Frequency Selective Viral Inactivation through Bond Breaking
An apparatus is provided for delivering IR and/or UV radiation, to an area or a surface in which virions, such as SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes the disease, COVID-19), may exist, wherein the IR radiation is intended to degrade the viral envelope of the virions and wherein the UV radiation is intended to break specific molecular bonds in order to degrade the RNA of the virion contained within a viral envelope.
Pandemics caused by coronaviruses, such as SARS-CoV-2, can have devastating effects on health and the economy. SARS-CoV-2 is the coronavirus that causes the disease, COVID-19. A coronavirus is an enveloped virus, such as SARS-CoV-2, that contains single-stranded ribonucleic acid (RNA). A surrounding protein coat, referred to as a capsid, protects the RNA. The viral envelope, having a lipid bilayer membrane, serves as another protective coat, containing proteins and phospholipids, and it encloses the capsid. Spike proteins, which are crown-like in appearance, lie within the envelope. Envelope protein and membrane protein provide structural integrity to the virus (referenced as a “virion” outside of a host cell), and are interspersed among spike protein in the lipid bilayer membrane. The genome (the genetic material) of the virus is contained in its RNA in the form of a sequence of nucleotides that encode the synthesis of gene product (e.g., RNA or a protein). The spike protein in a coronavirus serves as the attachment tool for the virus to bind to a host cell. A coronavirus binds via its spike protein to a receptor, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), an enzyme that is attached to the cell membranes of cells typically found in the respiratory track. ACE2 enzymes are organic molecules of catalytic proteins. The virus' hijacks a host cell's protein-making machinery causing the host cell to replicate viral proteins and RNA, which may assemble into copies of the virus. Hundreds of virions may result which may result in the virus infecting other host cells. RNA replication, like DNA replication has error correction (also known as proof reading) capability in replicating a genome sequence. However, RNA replication generally does not extend to the entire genome. For instance, coronavirus lacks post-replicative repair in certain regions of its genome. Consequently, mutations of RNA viruses, such as coronaviruses, may frequently occur, particularly as it relates to the genetic coding of the spike protein and accessory proteins. These mutations may possibly even allow a coronavirus to bind to new receptors. As the genome sequence of coronaviruses is relatively long (the longest of any other known RNA virus), replication of an RNA strand may be more prone to error than other viruses (the longer the sequence, the more chances for replication error/mutation).
Because of the damaging health, social, and economic effects of viruses, means and methods for inactivating them by attacking one or more of the previously mentioned viral components have long been sought after. For example, the lipid bilayer membrane is susceptible to degradation from detergents, soap and water, various disinfectants, etc. Further, heat and humidity may also damage this membrane. Once the viral envelope is damaged, this may lead to a virion losing its ability to bind to functional receptors.
Another approach to viral inactivation is to attack the RNA strand. The RNA strand in a virion is particularly subject to damage from ultraviolet (UV) radiation/light. It has been found that UV-C radiation is most effective for inactivation of viruses. However, the UV-C range of radiation can potentially cause negative effects from exposure, such as sunburn, skin cancer and eye cataracts.
Killing viruses/virions has become a top priority with the advent of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Disinfecting surfaces and air is a concern that extends to every community for every room around the world, in order to inactivate known virions/viruses and virions/viruses yet to come, especially in present and/or future pandemics.
Particularly, given the potential flexibility of possible mutations relating to the spike protein of a SARS-CoV-2 virion, it is desirable to have a method and/or apparatus for destroying the structural integrity of the viral envelope. Further, a need exists to provide a reliable method to inactivate virions/viruses by both destroying the viral envelope as well as by modifying and damaging the RNA within the viral envelope. Successfully addressing these needs may lead to a solution to retard the spread of COVID-19.
For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure, the objects and advantages thereof, reference is now made to the ensuing descriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings briefly described as follows.
