Far UVC Lighting Apparatus for Microbial Barrier Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for effective and portable antimicrobial protection devices that can reduce the risk of infection for medically fragile patients and the general population, especially during epidemics, as traditional methods are either harmful or have limited effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A portable lighting apparatus using high-output LEDs that emit bactericidal and virucidal light, specifically High Intensity Narrow Spectrum (HINS) and Far UVC light, configured to project a protective barrier of light around the user, either as a curtain or targeted shield, to decontaminate the air and surfaces, and can be mounted on wheelchairs, beds, or worn as a backpack.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional UV lights and chemical disinfectants are used for decontamination, then microbial killing effectiveness is improved, but human safety deteriorates due to harmful effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter of UV light from conventional 254nm to far-UVC 222nm, which fundamentally alters the interaction with human tissue. This parameter change enables the light to be absorbed by microbial DNA/RNA while having minimal penetration into human skin and eye structures, thus maintaining microbial killing effectiveness while improving human safety
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of UV-C light on human tissue into a beneficial selective effect. By using 222nm far-UVC light, the harmful penetration capability is eliminated while the antimicrobial effect is preserved, effectively converting a previously harmful technology into a safe one for continuous human exposure
2Reliability
If medically fragile patients are kept in isolation to reduce infection risk, then infection prevention is improved, but patient mobility and social access deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces far-UVC light as an intermediary protective barrier between patients and the external environment. This light barrier actively neutralizes pathogens in the air and on surfaces, allowing patients to leave isolation rooms without risking infection, thus enabling mobility while maintaining infection prevention
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies far-UVC light treatment in advance to decontaminate environments, surfaces, and air that patients will encounter. This preliminary action creates a safe zone that patients can freely move through, eliminating the need for restrictive isolation measures
3Reliability
If portable protective devices are developed for general population use, then infection protection is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the portable device to serve multiple functions: far-UVC light sources provide both air disinfection and surface decontamination, the device can be worn or mounted in different configurations, and it can protect multiple users simultaneously. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple separate devices, simplifying the overall system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates rechargeable batteries and integrated control systems that allow the device to operate autonomously. The self-contained power and control systems eliminate the need for external infrastructure, making the device truly portable and easier to deploy without complex support 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 device provides a safe and effective means of reducing microbial contamination by emitting light that is harmful to pathogens while being safe for humans, allowing medically fragile individuals and the general population greater mobility and reducing the risk of infection, potentially mitigating the need for lockdowns during pandemics.
Implementation Method 1
Light with a wavelength of between about 400-420 nm, and more particularly about 405 nm, may excite molecules within the microorganisms, and/or cause reactive molecules to be generated within the microorganisms
Implementation Method 2
Far UVC light, having wavelengths of between about 207 nm to about 222 nm, may also kill or inactivate microorganisms. Far UVC light may penetrate small microorganisms like bacteria and viruses, causing molecular changes and/or development of reactive molecules that may kill or inactivate the microorganism
Implementation Method 3
Far UVC light may interact with genetic material (DNA or RNA), causing mutations fatal to the microorganism or that inhibit the microorganism's reproduction
Implementation Method 4
Far UVC light may dimerize pyrimidine bases and may lead to structural degradation of proteins, including the outer protein casing of many viruses
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure describes an antimicrobial protection device using antibacterial and virucidal electromagnetic energy to provide protection. Electromagnetic energy may be supplied by light source(s) such as LED(s). Lighting apparatus may be configured to project electromagnetic energy in an energy barrier over an individual or portion thereof, such as the individual's airways and eyes. Light source(s) may be constructed or configured to emit electromagnetic energy in wavelengths at about 405 nm and/or between about 200 nm to about 220 nm. Lighting apparatus may be configured in a ring and may be mounted above the user's head such that the lighting apparatus projects a bactericidal and/or virucidal curtain of light around the user's head, killing or inactivating microbes before reaching the user's eyes, nose, or mouth. Apparatus of the present disclosure may be useful for medically fragile children (including those in wheelchairs), medically fragile people, and medical personnel in high-risk infectious areas.