Abstract:
An appliance for disinfecting hand-held devices each having a surface that is contacted manually when the device is in use, composed of: a source of disinfecting radiation; and a conveyer system operative to convey the devices past the source with the top and/or bottom surfaces of each device facing the source, wherein the conveyor system is composed of a plurality of hollow, transparent rollers; and the source of disinfecting radiation includes a plurality of lamps, each housed in a respective one of the trans parent rollers.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention is directed to an appliance for disinfecting hand-held devices having surfaces that are contacted manually when the device is in use 
         [0002]    Even in the cleanest environments, many kinds of microbes will begin to multiply on surfaces and sometimes reach harmful levels. If these contaminated surfaces are touched by individuals or contact everyday products, the transfer of microbes begins, resulting in cross-contamination. Pathogen bacteria, such as  Staphylococcus aureus , including methicillin resistant  staphylococcus aureus  (MRSA) and  Escherichia Coli , can be spread via cross-contamination, leading to infection and illness. 
         [0003]    The increased use of cell phones, pdas, tablets, and other hand-held devices by patients, visitors and healthcare workers in healthcare facilities suggests the need to disinfect and prevent pathogen growth on these devices to reduce cross-contamination and possibly the incidence of hospital acquired infections. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention provides a disinfection appliance based on UV type light having an appropriate wavelength for disinfecting hand-held devices. 
         [0005]    The invention also provides a protective film with antimicrobial capabilities that will cover the device screen, and possibly the device keys and back, to prevent, or at least impede, bacterial growth after the UV exposure. 
         [0006]    One embodiment of the disinfection appliance according to the invention includes a conveyor system, which may be roller-based, for conveying devices along a conveying path, and lamps disposed along the conveying path for producing disinfecting light. The light wavelengths that presently appear to be most effective are those that produce UV type C light. 
         [0007]    According to preferred embodiments of the invention, at least some of the rollers are transparent tubes, preferably of quartz, but also possibly of glass or plastic, each enclosing a UV lamp inside. Only the rollers enclosing a UV lamp need be transparent to UV radiation. 
         [0008]    Alternatively, lamps that are disposed below the conveying path may be interposed between rollers in addition to, or in place of, lamps that are enclosed by transparent rollers. However, if the lamps are in rollers and the rollers are disposed next to one another, a higher light flux can be produced along a conveying path of limited length. 
         [0009]    It is presently preferred to provide lamps both above and below the conveying path. However, useful embodiments of the invention can be provided with lamps that are only above, or only below, the conveying path. 
         [0010]    Various embodiments of the invention can be employed to disinfect food trays that are used by people and that are used in production of animal feed, silverware, shoes, toys and produce. 
         [0011]    The invention can also be used to decontaminate toxic, or suspected toxic, substances, such as white powder of unknown origin, which could be anthrax, or to decontaminate clothing. 
         [0012]    Protective films according to the invention have a titanium dioxide or silver coating that shows bacteriostatic capabilities when exposed to light. Depending on the exposure time in the disinfecting appliance and the nature of the contaminating organism, some level of contamination reduction can be achieved by such a film as well. Microbiological reduction in any system is achieved by the UV dose: C×T, where is radiation concentration, in this case UV irradiance, and T is time. The higher the exposure time the higher the UV dose. 
         [0013]    The film may be made of PET, polypropylene or similar materials such as urethane. 
         [0014]    The film does not require an adhesive, although the use of an adhesive is a possibility. 
         [0015]    One product that can be incorporated into the film surface and that also shows microbiocidal activity when exposed to normal light environments is sold under the trade name Oxititan, developed by Ecoactive Surfaces, Inc., a privately held Florida based company. According to the manufacturer, the ingredients of Oxititan are zinc, TiO 2  and, optionally, silicon dioxide in a colloid of water acting synergistically. 
         [0016]    The film can also be made of a silver-containing material. One such product is a screen shield marketed by Seal Shield LLC, Jacksonville, Fla., under the trade designation ALIGN RIGHT™ 
         [0017]    Preliminary tests have shown that the film impregnated with Oxititan had some bacterial reduction capability. Therefore, incorporation into a TiO 2  film could have a beneficial effect. 
         [0018]    Preferred embodiments of the disinfecting appliance according to the invention provide countertop conveyor systems constructed to disinfect handheld devices utilizing UV light. The system is constructed to achieve a disinfection end point of at least 3-log reduction, or 99.9%. The footprint of the appliance is dimensioned to accommodate at most 1 or 1½ tablet devices, so that the appliance can accommodate a tablet, such as an iPad®, and a cell phone at the same time. However, embodiments of the invention are not limited to any particular size. 
         [0019]    One issue that is addressed, and successfully resolved, by the present invention is that the bottom faces of the devices to be disinfected will be in contact with the conveyor itself. If known conveyors were used, the result would be a shadow effect that would adversely affect the disinfection process of the surfaces in contact with the conveyor. 
         [0020]    The rollers containing lamps may be surrounded by a highly reflective aluminum panel. 
         [0021]    Compared to conventional belt systems, this approach has the benefits that it simplifies conveyor mechanics, reduces conveyor costs, allows 100% exposure of the bottom surfaces of devices to be treated, and reduces the appliance footprint due to the absence of shadowing effects. 
         [0022]    Different mechanisms may be used to drive the rollers. One example may be a belt conveyor marketed by Mini-movers, Inc. This conveyor can be controlled with fixed or variable speed motors. The belt must be made of a material that provides enough grip for the rollers, including the quartz rollers. 
         [0023]    For organisms, such as mold, that are more difficult to kill the initial number of lamps used may be 11, for example. 
         [0024]    The system is designed in a way that the exposure time and the number of lamps can be adjusted in order to minimize the footprint, cost and the number of lamps. Exposure times can go from 20 to 60 seconds and each lamp may have an individual connector that can be connected or not, making the UV dose variable. 
         [0025]    Preferred embodiments of appliances according to the invention may have a housing provided with a movable lid and equipped with mechanical and magnetic switches that operate in response to opening of the lid, a magnetic latch to lock the lid in its closed position, an ultrasonic sensor switch positioned and operative to detect introduction of a handheld device into the appliance, and connected to turn the conveying system and the lamps on when a device is detected, a high temperature switch to turn the appliance off if the internal temperature exceeds a selected value and a double curtain system that blocks escape of UV radiation from the appliance. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0026]      FIG. 1  is perspective view showing the housing of one embodiment of an appliance according to the invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 2  is front elevational view of the appliance of  FIG. 1  with the front of the housing removed. 
           [0028]      FIG. 3  is a side elevational view of the appliance of  FIG. 1  with the side of the housing removed. 
           [0029]      FIG. 4  is a detail perspective view of several components of the appliance. 
           [0030]      FIGS. 5 ,  6  and  7  are detail views of three embodiments of roller drive components according to the invention. 
           [0031]      FIGS. 8-10  are perspective views of a further embodiment of the invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 11  is a perspective detail view of the input end of the further embodiment. 
