Patent Publication Number: US-2023149571-A1

Title: Apparatus and Methods for Inactivating Bacteria on Surfaces and Mammalian Tissue

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/005,139, filed Apr. 3, 2020, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Bacterial elimination has become an important endeavor in protecting and preventing diseases. Bactericides, such as alcohol and chlorine, and photonic energies, such as ultraviolet (“UV”) light, have been employed to kill or disable bacteria, but these bactericides have side effects that compromise the safety and health of the treatment subject. Single-element bactericidal treatments are limited by a single modality of inactivation. For example, UV having a 254 nm wavelength acts at the chromosomal level by interrupting DNA structure of bacteria, whereas bactericides in the form of chemical agents (e.g., chlorine and Ozone) breakdown the bacteria cell&#39;s membrane lipid layers by oxidation and rupture the bacteria cell walls. In operation, the sterilization effects of these bactericide and photonic energy sources, when applied to mammalian surfaces, should have concentrations well below maximum efficacy to be safe for human contact. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure provides apparatus, methods of use, and methods of treatment to beneficially inactivate bacteria on a treatment surface, while simultaneously reducing the levels of bactericidal materials and photonic energies to achieve efficacious results. The apparatus, methods of use, and methods of treatment of the present disclosure may provide sterilization after 5 to 10 seconds of simultaneous exposure to Ozone and ultraviolet (“UV”) treatments administered at levels below those that would normally be used for each treatment if administered individually. Further treatment with infrared (“IR”) may be administered simultaneous with, overlapping with, or immediately after, treatment with Ozone and UV. Such treatment with IR is similarly at levels below those that would normally be used for IR treatment administered in isolation. The simultaneous or immediately adjacent application of the sterilizing treatments has a multiplying effect that permits these lower levels for each of Ozone, UV, and IR treatment to be below the limits of safe human exposure while effectively inactivating bacteria of many varieties. The lower treatment levels of the present disclosure also advantageously allow for repeated safe use in industrial and clinical environments. Another benefit of the apparatus, methods of use, and methods of treatment of the present disclosure is overcoming use-avoidance by removing the human repulsion to smearing cold wet fluids on hands or surfaces of other objects for sterilization. Another benefit to the present disclosure is effective sterilization in a shorter period of time than traditional methods of single treatment sterilization including, for example, autoclaving objects and methods of sterilizing the surface of skin or other objects that cannot be sterilized by traditional methods (i.e., autoclaving) but which require a sterile environment. Such instances include use in medical procedures or scientific research. 
     In a first aspect, an apparatus is provided for sterilizing a surface of a treatment subject. The apparatus includes a housing having an opening arranged at a first end of the housing and a cavity configured to receive the treatment subject via the opening. The apparatus also includes two or more ultraviolet-generating (“UV-generating”) modules coupled to opposing interior walls of the housing. And the apparatus includes at least one gaseous Ozone generator coupled to at least one of the opposing interior walls of the at least one sterilization chamber, where the cavity of the at least one sterilization chamber is configured for delivery of Ozone to the surface of the treatment subject. 
     A second aspect is directed to a method for sterilizing a surface of a treatment subject. The method includes (a) inserting a treatment subject through an opening at a first end of a housing and into a cavity, (b) delivering UV from a plurality of UV-generating emitter modules positioned on opposing interior walls of the housing to the surface of the treatment subject, and (c) delivering Ozone from a plurality of gaseous Ozone generators located on the opposing interior walls of the housing to the surface of the treatment subject. 
     A third aspect is directed to a method of treatment that kills microbes on a surface of a treatment subject. The method includes (a) inserting a treatment subject through a first end of a housing and into a cavity defined by the housing, (b) delivering UV to the surface of the treatment subject, wherein the UV thereby inactivates or kills microbes by interrupting DNA structure of the microbes, and (c) delivering Ozone to the surface of the treatment subject, wherein the Ozone thereby inactivates or kills microbes by breaking down bacteria cell membrane lipid layers through oxidation and rupturing cell walls of the microbes. 
