Systems and methods for reducing contaminants in an environment

Abstract

A portable air handling and filtration / treatment system for the mitigation and management of airborne biological contaminants (either those pre-existing or those that may become generated) in a room that includes an air in-take assembly containing a removable filter and having ducting leading to a housing assembly that includes a fan assembly and controller; and includes an out-flow assembly. When the system is placed in a room and operated, the fan assembly suctions air from the upper one third of the room into the filter positioned at the duct inlet, and expels the treated air into the room environment.

Description

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REDUCING CONTAMINANTS IN AN ENVIRONMENTBACKGROUND1. Field of the Invention

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an air handling and filtration / treatment / remediation system and methods. More particularly, the disclosure relates to portable or movable device capable of area-specific or an area-directed air handling and filtration / treatment / remediation system, in either case that produces a high volume turnover environment to mitigate and otherwise manage airborne particulates, smoke, fumes, and other biological or non-biological compounds and gases (including without limitation airborne biological pathogens, allergens, irritants, or other contaminants (either those pre-existing or those that may become generated))— as well as managing, enhancing, or optimizing the microbiome— present in an indoor space to which one or more mammals (be it people, animals or both) or tangible objects, substances, structures or bodies may become exposed during occupancy or placement, which can be best exemplified for use in the conduct and ordinary-course by humans of occupying, congregating in, or otherwise using various indoor or built environments including without limitation indoor settings involving healthcare, assisted-living, veterinary, schools, churches, restaurants, offices and other residential and commercial dwellings or facilities.2. State of the Art

[0002] Extensive use of enclosed indoor or built spaces by humans is so common place in modern society that it seems as if not worth mentioning. However,that use and the conditions that exist within these spaces during use and the potential adverse health effects on their occupants has taken on a renewed, worldwide interest by public health officials, especially in the area of airborne transmissible illness and diseases (bacterial, fungal, viral, etc.) and the emerging areas of an indoor space’s microbiome and the healthy building movements. The EPA views a building’s microbiome as a complex and dynamic community made up of the interactions of all living organisms found in an indoor environment and their fragments and by-products including the external, environmental forces that influence this community (local external air conditions, seasons, pollution, humidity, temperate, physical situs (i.e., rural versus metropolitan), etc.) An indoor space’s microbiome includes attendant bacteria, viruses, fungi and other non-sized organisms, however produced and no matter the source, which may affect the health and safety of its occupants. Events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, emissions of microplastics, and water infiltration of buildings from recent weather events (i.e., hurricanes) have heightened awareness, and renewed the interest in how to keep occupants safe from invisible, potentially harmful risks to occupants’ health and safety.

[0003] Providing healthcare may present the most extreme risks associated with a an indoor space’s microbiome, as it involves close physical proximity to potential transient sources (e.g., providers and patients), who may be infected with contagious pathogens, as well as the generation of microscopic airborne compounds, biologic and non-biologic, from common practices or procedures. Common airborne-transmissible hospital acquired infections (or HAI’s), such as certain pneumonia, still persist despite years of ardent mitigation efforts. More particularly, common airborne pathogens may take the form of so-called bioaerosols produced merely by normal respiration, notwithstanding any interventional procedure. The human respiratorysystem, for example, produces particulates through bodily mechanisms (i.e., breathing, coughing, sneezing, talking, laughing, singing, etc.). Exhaled particulates range in diameter from 0.01 and 1000 pm depending on the particular mechanism and site of origin (nose, mouth, throat, and lungs), and typically invisible to the naked eye and all but electron microscopes. These particulates are formed through atomization process of respiratory fluids (sputum / saliva), having a wide range of viral load (102 to 1011) copies / mL. During deep expirations within the lungs, small airways close and the reopening process produces minute particles. When exhaled, these particles have a diameter of < 4 pm. These consist of sub-micron particulates directly emitted from respiratory activities and the droplet nuclei formed from the evaporation of super-micron droplets may contain viruses of size (0.02-0.3) pm. Studies have shown that the production rate between individuals vary widely. One study measured aerosol concentrations among individuals and found concentrations levels between a few tens of particles per liter of exhaled air to several thousand particles per liter. In particular, studies have consistently found that a significant portion (42-63%) of droplets containing viruses causing influenza are in the respirable size range.

[0004] Bioaerosols are generally considered extremely small airborne particles comprised of, or containing viruses, bacteria, viral parts (i.e., RNA), proteins, pollens, dander, fungi, or fungal spores. Bioaerosols are generally defined as having a diameter of less than about 5 microns, which can remain suspended in air for many hours at infectious concentration levels, especially in indoor areas having poor ventilation. The protracted airborne suspension time for these bioaerosols given their structure, viability, and small size, and weight, can pose a substantial infectious pathogen transmission risk to those coming in contact with them, either directly through inhalation, contact with other exposed mucus membranes, or indirectlythrough surface contact, even if the exposed persons were not physically present in the space at the time of contaminant generation.