           [0033]      FIG. 12  is a top plan view of the further embodiment, with its lid removed. 
           [0034]      FIG. 13  is a perspective detail view of the further embodiment, showing UV blocking curtains. 
           [0035]      FIG. 14  is a pictorial view of an input tray used with the appliance. 
           [0036]      FIG. 15  is a pictorial view of an output tray used with the appliance. 
           [0037]      FIG. 16  is a block diagram showing the electrical components of the further embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0038]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one example of a housing  2  of an appliance according to the invention. 
         [0039]    Housing  2  is composed of two vertical side walls, one of which is shown at  4 , a front wall  6  provided with an entrance slot  8  for introduction of devices to be disinfected, and a rear wall (not shown) provided with an exit slot. The rear wall and exit slot are essentially identical to front wall  6  and entrance slot  8 . The appliance also includes a top wall  10  provided to receive one or more UV disinfecting lamps  40 .  FIG. 1  also shows one roller  14  used to support and convey devices to be disinfected. The lower portions of side walls  4  are provided with legs  16 ,  18  for supporting the appliance while maintaining entrance  8  and the corresponding exit slot at a convenient height. While legs  16  and  18  are shown enclosing a hollow space that can extend along the entire length of appliance  2 , the provision of such a hollow space is not required and the front and rear walls of the appliance could extend to the bottom of the appliance. In fact,  FIG. 1  shows only one example of a housing, which can take many other forms, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 
         [0040]      FIG. 2  is a front elevational view of appliance  2  with the front wall removed. 
         [0041]    Appliance  2  may be provided with an aluminum mounting structure  22  in the space between legs  16  and  18 . The interior of housing  2  is provided with a plurality of UV lamps, including several lower lamps that will be located beneath the device being treated, and several upper lamps that are located above the space through which these devices pass. Housing  2  also contains a plurality of rollers, a number of which are hollow and transparent, each hollow and transparent roller surrounding, or housing a respective lower UV lamp. The rollers are coupled, at one or each end, to a drive system, such as chains, driven by a chain drive conveyer  26  that extends transversally across the space through which devices are conveyed. Chain drive conveyor  26  is rotated by a suitable drive device that may include a motor and drive gears (not shown in detail). 
         [0042]    The interior of leg  16  may be provided with ballast and controls as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the appliance with a side wall  4  removed. As seen in  FIG. 3 , the interior of the appliance is provided with a device support arrangement in the form a plurality of rollers  14  that are supported on suitable bearings that engage a drive chain  30 . Several of rollers  14 , located midway between the entrance and exit slots of housing  2 , are hollow and transparent, and may be made of quartz. While the rollers are mounted to rotate, the UV lamps are stationary. 
         [0044]    An additional group of UV lamps is disposed in an upper portion of the appliance, beneath dome  12 , to illuminate the upper surfaces of devices being treated. 
         [0045]    Lamps having the model designation AAWHO/14T are presently considered to be suitable for achieving the desired results. For an exposure distance of 4 inches in the conveying direction, at least for the additional group of UV lamps disposed in the upper portion of the appliance, the total dosage per lamp will be approximately 50000 μW/cm 2 . The lamps on the bottom can be less than one inch from the lower surfaces of the devices to be treated, since they are embedded in the rollers, and can provide a lower dosage level. 
         [0046]    A drive chain  30  may be coupled to one end of each of the rollers, or two such drive chains can be provided at opposite ends of the rollers. 
         [0047]      FIG. 4  is a perspective detail view showing an end of two of the rollers  14   a  and  14   b . Roller  14   a  is hollow and transparent and contains a UV lamp  40  having two current supply electrodes  42 . Roller  14   b  may be solid and need not be transparent since it does not contain a lamp. 
         [0048]    At each end, each of the rollers is supported in a vertical wall  50 , optionally by a bearing arrangement that includes a stationary member  52  and a rotational member  54 , which bearing arrangement may be in the form of a slide bearing or a roller bearing. 
         [0049]    Rollers  14  engage a suitable drive structure such as chain  30 , which is shown  FIG. 3 . 
         [0050]    Lamps  40  may be supported at their ends by a separate stationary structure (not shown) constructed to allow electrical connections to be made to terminals  42 . 
         [0051]    According to a simple embodiment of the invention, as shown in  FIG. 4 , rollers  14  may be rotated by a simple drive belt  60  that travels beneath rollers  14  and directly contacts the surfaces of rollers  14 . Preferably, drive belt  60  is made of a material having a relatively high coefficient of friction. 
         [0052]      FIG. 5  shows an embodiment of a roller  14   a  provided, in the region of an associated drive belt, with a coating, or ring,  64  having a relatively high coefficient to friction. 
         [0053]      FIG. 6  shows an embodiment in which each roller  14  is secured to a toothed wheel, or gear wheel,  68  that will cooperate with a drive chain such as chain  30 . 
         [0054]      FIG. 7  shows an embodiment of the invention in which each transparent roller  14  (housing a lamp) is equipped with a toothed wheel  68 , while further toothed wheels  70  are provided, each toothed wheel  70  being interposed between each succeeding pair of toothed wheels  68 . According to this embodiment, conveyor  26  will engage one toothed wheel  68  or  70 , at the entrance end of the appliance, and each toothed wheel  68 ,  70  will rotate the succeeding toothed wheel. With this arrangement, all of rollers  14  will be rotated in the same sense. 
         [0055]      FIGS. 8-15  illustrate another embodiment of an appliance  102  according to the present invention. As shown particularly in  FIGS. 8-10 , appliance  102  is provided with an input tray  106 , an output tray  110 , an input opening  114  associated with input tray  106 , a status indicator  118 , a lid  122 , an output opening  126  associated with output tray  110 , a power switch  130  and lid hinges  134  connected between the body of appliance  102  and lid  122 . 
         [0056]    Status indicator  118  may be controlled to switch from red to blue before displaying green. The green color is an indication that the appliance is ready to be used. 
         [0057]    The interior of appliance  102  is provided with a conveyor and lamps similar to those shown and described in connection with  FIGS. 1-7 . 
         [0058]      FIG. 11  shows a portion of the interior of appliance  102  at the input end. In one side wall of the appliance, there is provided an ultrasonic sensor, or detector,  138 . Also shown in  FIG. 11  is a portion of one UV blocking curtain  146 , which may, according to one embodiment, be composed of a series of filaments, or strands, somewhat similar to the bristles of a paint brush. Blocking curtains  146  are located at least ahead of and behind the region provided with UV lamps, essentially at the center of the travel path for devices inside appliance  102 . 
         [0059]    The interior of appliance  102  may also be provided with a high temperature sensing switch  150  that is connected to turn the lamps off if the temperature within the conveying zone exceeds a selected value, for example 150° F. This will also cause status indicator  118  to turn red. 
         [0060]      FIG. 12  is a top plan view of the appliance with the lid open. At the top of the body of the appliance, which will interact with the edge of the lid that is remote from hinges  134 , there are provided a mechanical safety switch  154 , a magnetic safety switch  158  and a magnetic safety latch  162 . As in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , the appliance is provided with a first group of UV lamps enclosed by transparent rollers to illuminate the bottoms of devices being treated, and a second plurality of UV lamps disposed above the path of travel of devices through the appliance. A plurality of UV blocking curtains  146  are disposed in the region between the first plurality and the second plurality of lamps. 
