Portable Airborne Pathogen Control With Integrated HEPA and UV-C
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions are inadequate for quickly and efficiently converting patient rooms into isolation or reverse isolation rooms in healthcare settings to manage fluctuating patient loads and control airborne pathogens, particularly in environments like hospitals.
Innovation Solution
A portable airborne pathogen control apparatus featuring a base housing with a HEPA filter, UV-C emitters, a cold plasma generator, and a blower fan, configured to purify air through a floor-to-ceiling airflow, utilizing antimicrobial agents like monoterpene phenol and thymol, and adjustable ducting for air direction and pressure control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ventilation and filtration systems are used to control airborne pathogens, then pathogen control effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple pathogen control mechanisms (HEPA filtration, UV-C irradiation, and ionization) into a single integrated portable apparatus. This merging of functions reduces the need for separate complex ventilation systems while maintaining effective pathogen control through multiple simultaneous action modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable apparatus is designed to perform multiple functions within a single device: air filtration through HEPA media, germicidal UV-C irradiation, and ionization for pathogen neutralization. This multi-functionality allows one device to replace or supplement multiple separate systems, reducing overall system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If portable airborne pathogen control apparatus is deployed, then adaptability for rapid room conversion is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus integrates filtration, UV-C irradiation, and ionization functions in one portable unit, enabling it to serve multiple pathogen control needs without requiring separate specialized equipment for each function, thus improving adaptability while managing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The use of a blower to create directed airflow patterns allows the apparatus to adapt to different room configurations and isolation requirements without mechanical reconfiguration, using pneumatic control to adjust air movement patterns for various deployment scenarios.
3Reliability
If HEPA filtration and UV-C irradiation are used, then air purification effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
By combining HEPA filtration, UV-C irradiation, and ionization in a single integrated system, the apparatus achieves high purification effectiveness through synergistic operation of multiple mechanisms, potentially reducing the energy required compared to running separate high-capacity systems for each function.
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
Effectively reduces the spread of airborne pathogens by purifying air and regulating atmospheric pressure, enabling rapid conversion of patient rooms for isolation, thereby minimizing contagion spread and reducing energy consumption and antibiotic use.
Implementation Method 1
a HEPA filter disposed in an interior portion of the base housing
Implementation Method 2
at least one UV-C emitter disposed in an interior portion of the air chamber, wherein the at least one UV-C emitter is configured to pulse an emission of UV radiation to the interior portion of the air chamber
Implementation Method 3
a cold plasma generator coupled to a portion of the air chamber
Implementation Method 4
a blower fan coupled to a portion of the air chamber, wherein the blower fan is configured to establish an airflow path from the air intake vent through the HEPA filter and through the air chamber to the air output vent
Data Source
AI summary
A portable airborne pathogen control apparatus and system. Aspects of the present disclosure provide for a portable airborne pathogen control apparatus configured to be selectively positioned within an interior room and configured to enable a floor-to-ceiling flow of air within the interior room. The portable airborne pathogen control apparatus may comprise a housing with an air intake disposed at a lower area of a base housing and an air outlet disposed at an upper area of an elongated duct extending from the base housing. A blower fan housed within an interior chamber of the housing may be configured to direct a floor-to-ceiling flow of air through the interior chamber from the air intake to the air outlet. A volume of air directed through the interior chamber of the housing may be disinfected using one or more UV-C emitters and/or cold plasma generator(s) housing in the interior chamber of the housing.