[0005] Additionally, according to a 2022 report by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, about 47% of homes in the United States have mold or one or more attendant conditions conducive to mold growth. Mold can be found in many types of buildings, including homes, schools, and offices. Many occupants are mold-sensitive or asthmatic. Mold is a type of fungi that releases thousands of spores into the air over time. These spores can be inhaled or ingested, and can have negative health effects. Molds produce allergens (substances that can cause allergic reactions), irritants, and in some cases, potentially toxic substances (mycotoxins). Additionally, despite the recent increases in remote work environments during the COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses have required workers to return to the traditional officesuite setting. The body of evidence continues to grow that the HVAC systems of many of these dwellings and facilities are not properly equipped (due to design or construction) to provide adequate filtration of their indoor environments especially in the case of potentially pathogenic, airborne particulates in congregate settings. In many business offices, for example, the lobby area traditionally contains multiple chairs and standing rooms where people may congregate while waiting for their appointment time or to be seen by an attendant. These people are generally in close physical proximity to one another and in a health care setting, may have a higher likelihood of harboring infectious pathogens. Young children are especially susceptible to these risks, as any parent can tell you.

[0006] In the office-suite setting, in which customers or patients may congregate in greater density or number in a lobby or waiting room area, it isimportant to understand that these people can generate potential contaminants or aerosolized particulate from skin, hair, and clothing — each of which may present a potential source or pathway of contagions. Bioaerosols (and other larger droplets which can contain blood and saliva-based pathogens) are also generated during normal respiration, talking, laughing, coughing, or sneezing from these individuals. The larger droplets do not remain suspended in air very long due to their size and weight and settle out rather quickly on immediately surrounding surfaces. However, when dehydrated, they become lighter (and known as droplet nuclei) and can become bioaerosols. These smaller, lighter bioaerosols are not as influenced by Newtonian forces and may stay suspended in the air or rise to the upper areas of a confined room due to thermal convection as elementary as the human body’s radiant temperature (e.g., the “human plume,” whereby expelled, respiratory pathogens, which are body temperature, rise and travel upward, and thus become suspended, in the cooler ambient air. These suspended bioaerosols are of particular importance because once suspended, they can remain suspended for a protracted period of time. By occupying the upper portion of the room, they typically reside in the vicinity of a person’s head or respiration orifices and can pose a substantial inhalation risk. (This vicinity has been referred to as the ’’breathing zone” for humans, which is typically defined as the 3-6 ft. area above floor level where humans typically spend most of their time.)

[0007] Generally, portable air handling systems are placed in a room in attempts to add another layer of mechanical control for cleaning and / or circulating the air. FIG. 1 shows typical a room 50 having walls 51, 52, a floor 55, and a ceiling 56. Unlike opening a room’s exterior window, however, most current traditional, central HVAC systems are designed to filter, condition, and re-circulate the indoor air at low relative air-turnover levels or exchange rates and do not dilute the remainingconcentrations from introduction of outside air. The filtration medium in these systems are centralized, typically located many feet from the HVAC system’s numerous air intakes that feed a centrally located filtration medium, and use forces to capture and transport the air through the ductwork. Airborne particulates entering a central HVAC system’s air intakes can therefore accumulate and remain viable on duct work surfaces way before being trapped by the system’s filtration mechanisms. Moreover, because of the internal force needed to carry the pre-conditioned air great distances, even the best, readily-available central HVAC system cannot physically (or economically, for that matter) filter (a / k / a exchange the volume of a room’s air) more than 6-12 times per hour. Harmful concentration levels of airborne pathogens can thus remain, and natural forces (convention currents from even modestly high room temperatures, for example) cause nano-sized airborne particles to rise into the upper strata of a room — and continue to circulate for hours or if not days-without “settling out.”. They may also stick to room surfaces, such as walls, ceilings, etc., only to be re-circulated when agitated by room currents, such as HVAC systems or fans or even walking or opening exterior doors. The room 50 can be divided into three regions: a lower third 57, a middle third 58 and an upper third 59. (The breathing zone is located in the middle and upper third portions of a room having a 9 ft ceiling.) Positioned in room 50 is a typical person 60 shown standing adjacent a prior art portable air handling system 70. These portable systems typically have a housing 72 with an air intake 74 and an air outflow 76. The portable system 70 is normally placed on the floor and usually has a height of approximately three to four feet. These portable systems typically have air intake portion to bring air into the unit and an air outflow portion to direct air out of the unit and some mechanism of cleaning or neutralizing the air. While the system depicted shows the air intake 74 beingpositioned below the air outflow 76, other prior art systems may have the air intake portion above the air outflow portion or positioned at the same height level but on opposite sides of the system. In any case, these units typically draw air into the system from the lower middle third 58 or lower third 57 of the room 50 and have an air outflow which is directed to generally the same regions. A casual observation of one of these units in operation reveals little scientific consideration, if any, was given to the importance of the relative direction, speed, volume and positioning of the inflows and outflows as relates to the space that it serves. The types of portable air handling systems that have air outflows directed to the lower middle third of the room may cause particulates, which would ordinarily have fallen to the lower third of the room, to remain suspended in the middle to upper third of the room so that they are not effectively cleaned or neutralized, posing an inhalation risk. In other words, the outflow or filtered air may even conflict with the capture and filtration of the unfiltered air.