Applicable reference numbers have been carried forward.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONAlternatively, the various light sources, transducers, and lens systems described herein may be independently mounted to turntable 108 and each may be positioned independently of one another via an associated positioning system. Alternatively, in some examples, housing 104 may include some but not all of the aforementioned light sources, transducers and other systems with the remaining items grouped in a separate housing or independently mounted to turntable 108 and inclusive of a positioning system/apparatus. Also, multiples of one or more of the aforementioned light sources, transducers, and/or other systems, as desired, may be implemented in the previously mentioned apparatus/system(s).
In operation, cleaning apparatus 100 cleans enclosure or surface 102 by irradiating surfaces in enclosure or surface 102 with UV and/or IR radiation as defined by the frequency of light provided by the UV and IR light sources within radiation source housing 104. The UV light is contemplated as being in the UV-A, UV-B and UV-C spectra. The UV light sources discussed herein in regard to the drawing figures and claims may produce light of a discrete nature, such as that produced by a laser, or of a continuous nature, such as that produced by known UV bulb sources. Thus, the source of UV light and the source of IR light in radiation source housing 104 may be, for example, one or more lasers. A surface within a defined perimeter (e.g., a square inch) to be irradiated with UV light and IR light from radiation source housing 104. The UV light and IR light may be emitted, simultaneously on a target or, alternatively, one may follow the other. Turntable 108 may be actuated by an electro-mechanical turning mechanism (not shown) to rotate radiation source housing 104, systematically, so as to be able to irradiate a surface at which it is directed. The UV radiation is intended to degrade the DNA of a DNA virus or the RNA of a RNA virus (like SARS-CoV-2). Especially given the error correction capability of DNA and RNA viruses, should the UV radiation not be sufficient to effectively degrade the RNA or DNA (both of which define “genetic material”) to the point of inactivation, the IR irradiation is intended to destroy the viral membrane of an enveloped virus/virion like SARS-CoV-2. The IR radiation is intended to heat the surface to the point where a viral membrane of a virion on the surface would be damaged or substantially degraded. Empirical data concerning one or more viruses may be used as a reference to determine the recommended duration of application at a power/intensity and frequency that is best able to destroy or degrade a particular viral envelope. It may be desired that only a particular surface in a room need be cleansed for purposes of time economy. For instance, radiation source housing 104 may be directed to be swept over a certain area, such as counter 130, to cause IR and/or UV irradiation, only, of counter 130, as opposed to a more substantial portion or all of the entire room (enclosure 102). One or more reflectors such as reflector 150, may be used to reflect IR and UV radiation onto surfaces which may be obscured from receiving irradiation directly incident from the IR and UV sources. One or more sensors (sensor 170) may be placed within enclosure 102. Sensor 170 may be used to send various readings to cleaning apparatus 100, which may include one or more processors (not shown) or microcontrollers (not shown). The readings may include information about various parameters (e.g., heat intensity, direction of radiation, duration of radiation, etc.) and they may be used by cleaning apparatus 100 to make adjustments, accordingly, to IR/UV radiation intensity, direction, duration, etc., based on the sensor readings.
With reference to
Temperature-sensor 210 (which may be a laser light infrared thermometer) may be used by the processor 202 to determine the temperature of a surface both before and after application of IR radiation, pursuant to attaining a predetermined temperature or difference in temperature (delta) after application of the IR irradiation. Alternatively, temperature-sensor 210 may be used to check the temperature of a surface after irradiation to ascertain whether a targeted surface temperature has been attained. Step motor(s) 214, (of which there may be, for instance, one to three step motors for controlling pitch, yaw and roll angles of radiation source housing 104 (
As shown in
The sources of light/radiation 502, 504, 506 may be operated simultaneously or in various combinations of being turned on or turned off. Lenses (not shown) for further focusing light 507 may be placed over one or more of the sources of light/radiation (502, 504, 506), or, where the UV and/or IR light source contain a laser, such lenses may be dispersive in nature, such as a concave lens, so as to spread out the otherwise narrow laser beam to cover a larger surface area. Alternatively, in lieu of a lens, an appropriate frosted glass or other dispersive device may be used. Light fixture 508 may be attached to many different surfaces, such as ceiling 512. In some examples, sources of light/radiation (502, 504, 506) may include one or more filters such as band-pass filters.