         [0061]    Mechanical safety switch  154  is part of a three-level safety mechanism. This switch will interrupt power to the appliance control board as soon as top lid  122  is opened. This safety mechanism will prevent the user from being exposed to UV-C light. 
         [0062]    Magnetic safety switch  158  is also part of the three-level safety mechanism. This switch will interrupt the DC power to relays on the control board of the appliance circuitry for supplying power to the UV relays as soon as lid  122  is opened. This safety mechanism will help to prevent the user from being exposed to UV-C light. The UV lamps cannot operate if the magnetic switch does not detect that lid  122  is closed. 
         [0063]    Magnetic safety latch  162  is the third element of the three-level safety mechanism and latches lid  122  in the closed position with sufficient force to keep lid  122  closed. To open lid  122 , the appliance has to be turned off in order to demagnetize latch  162 . 
         [0064]    Lid  122  will be held in position by magnetic latch  162   
         [0065]    As can also be seen in  FIG. 12 , the conveying system for this embodiment is composed of a toothed belt  170  at one end of rollers  142 . A second, identical, toothed belt may be associated with the opposite ends of the rollers. Each roller  142  is provided at one, or each, end with a toothed wheel  174 , having the form shown in  FIG. 6 . The, or each, belt  170  is in toothed engagement with associated wheels  174  in order to rotate the rollers. 
         [0066]    The center region of the travel path, where the lamps are located, is also provided with a separate top panel, or lid,  178 , which are hinged to the upper surface of the body of appliance  102 , below lid  122 . The UV-C lamps above the path of travel for devices are carried by panel  178 . Panel  178  can be pivoted open to facilitate replacement of the top lamps, or to remove a device that has been stopped in the UV module. The input region and the output region of the conveying path may each also be provided with one or more further lids. 
         [0067]      FIG. 13  is a top perspective view of the appliance with lid  122  removed. The conveying region has a plurality of UV blocking curtains  180  to prevent the escape of UV radiation out of the appliance. Curtains  180  include at least one curtain at the input end, adjacent input opening  114 , at least one curtain at the output end, adjacent output opening  126 , at least one curtain ahead of, or upstream of, the UV lamps and at least one curtain following, or downstream of, the UV lamps, preferably immediately before and after the UV lamps. 
         [0068]    The curtain at the input end is located to be fully closed when a device enters the UV section, and the device will not reach the curtain at the output end until after having left the UV section. The curtain arrangement will assure that only a minimum UV light, if any, can escape when a device is moving through the curtains and when there is no device in the appliance. The curtains are composed of strands of a material selected to block UV-C radiation and made of a suitable UV blocking material known in the art. 
         [0069]    The conveyor system of an appliance according to the invention may be provided with three conveyor modules, or units, each having rollers driven by a separate motor. Although the conveyor system could be composed of a single conveyor module with a single motor, division of the conveyor system into three modules, each with its own motor, allows the use of smaller motors with lower torque requirements, facilitates manufacture by allowing higher tolerances, and facilitates repair and maintenance in the field. 
         [0070]    Exemplary embodiments of input tray  106  and output tray  110  are shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , respectively. As can be seen in  FIG. 14 , input tray  106  slopes downwardly toward the input opening to allow devices to slide into the appliance. As can be seen in  FIG. 15 , output tray  110  slopes downwardly away from the output opening to allow treated devices to slide away from the appliance and is constructed with a raised lip at its free end to prevent devices from falling onto the floor after exiting the appliance. 
         [0071]      FIG. 16  is a block diagram of one example of electrical circuitry that can be used to control the appliance according to the invention. As shown, operating power, such as from an electric outlet, is supplied to a main power switch  130  and from there to a mechanical safety switch  154 , high temperature responsive switch  150  and a power supply that supplies  24  volt power to magnetic latch  162  and 12 volt power to a microcontroller  204 . Ultrasonic detector  138  is also connected to microcontroller  204 . Microcontroller  204  is also connected to an operator&#39;s interface, which includes status indicator  118 . 
         [0072]    Operating power is supplied through high temperature switch  150  to cooling fans  210  and lamp control  214 . Operating power is supplied to lamps  40  from microcontroller  204  through switch  158  and a lamp control  214 . Operating power is supplied to motors  218  from microcontroller  204  through a motor control  222 . 
         [0073]    Microcontroller  204  is constructed according to principles well known in the art to supply control signals to lamp control  214  and motor control  222 , which supplies operating power for motors  218 . 
         [0074]    As can be seen, whenever any one of switches  150 ,  154  and  158  is open, the supply of operating power to lamps  40  is discontinued. 
         [0075]    Microcontroller  204  is constructed to respond to a proximity signal from detector  138  to initiate operation of motors  218  and to cause operating power to be supplied to lamps  40 . Fans  210  will continue to operate as long as switches  150  and  154  are closed. Lamps  40  will be turned off whenever magnetic safety switch  158  is open. 
         [0076]    Small handheld devices, e.g., having a length or width smaller than 3 inches, may be introduced into the appliance on a simple transparent quartz tray (not shown) of conventional form. 
         [0077]    The conveyor system according to the invention is divided into three independently driven sections, or modules, a) input, b) UV and c) output. 
         [0078]    The input module receives a device to be sanitized and conveys it to the UV Module. There are, for example, six rollers in the input module and they are preferably made of acrylic. 
         [0079]    The UV module is where the actual sanitizing process takes place. This module has, for example, five quartz rollers within each of which each there is housed a UV-C lamp  40 . Since quartz allows UV-C to pass through it, the bottom surface of a conveyed device will have full exposure without any shadows. Also in this module, there are, for example, five lamps  40  on top, above the devices being treated, to allow the top surfaces of the devices to be exposed to UV-C as well. Surfaces below the bottom lamps and above the top lamps are made of, coated with, or provided with a layer of, a reflective material, e.g., aluminum, with a mirror finish to allow UV-C to be reflected, thus increasing the efficiency of radiation utilization. 
         [0080]    A handheld device to be sanitized will be introduced from inlet tray  106  into input opening  114 . Ultrasonic distance, or proximity, sensing switch  138  will detect entry of the handheld device into the appliance and turn on the operating mechanisms of the roller based conveyor and the UV-C lamps. Status indicator  118  may be operated to turn purple, indicating that the UV-C lamps are turned on. Then, the device will be conveyed on rollers  142  through the UV lamp zone and delivered to output opening  126 . At any time, a new device can be introduced into the appliance before the device that was previously introduced exits the conveying path. 
         [0081]    At a preset time, for example 35 seconds, after the last detection of a device by ultrasonic sensor  138 , the roller based conveyor and the UV-C lamps will be turned off. At that time, status indicator  118  may be caused to turn green. 
         [0082]    Once a conveyed device exits the UV module, it will be conveyed to the output module, which will in turn move it to output opening  126  and then onto tray  110 . 
         [0083]    The output module is identical to the input module in construction. 
         [0084]    The main operations of the appliance are controlled by a microprocessor based control board. 
         [0085]    The following functions are controlled with software in the control board:
       Response to detection of a device by sensor switch  138 ;   Operation of the conveyor modules;   Operation of UV-C lamps  40  ( FIG. 3 );   Operation of the status indicator;   Operation of the ballast feedback for proper lamp operation;   Monitoring of the number of cycles run.       
 