[0008] There is a need for a portable system that can provide an enhanced level of protection through recognition and deployment of hidden scientific principles for better effectiveness in the form of non-invasive, integrated system of managing, mitigating and / or remediating (which may include, without limitation, the containing, capturing, identification, isolating, blocking, re-directing, diluting, treating and / or evacuating) of bioaerosols to reduce the exposure and / or transmission risk of infectious particulates (where they typically reside) to any person (including patients, visitors, and workers) who may occupy an indoor room environment for any amount of time.SUMMARY

[0009] There is provided an area-specific or area-directed (portable, affixable or removable) air handling and treatment system for the mitigation, management and / or remediation (including, without limitation, the containment, capture, isolation, blocking, re-direction, dilution, treatment, and / or evacuation) of bioaerosols within an indoor room environment that includes an air in-take assembly, a housing assembly and an outflow assembly in which the air in-take assembly is positioned to draw in air from the upper one third of the room, and in which the system directs and deposits filtered and / or treated air through one or more vents or deflectors (which may include on or more detachable and / or extendable manifolds) located on the housing assembly and capable of controlled the volume, speed, location and / or direction of the returned air in order to reduce the scatter or disbursal, and / or enhance or optimize the capture of through filtration, airborne particles (including bioaerosols) contained in ambient air through more effective modification of an indoor space’s local air flow dynamics.

[0010] The air in-take assembly may include a deflector that is connected to an air duct having a first end positioned adjacent the deflector and coupled to a removable filter. The second end of the duct is coupled to the housing assembly. The duct of the air in-take assembly can be extendable to aid in positioning the deflector or first end of the duct into a position where the air in-take draws air from the upper one third of the room. The housing assembly includes a motorized fan assembly, a user interface, controller, and power supply. The second end of the in-take assembly duct is in fluid communication with the in-flow to the fan assembly.

[0011] The outflow assembly includes a duct having a first end coupled to the housing assembly in fluid communication with the out flow from the fan assemblyand a second end coupled to one or more vents or deflectors (which may include attachment of one or more detachable and / or extendable manifolds in fluid communication with such vent(s) and / or deflector(s)) to discharge air into the room in a controlled manner and capable of controlling the volume, rate or speed, location, and / or direction of the returned air to reduce the scatter or disbursal, and / or enhance or optimize the capture of through filtration, of air borne particles (including bioaerosols) contained in ambient air.

[0012] When the system is operating, the motorized fan assembly suctions air through the removable filter towards the fan assembly and expels the treated air through the outflow assembly where one or more vents or deflectors (which may include one or more such detachable and / or extendable ducts or manifolds the treated air into the lower third of the room in a controlled or optimized manner intending to enhance, modify, and / or improve an indoor space’s local air flow dynamics for filtration. The system is also capable of controlling the volume, rate, speed and location of the outflow to optimize capture of particles by the inflow.

[0013] There is provided a deflector that has a geometry which is generally planar (although it may be arcuate) and a shape that is preferably rectangular or oval although other shapes may be suitable. The deflector aids in maximizing airflow to the removable filter from upper one third of the room rather than from the middle one third of the room. The deflector is preferably transparent as not to interfere with overhead lighting, lightweight, and durable. Suitable plastics include Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), Polycarbonate (PC) polyvinyls, acrylics, polystyrenes, copolymers and blends. Alternatively, the deflector may be opaque or translucent and incorporate a lighting fixture to provide additional lighting to the room. Additionally,the deflector is capable of acting as a platform for the attachment of one or more sensor or detection devices.

[0014] In accordance with an embodiment there is provided a treatment system wherein the replaceable filter includes an air filtration media, such as an ULPA or HEPA filter. A high-efficiency particulate air or HEPA filter is generally defined by various standard bodies as one that provides up to 99.97% efficiency on particles down to 0.3 microns in size. Ultra low particulate air or ULPA filters, which have an efficiency of up to 99.9995% on particles as small as 0.12 microns.

[0015] In accordance with another embodiment there is provided an air handling and treatment system that includes single or multi-stage mechanical filtration. The multi-stage filtration may include an intake pre-filter (formed from known filter media) in which larger particulates, contaminants or other matter may accumulate on the pre-filter, so that the main removable (or replaceable) HEPA or ULPA filter remains free of these larger particulates thereby increasing the useful life span of the main filter. Alternatively, the multi-stage may include a pre-filter, a main replaceable filter and a replaceable outflow filter in any combination. The outflow filter may take the form of conventional filtration media such as fabrics (woven and or non-woven) or other media including activated carbon.