     The features, functions, and advantages that have been discussed can be achieved independently in various embodiments or may be combined in yet other embodiments, further details of which can be seen with reference to the following description and drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Illustrative examples of various embodiments are described below in conjunction with the appended figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements in the various figures, and wherein: 
         FIG.  1    depicts destruction of a bacteria cell  2  using UV light at the 254 nm wavelength and disrupting bacterial cell DNA  4 ; 
         FIG.  2    depicts destruction of a bacteria cell  2  through lipid layer disruption  27  by an oxidizing agent  3 ; 
         FIG.  3    depicts destruction of a bacterial cell  2  by administering UV treatment at 222 nm wavelength  5  that is absorbed by photochemical effects  1   a  in the bacterial cell and converted to localized heat  1   b;    
         FIG.  4    depicts simultaneous application of Ozone  3 , UV wavelengths  5  ranging between 222 nm and 254 nm, and infrared (“IR”) treatments  21  on a bacterial cell  2 , penetration of the moisture layer  6  by Ozone  3  and absorption of Ozone-creating H 2 O 2    8  on top of a treatment surface  7 ; 
         FIG.  5    depicts Ozone  3  outside of the viscous hydrostatic boundary layer  10  and located above a treatment surface  7  and demonstrates increased viscosity  18  closer to the treatment surface  7 ; 
         FIG.  6    depicts the relationship of the viscosity  18  of the hydrostatic boundary layer versus the distance to the treatment surface  7  or skin  9 ; 
         FIG.  7    depicts an exploded side view of an apparatus, according to one example implementation; 
         FIG.  8    depicts an exploded top view of the apparatus of  FIG.  7   ; 
         FIG.  9    depicts a side cross-sectional view of a treatment subject  20  disposed within a sterilization chamber of the apparatus of  FIG.  7   , containing UV emitters  12 , an Ozone filled space  22 , infrared (“IR”) emitters  21  and IR wavelengths  23  ranging from 1000 nm to 1500 nm, and Ozone vortices  22 ; 
         FIG.  10    depicts the interaction between the viscous hydrostatic boundary layers of a treatment subject  20  and UV treatment sources; 
         FIG.  11    depicts an infrared (“IR”) treatment source containing IR emitters  21  and IR wavelengths  23  ranging from 1000 nm to 1500 nm configured to heat a treatment surface  20  located in the space  34  arranged between UV modules  12  to thereby increase Ozone vortex velocity; 
         FIG.  12    depicts an Ozone treatment method, according to one example implementation, delivering gaseous Ozone  3  to a treatment surface of a negatively charged object  20  via a static-electric field  24 ; 
         FIG.  13    depicts an Ozone treatment method, according one example implementation, delivering gaseous Ozone  3  to a treatment surface via belt-driven adhesion; 
         FIG.  14    depicts an Ozone treatment method, according one example implementation, in which Ozone  3  is delivered under pressure via feed holes between fibers of a brush  32  to the surface of a treatment subject  7 ; 
         FIG.  15    depicts a perspective view of an apparatus, according to one example implementation; 
         FIG.  16    depicts a block diagram of a computing device and a computer network, according to an example implementation for use and safety; 
         FIG.  17 A  depicts a perspective view one example implementation of an apparatus; 
         FIG.  17 B  depicts a side view of the apparatus according to  FIG.  17 A ; 
         FIG.  18    depicts a cross-sectional image of a treatment subject&#39;s skin showing depth of penetration of various EM wavelengths. 
         FIG.  19    depicts delivery of UV and IR treatments  64 , according to one example implementation, via a fiber optic cable  62  having a hollow outer jacket  63  for Ozone flow  3 ; 
         FIG.  20    depicts an example implementation of an optic bundle, that includes an inner fiber optic cable  62  and a hollow outer jacket  63  configured to deliver Ozone to the treatment subject; and 
         FIG.  21    depicts one example implementation of sterilization of a treatment subject  20  with an optical fiber combining UV and IR delivery  64  and an Ozone generator that supplies Ozone through a separate feed duct  14 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG.  1    illustrates a bacteria cell or bacterium  2  irradiated by UV at the 254 nm wavelength  1  to disrupt or damage DNA  4 . This wavelength of UV is known to be destructive to bacteria residing on human tissues. The total energy absorption ranges from 4 mJ to 6 mJ for a given eight (8) hour period per guidelines set by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (“NIOSH”). Accordingly. UV treatment must be administered under specialized and monitored conditions. The apparatus, methods of use, and methods of treatment of the present disclosure contemplate a user registering each application in a database, for example, when a human or animal is the treatment subject, and control mechanisms to avoid a user exceeding recommended dosages. The destructive modality is disruption or damage of DNA within the nucleus of the bacteria. The bacterial cell then dies as a result of DNA damage. 