Mobile wand 700 is also contemplated as being for use in a vehicle, particularly a rideshare vehicle. Handle(s) 706 may be used to facilitate hanging or mounting mobile wand 700 inside of the vehicle (not shown). Alternatively, a holder (not shown) may be provided for mobile wand 700 within the vehicle. In some examples, wand control unit 720 may contain a wireless controller (Bluetooth™, Bluetooth™ Low Energy (LE), WiFi, etc.) for controlling mobile wand 700 using a mobile device (smart phone, tablet, etc.). In connection with a passenger entering or leaving a vehicle, mobile wand 700, provided in the vehicle and powered through a vehicle power outlet (accessory power supply, cigarette lighter, etc.) or a mobile battery unit, may be used to disinfect surfaces and air within the vehicle passenger compartment by application of light as noted herein. In some examples, it is contemplated that the mobile wand 700 will be connected to a wireless network such that mobile wand 700 may operable via a wireless connection.
The foregoing apparatus and method(s) permit a system for collecting reliable cleaning data evidencing comprehensive cleaning of surface.
Experiments exposing viruses to different light wavelengths show that UV-C is the most effective frequency range to inactivate viruses. This may provide insight into why UV-C light has been shown to have greater effect on viral inactivation as compared with other UV frequencies.
There are three basic incident photon interactions with an atom:
1. Absorption,
2. elastic (Rayleigh) scattering, or
3. non-elastic (e.g., Raman or Stokes-Raman) scattering.
While elastic and non-elastic scattering may involve either no or only partially momentum being transferred to an electron, absorption involves a photon being “consumed” (i.e., absorbed) in its entirety by an electron, causing the electron to “jump” to a more energetic orbital, thereby putting an associated atom/molecule in an excited state. An electron cannot absorb just any photon. The photon has to have an energy equal to the energy difference between the two orbitals between which the electron jumps.
For wave phenomena such as light it is known that:
c=λω,
where c=speed of light, λ=wavelength, and ω=frequency. Note that since c=constant, increasing λ, decreases ω and vice versa.
The energy for a light particle or photon is
1) E=hω, where h=Planck's Constant, or
2) E=hc/λ,
Through photolysis, the separation of molecules by the action of light, virions may be destroyed using light at specific wavelengths to produce photons that will break specific molecular bonds (covalent bonds) in an RNA genome. Inactivation of RNA or DNA can be accomplished by targeting specific bonds for photolysis at the corresponding light wavelength to the bond energy for the bond sought to be broken. Stated otherwise, a photolysis effect may be produced by application of light having a wavelength only no greater than and proximate to a wavelength corresponding to the bond energy (hereinafter referred to as the bond energy wavelength) of a chemical bond in a genetic molecule. Bond energies may be calculated from equation 2) (E=hc/λ) through experimental data in determining bond breaking wavelengths. Bond energies have been determined for a number of common bonds. Knowing the bond energy of a bond permits one to calculate the wavelength, λ, (or frequency, ω) of the lowest energy light that can break the bond according to λ=hc/E with E (shown above as the relativistic energy) representing the bond energy. 260 nm has been determined to be an effective UV-C wavelength to cause inactivation of some viruses.
Although the primary mechanism for viral inactivation of RNA or DNA has been generally identified as occurring through dimerization, photolysis, the separation of molecules by the action of light, may provide a reliable means by which to destroy virions. It is proposed that viral RNA or DNA may be destroyed using light at specific wavelengths to produce photons that will break specific molecular bonds (covalent bonds) throughout a RNA or DNA genome. The inactivation of a virus may be accomplished by targeting specific bonds for photolysis at the light wavelength corresponding to that equal to or greater than the bond energy for the bond sought to be broken. Bond energies are available for a number of common bonds. Knowing the bond energy of a bond permits one to calculate the wavelength, λ, (or frequency, ω) of the lowest energy light that can break the bond according to λ=hc/E with E (the relativistic energy) representing the bond energy. While 260 nm has been determined to be an effective UV-C wavelength to cause inactivation, through dimerization, of some viruses, it is a wavelength corresponding to the bond energy, 459 kilo Joules (kJ)/mole, which is also necessary to break the covalent bond between hydrogen (H) and oxygen (O) atoms.
