Microwave Filtering Device for Virus Inactivation in Flowing Fluids

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for inactivating viruses in flowing fluids, such as UV radiation and chemical agents, are inefficient, costly, and can contaminate the fluid or require long residence times, while UV radiation can produce harmful ozone when used in air disinfection.

Innovation Solution

A microwave-based filtering device with perforated plates and permeable pads that uses acoustic resonance to mechanically damage viruses, allowing for efficient inactivation with low energy consumption and no fluid contamination, suitable for use in air and water disinfection as well as in-vitro sterilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If chemical agents are used for virus inactivation, then disinfection effectiveness is improved, but the fluid becomes contaminated and requires additional separation processes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisinfection effectivenessVSAvoidfluid contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces chemical disinfection methods with a physical microwave-based system. The microwave generating device emits microwave radiation that passes through the fluid to inactivate viruses without introducing chemical contaminants, thereby eliminating the contamination problem while maintaining disinfection effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces microwave radiation as an intermediary energy form to transfer disinfection capability without material contact. The microwaves act as a mediator that delivers the inactivation effect through electromagnetic energy rather than through direct chemical interaction with the fluid.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If chemical agents are used for virus inactivation, then disinfection capability is improved, but the process time increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisinfection capabilityVSAvoidresidence time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes chemical reaction-based disinfection with microwave-based physical inactivation. The microwave system achieves rapid virus inactivation during the fluid's normal flow through the apparatus, eliminating the need for extended residence times required by chemical methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If UV radiation is used for air disinfection, then virus inactivation is achieved, but harmful ozone is produced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevirus inactivation effectivenessVSAvoidozone formation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces UV radiation with microwave radiation for air disinfection. The microwave generating device emits microwaves that inactivate viruses without causing ozone formation, as the mechanism relies on dielectric heating and molecular rotation rather than photolytic breakdown of oxygen molecules.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If tremendous UV energy is consumed for effective virus inactivation, then disinfection effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevirus inactivation effectivenessVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes high-energy UV radiation with microwave radiation that is more efficiently absorbed by viral structures. The microwave generating device operates at lower power levels to achieve the same or better inactivation效果, as microwaves directly heat and disrupt viral components through dielectric heating rather than requiring high-intensity photon flux.

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

Achieves rapid and effective virus inactivation with minimal energy use, preventing contamination and maintaining the integrity of fluids like vaccines and blood samples, while being economically advantageous and easy to maintain.

Implementation Method 1

uses acoustic resonance to mechanically damage viruses

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic resonance: Resonance

Implementation Method 2

one or more microwave emitting connectors arranged for provision of the block with microwaves transverse to said intended fluid flow direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMicrowave penetration: Microwave Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS20240299611A1Virus inactivation setup for flowing fluids

Publication Date: 2024.09.12 SMARTE TEKNOLOJI & ENERJI SANAYI TICARET ANONIM SIRKETI

AI summary

A filtering device is provided. The filtering device includes two or more perforated plates opposing each other for allowing a fluid to flow through opposing perforating plates along a bulk fluid flow direction; the filtering device further includes a block sandwiched in-between the opposing perforated plates; the filtering device further includes one or more microwave emitting connector(s) arranged for provision of the block with microwaves at a frequency within the range between 1 GHz and 20 GHz, transverse to said intended fluid flow direction; wherein the block is provided with one or more fluid permeable pads disposed in-between the opposing perforated plates, said pads being formed from one or more materials with a dielectric constant within the range between 1 and 100.