       FIG.  2    illustrates a bacterial cell  2  being attacked by a bactericide or chemical oxidizing agent  3 , including, but not limited to, chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, or Ozone. In operation, the oxidizing agent attacks the lipid layer  27  of the bacteria cell wall disrupting the cell wall integrity, resulting in bacterial cell death. 
       FIG.  3    shows a bacterial cell  2  exposed to UV wavelengths  5  ranging between 180 nm and 230 nm where the absorbed UV is converted to localized heat  1   b  thus killing the bacterial cell  2  by local mechanical heating  1   b  and altered bacterial cell chemistry  1   a  due to photochemical effects. This treatment mechanism allows for an increased bactericidal effect with a shorter wavelength, which is safer, i.e. less mutagenic, than the administration of a longer wavelength, such as a 254 nm UV wavelength. The effectiveness of 222 nm or the 254 nm wavelengths is dependent on the energy density and time, i.e. more energy or more exposure time of either wavelength results in greater bactericidal effects. The difference is in depth of penetration of each wavelength.  FIG.  18    elements (b) and (d) show that UVB wavelengths penetrate 2 mm or more into the dermis. Yet UVC wavelengths do not pass to the living cell in the dermis as UVC wavelengths, as shown in element (c) of  FIG.  18   , including UV at a wavelength of 222 nm that are stopped by the epidermis in element (a) of  FIG.  18   . In various embodiments, the apparatus and methods use lower energy UV wavelengths ranging between 180 nm and 230 nm to treat the surface of skin tissue, allowing for much higher energy flux without damage to living tissue. 
     The present disclosure contemplates an apparatus and methods that utilize simultaneous application of photonic (i.e., UV) and chemical (i.e., Ozone) treatment, and, optionally, mechanical (i.e., infrared “IR” heat) treatment, as shown in  FIG.  4   . In some embodiments, UV and Ozone are applied simultaneously. In such embodiments, a multiplying effect is generated by simultaneous use of these treatments, such that if the UV treatment does not completely kill the bacteria cell  2 , the weakened cell  2  may be killed via the simultaneous treatment in the form of oxidation of Ozone  3  and/or the resulting absorption of Ozone  3  into a moisture layer  8  to create hydrogen peroxide. Both oxidizing events are capable of inactivating bacteria cells. Further, should the bacteria cell  2  survive the application of both UV and Ozone treatments, application of a mild heat-source may ultimately kill the bacteria cell  2  by raising the local treatment surface temperature to 45° to 50° C. by an IR radiator  21 , for example. Bacteria cells  2  in weakened state due to UV and Ozone treatments are susceptible to an increase in temperature that would be perceived by a human subject as comfortable warming. In some embodiments, the application of a mild heat-source is simultaneous with the UV and Ozone treatments. In some embodiments, the application of a mild heat-source occurs immediately after treatment with UV and Ozone. 
     In some embodiments, the disclosure provides use of UVA, specifically between wavelengths ranging from 320 and 400 nm, in conjunction with the UVC between 180 and 222 nm wavelengths. In such embodiments, additional wavelengths in the range from 320 to 400 nm provide a weak bactericidal effect at high energy densities and surface PH in the narrow range of 5 to 6. Wavelengths within the UVA range are known to have mutagenic effects, however heat can be delivered topically using flux levels 10 to 20 times daylight (2 to 4 mJ/cm2) or 20 to 40 mJ/cm2 at these wavelengths. The NIOSH limit for UVA wavelengths is very high with the lowest value being 7300 mJ/cm2 at 330 nm. As indicated above, usable values are well below maximum limits allowed, while affording heat and weak sterilization. UV exposure limits based on effect of UV radiation for each wavelength between 180 nm and 400 nm is available at https://orm.uottawa.ca/my-safety/em-radiation/uv/exposure-limits. 