Irradiating virions with specific narrow ranges of light that correspond to the frequencies of light at or slightly above (wavelengths of light at or slightly below) that needed to liberate an electron from a bond, may make it possible to inactivate a virion through destruction of the viral RNA. In addition, it may be possible to inactivate a virion through destruction of the viral envelope (of an enveloped RNA virion/virus) by application of heat to the envelope. Although destruction of the viral envelope is primarily contemplated as resulting from application of infrared (IR) light of a sufficient intensity it is also contemplated that heat may also be transmitted to the viral envelope, through application of UV light, sufficient to cause destruction of the viral envelope.
Where a non-laser UV source is used, it may be desirable to use one or more band-pass filters on the produced continuous wavelength UV light to provide only the frequencies related to the targeted nucleotide bonds to the target viruses, bacteria, spores or other biological agents. That is, the foregoing may have a first light source producing a continuous wavelength UV light and may further have one or more band-pass filters that transmit only the frequencies of UV light correlating with targeted bonds of the genetic molecules of targeted biological agents. Thus, by way of example, the foregoing may include a band-pass filter that transmits light having a wavelength corresponding to the bond energy of a chemical bond in a genetic molecule, with the chemical bond being selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen (H)—oxygen (O), carbon (C)—oxygen (O), carbon (C)—carbon (C), carbon (C)—nitrogen (N), or phosphorus (P)—oxygen (O). Additional band-pass filters may be provided to target additional bonds. Multiple individual band-pass filters may be utilized or where appropriate such band-pass filters may be incorporated into a single unit. By utilizing such filters the level of potential human exposure to UV radiation can be minimized. Further, in some examples, targeting molecular bonds which correspond to bond energies for UV irradiation at frequencies lower than (wavelengths longer than) that of UV-C, provides an advantage which may allow safe application of UV light in an environment while living beings are present.
To further enhance the safe use of the present apparatus/system, known or hereafter developed object recognition systems, inclusive of facial recognition systems, may be utilized alone or in conjunction with motion sensors to reduce the possibility of the apparatus/system being operated in the presence of human or animal life.
Through irradiating, simultaneously or in sequence, virions with UV light of specific narrow ranges of frequencies/wavelengths that correspond to the UV light needed to attain absorption by an electron, it may be possible to inactivate a virion through disruption of the viral RNA. In addition, it may be possible to destroy the viral envelope of an enveloped RNA virion/virus through application of heat to the envelope. Although heat may be transmitted to the viral envelope through application of UV light, it contemplated that application of infrared (IR) light of a sufficient intensity may result in viral inactivation. Irradiation may be accomplished in connection with using one or more lasers and or one or more sources which generate irradiation/light isotropically. In one example, the wavelength of light produced may, for instance, be equal to or less than 15 nanometers of a respective selected bond energy or within even narrower ranges such as equal to or less than 10 nanometers, equal to or less than 8 nanometers or equal to or less than 5 nanometers of the wavelength corresponding to that of the respective bond energy. One or more reflectors, proximate to, or remote from, a light source (laser, isotropic light, etc.) may be used to further direct light or disperse light.
The simultaneous irradiation of surfaces or spaces (including air spaces) at around targeted frequencies of light corresponding to specific bond energies, may result in the most effect use of UV irradiation for a known viral genome in order to inactivate a virion through RNA (or DNA) strand disruption/destruction. Further, irradiation of open spaces surfaces at around targeted frequencies of light, corresponding to specific bond energies, may result in inactivation of a RNA strand existing in air. The devices and systems disclosed herein may be used to deliver such irradiation. More specifically, the foregoing devices and systems may be used connection with IR irradiation of surfaces and spaces, in a manner which is intended to disrupt/destruct the viral envelope, thereby rendering the spike protein ineffective. The foregoing may offer an advantage in allowing disinfection to occur without resorting to use of UV-C frequencies and/or allowing use of more efficient methods of disinfection that do not produce radiation which, to a great extent, is unnecessary or ineffective.
