Far-UVC Excilamp Filtration for Safe Virus Sterilization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for killing viruses are inefficient and pose a risk to human safety, as they often harm human cells while attempting to sterilize bacteria and viruses.
Innovation Solution
The use of UV radiation with a wavelength of approximately 207 nm to 222 nm, generated by excilamps, which selectively targets and kills bacteria and viruses without penetrating human cells, utilizing filters to ensure a single wavelength is emitted.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional UV lamps are used to kill viruses and bacteria, then sterilization effectiveness is improved, but human cell damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using UV radiation at a specific wavelength range (207-222 nm) that has different penetration properties for different targets. This wavelength selectively affects microorganisms while sparing human cells, creating a localized effect that distinguishes between harmful and beneficial targets in the same environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the critical parameter of UV wavelength from conventional ranges to the specific 207-222 nm range. This parameter change enables the radiation to be absorbed by microbial cells for sterilization while being blocked by human skin and tissue, fundamentally altering the interaction characteristics between UV radiation and biological materials.
2Adaptability or versatility
If UV radiation wavelength is reduced to 207 nm-222 nm to kill viruses, then selectivity for microorganisms is improved, but penetration ability into human cells is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent exploits local quality differences between microorganisms and human cells regarding UV absorption. The 207-222 nm wavelength is specifically chosen because microorganisms lack the protective structures that human cells have, making them selectively vulnerable to this wavelength range while human cells remain protected.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the potentially harmful penetration capability of UV radiation into a beneficial selective effect. By reducing the wavelength to 207-222 nm, the radiation's penetration is limited, which would normally reduce effectiveness, but this limitation becomes advantageous by preventing damage to human cells while maintaining sterilization capability against microorganisms.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If excilamps with single wavelength emission are used, then safety for human cells is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spectral parameter of the UV source from broad-spectrum conventional lamps to monochromatic excilamps emitting at 207-222 nm. This parameter change simplifies the radiation profile to a single effective wavelength, improving safety by eliminating harmful wavelengths while the excilamp technology itself manages the complexity of generating this specific wavelength.
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
This approach achieves a 5,000-fold reduction in human cell damage compared to conventional UV lamps while maintaining effective bacterial and viral sterilization, making it safer for patients and staff.
Implementation Method 1
an appropriately chosen UV wavelength (e.g., around 207 nm to 222 nm) preferably penetrates and kills bacteria and viruses
Implementation Method 2
preferably would not be able to penetrate into the biologically sensitive nucleus of human cells
Data Source
AI summary
Certain exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can provide an apparatus and method for generating at least one radiation can be provided. The exemplary apparatus and/or method can selectively kill and/or affect at least one virus. For example, a radiation source first arrangement can be provided which is configured to generate at least one radiation having one or more wavelengths provided in a range of about 200 nanometers (nm) to about 230 nm, and at least one second arrangement can be provided which is configured to prevent the at least one radiation from having any wavelength that is outside of the range can be provided or which can be substantially harmful to cells of the body.