UV Module for Shadow-Free Decontamination in Lab Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for deactivating biologically contaminated surfaces in laboratory devices, such as thermocyclers and automatic extraction machines, are inadequate due to optical shadowing and insufficient aeration, particularly in non-accessible areas.
Innovation Solution
A UV module comprising a carrier with affixed UV-LED radiation sources and a control unit that processes information to safely activate the UV radiation for decontamination, ensuring safe operation by preventing unauthorized activation and ensuring the device is in a safe operating state before deactivation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UV radiation sources are arranged in the ceiling region of a cabinet or workstation, then the interior can be decontaminated, but optical shadowing and insufficient aeration occur in non-accessible areas
Solution Approach 1:
The UV radiation system is divided into multiple independent radiation sources distributed throughout the interior space rather than using a single ceiling-mounted source. This segmentation allows UV radiation to reach all areas including non-accessible regions, eliminating optical shadowing while maintaining effective decontamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a top-down ceiling-mounted UV radiation arrangement to a distributed three-dimensional arrangement of UV sources positioned at multiple locations and heights within the interior. This dimensional redistribution ensures comprehensive coverage without creating shadow zones.
2Reliability
If UV radiation is used for deactivation of biologically contaminated surfaces, then microorganisms and viruses can no longer propagate, but safety risks arise from inadvertent irradiation of samples and personnel
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary safety checks and authentication procedures before activating UV radiation. The control unit verifies that the device is in a safe operating state, confirms proper positioning of UV modules, and ensures no samples or personnel are in the radiation path before initiating decontamination, thereby preventing inadvertent irradiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit continuously monitors the operating state of the device and the position of UV modules, providing feedback to prevent unauthorized activation. The system only activates UV radiation when safety conditions are met, creating a closed-loop control mechanism that eliminates safety risks.
3Ease of operation
If interior spaces are closed manually or automatically to execute sample treatment, then sample handling is enabled, but cleaning and ventilation become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The UV radiation system provides self-service decontamination capability that operates independently of manual cleaning procedures. The automated UV modules can be activated within the closed interior space to disinfect surfaces without requiring opening the chamber for cleaning or ventilation, maintaining sample handling capability while enabling continuous decontamination.
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 UV module effectively deactivates biologically contaminated surfaces within laboratory devices by ensuring safe and controlled UV radiation exposure, addressing the limitations of existing methods by providing comprehensive and shadow-free decontamination.
Implementation Method 1
UV (i.e., ultraviolet) radiation is conventionally used for the deactivation of biologically contaminated surfaces
Implementation Method 2
The UV radiation produces modifications of the original binding state of various molecular building blocks in the nucleic acids
Data Source
AI summary
A UV module for deactivating biologically contaminated surfaces in an interior of a device includes: a carrier; a radiation source affixed to the carrier and configured to emit UV radiation; and a control unit connected to the radiation source, wherein the control unit is configured to receive and process at least one information item to activate the radiation source to emit UV radiation based on the at least one information item. A system comprises such a UV module wherein the device is configured for the handling and/or examination of samples comprising biological material and has an interior into which the UV module can be introduced. A method for deactivating biologically contaminated surfaces in an interior of a device for the handling and/or examination of samples comprising biological material includes using the device.