Irradiating molecular bonds at a specific wavelength/frequency to cause viral inactivation is also a function of the intensity of that irradiation. Thusly, the production of photons may be increased, in connection with increased intensity. Increasing the number of photons of the desired frequency increases the likelihood that a bond-breaking interaction will occur. The photons which may be absorbed by electrons in molecular bonds may result in a sufficiently significant number of broken bonds to cause viral inactivation.
The foregoing may be accomplished through software code running in one or more processors on a communication device in conjunction with a processor in a server running complementary software code.
It is appreciated that in order to practice the method of the foregoing as described above, it is not necessary that the processors and/or the memories of the processing machine be physically located in the same geographical place. That is, each of the processors and the memory (or memories) used by the processing machine may be located in geographically distinct locations and connected so as to communicate in any suitable manner. Additionally, it is appreciated that each of the processor and/or the memory may be composed of different physical pieces of equipment. Accordingly, it is not necessary that the processor be one single piece of equipment in one location and that the memory be another single piece of equipment in another location. That is, it is contemplated that the processor may be two pieces of equipment in two different physical locations. The two distinct pieces of equipment may be connected in any suitable manner. Additionally, the memory may include two or more portions of memory in two or more physical locations.
To explain further, processing, as described above, is performed by various components and various memories. However, it is appreciated that the processing performed by two distinct components as described above may, in accordance with a further embodiment of the foregoing, be performed by a single component. Further, the processing performed by one distinct component as described above may be performed by two distinct components. In a similar manner, the memory storage performed by two distinct memory portions, as described above, may, in accordance with a further embodiment of the foregoing, be performed by a single memory portion. Further, the memory storage, performed by one distinct memory portion, as described above, may be performed by two memory portions.
Further, various technologies may be used to provide communication between the various processors and/or memories, as well as to allow the processors and/or the memories of the foregoing to communicate with any other entity, i.e., so as to obtain further instructions or to access and use remote memory stores, for example. Such technologies used to provide such communication might include a network, the Internet, Intranet, Extranet, LAN, an Ethernet, wireless communication via cell tower or satellite, or any client server system that provides communication, for example. Such communications technologies may use any suitable protocol such as TCP/IP, UDP, or OSI, for example.
As described above, a set of instructions may be used in the processing of the foregoing. The set of instructions may be in the form of a program or software. The software may be in the form of system software or application software, for example. The software might also be in the form of a collection of separate programs, a program module within a larger program, or a portion of a program module, for example. The software used might also include modular programming in the form of object-oriented programming. The software may instruct the processing machine what to do with the data being processed.
Further, it is appreciated that the instructions or set of instructions used in the implementation and operation of the foregoing may be in a suitable form such that the processing machine may read the instructions. For example, the instructions that form a program may be in the form of a suitable programming language, which is converted to machine language or object code to allow the processor or processors to read the instructions. That is, written lines of programming code or source code, in a particular programming language, are converted to machine language using a compiler, assembler or interpreter. The machine language is binary coded machine instructions that are specific to a particular type of processing machine, i.e., to a particular type of computer, for example. The computer understands the machine language.
Any suitable programming language may be used in accordance with the various embodiments of the foregoing. Illustratively, the programming language used may include assembly language, Ada, APL, Basic, C, C++, COBOL, dBase, Forth, Fortran, Java, Modula-2, Pascal, Prolog, REXX, Visual Basic, and/or JavaScript, for example. Further, it is not necessary that a single type of instruction or single programming language be utilized in conjunction with the operation of the system and method of the foregoing. Rather, any number of different programming languages may be utilized as is necessary and/or desirable.
Also, the instructions and/or data used in the practice of the foregoing may utilize any compression or encryption technique or algorithm, as may be desired. An encryption module might be used to encrypt data. Further, files or other data may be decrypted using a suitable decryption module, for example.