         [0092]    Operation of the following components are controlled by hardware and are not dependent on software: mechanical switch  154 ; magnetic switch  158 ; magnetic latch  162 ; and high temperature switch  150 . 
         [0093]    Prototype testing has indicated that most of the sleeves and rollers may not need bearings to rotate, and can simply be supported in openings or recesses in vertical support walls. In this case, it would be desirable to select support walls of materials having a low coefficient of friction. This approach allows the rollers/sleeves to be mounted very close to each other. Each roller/sleeve may be provided with a tape band having a high coefficient of friction to engage with the drive belt and to compensate for slight differences in roller vertical positioning. 
         [0094]    Several tests, reported below, were performed to measure the effects of UV light on test objects that include slide mailers, which simulate the cell phone backs and keypads, and petri dish outer surfaces, which simulate tablet and cell phone screens. The results of those tests appear below. 
         [0095]    Note: One hundred microliters of the initially prepared  Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumonia; Bacillus stearothermophilus  suspension was added to the top and bottom outer surfaces of slide mailers, spread over a 2″×2″ surface, and allowed to air dry before UV exposure. Slide mailers are plastic pieces that simulate cell phone backs and keys. Heat inactivated horse serum was added at a 5% concentration to  Staphylococcus aureus  (SA) bacterial suspensions for samples listed as “with serum”. Bacteria were harvested from both top and bottom surfaces of mailers using sterile dacron swabs moistened with sterile reagent grade water (1 ml in tube). Each swab was immediately vortexed in the remainder of corresponding 1 ml water tubes and plated on tryptic soy agar to obtain plate counts. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 Bacterial 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 Count: 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Test Code 
                 Heterotrophic  
               