[0016] To improve the air treatment there is provided an in-take assembly and or housing assembly that acts as a transient air dwell that can include chemical, biological or other physical or electric treatments of the evacuated air, such as an ultra violet (UV) light or sanitizer. Preferably the UV sanitizer takes the form of a UVC lamp. However, more preferably the UV sanitizer takes the form of an array of UVC light emitting diodes (LED) located in the in-take assembly. The UVC LEDs may bepositioned in the in-take assembly to sanitize the internal surfaces of the in-take assembly components in addition to ingested airflow. While the UVC LEDs may be positioned in the in-take assembly they may also be positioned in the housing assembly and controlled by the controller.

[0017] There is provided an air handling system that includes an outflow assembly in or attachable to the housing assembly. The outflow assembly permits all or a portion of the treated air expelled by the fan assembly to be (1) introduced directly into the ambient air at a controlled direction, volume, rate, and / or speed, or (2) evacuated to a remote location apart from the housing assembly (i.e., along the floor of the room against the walls, outside, or to the central HVAC system serving a room). The outflow assembly may include an extendable duct or manifold to facilitate expelling the treated air to a location within the room a substantial distance from the housing assembly

[0018] There is provided an air handling and filtration system that includes sensors, detectors or similar apparatuses that allow for the monitoring or surveilling of parameters in the local indoor environment surrounding the system, and remediating or mitigating certain conditions or health threats or optimizing the indoor environment’s microbiome. These apparatuses may include those that are suitable for obtaining data on the nature or type and / or time of particles captured on the filter; ambient room temperature; relative humidity and light intensity; indoor gases or non-biological compounds in the ambient air; time and duration of operation; identities of occupants and times of occupancy; global positioning satellite (GPS) location and ambient light intensity. The appropriate sensors are electrically coupled to the controller module or are capable of wirelessly communicating with the input outputmodule to record and or store the data when operating the air handling system, and in real-time or near-real time monitoring and adjustment. Additional sensors may include range finders that can detect the dimensions of the room and in conjunction with the controller walls of the room to automatically determine appropriate settings for complete room air turnover, and placement of detachable manifolds to optimize particle capture and minimization of particle drift. Advanced sensors may include cameras, ultrasound, video or the like with image processing and or analysis capability to determine the number of people in the room and in conjunction with controller to increase or decrease room air turnover or to add agents or materials to mitigate or support the room or buildings microbiome.

[0019] There is provided an air handling and filtration / treatment system that includes a non-invasive diagnostic tool, which may allow for a real-time diagnosis or rapid detection and identification of environmental or airborne contaminants, biological or nonbiological, including without limitation pathogenic bioaerosols or families thereof. The diagnostic tool may incorporate or utilize lighting, biosensors, materials or reagents that change properties (e.g. color, shape, sound, electrical, etc.) in the presence of pathogens, spectroscopy or microscopy, or application of on site or remote artificial intelligence methodologies to aid in contaminant detection and or identification.

[0020] There is provided an air handling and filtration / treatment system that is capable of housing / storing and releasing into the air biological or non-biologic compounds or agents to support or enhance a predetermined healthy microbiome or remediate or mitigate a predetermined unhealthy microbiome or other local, indoor,health-adverse conditions through such releases, from predetermined times or in real time as needed.

[0021] There is provided an air handling and filtration / treatment system that is configured to draw in air directly from the upper one third of a room to facilitate capture or treatment of bioaerosols that may be suspended in this region of the room. As with most portable systems, the air handling and filtration / treatment system preferably has a “small footprint” to minimize the occupied space in a room. To accommodate the drawing in of air from the upper one third of a room, the air handling and filtration / treatment system preferably has an aspect ratio (height to width) that ranges from about 2.4- 3.0 to 1.

[0022] There is provided an air handling and filtration / treatment system having housing that contains and is connected to an internal cart framework having a base coupled to wheels, shelves and a top. Positioned on the cart framework there is an anti-tipping mechanism that prevents the air handling system from tipping over. The anti-tipping mechanism may preferably take the passive form of a weighted member coupled to cart framework base. The weighted member should have a sufficient mass and be configured to lower the center of gravity making the housing unable to be easily tipped over. Alternatively, the anti-tipping mechanism may take an active form in which a motorized wheel or disc is coupled to the cart base such that when the wheel is operated and spinning, it provides stability while resisting tipping of the air handling system.

[0023] There is provided an air handling and filtration / treatment system that includes a housing having internal ducts and motorized fan assembly. To minimizenoise generated by the operation of the air handling system, the internal ducts and motorized fan assembly may include sound dampening components. The sound dampening components may preferably be passive and take the form of sound insulating blankets, foams or other sound shielding barriers. Alternatively, the sound dampening components may include a more complex active system in which microphones and speakers positioned near the noise generating components can be used to provide noise cancellation.

