Far-UVC Irradiation Control for Safe Pathogen Eradication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing far-UVC light systems for pathogen eradication are limited by slow eradication rates on high-traffic surfaces and require substantial human exposure precautions, posing safety risks due to potential DNA damage.

Innovation Solution

A handheld device emitting filtered far-UVC light with a biometric sensor and pathogen detection system that adjusts irradiation based on proximity to humans and pathogens, ensuring safe and rapid eradication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If ceiling mounted far-UVC systems are used for pathogen eradication, then human safety is improved, but eradication speed deteriorates (taking upwards of thirty minutes)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehuman safetyVSAvoideradication speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic control of the far-UVC light source based on real-time detection of human presence and distance. The system adjusts irradiation intensity and duration dynamically - using higher intensities when no humans are present and lower intensities when humans are detected, thereby achieving both rapid eradication and human safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If far-UVC light intensity is increased for rapid pathogen eradication, then productivity is improved, but human safety deteriorates (DNA damage risk)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeradication speedVSAvoidhuman safety

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates biometric sensors that continuously detect human presence and provide feedback to the control system. Based on this feedback, the far-UVC light intensity is automatically adjusted - high intensity when safe, low intensity when humans are present, resolving the contradiction between eradication speed and safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The biometric sensors perform preliminary detection of human presence before full-strength irradiation begins. This preliminary action allows the system to prepare appropriate safety measures or adjust intensity levels before high-intensity far-UVC light is activated, preventing DNA damage while maintaining eradication effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If chemical disinfectants are used for surface disinfection, then pathogen eradication is improved, but health hazards worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisinfection effectivenessVSAvoidhealth hazards

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces chemical disinfectant systems with a physical far-UVC light-based disinfection system. This substitution eliminates the health hazards associated with chemical exposure while maintaining effective pathogen eradication capabilities, directly addressing the contradiction between disinfection effectiveness and safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 device enables rapid pathogen eradication on surfaces and in confined spaces like vehicles while limiting human exposure to safe thresholds, achieving effective disinfection without safety hazards.

Implementation Method 1

A lamp is provided that emits a far-ultraviolet C (far-UVC) light that generates an irradiation zone

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFar-UVC light irradiation: Radiation

Implementation Method 2

UVC light has proven quite effective in eradicating pathogens, it is known to exhibit unsafe attributes when exposed to human epidermis and eye tissue. Conventional UVC light has been proven to cause skin cancer and cataracts

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDNA damage: Photodissociation

Implementation Method 3

A biometric sensor determines whether an individual is present in the irradiation zone

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBiometric detection:

Implementation Method 4

The system includes a pathogen detection sensor that provides user feedback of the existence or non-existence of pathogens

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPathogen detection:

Data Source

PatentUS20250319219A1System and method for safely irradicating pathogens

Publication Date: 2025.10.16 FREESTYLE PARTNERS LLC

AI summary

A system for eradicating pathogens is disclosed. A lamp is provided that emits a far-ultraviolet C (far-UVC) light generates an irradiation zone. A biometric sensor determines whether an individual is present in the irradiation zone. The biometric sensor signals a processor to determine whether the individual has been exposed to a threshold limit of far-UVC light. The processor determines whether the time an individual has been in the irradiation zone exceeds a threshold limit. If the individual has been in the irradiation zone a period of time exceeds the threshold, the lamp is deactivated. A pathogen detection sensor provides user feedback of the existence pathogens and signals the processor to terminate irradiation or provide user feedback to terminate irradiation. The system and method are included in a passenger compartment of a vehicle to eradicate pathogens on surfaces and aerosol. Threshold limits allow eradication while the vehicle is occupied.