Riboflavin UV-C Mist Sterilization for Biofilm Barrier Penetration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing UV disinfection technologies using mercury-based lamps face environmental regulation issues, disposal costs, and require chlorine, while lacking broad applicability and efficient penetration through barriers like biofilms.
Innovation Solution
Utilize UV-C light emission with riboflavin as a photosensitizer carried by water, mist, or steam, combined with high-frequency sound or vibrational waves and increased pressure to enhance cross-linking of genetic material and disrupt barriers, using UV-C LEDs for targeted disinfection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mercury-based UV lamps are used for disinfection, then disinfection capability is achieved, but environmental harm increases and disposal costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates mercury from the UV lamp system, replacing it with mercury-free LED UV-C light sources. This removes the harmful substance while maintaining the disinfection function through alternative technology that generates UV-C radiation without mercury containment requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adopts disposable or replaceable UV-C LED modules that can be easily replaced when their lifespan ends, eliminating the need for complex mercury disposal infrastructure. The solid-state LED components have no hazardous materials requiring special waste management procedures.
2Reliability
If mercury-based UV lamps are used for disinfection, then disinfection capability is achieved, but disposal costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes mercury from the system entirely, eliminating the need for costly hazardous waste disposal procedures. The solid-state LED components can be disposed of through standard electronic waste channels or replaced indefinitely, significantly reducing disposal costs.
3Reliability
If chlorine is used to enable UV lamp disinfection, then disinfection effectiveness is improved, but harmful factors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the requirement for chlorine or other chemical additives by using direct UV-C LED irradiation. The disinfection mechanism relies solely on photodamage to microbial DNA/RNA through UV-C absorption, eliminating chemical contamination concerns while maintaining effectiveness against a broad spectrum of pathogens.
4Reliability
If traditional UV disinfection is used, then pathogen inactivation is achieved, but penetration through barriers like biofilms is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multiple UV-C LED sources positioned at different locations and angles to create localized high-intensity zones that penetrate biofilms from multiple directions. The system adjusts illumination intensity and duration locally to overcome the shielding effect of biofilm matrices, ensuring complete pathogen inactivation throughout the treated volume.
5Adaptability or versatility
If UV-C LEDs are used for targeted disinfection, then adaptability to different applications is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal UV-C LED disinfection platform that can be configured for different applications (water treatment, air purification, surface disinfection, medical instrument sterilization) using the same core technology. Modular LED arrays with adjustable parameters (wavelength, intensity, exposure time) provide versatility without requiring fundamentally different systems for each application.
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 effective sterilization and disinfection across various applications, including air, water, and medical instruments, with reduced environmental impact and improved penetration through barriers, ensuring thorough pathogen inactivation.
Implementation Method 1
exposure to UV light activates the riboflavin and, when associated with nucleic acids such as Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and Ribonucleic acid (RNA) as well as the amino acids found in proteins, collectively referred to as genetic material, causes a chemical alteration to functional groups of the nucleic acids and of the amino acids
Implementation Method 2
causes a chemical alteration to functional groups of the nucleic acids and of the amino acids, thereby making the pathogens unable to replicate and/or function. The UV light also damages any protein structures, including the enhancing of cross-linking of amino acids found within proteins
Implementation Method 3
emitting, on the mist or the steam that carries the riboflavin within the air, a riboflavin-activating light sufficient to activate the riboflavin to enhance a cross-linking of genetic material of cells or pathogens or extracellular genetic material within the air
Implementation Method 4
an increased pressure may be exerted and maintained on the liquid, mist, or the steam that carries the riboflavin, sufficient to disrupt barriers of the cells or the pathogens
Data Source
AI summary
In one illustrative example, a method for use in sterilization involves carrying a liquid or a flow of liquid comprising water; converting the liquid or the flow thereof into mist or steam; adding riboflavin in soluble form as a photosensitizer to the liquid or the flow thereof, converting the liquid or the flow thereof into mist or steam that carries the riboflavin; discharging the mist or the steam that carries the riboflavin into a chamber, a container, or a room; and emitting, on the mist or the steam that carries the riboflavin, a riboflavin-activating light sufficient to activate the riboflavin to enhance a cross-linking of genetic material including the amino acids of proteins of cells or pathogens or extracellular genetic material in the chamber, the container, or the room. Additional processing steps may be employed for disrupting barriers, for increased access of the riboflavin and light to the genetic material.