               
                 Sample Number/Sample 
                 Sample Type/ 
                 Limit of 
                 Plate 
               
               
                 Site 
                 Media Type 
                 Sensitivity 
                 Count 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 Sa + 5T-S.a. 5% Serum 5 
                 Swab- 
                 10 CFU/swab 
                 None 
               
               
                 Lamps Top 
                 Aerobic TSA 
                 B004 
                 Detected 
               
               
                 Sa + 5B-S.a. 5% Serum 5 
                 Swab- 
                 10 CFU/swab 
                 None 
               
               
                 Lamps Bottom 
                 Aerobic TSA 
                 B004 
                 Detected 
               
               
                 Kp + 5T-K.p. 5% Serum 5 
                 Swab- 
                 10 CFU/swab 
                 None 
               
               
                 Lamps Top 
                 Aerobic TSA 
                 B004 
                 Detected 
               
               
                 Kp + 5B-K.p. 5% Serum 5 
                 Swab- 
                 10 CFU/swab 
                 None 
               
               
                 Lamps Bottom 
                 Aerobic TSA 
                 B004 
                 Detected 
               
               
                 Bs + 5T-B.s. 5% Serum 5 
                 Swab- 
                 10 CFU/swab 
                 None 
               
               
                 Lamps Top 
                 Aerobic TSA 
                 B004 
                 Detected 
               
               
                 Bs + 5B-B.s. 5% Serum 5 
                 Swab- 
                 10 CFU/swab 
                 None 
               
               
                 Lamps Bottom 
                 Aerobic TSA 
                 B004 
                 Detected 
               
               
                 Bs + C-B.s. Control 5% 
                 Swab- 
                 10 CFU/swab 
                 200,000 
               
               
                 Serum 
                 Aerobic TSA 
                 B004 
                   
               
               
                 Sa − C-S.a. Control No 
                 Swab- 
                 10 CFU/swab 
                 20,000 
               
               
                 Serum 
                 Aerobic TSA 
                 B004 
                   
               
               
                 Sa + C-S.a. Control 5% 
                 Swab- 
                 10 CFU/swab 
                 20,000 
               
               
                 Serum 
                 Aerobic TSA 
                 B004 
                   
               
               
                 Kp − C-K.p. Control No 
                 Swab- 
                 10 CFU/swab 
                 21,000 
               
               
                 Serum 
                 Aerobic TSA 
                 B004 
                   
               
               
                 Kp + C-K.p. Control 5% 
                 Swab- 
                 10 CFU/swab 
                 20,000 
               
               
                 Serum 
                 Aerobic TSA 
                 B004 
                   
               
               
                 Sa-3T-S.a. No Serum 3 
                 Swab- 
                 10 CFU/swab 
                 None 
               
               
                 Lamps Top 
                 Aerobic 
                 B004 
                 Detected 
               
               
                 Sa-3B-S.a. No Serum 3 
                 Swab- 
                 10 CFU/swab 
                 None 
               
               
                 Lamps Bottom 
                 Aerobic 
                 B004 
                 Detected 
               
               
                 Sa + 3T-S.a. 5% Serum 3 
                 Swab- 
                 10 CFU/swab 
                 None 
               
               
                 Lamps Top 
                 Aerobic 
                 B004 
                 Detected 
               
               
                 Sa + 3B-S.a. 5% Serum 3 
                 Swab- 
                 10 CFU/swab 
                 None 
               
               
                 Lamps Bottom 
                 Aerobic 
                 B004 
                 Detected 
               
               
                 Ka-3T-K.p. No Serum 3 
                 Swab- 
                 10 CFU/swab 
                 None 
               
               
                 Lamps Top 
                 Aerobic 
                 B004 
                 Detected 
               
               
                 Ka-3B-K.p. No Serum 3 
                 Swab- 
                 10 CFU/swab 
                 None 
               
               
                 Lamps Bottom 
                 Aerobic 
                 B004 
                 Detected 
               
               
                 Ka + 3T-K.p. 5% Serum 3 
                 Swab- 
                 10 CFU/swab 
                 None 
               
               
                 Lamps Top 
                 Aerobic 
                 B004 
                 Detected 
               
               
                 Ka + 3B-K.p. 5% Serum 3 
                 Swab- 
                 10 CFU/swab 
                 None 
               
               
                 Lamps Bottom 
                 Aerobic 
                 B004 
                 Detected 
               
               
                 B.s. + 3T-B.s. 5% Serum 
                 Swab- 
                 10 CFU/swab 
                 30 
               
               
                 3 Lamps Top 
                 Aerobic 
                 B004 
                   
               
               
                 B.s. + 3B-B.s. 5% Serum 
                 Swab- 
                 10 CFU/swab 
                 10 
               
               
                 3 Lamps Bottom 
                 Aerobic 
                 B004 
                   
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Note: 
               
               
                 S.a. =  Staphylococcus   aureus ; 
               
               
                 K.p. =  Klebsiella   pneumonia ; 
               
               
                 B.s. =  Bacillus   stearothermophilus ; 
               
               
                 5T = 5 lamps above test objects; 
               
               
                 5B = 5 lamps below test object; 
               
               
                 3T = 3 lamps above test objects; 
               
               
                 3B = 3 lamps below test object; 
               
               
                 +C = with serum; 
               
               
                 −C = without serum; 
               
               
                 CFU = Colony Forming Units; 
               
               
                 B004 = the laboratory&#39;s test report code for direct surface swabs-aerobes 
               
               
                 EI14314 
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0096]    Note: One hundred microliters of the initially prepared  Staphylococcus aureus  bacteria suspension (95,000,000 CFU/ml) was added to the top and bottom of slide mailer outer surfaces, spread over a 2″×2″ surface, and allowed to air dry before UV exposure. 
         [0097]    Heat inactivated horse serum was added at a 5% concentration to  Staphylococcus aureus  (SA) bacterial suspensions for samples listed as “with serum”. Bacteria were harvested from both top and bottom surfaces of mailers using sterile dacron swabs moistened with sterile reagent grade water (1 ml in tube). Each swab was immediately vortexed in the remainder of corresponding 1 ml water tubes and plated on tryptic soy agar to obtain plate counts. Samples were plated in triplicate: A, B, C. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 Bacterial 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 Count: 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Test Code  
                 Heterotrophic 
               
               
                 Sample Number/ 
                 Sample Type/ 
                 Limit of 
                 Plate 
               
               
                 Sample Site 
                 Media Type 
                 Sensitivity 
                 Count 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 
                   Staphylococcus 
                 
                 Swab-Aerobic 
                 10 
                 235000 
               
               
                   aureus -Mailer A- 
                 TSA 
                 CFU/swab 
                   
               
               
                 Control with Serum 
                   
                 B004 
                   
               
               
                 
                   Staphylococcus 
                 
                 Swab-Aerobic 
                 10 
                 210000 
               
               
                   aureus -Mailer B- 
                 TSA 
                 CFU/swab 
                   
               
               
                 Control with Serum 
                   
                 B004 
                   
               
               
                 
                   Staphylococcus 
                 
                 Swab-Aerobic 
                 10 
                 76000 
               
               
                   aureus -Mailer C- 
                 TSA 
                 CFU/swab 
                   
               
               
                 Control without Serum 
                   
                 B004 
                   
               
               
                 SA A-Mailer-UV- 
                 Swab-Aerobic 
                 10 
                 None Detected 
               
