Abstract: A system for treating a fluid comprising a treatment chamber; a light source for emitting light, such that at least a portion of the light travels within the treatment chamber; and a treatment area within the treatment chamber; wherein a flow profile of the fluid in the treatment area matches the fluence profile of the light that travels within the treatment area. An apparatus for providing a substantially uniform light treatment of a flowing fluid by providing a light source or sources and establishing (or controlling) the flow such that the combination of light intensity and flow velocity provides substantially uniform treatment (i.e. the faster moving fluid streams are treated at higher intensity and the slower moving fluid streams are treated at lower intensity).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for precisely monitoring and collecting data relating to the light treatment of a product in a treatment system. In one implementation, a method for use with a treatment system using light comprises the steps of: illuminating a product with a light treatment comprising light having a spectrum of wavelengths within a range of 170 to 2600 nm, the light treatment for treating the product; and measuring a fluence of a portion of the light treatment for each of a plurality of wavelengths of the spectrum of wavelengths simultaneously. In preferred implementations, the light treatment is a pulsed light treatment and the product is a biological fluid product flowed through a treatment chamber. Furthermore, in preferred implementations, the light treatment is for the deactivation of microorganisms, such as viruses, bacteria, fungus, and other pathogenic and non-pathogenic microorganisms.

Abstract: A fluid treatment system consists of a light source for providing light and a flexible treatment chamber having an input port and an output port, at least a portion of the flexible treatment chamber positioned to receive the light. The at least the portion of the flexible treatment chamber is transmissive to at least 1% of the light having at least one wavelength within a range of 170 to 2600 nm and the flexible treatment chamber is adapted to allow a fluid to be treated to be flowed via the input port therethrough at a specified rate and out the output port. The light source illuminates the fluid as it flows through the flexible treatment chamber in order to deactivate pathogens within the fluid. In some embodiments, the light source is a pulsed light source for emitting short duration, pulses of polychromatic light.

Abstract: A fluid treatment system, and methods of use, the system includes a sealed fluid flow path including a treatment chamber portion and containing a fluid to be passed therethrough and treated with light. The treatment zone is transmissive to at least 1% of the light having at least one wavelength within a range of 170 to 2600 nm. In some variations, the sealed fluid flow path is removable from a light treatment system. In some variations, the flow path includes a first fluid container portion for containing the fluid to be treated and coupled to the treatment chamber portion and a second fluid container portion coupled to an output of the treatment chamber portion. The fluid flow path is designed to be disposable and easily replaceable.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for precisely controlling a light treatment of a treatment system for treating a product. In one implementation, a method for use with a fluid treatment system using light comprises the steps of: estimating a particular velocity of moving particles within a fluid flowing through a treatment chamber of the fluid treatment system using pulses of light as a light treatment, the fluid flowing at a mass flow velocity, the treatment chamber and the fluid being transmissive to at least 1% of light having at least one wavelength within a range of 170 to 2600 nm; and setting a flash rate of the pulses of light based on the particular velocity in order to optimize the light treatment. Furthermore, in preferred implementations, the light treatment is for the deactivation of microorganisms, including viruses, bacteria, fungus and other pathogenic and non-pathogenic microorganisms.

Abstract: An approach for sterilizing microorganisms at a drinking water container employs a flashlamp system including means for generating pulses of light, and for deactivating microorganisms within the drinking water container by illuminating the drinking water container with the pulses of light having been generated; a photo-sensitive detector positioned so as to receive a portion of each of the pulses of light as a measure of an amount of light illuminating the drinking water container, for generating an output signal in response thereto; and a control system, coupled to the flashlamp system and the photo-sensitive detector, for determining, in response to the output signal, whether the pulses of light are sufficient to effect a prescribed level of deactivation of microorganisms in the drinking water container.

Abstract: A method of deactivating microorganisms in food products, packaging material, water, air, and other products involves illuminating the microorganisms using at least one short-duration, high-intensity pulse of broad- spectrum polychromatic light. In variations of this embodiment, the light has an intensity of at least 0.1 J/cm2, the pulse duration is from between about 10 nanoseconds and 10 milliseconds, and/or at least 50% of the at least one pulse's energy is transmitted in light having wavelength from between about 170 and 2600 nanometers. Advantageously, the microorganisms may be Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts, Bacillus pumilus spores or poliovirus.

Abstract: A system of deactivating microorganisms in water involves illuminating the microorganisms using at least one short-duration, high-intensity pulse of broad-spectrum polychromatic light. The system includes a watertight housing having an inlet port and an outlet port for the flow water. A tubular light source for deactivating microorganisms and a tubular baffle for directing the water flow are positioned within the watertight housing. Waters enters the inlet port and flows between the watertight housing and the tubular baffle in one direction, around the end of the tubular baffle and back through the center of the tubular baffle in a second direction exiting the outlet port. In one embodiment, the inlet and outlet ports are positioned at the same end of the watertight housing. In a another embodiment, the inlet port is at the end of the watertight housing and the outlet port extends radially from the tubular baffle through the side of the watertight housing.

Abstract: A method of deactivating microorganisms in food products, packaging material, water, air, and other products involves illuminating the microorganisms using at least one short-duration, high-intensity pulse of broad-spectrum polychromatic light. In variations of this embodiment, the light has an intensity of at least 0.1 J/cm.sup.2, the pulse duration is from between about 10 nanoseconds and 10 milliseconds, and/or at least 50% of the at least one pulse's energy is transmitted in light having wavelength from between about 170 and 2600 nanometers. Advantageously, the microorganisms may be Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts, Bacillus pumilus spores or poliovirus.