[0024] There is provided a method of surveillance and or monitoring constituents of the microbiome or ambient air from members of a population that includes:-providing an air handling and treatment system as described above in an indoor environment;- positioning the air intake assembly at a location to draw in air from the upper two thirds of a room;-operating the air handling and treatment system such that airborne particles, gases or and compounds in the upper one third of the room environment are directed towards the filter via the airflow generated by a fan assembly within the housing assembly and captured within the filtration media of the filter and or other attached ancillary filtration means;-removing the filter (including the filtration media) from the air handling and treatment system;-positioning a sealable barrier about the filter and or filter media;-sealing said sealable barrier such that the filter and or filter media is not exposed to the ambient environment;-labeling the sealed filter with information that corresponds to procedural data that may include any of the following: location ID, date, airflow settings, unit number, use duration, time, temperature or humidity alone or in combination; and-sending the sealed filter to a location for captured bioaerosol analysis.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Fig 1 illustrates an air handling system positioned in a room environment.

[0026] Fig 2A is an front view of a portable air handling system.

[0027] Fig 2B is an enlarged partial sectional view of the housing lower portion of the air handling system.

[0028] Figs. 3 A and 3B are views of the portable air handling system of Fig.2A having an air in-take assembly in normal and extended configurations.

[0029] Fig 4 is a partial exploded view of the air in-take assembly of Fig. 2.

[0030] Figs. 5A and 5B are partial sectional views of the air in-take assembly in normal and extended configurations.

[0031] Fig 6 is schematic diagram of electrically connected functional modules and ducts associated with the in-take assembly, housing assembly and outflow assembly of the portable air handling system of Fig. 2.

[0032] Fig 7 illustrate the portable air handling system of Fig. 2 positioned in a room environment.

[0033] Fig 8 is a chart illustrating method steps associated with preparing samples for analysis.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] FIG. 2A shows a portable air handling and filtration / treatment system 100 for use in mitigating and otherwise managing bioaerosols within a room environment. The portable air handling system 100 includes an in-take assembly 110, a housing assembly 120, an out-flow assembly 130, and a user interface 140 to operate the system. The air in-take assembly 110 includes air duct 150 having a first end portion 152 and a second end 154 portion. The second end portion 154 of the boom air duct is connected to housing assembly 120 while the first end portion 152 is connected to an air inlet 156 and a removable filter 158. The housing assembly 120 has an upper portion 160 that extends to a spaced apart lower portion 162 and typically contains a number components or modules such as, internal ducts, a motorized fan assembly, a user interface, controller, and power supply. The second end portion 154 of the in-take assembly air duct 150 couple to the upper portion 160 of housing assembly 120 and is in fluid communication with the internal in-flow duct(s) that lead to the internal motorized fan assembly. The outflow assembly 130 may include a flexible extendable duct 170 (not shown) that is in fluid communication with the out flow from the fan assembly so that the treated air may be introduced to the room at a location substantially spaced part from housing assembly 120. The lower portion 162 of housing assembly 120 preferably includes a plurality (typically four or five) of casters or rollers 164 that are capable of supporting and facilitating themovement, transport or positioning of the portable air handling system 100 to a desired location in a room. The rollers 164 are preferably capable of locking to prevent inadvertent movement of the system during operation. The operation of the system is generally accessed via the user interface 140 which provides visual & audio feedback, data management (communication, transmission and storage) and programming capabilities as a part of the housing assembly 120.

[0035] FIG. 2B illustrates some of the components of the air handling system contained within the lower portion 162 of housing assembly 120. With a portion of the housing assembly removed, a cart framework 180 is visible having a base shelf 181, a top shelf 182 and an intermediate shelf 183 positioned between the other shelves. The housing assembly 120 is secured to the cart framework 180 while the rollers 164 are secured to the base shelf 181. Top shelf 182 typically incudes a securely affixed electronic hardware housing 184 which contains controllers, microprocessors, input / output modules, data storage, diagnostic tools and other components. The hardware housing 184 preferably takes the form of a case or box that prevents the electronics hardware from encountering water or other detrimental environmental conditions. Typically, the base shelf 181 supports the heaviest items such as the motorized fan assembly hardware 185. The motorized fan assembly hardware 185 draws air into the air handling system 100 from the intake assembly 110 through ducts leading to the fan assembly intake duct 190a and expels the air through the fan assembly outflow duct 190b which is connected to the outflow assembly 130. In order to provide clean air delivery rate or airflow that preferably exceed 400 cfm and more preferably exceed 500cfm the motor and fan must be capable of operating at very high speeds for extended periods of time. Robust motors and high speed fans, typically have an associated noise component that could be unpleasant, annoying oreven detrimental to the average person. To minimize the ambient noise generated by operation of the air handling system 100, a sound dampening system 191 is utilized. The sound dampening system 191 is shown in FIG. 2B, positioned around fan assembly intake and outflow ducts 190a & 190b and motorized fan assembly hardware 185 and may utilize novel or conventional sound insulating materials (including foams, gels, polymers, ceramics and composites) positioned directly in contact with the components or surrounding the components within the housing assembly. The housing assembly walls may also incorporate sound dampening materials. Although not shown, sound dampening system 191 may include a noise cancellation system that includes a series of microphones and speakers positioned at chosen locations to “pick up” the noise (e.g., airflow, fan, and motor) with the microphone and the generate the same noise “out of phase” at a generally equivalent intensity or output level. The use of sound dampening system 191 significantly reduces the ambient noise during operation of the portable air handling system 100. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 A and 2B, portable air handling system 100 has a configuration in which the system has a greater height than its width. Preferably the height to width aspect ratio is around 2.4 - 3.0 to 1.0 to facilitate positioning the intake assembly at a location to draw in air from the upper portions of room. The tall and narrow configuration of the portable air handling system 100 could make it susceptible to toppling over. To minimize the likelihood of toppling over system 100 preferably includes an anti -tipping member 194 secured to base shelf 181. The antitipping member may take the form of a low profile heavy weight that passively acts to lower the center of gravity for the system thereby reducing the likelihood for system 100 to be tipped over. Alternatively, the anti -tipping member may take the form of a gyroscopic stabilization system that is secured to the cart and actively rotates in aplane (preferably a horizontal plane) to provide a stabilization force that reduces the system 100 likelihood of tipping.