               
                 No Serum - Top 
                 TSA 
                 CFU/swab 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 B004 
                   
               
               
                 SA A-Mailer-UV-  
                 Swab-Aerobic 
                 10 
                 None Detected 
               
               
                 No Serum-Bottom 
                 TSA 
                 CFU/swab 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 B004 
                   
               
               
                 SA B-Mailer-UV-  
                 Swab-Aerobic 
                 10 
                 None Detected 
               
               
                 No Serum-Top 
                 TSA 
                 CFU/swab 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 B004 
                   
               
               
                 SA B-Mailer-UV-  
                 Swab-Aerobic 
                 10 
                 None Detected 
               
               
                 No Serum-Bottom 
                 TSA 
                 CFU/swab 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 B004 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 EI14443 
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0098]    Note: One hundred microliters of the initially prepared  Staphylococcus aureus  bacteria suspension (95,000,000 CFU/ml) was added to the top and bottom of petri dish (inanimate, non-food contact surfaces that simulate the screens of tablets, cell phones, etc.) outer surfaces, spread over a 2″×2″ surface, and allowed to air dry before UV exposure. Heat inactivated horse serum was added at a 5% concentration to  Staphylococcus aureus  (SA) bacterial suspensions for samples listed as “with serum”. Bacteria were harvested from both top and bottom surfaces of dishes using sterile dacron swabs moistened with sterile reagent grade water (1 ml in tube). Each swab was immediately vortexed in the remainder of corresponding 1 ml water tubes and plated on tryptic soy agar to obtain plate counts. Samples were plated in triplicate: A, B, C. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 Bacterial 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 Count: 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Test Code 
                 Heterotrophic 
               
               
                 Sample Number/ 
                 Sample Type/ 
                 Limit of 
                 Plate 
               
               
                 Sample Site 
                 Media Type 
                 Sensitivity 
                 Count 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 
                   Staphylococcus 
                 
                 Swab-Aerobic 
                 10 CFU/swab  
                 650000 
               
               
                   aureus -Dish A- 
                 TSA 
                 B004 
                   
               
               
                 Control with Serum 
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 
                   Staphylococcus 
                 
                 Swab-Aerobic 
                 10 CFU/swab  
                 750000 
               
               
                   aureus -Dish B- 
                 TSA 
                 B004 
                   
               
               
                 Control with Serum 
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 
                   Staphylococcus 
                 
                 Swab-Aerobic 
                 10 CFU/swab  
                 240000 
               
               
                   aureus -Dish C- 
                 TSA 
                 B004 
                   
               
               
                 Control without Serum 
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 SA A-Petri Dish  
                 Swab-Aerobic 
                 10 CFU/swab  
                 None 
               
               
                 UV-No Serum-Top 
                 TSA 
                 B004 
                 Detected 
               
               
                 SA A-Petri Dish-  
                 Swab-Aerobic 
                 10 CFU/swab  
                 None 
               
               
                 UV-No Serum- 
                 TSA 
                 B004 
                 Detected 
               
               
                 Bottom 
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 SA B-Petri Dish-  
                 Swab-Aerobic 
                 10 CFU/swab  
                 None 
               
               
                 UV-No Serum-Top 
                 TSA 
                 B004 
                 Detected 
               
               
                 SA B-Petri Dish-  
                 Swab-Aerobic 
                 10 CFU/swab  
                 None 
               
               
                 UV-No Serum- 
                 TSA 
                 B004 
                 Detected 
               
               
                 Bottom 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 EI14444 
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0099]    Note: Top and bottom surfaces of petri dishes (inanimate, non-food contact surfaces) were challenged with  Staphylococcus aureus  and  Klebsiella pneumoniae  bacteria in triplicate to determine the efficacy of UV exposure generated by the experimental test unit. EPA Guidelines, DIS/TSS-10, were followed. In summary, ten microliters of 18 hour bacteria broth cultures were added to 1×1 inch square areas on both top and bottom petri dish test surfaces. Both bacteria challenges were performed independently. A sterile wooden stick was used to spread each test inoculum prepared with an organic load (5% heat-inactivated serum) over 1×1 inch square test areas and allowed to dry for 40 minutes in a bacteriological incubator at 35 degrees Celsius. Test bacteria were recovered using sterile water diluent and dacron swabs. Heterotrophic plate counts were obtained using trypticase soy agar (TSA). The number of viable bacteria on each test surface after drying, with and without UV exposure, allowed bacterial reductions to be determined and compared to the expected 99.9% performance requirement. Abbreviations: SA= Staphylococcus aureus , KP= Klebsiella pneumoniae . 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 Bacterial 
               
               
                   
                 Sample 
                 Test 
                 Count: 
               
               
                   
                 Type/ 
                 Code 
                 Heterotrophic 
               
               
                 Sample Number/Sample 
                 Media 
                 Limit of  
                 Plate 
               
               
                 Site 
                 Type 
                 Sensitivity  
                 Count 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 1-SA A-Petri Dish- 
                 Swab- 
                 10 
                 None 
               
               
                 UV-Serum-Top 
                 Aerobic 
                 CFU/swab 
                 Detected 
               
               
                   
                   
                 B004 
                   
               
               
                 2-SA A-Petri Dish- 
                 Swab- 
                 10 
                 None 
               
               
                 UV-Serum-Bottom 
                 Aerobic 
                 CFU/swab 
                 Detected 
               
               
                   
                   
                 B004 
                   
               
               
                 3-SA B-Petri Dish- 
                 Swab- 
                 10 
                 None 
               
               
                 UV-Serum-Top 
                 Aerobic 
                 CFU/swab  
                 Detected 
               
               
                   
                   
                 B004 
                   
               
               
                 4-SA B-Petri Dish- 
                 Swab- 
                 10 
                 None 
               
               
                 UV-Serum-Bottom 
                 Aerobic 
                 CFU/swab 
                 Detected 
               
               
                   
                   
                 B004 
                   
               
               
                 5-SA C-Petri Dish- 
                 Swab- 
                 10 
                 None 
               
               
                 UV-Serum-Top 
                 Aerobic 
                 CFU/swab 
                 Detected 
               
               
                   
                   
                 B004 
                   
               
               