     One aspect of Ozone sterilization treatment of the present disclosure is the mechanical movement of the Ozone  3  to the treatment surface  7 . As seen in  FIG.  5   , a hydrostatic boundary layer  10  increases in viscosity  18  moving in a direction toward the treatment surface  7 . The Ozone  3  permeates the region of the hydrostatic boundary layer  10  and moves about by Brownian motion (i.e., thermal molecular motion).  FIG.  6    shows a graph of the relationship of viscosity  18  of the hydrostatic boundary layer versus distance  9  to the treatment surface  7 . Specifically, the vertical axis corresponds to viscosity  18 , and the horizontal axis reflects distance  9  to the treatment surface  7 . As shown, diffusion of the Ozone slows as Ozone approaches the treatment surface  7  of  FIG.  5   , if Brownian motion acts alone (i.e., viscosity  18  of Ozone  3  increases as it gets closer to the treatment surface  7 , such as skin). 
       FIGS.  7 - 15    depict an apparatus for sterilizing a surface  7  of a treatment subject  20 , that includes a housing  42 , where the housing  42  has an opening  33  arranged at a first end  37  of housing  42  and has a cavity  34  configured to receive the treatment subject  20  via the opening  33 . The apparatus includes two or more ultraviolet-generating (“UV-generating”) modules  12  coupled to opposing interior walls  13  of the housing  42 , And the apparatus includes at least one gaseous Ozone generator  56  coupled to at least one of the opposing interior walls  13  of the housing  42 , where the cavity  34  is configured for delivery of Ozone  3  to the surface  7  of the treatment subject  20 . 
     In one optional implementation, the two or more UV generating emitter modules are configured to generate wavelengths ranging from 180 nm to 230 nm. In another optional implementation, the at least one gaseous Ozone generators  56  is configured to deliver the Ozone  3  to the surface  7  of the treatment subject  20  at or below 0.8 ppm. 
     In one example implementation, the apparatus further includes two or more infrared (“IR”) emitter modules  16  positioned on the opposing interior walls  16  of the housing  42 . In an optional example, the two or more IR emitter modules  16  are configured to raise a local treatment surface temperature to 45° to 50° C. In  FIG.  7   , the IR emitter modules  16  are cylinders of quartz and the gaseous Ozone generator  56  is a cylindrical screen with a coaxial conductor in the center with HVAC, as one example. 
     In another implementation, the housing  42  also includes at least one blower  40  arranged in proximity to the opening  33  at the first end  37  of the housing  42  and is configured to direct the Ozone  3  back into the housing  42  such that the negative pressure permits less than 0.1 ppm of the Ozone  3  to escape the housing  42 . 
     In one optional implementation, the apparatus is configured to sterilize the treatment subject  20  within 5 to 20 seconds of exposure to UV delivered by the UV-generating modules  12  and to the Ozone  3  delivered by the gaseous Ozone generators  56 . 
     Methods may be employed using any of the foregoing apparatus. For example, a method for sterilizing a surface  7  of a treatment subject  20  is provided. The method includes inserting a treatment subject  20  through an opening  33  at a first end  37  of a housing  42  and into a cavity  34 . Next, the method includes delivering UV from a plurality of UV-generating emitter modules  12  positioned on opposing interior walls  13  of the housing  42  to the surface  7  of the treatment subject  20 . Then, the method includes delivering Ozone  3  from a plurality of gaseous Ozone generators  56  located on the opposing interior walls  13  of the housing  42  to the surface  7  of the treatment subject  20 . 
     In a further implementation, the method further includes delivering infrared (“IR”) by two or more IR-emitter modules  16  coupled to the opposing interior walls  13  of housing  42  to the surface  7  of the treatment subject  20 . In one optional example, the IR is generated and delivered simultaneously with the delivery of the UV and the delivery of the Ozone  3 . In an alternative example, the IR is generated and delivered immediately after the delivery of the UV and delivery of the Ozone  3 . In another implementation, delivering IR by the two or more IR-emitter modules  16  raises a local surface temperature of the treatment subject  20  to 45° to 50° C. 
