405nm Lighting Device for Continuous Pathogen Inactivation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for controlling healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) like MRSA are labor-intensive, difficult to monitor, and ineffective, with existing decontamination techniques being toxic and requiring uninhabited spaces, thus failing to address environmental transmission effectively.
Innovation Solution
A lighting device emitting light at 405nm with a high-intensity, narrow-spectrum (HINS) component and additional white or colored LEDs to provide continuous, non-disturbing illumination that inactivates pathogenic bacteria, allowing for simultaneous environmental disinfection without user involvement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UV-light, ozone and formaldehyde/ethylenoxide/hydrogen peroxide fumigation are used for whole-room decontamination, then pathogen inactivation is achieved, but toxicity to humans and requirement for uninhabited spaces occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter of light from conventional UV-C (200-280nm) to UV-A (365nm) and visible blue light (400-500nm). This parameter change allows the light to maintain bactericidal effectiveness while eliminating toxicity to humans, enabling continuous operation in occupied spaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces chemical decontamination methods (ozone, formaldehyde, hydrogen peroxide) with a physical light-based system. This substitution eliminates chemical toxicity and residual harmful effects while maintaining pathogen inactivation capability through photosensitization and direct DNA damage mechanisms.
2Reliability
If UV-light, ozone and formaldehyde/ethylenoxide/hydrogen peroxide fumigation are used for whole-room decontamination, then pathogen inactivation is achieved, but operator requirements and sealing procedures are required
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting device is designed to operate automatically without requiring skilled operators. It continuously disinfects surfaces and air in the presence of people, eliminating the need for sealing procedures and specialized training associated with chemical fumigation methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous pathogen inactivation during occupied hours, unlike conventional methods that require uninhabited periods. The device can run 24/7 in occupied spaces without compromising safety or effectiveness, providing uninterrupted disinfection service.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If visible light at 400-500nm is used to inactivate bacteria, then human and animal health is not adversely affected, but sufficient intensity for effective inactivation must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple light sources (UV-A LEDs at 365nm and blue LEDs at 400-500nm) in a single device. This merging allows the system to achieve sufficient inactivation intensity through cumulative effect while distributing the spectral load across multiple wavelengths, maintaining safety for humans.
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses composite LED structures combining different semiconductor materials (GaN for UV-A, InGaN for blue light) to create a multi-wavelength output. This composite approach enables optimized photon distribution for maximum bacterial inactivation while minimizing harm to human biology.
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 effectively reduces bacterial counts on surfaces and in the air, providing continuous disinfection in inhabited areas without adverse effects on humans, addressing the limitations of existing methods by being safe, efficient, and adaptable for various environments.
Implementation Method 1
exposing the pathogenic bacteria to visible light, preferably having a wavelength in the range of 400-500 nm
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of first-elements that emit light at a wavelength of 405nm and intensity sufficient to inactivate one or more pathogenic bacterial species
Data Source
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AI summary
A lighting device with at least one first-element that emits visible light at a wavelength and irradiance sufficient to inactivate one or more pathogenic bacterial species, and at least one second element that emits light of one or more longer wavelengths to that of the first-element. The at least one second element has a higher illuminance than that of the at least one inactivating element or component.