                 6-SA C-Petri Dish- 
                 Swab- 
                 10 
                 None 
               
               
                 UV-Serum-Bottom 
                 Aerobic 
                 CFU/swab 
                 Detected 
               
               
                   
                   
                 B004 
                   
               
               
                 7-SA A-Petri Dish- 
                 Swab- 
                 10 
                 11,200,000 
               
               
                 No UV-Serum-Top 
                 Aerobic 
                 CFU/swab 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 B004 
                   
               
               
                 8-SA A-Petri Dish- 
                 Swab- 
                 10 
                 10,900,000 
               
               
                 No UV-Serum- 
                 Aerobic 
                 CFU/swab 
                   
               
               
                 Bottom 
                   
                 B004 
                   
               
               
                 9-SA B-Petri Dish- 
                 Swab- 
                 10 
                 14,100,000 
               
               
                 No UV-Serum-Top 
                 Aerobic 
                 CFU/swab 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 B004 
                   
               
               
                 10-SA B-Petri 
                 Swab- 
                 10 
                 12,800,000 
               
               
                 Dish-No UV-Serum- 
                 Aerobic 
                 CFU/swab 
                   
               
               
                 Bottom 
                   
                 B004 
                   
               
               
                 11-SA C-Petri 
                 Swab- 
                 10 
                 8,900,000 
               
               
                 Dish-No UV-Serum- 
                 Aerobic 
                 CFU/swab 
                   
               
               
                 Top 
                   
                 B004 
                   
               
               
                 12-SA C-Petri 
                 Swab- 
                 10 
                 10,500,000 
               
               
                 Dish-No UV-Serum- 
                 Aerobic 
                 CFU/swab 
                   
               
               
                 Bottom 
                   
                 B004 
                   
               
               
                 14-KP A-Petri 
                 Swab- 
                 10 
                 None 
               
               
                 Dish-UV-Serum- 
                 Aerobic 
                 CFU/swab 
                 Detected 
               
               
                 Top 
                   
                 B004 
                   
               
               
                 15-KP A-Petri 
                 Swab- 
                 10 
                 None 
               
               
                 Dish-UV-Serum- 
                 Aerobic 
                 CFU/swab 
                 Detected 
               
               
                 Bottom 
                   
                 B004 
                   
               
               
                 16-KP B-Petri 
                 Swab- 
                 10 
                 None 
               
               
                 Dish-UV-Serum- 
                 Aerobic 
                 CFU/swab 
                 Detected 
               
               
                 Top 
                   
                 B004 
                   
               
               
                 17-KP B-Petri 
                 Swab- 
                 10 
                 None 
               
               
                 Dish-UV-Serum- 
                 Aerobic 
                 CFU/swab 
                 Detected 
               
               
                 Bottom 
                   
                 B004 
                   
               
               
                 18-KP C-Petri 
                 Swab- 
                 10 
                 None 
               
               
                 Dish-UV-Serum- 
                 Aerobic 
                 CFU/swab 
                 Detected 
               
               
                 Top 
                   
                 B004 
                   
               
               
                 19-KP C-Petri 
                 Swab- 
                 10 
                 None 
               
               
                 Dish-UV-Serum- 
                 Aerobic 
                 CFU/swab 
                 Detected 
               
               
                 Bottom 
                   
                 B004 
                   
               
               
                 20-KP A-Petri 
                 Swab- 
                 10 
                 870,000 
               
               
                 Dish-No UV-Serum- 
                 Aerobic 
                 CFU/swab 
                   
               
               
                 Top 
                   
                 B004 
                   
               
               
                 21-KP A-Petri 
                 Swab- 
                 10 
                 990,000 
               
               
                 Dish-No UV-Serum- 
                 Aerobic 
                 CFU/swab 
                   
               
               
                 Bottom 
                   
                 B004 
                   
               
               
                 22-KP B-Petri 
                 Swab- 
                 10 
                 1,230,000 
               
               
                 Dish-No UV-Serum- 
                 Aerobic 
                 CFU/swab 
                   
               
               
                 Top 
                   
                 B004 
                   
               
               
                 23-KP B-Petri 
                 Swab- 
                 10 
                 1,100,000 
               
               
                 Dish-No UV-Serum- 
                 Aerobic 
                 CFU/swab 
                   
               
               
                 Bottom 
                   
                 B004 
                   
               
               
                 24-KP C-Petri 
                 Swab- 
                 10 
                 840,000 
               
               
                 Dish-No UV-Serum- 
                 Aerobic 
                 CFU/swab 
                   
               
               
                 Top 
                   
                 B004 
                   
               
               
                 25-KP C-Petri 
                 Swab- 
                 10 
                 280,000 
               
               
                 Dish-No UV-Serum- 
                 Aerobic 
                 CFU/swab 
                   
               
               
                 Bottom 
                   
                 B004 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 EI14471 
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0100]    Several tests were also performed to measure the effects of UV light on a protective film used in the invention. The results of those tests are reproduced below. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Film tests 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 Study ID NG3263 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Test 
                   
                 Time 
                 CFU/ 
                 Average 
                 R Value (Log10 
                 Percent 
               
               
                 Microorganism 
                 Sample 
                 Point 
                 Sample 
                 CFU/Sample 
                 Reduction) 
                 Reduction 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 
                   S. aureus 
                 
                 Control 
                 Time Zero 
                 2.70E+05 
                 2.98E+05 
                 N/A 
               
               
                 ATCC 6538 
                   
                 Time Zero 
                 3.25E+05 
               
               
                   
                   
                 24 Hour 
                 3.42E+05 
                 2.57E+05 
               
               
                   
                   
                 24 Hour 
                 1.72E+05 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Silver 
                 24 Hour 
                 &lt;5 
                 &lt;5 
                 4.41 
                  &gt;99.99% 
               
               
                   
                 Treated 
                 24 Hour 
                 &lt;5 
                   
                 4.41 
                  &gt;99.99% 
               
             
          
           
               
                 
                   E. coli 
                 
                 Control 
                 Time Zero 
                 1.15E+05 
                 1.20E+05 
                 N/A 
               