     In one implementation, delivering the Ozone  3  from the gaseous Ozone generators  56  located on the opposing interior walls  13  of the housing  42  to the surface  7  of the treatment subject  20  further comprises at least one of: (i) generating a mechanical force  58 ,  59  that creates a vortex causing an interaction between hydrostatic boundary layers  10 ,  19  of the UV-generating emitter modules  12  and the treatment subject  20 , (ii) utilizing a static-electric field, (iii) utilizing electro-deposition, (iv) disrupting a viscosity  18  between hydrostatic boundary layers of a moving belt  28  suspended between two rollers  30  disposed within the cavity  34  of the housing  42  and the surface  7  of the treatment subject  20 ; and (v) creating a mechanical disruption of the hydrostatic boundary layer  19  of the treatment subject  20  via a tube, a nozzle, or a duct  14  that feeds the Ozone  3  to a base of a brush  32  comprising bristles or fibers extending from the base of the brush  32 . 
     In a further implementation, sterilizing the treatment subject  20  occurs within 5 to 20 seconds after insertion of the treatment subject  20  through the first end  37  of the housing  42  and into the cavity  34  defined by the housing  42 . 
     The present disclosure also contemplates a method of treatment that kills microbes on a surface of a treatment subject. The method includes inserting a treatment subject  20  through a first end  37  of a housing  42  and into a cavity  34  defined by the housing  42 . The method then includes delivering UV to the surface  7  of the treatment subject  20 , where the UV thereby inactivates or kills microbes by interrupting DNA structure  4  of the microbes  2 . Next, the method includes delivering Ozone  3  to the surface  7  of the treatment subject  20 , where the Ozone  3  thereby inactivates or kills microbes by breaking down bacteria cell membrane lipid layers through oxidation and rupturing cell walls of the microbes. 
     In one example implementation, the method of treatment further includes delivering infrared (“IR”) to the surface  7  of the treatment subject  20 . In one optional example, the IR is delivered simultaneously with delivery of the UV and delivery of the Ozone  3 . In an alternative example, the IR is delivered immediately after delivery of the UV and delivery of the Ozone. In one optional implementation, delivery of the IR raises a local surface temperature of the treatment subject  20  to 45° to 50° C. 
     The method of treatment according to any of the foregoing implementations may further include sterilizing the treatment subject  20  within 5 to 20 seconds after insertion of the treatment subject  20  through the first end  37  of the housing  42  and into the cavity  34  defined by the housing  42 . 
     The present disclosure contemplates several Ozone delivery methods to disrupt the hydrostatic boundary layer  10  of the treatment surface  7 . In the Ozone delivery systems described herein, the intermixing of Ozone species with non-Ozone boundary species and the target pathogens can be enhanced by the application of ultrasonic energy. This may be particularly useful where the boundary of the sample to be sterilized is a hard boundary, such as metal or plastics, as the reflected wave may have twice the amplitude as a result of coincidence of the incoming and reflected wave. The enhancement is a result of the compressive wave introducing a statistical improvement in the probability of a pathogen encountering ozone species. 
     For example, in  FIG.  9   , a cross-section of a treatment subject  20  is shown passing between two UV-generating modules  12  with associated hydrostatic boundary layers, while the treatment subject  20  also has a hydrostatic boundary layer.  FIG.  10    shows the interaction of the hydrostatic boundary layer  10  of the UV-generating modules and the hydrostatic boundary layer  19  of the treatment subject  20 . The resulting mechanical forces  58 ,  59  at a molecular level are reflected as the reaction forces against a moving static air layer attached to the treatment subject  20 . The hydrostatic boundary layer  10  is saturated with Ozone  3  in an amount up to 1.0 ppm. This Ozone-saturated hydrostatic boundary layer  10  then interacts with the hydrostatic boundary layer  19  corresponding to moving treatment subject  20 . The reaction forces  58 ,  59  resulting from the interaction of the hydrostatic boundary layers  10 ,  19  create a vortex that carries the Ozone  3  to the treatment surface in a dynamic way based on the motion of the treatment subject  20  to be sterilized. 