[0036] FIGS. 3A and 3B show a side view of the portable air handling system 100 in first and second configurations. The first configuration of the portable air handling system 100 is one in which the air inlet 156 is positioned to draw in air from the upper one third of a typical room having a ceiling height of about eight (8) feet. Since room sizes may vary depending upon the type of facility, some rooms may have ceiling heights that range from nine (9) to twelve (12) feet. In these larger rooms, the portable air handling system 100 duct 150 may be extendable, which would allow the air inlet 156 to be positioned at a higher location to facilitate drawing in air from the upper one third of the room.

[0037] FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of air-intake assembly 110 of portable air handling system 100. The air inlet 156 is shown having a generally larger diameter than the diameter of connected duct 150 and includes a raised rim 156a around a recessed ledge 156b. A filter support member 157 is positioned to span the open area of the inlet and fixedly secured to ledge 156b at multiple locations. The support member 157 preferably takes the form of a grate or mesh having sufficient strength to support removable filter 158 when subjected to a high air flow rate.Preferably, the support member 157 includes at least a portion that exhibits at least one of anti-microbial, anti-fungal, anti-viral and anti-mold properties alone or in combination. Any of the aforementioned “anti-” properties may be exhibited through patterned surfaces on the support member and or through the use of materials like zinc, silver or other known compounds and agents. Removable filter 158 is constructed of filter media 158a preferably having a disc shape and includes an outersupport ring 158b. The filtration media 158a includes media such as those used in HEPA and or ULPA filters. These high-efficiency particulate air (HEP A) or ultra low particulate air (ULPA) filters are capable of filtering the air of particulate sizes down to and below 0.3 and 0.12 microns (respectively). These filters are typically constructed using materials such as polymers including nylons, polyesters, polypropylene, glass and others that may be formed into fabrics (woven and nonwoven), porous membranes or other composite structures. Support ring 158b is secured to filter media 158a on at least one side and preferably has smooth surface. Removable filter 158 also includes a plurality of removal tabs 159. The removable filter 158 is shown having a diameter approximate that of the air inlet 156 and preferably has an interference fit within the air inlet. Removable filter 158 is positioned within air inlet 156 such that the smooth surface of support ring 158b rests on ledge 156b while the bulk of the filter media rests on support member 157. The filter 158 is securely held in place during operation due to air flow being drawn into duct 150.

[0038] As previously discussed, portable air handling system 100 operates to filter the air of a room by preferably drawing in air to the system from the upper one third of the room where substantial bioaerosols may be suspended due to forces including thermal air convection. While the portable air handling system 100 is constructed to draw in air from the upper one third of a room of typical ceiling height, the system may include a modification in which the air inlet 156 can be repositioned to accommodate a room with a higher ceiling height. Figs. 5A and 5B show the intake assembly of the portable air handling system in first and second configurations. The first end portion 152 of duct 150 includes a lower end 170 having a lumen 200,while the second end portion 154 includes an upper end 172 having a lumen 202. The first end portion 152 is coaxially positioned within the second end portion 154 such that lumens 200 and 202 are in fluid tight engagement. In the first configuration of the portable air handling system, that is suited for use in a room having a typical ceiling height, the positioning of the first end portion 152 with the second end portion 154 defines a short length duct 150 and a large overlap portion 204. In the second configuration of the portable air handling system, that is suited for use in a room having an increased ceiling height, the positioning of the first end portion 152 with the second end portion 154 defines an extended length duct 150 and a small overlap portion 206. When portable air handling system 100 is positioned in a room having a higher ceiling than that of a typical room, air inlet 156 along with first end portion 152 of duct 150 may be raised or extended in telescopic fashion from a contracted first configuration to an extended second configuration. The extension of duct 150 allows the air inlet 156 to be positioned draw in air to the air handling system form the upper one third of a room having a ceiling height higher than that of a typical room.

