved due to the decreased intensity UV light which may be used due to operating closer to the biological work cell surface than existing systems, and therefore reducing risk of harm to the people within the immediate area of the biological work cell during the UV sterilisation process. The risks associated with accidents when handling the UV sterilisation device 2 are mitigated (for example if the device 2 is dropped by the work cell robot 100) by the incorporation of the tilt switch 28. io

Claims

Claims1 . A UV sterilisation device manipulable by a robotic arm with respect to a work area to be sterilised, the device comprising: a plurality of UV emitting devices; wherein the device is configured to be mounted to the robotic arm.

2. The UV sterilisation device according to claim 1 , comprising a tilt sensor or switch, configured to cause the UV emitting devices to deactivate if the device is tilted by more than a predetermined threshold.

3. The UV sterilisation device according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of UV emitting devices are disposed on a sterilisation plate, and wherein the tilt sensor causes the UV emitting devices to deactivate if the sterilisation plate deviates from a substantially horizontal orientation by more than a threshold amount.

4. The UV sterilisation device according to claim 3, comprising a housing, the sterilisation plate being disposed at one face of the housing, and the housing having a mounting arrangement via which the robotic arm is able to grasp the device, and wherein the housing contains a power source.

5. The UV sterilisation device according to claim 4, wherein the power source is rechargeable.

6. The UV sterilisation device according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the mounting arrangement and / or the housing dimensionally conforms to ANSI SLAS 1-2004 (R2012) / ANSI / SBS 1-2004.

7. The UV sterilisation device according to any preceding claim, comprising a power isolation switch for deactivating the UV emitting devices.

8. The UV sterilisation device according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the sterilisation plate comprises a printed circuit board having the UV emitters on lione side, and electrical control and supply components on the other side, the other side being internal of the housing.

9. The UV sterilisation device according to claim 8, wherein the sterilisation plate defines a base of the housing.

10. The UV sterilisation device according to claim 4, wherein the housing comprises one or more ventilation slots in a roof and / or side(s) thereof.

11. A charging station for a UV sterilisation device according to any preceding claim.

12. A UV sterilisation system comprising a UV sterilisation device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, the robotic arm, and a controller, wherein the controller is configured to control the robotic arm to move the UV sterilisation device over the work area, at a predetermined distance therefrom.

13. The UV sterilisation system according to claim 12, wherein the predetermined distance is set by the controller in dependence on a virus or organism to be destroyed.

14. The UV sterilisation system according to claim 12 or claim 13, wherein a rate of lateral movement and / or a dwell time spent stationary at a position over the work area is set at the controller in dependence on a virus or organism to be destroyed.

15. The UV sterilisation system according to claim 12, comprising a docking station, connected to an electrical supply, for storing and charging a power source of the UV sterilisation device when it is not in use.

16. The UV sterilisation system according to claim 15, wherein the controller is configured to control the robotic arm to return the sterilisation device to the docking station when a battery of the sterilisation device has been depleted or requires recharging, or when a sterilisation operation of the work area has been completed.

Images