As described above, the foregoing may illustratively be embodied in the form of a processing machine, including a computer or computer system, for example, that includes at least one memory. It is to be appreciated that the set of instructions, i.e., the software for example, that enables the computer operating system to perform the operations described above may be contained on any of a wide variety of media or medium, as desired. Further, the data that is processed by the set of instructions might also be contained on any of a wide variety of media or medium. That is, the particular medium, i.e., the memory in the processing machine, utilized to hold the set of instructions and/or the data used in the foregoing may take on any of a variety of physical forms or transmissions, for example. Illustratively, the medium may be in the form of paper, paper transparencies, a compact disk, a DVD, an integrated circuit, a hard disk, a floppy disk, an optical disk, a magnetic tape, a RAM, a ROM, a PROM, an EPROM, a wire, a cable, a fiber, a communications channel, a satellite transmission, a memory card, a SIM card, or other remote transmission, as well as any other medium or source of data that may be read by the processors of the foregoing.
Further, the memory or memories used in the processing machine that implements the foregoing may be in any of a wide variety of forms to allow the memory to hold instructions, data, or other information, as is desired. Thus, the memory might be in the form of a database to hold data. The database might use any desired arrangement of files such as a flat file arrangement or a relational database arrangement, for example.
In the system and method of the foregoing, a variety of “user interfaces” may be utilized to allow a user to interface with the processing machine or machines that are used to implement the foregoing. As used herein, a user interface includes any hardware, software, or combination of hardware and software used by the processing machine that allows a user to interact with the processing machine. A user interface may be in the form of a dialogue screen for example. A user interface may also include any of a mouse, touch screen, keyboard, keypad, voice reader, voice recognizer, dialogue screen, menu box, list, checkbox, toggle switch, a pushbutton or any other device that allows a user to receive information regarding the operation of the processing machine as it processes a set of instructions and/or provides the processing machine with information. Accordingly, the user interface is any device that provides communication between a user and a processing machine. The information provided by the user to the processing machine through the user interface may be in the form of a command, a selection of data, or some other input, for example.
As discussed above, a user interface is utilized by the processing machine that performs a set of instructions such that the processing machine processes data for a user. The user interface is typically used by the processing machine for interacting with a user either to convey information or receive information from the user. However, it should be appreciated that in accordance with some embodiments of the system and method of the foregoing, it is not necessary that a human user actually interact with a user interface used by the processing machine of the foregoing. Rather, it is also contemplated that the user interface of the foregoing might interact, i.e., convey and receive information, with another processing machine, rather than a human user. Accordingly, the other processing machine might be characterized as a user. Further, it is contemplated that a user interface utilized in the system and method of the foregoing may interact partially with another processing machine or processing machines, while also interacting partially with a human user.
While the discussion herein has focused on the novel coronavirus, the foregoing will also find application relative to other biological agents, such as other viruses, bacteria, or spores. As such, it will be understood that the genetic material contained in such biological agents will include nucleotide chains of varying lengths. Such disparate nucleotide chain lengths may call for varying UV intensities in order to achieve inactivation thereof and such variation is within the scope of the present disclosure.
The foregoing has been described herein using specific embodiments for the purposes of illustration only. It will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, however, that the principles of the foregoing can be embodied in other ways. While use of the present apparatus has been described with regard to viruses, it is contemplated that it would be similarly effective in use against biological agents in general including bacteria and spores wherein specific bonds, as discussed herein, are targeted by the apparatus. Further, the foregoing may be effective against nerve agents such as sarin or other gas agents, e.g., mustard, tear, etc. Therefore, the foregoing should not be regarded as being limited in scope to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but instead as being fully commensurate in scope with the following claims.
Claims
1. A method for disinfecting, comprising:
- a) determining an area for cleaning in conjunction with rendering a landscape map from an image of the area;
- b) defining a plurality of targets on a surface corresponding to areas on the landscape map;
- c) irradiating a target, from the plurality of targets, using infrared (IR) light produced by an IR light source;
- d) determining whether a predetermined temperature has been achieved in connection with the irradiating of the target using the IR light;
- e) irradiating the target, from the plurality of targets, with ultraviolet (UV) light produced by a UV light source;
- f) adjusting the positions of at least one of the IR and UV light sources; and
- g) continuing steps c) through f) until the plurality of targets have been irradiated with IR and UV light.
