Patent Publication Number: US-2004052680-A1

Title: Treatment of environmental unit atmosphere and/or interior with generation of radicals

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] The present invention relates generally to methods and apparatuses for treating the atmosphere and/or interior of an environmental unit such as, for example, an incubator. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods and apparatuses to decontaminate, sterilize, and/or disinfect the atmosphere in the unit as well as the interior surfaces of the chamber of the unit itself.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] Environmental units are widely used in industrial and laboratory applications, including, for example, incubators that are used to ensure the safety and/or performance of a cell culture environment for research, clinical and/or life science applications.  
       [0003] In the use of environmental units, it is often necessary to decontaminate, sterilize, and/or disinfect the interior of the unit and the atmosphere inside the unit before introducing the materials to be stored in the unit. One way in which this treatment is achieved is by heating the interior of the unit to a temperature sufficient to decontaminate the unit and its atmosphere. In another treatment method, the interior of the unit is manually scrubbed with chemicals that decontaminate, sterilize, and/or disinfect the surfaces of the unit.  
       [0004] These known decontamination methods have some drawbacks. For example, treatment by heat often requires substantial periods of time, sometimes up to 24 hours. A high temperature may be required, and the materials in the unit generally must be tolerant of the high heat levels and the wide temperature cycles. Also, a time period for temperature stabilization from the hot treatment temperature to the lower operating temperature is required.  
       [0005] Treatment by scrubbing with chemicals suffers from the disadvantage that it sometimes may not decontaminate, sterilize, or disinfect all surfaces of the unit completely, particularly, in the case of rough surfaces or microscopic cracks. Also, the need to handle chemicals may be undesirable for some.  
       [0006] Accordingly, an apparatus and method that decontaminates, sterilizes, or disinfects the unit and/or its atmosphere in less time than is currently required by heat decontamination is desired. In addition, an apparatus and method that decontaminates, sterilizes, or disinfects the unit and/or its atmosphere more thoroughly than the traditional method of chemical scrubbing is also desired.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007] It is therefore a feature and advantage of the present invention to provide an apparatus comprising a radical generator and an airflow ductwork system to introduce radicals into an environmental unit having an internal chamber.  
       [0008] It is another feature and advantage of the present invention to provide a method of decontaminating, sterilizing, and/or disinfecting an environmental unit and/or its atmosphere by generating radicals and introducing the radicals into a chamber of the environmental unit.  
       [0009] It is another feature and advantage of the present invention to provide an apparatus for decontaminating, sterilizing and/or disinfecting an environmental unit and/or its atmosphere having means for generating radicals and means for introducing the radicals into a chamber of the environmental unit.  
       [0010] The above and other features and advantages are achieved through the use of a novel decontaminating apparatus and method as herein disclosed. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for decontaminating, sterilizing, and/or disinfecting an environmental unit is provided. The apparatus includes a ductwork system and a radical generator. Additionally, the ductwork system may comprise a filter and/or an air pump so that the filter, air pump, and radical generator are connected such that the radicals that are generated can be introduced into the environmental unit airflow ductwork system and environmental unit chamber. The ductwork system may also comprise an electrostatic generator and/or an air compressor. The environmental unit may also comprise a fan and/or additional ductwork. The radical generator is capable of generating radicals selected from the group consisting of singlet oxygen ions, hybrid ozone, ionized oxygen, ionized nitrogen, hydroxyls, and hydrogen peroxide.  
       [0011] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described below and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.  
       [0012] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.  
       [0013] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0014]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an apparatus for treating an environmental unit according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
     [0015]FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method for treating an environmental unit by generating radicals and, introducing the radicals into the atmosphere of an environmental unit chamber, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
     [0016]FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an apparatus for treating an environmental unit according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION  
     [0017] The present invention provides apparatuses and methods suitable for generating radicals from atmospheric air and directing the radicals into the chamber of an environmental unit, such as, for example, an incubator. Examples of the environmental units can include incubators that may be capable of maintaining steady and uniform levels of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), temperature, or relative humidity inside the chamber of the environmental unit. That is, the CO 2  concentration, temperature, or relative humidity may be controlled and maintained at a more or less constant level that is more or less uniform throughout the chamber of the environmental unit. The environmental unit may have a water jacket surrounding the chamber to assist in maintaining thermal stability and uniform heating.  
     [0018] In some embodiments, decontaminating, sterilizing, and/or disinfecting the chamber of the unit and/or the air inside is accomplished by delivering radicals through a ductwork system into the interior chamber of the environmental unit. The radical generator has an ultraviolet light bulb, a stainless steel pipe, and a magnetic core.  
     [0019] The radical generator comprises an ultraviolet light bulb, a stainless steel pipe, and a magnetic core. The ultraviolet light bulb emits light with a wavelength of approximately 184 nm. This wavelength of light is capable of generating singlet oxygen ions, hybrid ozone, ionized oxygen, ionized nitrogen, hydroxyls, and hydrogen peroxide from the oxygen (O 2 ), nitrogen (N 2 ), and water vapor (H 2 O) found in atmospheric air. One such light bulb is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,700,101 and is used in radical generators such as the commercially available NIOX™ generator from LaundrOx, Inc.  
     [0020] The ductwork system preferably has a filter and an air pump. The ductwork system may also comprise an electrostatic generator and/or an air compressor to pressurize the air in the ductwork system and/or the chamber to effect more rapid treatment of the chamber and the air. The environmental unit may also comprise a fan and/or additional ductwork to enhance performance by improving the circulation of the radically charged air.  
