Cold Plasma Applicator for Bed Bug Eradication Through Materials
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for eradicating bed bugs, such as pesticides and thermal remediation, are ineffective when insects are obstructed by household structures or materials, and pose risks to these structures and human health due to resistance and potential harm from chemicals or prolonged isolation.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a cold plasma generator and applicator with nozzles to create a cold plasma field that can penetrate and eradicate insects, larvae, and eggs through household materials without causing damage or harm, using a power range of 10 W to 40 W and volumetric flow of 1 cfm to 10 cfm, with plumes capable of reaching up to 25.4 mm in length.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pesticides are used to eradicate bed bugs, then insect eradication effectiveness is improved, but harmful effects to human health and household structures worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical pesticides with a physical cold plasma system that uses ionized gas to eradicate bed bugs. The cold plasma generator creates reactive species and UV radiation that kill insects through direct contact or penetration through materials, eliminating the need for harmful chemical substances while maintaining eradication effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the state of matter from chemical substances to ionized gas plasma. By generating cold plasma at controlled temperatures and power levels (10-40W), the system achieves insect eradication through physical and chemical reactions of plasma species rather than toxic chemical exposure, reducing harmful effects while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If thermal remediation is used to eradicate bed bugs, then insect eradication effectiveness is improved, but risk of damage to household structures worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter from high-heat thermal remediation to cold plasma temperatures. The cold plasma operates at low temperatures (10-40W power range) that are sufficient to kill bed bugs through reactive species and UV radiation without causing thermal damage to household structures, fabrics, or furnishings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes thermal heating mechanisms with cold plasma generation. Instead of using high-temperature heat to eradicate bed bugs, the system uses ionized gas with reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, ultraviolet radiation, and low-temperature plasma that achieve the same eradication effect without thermal damage risk.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If bed bugs are obstructed by household materials, then protection of household structures is improved, but insect eradication effectiveness worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses cold plasma as an intermediary that can penetrate through household materials like fabrics, wallpapers, and furniture surfaces. The plasma reacts with bed bugs hidden within these materials, allowing eradication to occur through the protective barrier rather than requiring direct access to the insects.
Solution Approach 2:
The cold plasma contains highly reactive oxygen and nitrogen species that can penetrate and react with bed bugs through household materials. These reactive species oxidize and damage insect tissues, enabling eradication effectiveness even when insects are obstructed by protective household structures.
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 cold plasma field effectively kills bed bugs and prevents eggs from hatching, even when applied through common household materials, without igniting them, thus providing a safe and effective solution for eradicating insects while protecting treated structures and minimizing health risks.
Implementation Method 1
The cold plasma generator is configured to generate cold plasma from the gas source
Implementation Method 2
The cold plasma field effectively kills bed bugs and prevents eggs from hatching, even when applied through common household materials, without igniting them
Data Source
AI summary
A system for eradication of insects, insect larvae, and insect eggs includes an applicator, a plurality of nozzles, a gas source, and a cold plasma generator. The applicator is adapted to be moved by the user over an area to be treated. The plurality of nozzles are disposed on the applicator. The cold plasma generator is in electrical communication with a power supply. The cold plasma generator is in fluid communication with the plurality of nozzles and the gas source. The cold plasma generator is configured to generate cold plasma from the gas source and configured to expel a plurality of cold plasma plumes through the plurality of nozzles that forms a cold plasma field. The cold plasma field is generated at a power and a volumetric flow sufficient for the eradication of the insects, the insect larvae and the incents eggs from the area to be treated.