Multi-Wavelength Blue Light Assembly for Microorganism Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for reducing microorganisms using blue light fail to target multiple photoreactive components simultaneously, leading to inefficiency and potential harm to humans and materials, while broad-spectrum UV light is ineffective against resistant microorganisms.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing a light assembly that emits multiple blue lights at specific peak wavelengths (400-410 nm, 440-464 nm, and 465-490 nm) to target different photoreactive components of microorganisms, with a processor controlling the time-averaged intensities to optimize antimicrobial activity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If narrowband blue light at a single wavelength (e.g., 405 nm) is used for photoinactivation, then the light can be cost- and energy efficient, but it fails to target all photoreactive components and has limited antimicrobial effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single-wavelength blue light approach into multiple discrete wavelength components (405 nm, 450 nm, and optionally 480 nm). Each wavelength targets specific photoreactive components in microorganisms, with 405 nm targeting porphyrins and 450 nm targeting flavins. This segmentation allows comprehensive coverage of different microbial photoreactive substances without wasting energy on non-effective wavelengths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter of the blue light to include multiple specific values rather than a single wavelength. By optimizing the intensity ratios (I1:I2:I3 = 1:1:1 or I1:I2 = 1:1) and selecting specific peak wavelengths within defined ranges, the system achieves enhanced antimicrobial activity while maintaining energy efficiency through targeted spectral composition.
2Productivity
If broad-spectrum UV light is used for disinfection, then it can eliminate many microorganisms, but it is harmful to humans and materials and damages surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the beneficial antimicrobial wavelengths from the broad UV spectrum and places them in the visible blue light range (400-490 nm). By using LED technology to generate specific blue wavelengths that target microbial photoreactive components, the system achieves disinfection capability without the harmful effects of UV radiation on human skin, eyes, and material degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of broad-spectrum radiation into benefit by selectively using only the wavelengths effective against microorganisms. Blue light at 405 nm, 450 nm, and 480 nm activates photoreactive components in microbes to produce ROS for inactivation, while these same wavelengths do not cause the DNA damage and material degradation associated with UV exposure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If broad-spectrum blue light is used, then it can cover multiple wavelengths, but it wastes energy on wavelengths with no antimicrobial potential
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning specific wavelengths to target specific photoreactive components: 405 nm for porphyrins, 450 nm for flavins, and 480 nm as an additional target. This localized spectral targeting ensures that each wavelength component serves a specific antimicrobial function, eliminating energy waste on non-effective wavelengths while maintaining comprehensive coverage of microbial targets.
4Productivity
If multiple blue lights at different wavelengths are used simultaneously, then multiple photoreactive components can be targeted, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple wavelength sources into a single integrated light assembly that emits blue light at multiple peak wavelengths simultaneously. The LED-based design combines 405 nm, 450 nm, and optionally 480 nm sources in one unit, controlled by a processor that regulates intensity ratios. This merging approach achieves multi-target antimicrobial activity while minimizing system complexity compared to separate lighting systems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively reduces microorganisms by activating multiple inactivation mechanisms, enhancing efficiency and reducing energy waste, while being safe for humans and materials.
Implementation Method 1
photoinactivation of the microorganisms achieved by using HINS (High Intensity Narrow Spectrum) technology
Implementation Method 2
photoreactive porphyrins absorb blue light at a peak wavelength of 405 nanometre (nm) to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS)
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Disclosed is a system and method for reducing microorganisms. The system comprises a light assembly and a processor. The light assembly operable to emit at least two of three different blue lights at different peak wavelengths with a full width half maximum of at most 25 nm, each peak having a time averaged intensity. The peak wavelengths are selected from 400-410 nm, 440-464 nm and 465-490 nm. The processor is communicably coupled to the light assembly to control the time averaged intensities of the blue lights emitted by the light assembly such that if two blue lights are used, the time averaged intensity of one blue light is between 0.67 and 1.33 times the time averaged intensity of another blue light; and if three blue lights are used, the time averaged intensity of any one blue light is between 0.76 and 1.24 times the time averaged intensity of the time averaged intensity of both the other blue lights.