2. The method for disinfecting, as recited in claim 1, further comprising storing historical cleaning information.
3. The method for disinfecting, as recited in claim 2, further comprising transmitting the historical cleaning information to a remote location.
4. The method for disinfecting as recited in claim 1 further comprising transmitting UV light, of a first wavelength only no greater than and proximate to a first bond energy wavelength corresponding to a bond energy of a first chemical bond in a genetic molecule, the first chemical bond being selected from the group consisting of hydrogen-oxygen, carbon-oxygen, carbon-carbon, carbon-nitrogen, and phosphorus-oxygen; and
- transmitting UV light, of a second wavelength only no greater than and proximate to a second bond energy wavelength corresponding to a bond energy of a second chemical bond in the genetic molecule, the second chemical bond being selected from the group consisting of hydrogen-oxygen, carbon-oxygen, carbon-carbon, carbon-nitrogen, and phosphorus-oxygen, wherein the first and second wavelengths are distinct from each other.
5. The method for disinfecting as recited in claim 4 further comprising transmitting UV light, of a third wavelength only no greater than and proximate to a third bond energy wavelength corresponding to a bond energy of a third chemical bond in a genetic molecule, the third chemical bond being selected from the group consisting of hydrogen-oxygen, carbon-oxygen, carbon-carbon, carbon-nitrogen, and phosphorus-oxygen, wherein the first, second, and third wavelengths are distinct from each other.
6. The method for disinfecting, as recited in claim 4, further comprising ceasing irradiating the target with UV light in connection with detection of a living being in the area and wherein the first wavelength is equal to or less than 15 nanometers of the first bond energy wavelength and the second wavelength is equal to or less than 15 nanometers of the second bond energy wavelength.
7. A method for disinfecting, comprising:
- a) defining at least one target on a surface to be disinfected;
- b) irradiating the target using infrared (IR) light produced by an IR light source;
- c) determining whether a predetermined temperature has been achieved in connection with the irradiating of the target using the IR light; and
- d) irradiating the target with ultraviolet (UV) light produced by a UV light source.
8. The method of claim 7 further comprising:
- a) defining a plurality of targets on the surface to be disinfected;
- b) adjusting the positions of at least one of the IR and UV light sources; and
- c) continuing irradiating the plurality of targets until the plurality of targets have been irradiated with IR and UV light.
9. The method for disinfecting as recited in claim 7 further comprising transmitting UV light, of a first wavelength only no greater than and proximate to a first bond energy wavelength corresponding to a bond energy of a first chemical bond in a genetic molecule, the first chemical bond being selected from the group consisting of hydrogen-oxygen, carbon-oxygen, carbon-carbon, carbon-nitrogen, and phosphorus-oxygen; and
- transmitting UV light, of a second wavelength only no greater than and proximate to a second bond energy wavelength corresponding to a bond energy of a second chemical bond in the genetic molecule, the second chemical bond being selected from the group consisting of hydrogen-oxygen, carbon-oxygen, carbon-carbon, carbon-nitrogen, and phosphorus-oxygen, wherein the first and second wavelengths are distinct from each other.
10. The method for disinfecting as recited in claim 9 further comprising transmitting UV light, of a third wavelength only no greater than and proximate to a third bond energy wavelength corresponding to a bond energy of a third chemical bond in a genetic molecule, the third chemical bond being selected from the group consisting of hydrogen-oxygen, carbon-oxygen, carbon-carbon, carbon-nitrogen, and phosphorus-oxygen, wherein the first, second, and third wavelengths are distinct from each other.
11. The method for disinfecting, as recited in claim 9, further comprising ceasing irradiating the target with UV light in connection with detection of a living being in the area and wherein the first wavelength is equal to or less than 15 nanometers of the first bond energy wavelength and the second wavelength is equal to or less than 15 nanometers of the second bond energy wavelength.