     In  FIG.  12   , an alternative Ozone delivery method is shown. For example, a static-electric field  24  can be utilized to drive Ozone  3  to the treatment surface  7  for sterilization. The Ozone species has a net charge as a result of Ozone&#39;s polar nature. The effect is commonly known as Farad&#39;s wind. As such, once the treatment subject  20  is charged correctly with the E-field polarity aligned to accelerate the Ozone  3  to the surface, the Ozone  3  will pass through the hydrostatic boundary layer by the energy obtained due to acceleration through the sterilization space containing E-field  24 . Ozone  3  can be directed to the correctly charged treatment subject to follow the polar E-field gradient direction, such that the charged O 3  molecule is accelerated to the treatment subject  20  by electro-deposition as shown in  FIG.  12   . 
     Further, Ozone, by its polar nature, is sticky and tends to cluster so as to balance the distributed E-field of the Ozone at its boundary minimum value, as described by Farad&#39;s law. This effect can be employed through a third method of Ozone delivery, as seen in FIG.  13 . For example, a moving belt  28  may be suspended between two rollers  30  while Ozone  3  is brought into the proximity of the belt surface. The nature of the belt  28  could be a thick pile for the Ozone  3  to intertwine with or could be a surface that is charged to hold the Ozone by static E-field. The Ozone  3  may be delivered to the treatment surface  7  by viscosity disruption between the hydrostatic boundary layers of the treatment surface  7  and the moving belt  28 , as seen in  FIG.  13   . This would allow, for example, the application of the Ozone  3  to a wound without direct contact with the moving belt  28 . One advantage of this method is to permit Ozone deposition without creating airborne Ozone. 
     A fourth Ozone delivery method includes mechanical disruption of the hydrostatic boundary layer as shown in  FIG.  14   . Here one of the Ozone feeds ducts  14 , shown in  FIG.  14   , and terminates in a base of fiber brush  32  having holes in the base with spaced-apart bristles or fibers coupled to and extending from the base. The spaced-apart bristles or fibers are arranged such that with the Ozone  3  flows between the fibers/bristles. As the bristles or fibers drag on the surface, Ozone species  3  is directly deposited on the surface  7  as the fiber disrupts the static air boundary layer. 
       FIG.  11    shows a further sterilization method that has a multiplicity of functionality. In addition to sterilization by delivery of Ozone with UV, IR-emitters  21  deliver short-wavelength IR to further sterilize the desired treatment subject  20  in the open space  34  arranged between UV modules  12 . The IR wavelength has shallow penetration that creates thermal currents  23  on the surface of the treatment subject  20  in the Ozone-saturated space  34  of the interior of the sterilization apparatus. In some embodiments, the IR is applied at the same time as, or simultaneously with, the Ozone and/or UV delivery. In some embodiments, the IR is applied after the Ozone and/or UV delivery. In some embodiments, the IR is applied immediately after the Ozone and/or UV delivery. This application method has the added benefit and technical effect of thermally stressing any remaining pathogens to increase the death rate of bacteria cells  2  located on the object to be sterilized  20 . 
     The heating effect of the apparatus and methods of the present disclosure also beneficially create a warming sensation that has a positive psychological effect on people, thereby creating a positive feeling during use of the apparatus and methods. 
     In another embodiment, the apparatus is shown in  FIGS.  7  and  8   , having a plurality of UV modules  12  or lamps with UV-capable focusing modules, arranged on opposing sides  13  of a sterilization chamber within a housing  42  and configured to radiate UV at a selected wavelength that ranges between 180 nm to 230 nm, for example. Feed ducts  14  are configured to deliver Ozone to the sterilization cavity  34  at a saturation level effective to weaken and/or kill a bacteria cell  2 . In applications to mammalian tissue, the Ozone levels delivered to the skin tissue are at or below 0.8 ppm. The Ozone levels may be higher in the sterilization cavity  34 , but the Ozone levels exterior to the apparatus must be maintained at or below a level of 0.1 ppm in any space the air may be inhaled by a user. The space  34  provided between opposing walls  13  of the sterilization chamber and therefore between the various sterilization treatment sources is contemplated to accommodate the insertion of the treatment subject  20  or object to be sterilized. The walls defining the housing  42  of the sterilization chamber are coupled to the UV, Ozone, and heat treatment sources, and these treatment sources are each configured to be operated at levels that are safe for human or animal exposure. 
