UV Treatment Chamber Control for Pathogen-Safe Biological Fluids
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for treating biological fluids with light, such as blood products, face challenges in efficiently reducing pathogen levels while minimizing damage to the fluids and improving monitoring and control of treatment parameters.
Innovation Solution
The system includes a treatment chamber with a first array of light sources that emit ultraviolet light with specific peak wavelengths, allowing for efficient pathogen inactivation while minimizing damage to the biological fluids. The system also includes light sensors and a control circuitry to adjust light intensity and duration based on detected parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional light sources with broad spectral bandwidth are used for pathogen inactivation, then pathogen inactivation efficiency is achieved, but excessive photoconversion of pathogen inactivation compounds occurs and biological fluid quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using light sources with specific spectral characteristics (narrow bandwidth, defined peak wavelengths) to optimize the treatment process. This controls the wavelength parameter to achieve effective pathogen inactivation while minimizing unwanted photochemical reactions in the biological fluid and pathogen inactivation compounds.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by targeting specific wavelength ranges that are most effective for pathogen inactivation while avoiding wavelengths that cause excessive photoconversion. This selective spectral approach applies different quality characteristics to different parts of the light spectrum, focusing energy where it is most needed.
2Productivity
If higher light intensity is used to improve treatment speed, then productivity increases, but damage to biological fluid components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the light intensity parameter to optimized levels that balance treatment efficiency with biological fluid preservation. By controlling intensity within specific ranges and combining it with spectral optimization, the system achieves effective pathogen inactivation without excessive damage to blood cells and other biological components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic or pulsed illumination patterns rather than continuous high-intensity exposure. This allows the biological fluid to undergo treatment in controlled intervals, reducing cumulative damage while maintaining effective pathogen inactivation through repeated exposure cycles.
3Device complexity
If conventional treatment systems without precise monitoring are used, then device complexity is reduced, but control precision of treatment parameters deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms including light sensors and control circuitry that monitor treatment parameters in real-time. This feedback allows the system to automatically adjust light intensity, duration, and spectral composition to maintain optimal treatment conditions, ensuring consistent and precise pathogen inactivation across different batches.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual or mechanical control methods with electronic and optical sensing systems. Light sensors and control circuits substitute for manual monitoring and adjustment, providing automated, precise control of treatment parameters without significantly increasing overall system complexity.
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 system effectively reduces pathogen levels in biological fluids, maintaining or improving the quality of the treated fluids by minimizing damage and allowing for improved monitoring and control of treatment processes.
Implementation Method 1
The light sources emit light within a selected range of wavelengths that are effective to inactivate pathogens in the biological fluid, particularly by photochemical inactivation of pathogens.
Implementation Method 2
A first array of light sources may be positioned to illuminate the biological fluid in the treatment chamber. The first array of light sources may comprise one or more light source channels that illuminate the biological fluid with light of selected peak wavelengths.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are systems and methods for treating a biological fluid, e.g., to inactivate pathogens.