[0039] FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic of the air flow of the portable air handling system 100 and the functional components that may be included within the in-take assembly 110 and or the housing assembly 120 to remove contaminates from a room environment. The in-take assembly 110 components include indicator lights 210, sensors 220, and a diagnostic tool 230. The functional components are typically coupled to each other or other modules via electrical conductors 240. Air flow is directed into the system through the in-take assembly 110 into duct 150 which leads to the housing assembly 120 and internal duct 250 (which includes fan assembly ducts 190a and 190b.) The housing assembly 120 components include a controller module310, a motorized fan assembly module 320 and a power module 330. The housing assembly 120 may include other components or modules such as a display module 340, an input / output module 350 which are parts of or interact with user interface 140 whereby the controller can wirelessly receive or send programs or machine data to or from external devices, a data storage module 360, an audio module 370, a UV sanitizer 380 and indicator lights 390. The controller module 310 depicted is inclusive and may take the form of a computer system, programmable logic controller, microprocessor or combinations and multiples of the aforementioned. The controller module 310 is capable of controlling the motorized fan assembly module 320 (which includes the motorized fan assembly hardware 185 and any components required to interface with the controller module 310) to provide air flow sufficient to draw in any generated bioaerosols for filtration through the in-take assembly and provide the rapid turnover of room air. It is preferable that the air flow rate in the intake assembly exceeds 400 cfm and more preferably exceeds 500 cfm. It is preferable that the clean air discharge rates from the outflow assembly exceed 400 cfm and more preferably exceeds 500 cfm. Additionally, the controller can control the operation of the UV sanitizer 380 or the amount of air sent to the outflow assembly 130. The speed of the fan (and correlated air flow speed) can be wirelessly input to the controller module via the input / output module using known wireless protocols including Bluetooth and WIFI. Also, located on the housing assembly are a speaker and a display as parts of the audio module 370 and display module 340. The speaker is used to provide audible feedback to the user during selection of a programmed operable mode for the controller and operation of the system. The display provides visual feedback for the fan operation as well as data relating to storage of auxiliary components and number of air room exchanges. The display is coupled to the1controller module and is preferably a Thin Film Transistor liquid crystal display with touch screen capability however other types of display screens may be suitable.Together the first and second lights, speaker and display (as a part of their associated modules) form a user interface 140 that allows for the selection of a programmed operable mode for the controller, display of data during fan operation and providing feedback for any alarms. For instance, an alarm may be set to trigger when speed of the motorized fan is faster or slower than it should be, indicating a problem with the filter media (i.e., filter is clogged or missing). When the alarm is triggered the user interface may provide feedback to the user in the form of alternating flashing of first and second lights, audible chirping through the speaker, flashing of the display or any combination thereof, informing the user to take some action. Indicator lights may be placed on the intake assembly to provide room lighting or additional feedback to the system operator.

[0040] The sensors included in the system may be placed at various locations as needed to monitor room environmental properties including temperature, relative humidity, air characteristics, pH and light intensity. Advanced sensors may include ultrasound detectors, range finders, LIDAR, radar, optical sensors, cameras and video. Multiple sensors and advanced sensors may be combined to form a sensor head. The sensors, advanced sensors and or sensor head may be used in conjunction with the controller to automatically determine the room size, determine the presence or quantity of people in the vicinity and automatically adjust airflow rates. The data from the sensors may be captured, stored, analyzed, output or utilized in optimizing airflows in the room environment based on the particular environmental conditions encountered.

[0041] A non-invasive diagnostic tool 230 may be incorporated into the intake assembly in proximity to the removable filter. The diagnostic tool 230 may incorporate or utilize biosensors, chemical sensors, materials or reagents that change properties (e.g. color, shape, electrical, etc.) in the presence of pathogens, spectroscopy systems, microscopy systems or any combination of the aforementioned to aid in contaminate detection and or identification. The diagnostic tool may detect and or identify contaminants in the airflow directed towards the filter or captured on the filter. The data generated by the non-invasive diagnostic tool can be used to immediately trigger an alert (real time if necessary dependent upon the type of pathogen detected) and or be sent to the controller module to be captured along with data from other sensors and procedure data where it can be stored, processed, displayed and or transmitted to an external system. The external systems may include a centralized system for receiving data from multiple air handling and filtration treatment systems placed in various geographical locations to monitor pathogens in a community and or regional population.

[0042] Fig 7 shows a portable air handling system 100 positioned in room 50. The portable system 100 is normally placed on the floor and usually has a height of approximately six feet. Unlike the prior art portable systems previously discussed, air handling system 100 has an air intake assembly 110 that is positioned to draw air into the system from the upper one third 59 of room 50.