               
                 ATCC 8739 
                   
                 Time Zero 
                 1.50E+05 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Time Zero 
                 9.50E+04 
               
               
                   
                   
                 24 Hour 
                 1.48E+07 
                 1.51E+07 
               
               
                   
                   
                 24 Hour 
                 1.84E+07 
               
               
                   
                   
                 24 Hour 
                 1.20E+07 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Silver 
                 24 Hour 
                 &lt;5 
                 &lt;5 
                 6.48 
                 &gt;99.9999% 
               
               
                   
                 Treated 
                 24 Hour 
                 &lt;5 
                   
                 6.48 
                 &gt;99.9999% 
               
               
                   
                   
                 24 Hour 
                 &lt;5 
                   
                 6.48 
                 &gt;99.9999% 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Study ID NG3264 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                   
                 R Value (Log10 
                 Percent 
                 R Value (Log10 
                 Percent 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 Reduction) 
                 Reduction 
                 Reduction) 
                 Reduction 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Time 
                 CFU/ 
                 Compared to Control at 
                 Compared to Time 
                   
               
               
                 Sample 
                 Point 
                 Sample 
                 each Time Point 
                 Zero Control 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Control 
                 Time Zero 
                 1.95E+05 
                 N/A 
                 N/A 
               
               
                   
                 2 Hour 
                 8.40E+04 
               
               
                   
                 4 Hour 
                 3.80E+03 
               
               
                   
                 6 Hour 
                 6.95E+03 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Oxititan 
                 2 Hour 
                 3.25E+04 
                 0.41 
                 61.31% 
                 0.78 
                 83.33% 
               
               
                 Treated 
                 4 Hour 
                 2.65E+03 
                 0.16 
                 30.26% 
                 1.87 
                 98.64% 
               
               
                   
                 6 Hour 
                 2.00E+02 
                 1.54 
                 97.12% 
                 2.99 
                 99.90% 
               
               
                 Silver 
                 2 Hour 
                 &lt;10 
                 3.92 
                 99.99% 
                 4.29 
                 99.99% 
               
               
                 Treated 
                 4 Hour 
                 &lt;10 
                 2.58 
                 99.74% 
                 4.29 
                 99.99% 
               
               
                   
                 6 Hour 
                 &lt;10 
                 2.84 
                 99.86% 
                 4.29 
                 99.99% 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Study ID NG3265 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                 Time 
                 CFU/ 
                 R Value (Log10 
                 Percent 
               
               
                   
                 Sample 
                 Point 
                 Sample 
                 Reduction) 
                 Reduction 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Control 
                 Time Zero 
                 2.08E+05 
                 N/A 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 24 Hour 
                 3.25E+06 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Silver 
                 24 Hour 
                 &lt;10 
                 5.51 
                 &gt;99.999% 
               
               
                   
                 Treated 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0101]    Bacterial inoculum preparations and subsequent recovery after UV exposure through the prototype ultraviolet test unit were performed by technicians of Environmental Safety Technologies, Inc. (EST). Direct operation of the UV test unit was performed alongside laboratory personnel by Guillermo Cohen of Alcavis. 
         [0102]    Two glass microscope slides were placed side by side lengthwise and taped together using transparent tape. In the center of each slide, a one inch by one inch test area for inoculation with bacteria was drawn. A strip of vinyl, white tape was applied to one side. The connected slides were flipped over and one end of each side was marked as either top or bottom. 
         [0103]    The experimental challenge organism of this experiment was the bacterium Methicillin-resistant  Staphylococcus aureus , aka MRSA (ATCC 700698), Vancomycin Resistant  Enterococcus faecium , aka VRE (ATCC 700221),  Acinetobacter baumanii  (ATCC 19609). Bacteria were grown overnight in Trypticase Soy Broth at 33 degrees Celsius. 
         [0104]    The experimental challenge organism of this experiment was the bacterium  Clostridium difficile  (ATCC 700057). Bacteria were grown on BHIS agar medium containing 0.1% taurocholate plates for a sufficient time to induce uniform sporulation. The bacteria were then washed off the agar plate into sterile distilled water and stored at 4 degrees Celsius until use. A Gram-stain examination of the suspension confirmed that &gt;95% of the bacterial cells contained a spore. 
         [0105]    One hundred microliters of this bacterial stock suspension prepared with the addition of 5% heat inactivated serum (MP Biomedicals Product No. 2921149) was applied to each 1 inch×1 inch area test surface of both the top and bottom marked slides (pre-cleaned with alcohol). The inoculum was then streaked over each surface with a sterile applicator and allowed to air dry (˜45 minutes) at room temperature. 
         [0106]    Inoculated surfaces were folded backwards, providing both a top and bottom test surface when placed on the UV unit&#39;s rollers. Each prepared slide was handed off and run through the ultraviolet lamp prototype unit. After a 20 second total cycle time, the slide was immediately returned to a laboratory technician for bacteria recovery. 
         [0107]    A sterile, Dacron™ swab, wetted after dipping into a tube containing 1 ml of sterile water, was used to recover bacteria from inoculated top and bottom slide surfaces. Swabs were vortexed in the same tube of remaining 1 ml sterile water, plated on trypticase soy agar, incubated overnight at 33 degrees Celsius, and counted to obtain the number of surviving viable bacteria. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Glass Slides Results in Preproduction System 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Material 
                 Glass Slides 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Organism 
                 Initial Count 
                 Final Count 
                 Reduction 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   Geobacillus * 
                 300000 
                 27 
                   99.99100% 
               
               
                   
                 MRSA* 
                 450000 
                 0 
                 &gt;99.99978% 
               
               
                   
                 VRE* 
                 400000 
                 5 
                   99.99875% 
               
               
                   
                   Acinetobacter * 
                 8500 
                 0 
                 &gt;99.98824% 
               
               
                   
                 C. Diff** 
                 4000 
                 0 
                 &gt;99.97500% 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 *Average of both Initial counts, and Final counts respectively 
               
               
                   
                 **Average of both Initial counts, and Final counts respectively in faster run experiment 
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0108]    While the description above refers to particular embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. The accompanying claims are intended to cover such modifications as would fall within the true scope and spirit of the present invention. 
         [0109]    The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims, rather than the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.