     There are many functional arrangements of the various sterilization treatment sources within the sterilization chamber contemplated by the present disclosure. In one example, a plurality of IR-emitters or IR-radiators  16  may be uniformly distributed on two or more walls  13  within the sterilization chamber to provide a warming effect throughout the sterilization chamber. The UV module  12  may be also arranged differently than shown to better utilize the optical radiation patterns that may be generated. 
     UV intensity ultimately depends on the selected wavelength within the range of 180 nm to 230 nm at levels of 10 mJ/cm 2  and above. For a wavelength of 254 nm, NIOSH guidelines require that the UV intensity is less than 5 mJ/cm2 and require monitoring of users so that daily exposure limits are not exceeded. 
     In the present disclosure, multiple treatment sources are used in combination to accentuate the effects of each other, including combinations of UV and Ozone treatments, Ozone and heat treatments, and UV, Ozone, and heat treatments. Therefore, in one contemplated embodiment, the apparatus is configured to operate a minimum of two of the UV, Ozone and IR treatment sources in combination with each other and also may be sequenced in multiple steps or simultaneously delivered to increase the number of bacteria cells that are killed or weakened. 
       FIG.  19    shows an example method for UV and IR treatments  64  delivered together through a fiber optic cable  62 , which optionally includes a hollow outer jacket  63  through which Ozone  3  may also be delivered to the surface  7  of a treatment subject  20 .  FIG.  20    shows an example of an optic bundle, that includes an inner fiber-optic cable  62  and a hollow outer jacket  63  through which Ozone may flow.  FIG.  21    shows an exemplary treatment of a subject  20  with an optical fiber containing a combination of UV and IR  64  and a separate treatment with Ozone  3  through an Ozone generator  56  that supplies Ozone through a separate feed duct  14 . In some embodiments, the UV and IR treatment is simultaneous with the Ozone treatment. 
     Mother view of the apparatus is provided in  FIG.  15   . In this embodiment the sterilization treatment sources or modules  43  are contained in a housing  42  where they are arranged to be offset from the treatment subject. The offset configuration allows for containment of the UV and Ozone. Given the optical radiation patterns, the offset distance of the UV treatment sources from the chamber opening  33  can be estimated to prevent stray UV escaping from the housing  42  of the sterilization chamber. Gaseous Ozone may be contained by air handler  40 . The graduated arrow  35  shows the pressure differential between the chamber opening  33  at a proximal end that creates a closed loop air flow which prevents discharge of Ozone outside of the apparatus. A negative pressure  39  from air handlers or blowers  40  lower pressure located near the chamber opening  33  at the proximal end of the housing  42  and vacuums Ozone to prevent or minimize Ozone leaking from the housing  42  of the sterilization chamber. The blower  40  is arranged between the IR, Ozone and UV treatment modules  43  and the chamber opening  33  and directs Ozone back into the sterilization chamber. In some embodiments, there may be symmetric blowers  40  arranged on opposing sides of the sterilization chamber near the chamber opening  33  or the blower  40  may be configured as a ring arranged around the chamber opening  33 . The amount of negative pressure utilized is configured to permit less than 0.1 ppm of Ozone to escape at or near the inlet opening  33  regardless of the Ozone level within the sterilization chamber. 
     The portion of the sterilization chamber between the proximal and distal ends of the housing  42  is open space  34  configured to receive the treatment subject or object  20 . Ozone is contained within a hydrostatic boundary layer outside of the open space  34  in the sterilization chamber until the device is activated. In some embodiments, Ozone will be contained within the hydrostatic boundary layer of, for example, a belt  28 , the fibers of a brush, within a nozzle or an Ozone-generating lamp. Once the device is activated, Ozone is delivered to the open space  34  in the sterilization chamber, through the hydrostatic layer around the treatment subject or object  20  and to the surface of the treatment subject or object  20  by one of several delivery mechanisms: (1) interaction of the hydrostatic boundary layers of the UV-generating modules  12  and the treatment subject or object  20  by mechanical forces that create a vortex causing an interaction of the hydrostatic boundary layers and delivery of Ozone to the surface  7  of the treatment subject or object  20  (see  FIGS.  9  and  10   ); (2) delivery of Ozone through the hydrostatic boundary layer(s) to the surface of a treatment subject or object by a static-electric field or by electro-deposition (see  FIG.  12   ); (3) non-airborne delivery of Ozone that is in proximity to the surface of a moving belt  28  suspended between two rollers  30  to the surface  7  of the treatment subject or object  20  by disrupting the viscosity between the hydrostatic boundary layers of the treatment surface and the moving belt  28  (see  FIG.  13   ); (4) delivery of Ozone fed through a tube, nozzle or duct  14  (see  FIGS.  7  and  8   ) to the base of a brush  32  with bristles or fibers extending from the base and delivered to the surface of the treatment subject or object  20  by mechanical disruption of the hydrostatic boundary layer (see  FIG.  14   ). The open space  34  of the sterilization chamber may also be regulated at a higher air temperature for warming comfort of a treatment subject or object, as well as to kill or weaken bacteria cells. This could be accomplished by further distribution of additional IR treatment sources beyond the main sterilization chamber under the UV and Ozone treatment sources. 