[0043] In addition to detailing an apparatus for air handling and filtration of bioaerosols generated in a room environment there is also a non-invasive method of monitoring pathogens that may be generated within a population including those who may be asymptomatic. As depicted in FIG. 8, the method includes the steps of-providing an air handling and treatment system as described above in a room environment;- positioning the air intake assembly at a location to draw in air from the upper one third of a room;-operating the air handling and treatment system such that bioaerosols in the upper one third of the room environment are directed towards the filter via the airflow generated by a fan assembly within the housing assembly and captured within the filtration media of the filter;-removing the filter from the air handling and filtration / treatment system;-positioning a sealable barrier about the filter and or filter media (the sealable barrier may include suitable packaging materials such fluid tight rigid and or flexible containers or in the case of specialty designed filters the sealable barrier may constitute a non-permeable film that is attachable to a filter housing while covering the filter media creating a sealed filter configuration);-sealing said sealable barrier to create a sealed filter such that the filter and or filter media is not exposed to the ambient environment or other contaminants;-labeling the sealed filter with information that corresponds to system use that may include any of the following: location, date, airflow settings, temperature, filter duration or humidity alone or in combination; and-sending the sealed filter to a location so that the captured bioaerosols on the filter media can be analyzed to identify any potential pathogens.The process of replacing the old filter in the air handling and filtration / treatment system (or multiple systems placed at various locations) at regular time intervals with a new filter and the subsequent analysis of the old filter(s) for pathogens generates data that can be compiled to identify the general health of a population and or the spread of pathogens within a community. The collection and testing may be part of a national, state, or local health data system, or part of an integrated national, state, or local pathogen surveillance and forecasting system and act as a community-based early warning system, serving public health and biodefense.

[0044] There have been described and illustrated herein embodiments of an air handling and filtration / treatment system for mitigating and otherwise managing bioaerosols encountered, generated or dispersed in a room. While particular embodiments of the invention have been described, it is not intended that the invention be limited thereto, as it is intended that the invention be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise. It is specifically intended that aspects of the various embodiments can be combined with each other. It will therefore be appreciated by those skilled in the art that yet other modifications could be made to the provided invention without deviating from its scope as claimed.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A portable air handling system for use in a room comprising:a housing assembly including a motorized fan assembly, a user interface and a controller;an intake assembly including a removable filter, a first duct having a first end coupled to said housing assembly and a second end positioned above said housing assembly, and said first duct being in fluid communication with said motorized fan assembly;an outflow assembly including a second duct having a first end coupled to said housing assembly and a second end coupled to a vent member, said second duct being in fluid communication with said motorized fan assembly; and,said housing assembly further including an operable mode such that when said housing assembly is in said operable mode, operation of said motorized fan assembly causes the suction of air from the upper one third of the room into said first duct second end and the expulsion of air through said second duct and vent member.

2. The portable air handling system according to claim 1, wherein said removable filter is positioned at the terminable end of said first duct second end.

3. The portable air handling system according to claim 2, wherein said removable filter is a HEPA filter.

4. The portable air handling system according to claim 2, wherein said removable filter is a ULPA filter.

5. The portable air handling system according to claim 1, wherein said controller is coupled to at least one sensor and configured to determine the spatial dimensions of a room when positioned in the room.

6. The portable air handling system according to claim 5, wherein said at least one sensor includes a camera.

7. The portable air handling system according to claim 5, wherein said at least one sensor includes a range finder.

8. The portable air handling system according to claim 1, wherein said housing assembly includes a UV sanitizer.

9. The portable air handling system according to claim 1, wherein said intake assembly is telescoping.

10. The portable air handling system according to claim 1 including a diagnostic tool coupled to said controller and user interface to analyze the airflow drawn into said intake assembly and provides feedback data.

11. The portable air handling system according to claim 10, wherein said diagnostic tool provides feedback on the presence of specified contaminants in the airflow.

12. The portable air handling system according to claim 10, wherein said diagnostic tool provides feedback on the presence of specified bioaerosols in the airflow.

13. The portable air handling system according to claim 10, wherein said diagnostic tool provides feedback on the presence of chemicals in the airflow.

14. The portable air handling system according to claim 1, wherein said motorized fan assembly produces a clean air delivery rate that exceeds than 400 cfm.

15. The portable air handling system according to claim 1 having a height to width aspect ratio that is greater than 2.3 to 1 and less than 3.1 to 1.

16. A method of operating a portable air handling system comprising:-providing portable air handling system according to claim 1;-positioning the air intake assembly at a location to draw in air from the upper one third of a room;-operating the air handling system such that bioaerosols in the upper one third of the room environment are directed towards the filter via the airflow generated by a motorized fan assembly within the housing assembly and captured within the filtration media of the filter.

17. The method of operating a portable air handling system according to claim 6, including removing the removable filter and positioning a sealable barrier about the removable filter.

18. The method of operating a portable air handling system according to claim 17, including sealing said sealable barrier such that the filter is not exposed to the ambient environment.

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