     [0021] A first preferred embodiment of the present inventive apparatus and method is illustrated in FIG. 1. The apparatus  10  comprises a treatment module  13  for use with an environmental unit  11 . A treatment module  13  comprises a filter  14 , an air pump  15 , and a radical generator  16 . It is understood that the components of the module  13  may be placed in any order within the module  13  and be within the scope and spirit of the present invention. FIG. 1 is intended to illustrate one such ordering of the filter  14 , air pump  15 , and radical generator  16  within the module  13 .  
     [0022] As shown in FIG. 1, the components of the module  13  are connected by a ductwork system  17  that forms an open loop treatment system As illustrated in FIG. 1, atmospheric air containing oxygen (O 2 ), nitrogen (N 2 ), and water vapor (H 2 O) enters the filter  14 , which serves to filter solid contaminants from the air. The air is directed through the ductwork system  17  via the air pump  15 . The air then enters the radical generator  16  where it is exposed to the light generated by an ultraviolet light bulb, preferably at approximately  184  run. This step is illustrated at step  20  in FIG. 2.  
     [0023] The air, as it exits the radical generator  16  and continues through the ductwork  17 , is charged with radicals selected from the group consisting of singlet oxygen ions, hybrid ozone, ionized oxygen, ionized nitrogen, hydroxyls, and hydrogen peroxide. This step is illustrated at step  22  in FIG. 2.  
     [0024] This radically charged air is directed into the chamber  12  of the environmental unit  11  in order to treat the chamber  12  and the atmosphere of the environmental unit  11 . This step is illustrated at step  24  in FIG. 2. This treatment serves to decontaminate, sterilize, and/or disinfect the chamber  12  and/or the atmosphere of the unit  11 .  
     [0025] In yet another preferred embodiment, the environmental unit  11  comprises a fan  18  to enhance performance by improving the circulation of the radically charged air. In still another more preferred embodiment, the environmental unit  11  comprises additional ductwork  19  to enhance performance by improving the circulation of the radically charged air.  
     [0026] As illustrated in FIG. 3, in a more preferred embodiment, the ductwork  17  comprises an air compressor  26  to pressurize the air in the ductwork system  17  and/or the chamber  12  to effect more rapid treatment of the chamber and the air. As also illustrated in FIG. 3, in another more preferred embodiment, the ductwork  17  comprises an electrostatic generator  28  to increase the effectiveness of the radicals in treating the chamber  12  and the atmosphere of the environmental unit  11 .  
     [0027] It is understood that the airflow pattern may also form a closed loop and be within the scope and spirit of the present invention. FIG. 3 illustrates a second preferred embodiment having an environmental unit  11 , a radical generator  16 , a compressor  26 , and an electrostatic generator  28 . The compressor  26  and electrostatic generator  28  can be implemented in both open loop and closed loop embodiments.  
     [0028] It will be appreciated that the present invention can be implemented utilizing the radical generator in a treatment module  13  that can be selectively connected to an environmental unit  11  for the treatment process. For example, the treatment module  13  can be a portable unit that can include the radical generator  16 , air pump  15 , and filter  14  shown in FIG. 1. A coupling arrangement  30  can be provided to removably couple the module  13  to the pre-existing ductwork  19  already present in the environmental unit.  
     [0029] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the treatment module  13  comprising the radical generator  16 , air pump  15 , and filter  14  is coupled to the environmental unit  11  when treatment is desired and directs radical treated air into the existing duct work system  17 . If no existing ductwork  19  is present, the module  13  can simply direct air into the chamber  12  via a port at the coupling  30 . An exit vent  31  is provided to permit the air in the chamber  12  to exit. In this open loop arrangement, the treatment system  13  is run for a sufficient length of time for untreated air to be exhausted and replaced with treated air. After the treatment cycle is complete, the treatment module  13  can be disconnected and removed. In situations where the existing ductwork  19 , (closed or open loop) is already present for temperature maintenance and other treatment of the air inside the chamber, the treatment module  13  can be uncoupled from the circulation system and removed as desired after treatment. The module  13  can similarly be uncoupled and removed where no existing ductwork  19  is present.  
     [0030]FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment in which a treatment module  13  tool includes the radical generator  16 , an air compressor  26  and an electrostatic generator  28 . A duct  17  leading from the electrostatic generator  28  directs air into the chamber  12 . Air exiting from the chamber  12  is directed into the radical generator  16  as shown. It is understood that the elements of the treatment module  13  may be arranged and connected in any order suitable for directing radically charged air through the ductwork  17  and into the chamber  12 . This embodiment can also be implemented with the treatment module  13  as a portable treatment tool that comprises the radical generator  16 , compressor  26  and electrostatic generator  28 . A benefit of embodiments in which a portable treatment tool is utilized is that the cost of the radical generator is located in one portable treatment tool. This treatment tool can be utilized to treat large numbers of environmental units, one at a time. Therefore, a facility having multiple environmental units can be served with a single treatment device if desired. Further, the treatment device can be moved from facility to facility, so that a large number of environmental units located in various facilities can be treated one at a time with a single treatment device.  
     [0031] Although the preferred embodiments are described in the context of a detachable, removable, portable treatment module  13  that is connected in either an open loop or closed loop mode to existing ductwork  19  in an environmental unit  11  such as an incubator, the treatment device can alternatively be partially or fully integrated with the environmental unit  11 . In such embodiments, the components of the treatment module  13  can be provided in more or less permanent connection with the other components of the environmental unit such as, for example, the existing air circulation system.  
     [0032] In other embodiments any or all of the other elements of the module (such as e.g., the air pump, compressor, filter or ductwork) can be emitted. For example, in one embodiment the radical generator  16  can be located inside the existing structure of the environmental unit  11 , by itself, or with the additional components.  
     [0033] The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed specification, and thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention which fall within the true spirits and scope of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and variations will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.