12. An apparatus comprising:
- at least one light source, the at least one light source being configured to produce ultraviolet (UV) light and infrared (IR) light, simultaneously;
- a first band-pass filter being configured to transmit UV light, produced by the at least one light source, of a first wavelength only no greater than and proximate to a first bond energy wavelength corresponding to a bond energy of a first chemical bond in a genetic molecule, the first chemical bond being selected from the group consisting of hydrogen-oxygen, carbon-oxygen, carbon-carbon, carbon-nitrogen, and phosphorus-oxygen; and
- a second band-pass filter being configured to transmit UV light, produced by the at least one light source, of a second wavelength only no greater than and proximate to a second bond energy wavelength corresponding to a bond energy of a second chemical bond in a genetic molecule, the second chemical bond being selected from the group consisting of hydrogen-oxygen, carbon-oxygen, carbon-carbon, carbon-nitrogen, and phosphorus-oxygen, wherein the first and second wavelengths are distinct from each other.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising a third band-pass filter being configured to transmit UV light, produced by the at least one light source, of a third wavelength only no greater than and proximate to a third bond energy wavelength corresponding to a bond energy of a third chemical bond in a genetic molecule, the third chemical bond being selected from the group consisting of hydrogen-oxygen, carbon-oxygen, carbon-carbon, carbon-nitrogen, and phosphorus-oxygen, wherein the first, second, and third wavelengths are distinct from each other.
14. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising:
- a housing, the at least one light source being at least partially contained within the housing, the at least one light source being selected from the group consisting of an incandescent light source, a laser light source, a light emitting diode (LED) source, a liquid crystal display (LCD) diode source and combinations thereof and wherein the first wavelength is equal to or less than 15 nanometers of the first bond energy wavelength and wherein the second wavelength is equal to or less than 15 nanometers of the second bond energy wavelength.
15. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a controller for controlling the at least one light source.
16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the laser light is selected from the group consisting of a continuous-mode operating laser, a pulsed-mode operating laser and a combination thereof.
17. An apparatus for disinfecting, comprising:
- a source of infrared (IR) radiation;
- a source of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, the source of IR radiation and the source of UV radiation being configured to operate simultaneously;
- a control unit having a processor, the processor controlling the sources of IR and UV radiation;
- a temperature sensor coupled to the control unit and being operable to detect the temperature of a surface upon which the temperature sensor is directed;
- a positioning apparatus being operable to independently position the source of IR radiation, the source of UV radiation, and the temperature sensor; and
- a vehicle coupled to the positioning apparatus.
18. The apparatus for disinfecting as recited in claim 17, further comprising a first band-pass filter being configured to transmit light, produced by the source of UV radiation, of a first wavelength only no greater than and proximate to a first bond energy wavelength corresponding to a bond energy of a first chemical bond in a genetic molecule, the first chemical bond being selected from the group consisting of hydrogen-oxygen, carbon-oxygen, carbon-carbon, carbon-nitrogen, and phosphorus-oxygen; and
- a second band-pass filter being configured to transmit light, produced by the source of UV radiation, of a second wavelength only no greater than and proximate to a second bond energy wavelength corresponding to a bond energy of a second chemical bond in a genetic molecule, the second chemical bond being selected from the group consisting of hydrogen-oxygen, carbon-oxygen, carbon-carbon, carbon-nitrogen, and phosphorus-oxygen, wherein the first and second wavelengths are distinct from each other.
19. An apparatus as recited in claim 18 further comprising a third band-pass filter being configured to transmit light, produced by the source of UV radiation, of a third wavelength only no greater than and proximate to a third bond energy wavelength corresponding to a bond energy of a third chemical bond in a genetic molecule, the third chemical bond being selected from the group consisting of hydrogen-oxygen, carbon-oxygen, carbon-carbon, carbon-nitrogen, and phosphorus-oxygen, wherein the first, second, and third wavelengths are distinct from each other.
Type: Application
Filed: May 13, 2021
Publication Date: Jan 13, 2022
Inventors: James Arthur Graham, JR. (Chicago, IL), Ghobad Heidari-Bateni (San Diego, CA), Stanton C. Braden (San Diego, CA), Craig Martin Gregersen (Apple Valley, MN)
Application Number: 17/319,951