     Ozone can also be generated with a lamp that produces 170 nm to 190 nm UV wavelengths. This will convert any free oxygen to Ozone species. Ozone-generating lamps  56  may be used as a treatment source placed within the sterilization chamber in and around the UV treatment sources, as shown in  FIG.  8   . These Ozone-generating lamps  56  may be powered off when the treatment subject is skin so as to limit short wave UV exposure. Alternatively, Ozone-generating lamps  56  may be placed at a distance such that Ozone  3 , which both absorbs and blocks short wave UV, acts to limit exposure to the Ozone-generating lamps  56 . 
     An alternate method of Ozone generation is coronal discharge and a corresponding Ozone generator  56  is shown in  FIG.  7   . In operation, a small low volume pump moves the generated Ozone from the corona device and delivers the Ozone to feed ducts  14  to be administered to the treatment subject  20  in the sterilization chamber. The distributed Ozone flow will be less than 0.5 meters per second to avoid creating turbulence that could lead to ozone leakage. 
     Sensors may be employed to monitor Ozone levels within the sterilization chamber and exterior to the inlet opening  33 . The sensors help to maintain any Ozone leakage below 0.1 ppm and to ensure Ozone sterilization levels equal to or greater than 0.8 ppm within the sterilization chamber before a sterilization procedure begins. 
     The apparatus may be configured to include a computing device  50  and a central computer network  51 , according to an example implementation as shown in  FIG.  16   , that maintain and distribute use information corresponding to specific users so that sterilization limits and adherence to sterilization protocols are recorded and communicated to other sterilization apparatus  46 - 49  that are in communication with the central computer network  51  (e.g., all sterilization machines in a given hospital or laboratory environment). 
     User access  45  to the sterilization apparatus may be limited by ID card insertion, RFID tag, wireless access via phone, or subcutaneous implant  53 , among other options, as shown in  FIG.  16   . The implant may also be used to provide wireless feedback to the sterilization system such as heat temperature, IR penetration, PH values and local conductivity. This data may then be relayed to an external receiver  52 . 
     In one optional embodiment, the color of any visible light  61  emitted from the apparatus will generally be warm in color with a goal of increasing the feeling of comfort in use and to convey nonverbally that the apparatus is a positive addition to the disease fighting team. In addition, the color of any visible light  61  emitted from the apparatus would preferably not be blue, because blue light has been found by researchers to have an alerting effect, and the apparatus may be used in areas such as hospital patient rooms where patients will need to rest or sleep. likewise, the color of any visible light  61  emitted from the apparatus will preferably not be red as this color signals alarm and danger. Red may be used as a trouble annunciator that is exercised for a momentary trouble condition but should not be visible during normal operation of the apparatus. 
     One example configuration of the housing  42  of the apparatus is provided in  FIG.  17   . In this embodiment, the housing  42  has a few gentle curves  60  and contours although the housing  42  may be primarily rectilinear in form. This combination will invite use, while simultaneously signaling effectiveness and efficiency. 
     The foregoing detailed description is intended to be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting and the following claims, including all equivalents, are intended to define the scope of the invention. The claims should not be read as limited to the described order or elements unless stated to that effect. Therefore, all examples that come within the scope and spirit of the following claims and equivalents thereto are claimed.