Abstract:
A UV disinfection unit includes a frame, a flexible envelope supported by the frame, the envelope having a reflective inner surface defining an inner volume for receiving an object to be disinfected, and a UV source for being received in the volume.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/355,457, filed Jun. 28, 2016, entitled “UV CONTAINMENT UNIT, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Multiple studies have demonstrated that surfaces in hospital rooms of patients are colonized or infected with healthcare-associated pathogens becoming contaminated. Studies have also confirmed that manual cleaning of these contaminated fomites with chemical disinfectants is not adequate. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that one in 25 hospital patients has a health-care acquired infection (HAI) on any single day in the US., and over 10% are fatal. 
         [0003]    Hospitals also face challenges to do an adequate job in disinfecting the multitude of fomites, such as portable medical equipment such as carts, imaging equipment, IV poles etc., used at the hospital, where it may be impractical to deploy the UV device where the equipment is located. In addition the cycle time and energy it currently takes to disinfect a room is always a concern at healthcare facilities. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    An example embodiment UV disinfection unit includes a frame and a flexible envelope supported by the frame. The envelope has an inner surface defining an inner volume for receiving an object to be disinfected. The unit also includes a UV source for being received is the volume. In another example embodiment, the frame and envelope are collapsible. In yet another example embodiment, the inner surface has a reflectivity of at least 50%. In a further example embodiment, the inner surface has a reflectivity of at least 70%. In yet a further example embodiment, the inner surface has a reflectivity of at least 75%. In one example embodiment, the inner surface has a reflectivity of at least 95%. In another example embodiment, the envelope includes a main body portion and an arm portion cantilevered from the main body portion, and the main body portion and arm portion define the inner volume. In yet another example embodiment, the arm portion includes a lower surface having an opening for receiving the UV source. In a further example embodiment, the opening includes at least an extra weight coupled to the envelope proximate its perimeter. In yet a further example embodiment, the UV source includes an annular depression for receiving the extra weight. In one example embodiment, the envelope includes an opening for receiving the object to be disinfected there-through. 
         [0005]    In another example embodiment, a UV containment envelope is flexible and collapsible and has an inner surface defining an inner volume for receiving an object to be disinfected. The inner surface has a reflectivity of at least 50%. In a further example embodiment, the inner surface has a reflectivity of at least 70%. In yet a further example embodiment, the inner surface has a reflectivity of at least 75%. In one example embodiment, the inner surface has a reflectivity of at least 95%. In another example embodiment, the envelope includes a main body portion and an arm portion cantilevered from the main body portion, and the main body portion and arm portion define the inner volume. In yet another example embodiment, the arm portion includes a lower surface having an opening for receiving a UV source. In a further example embodiment, the opening includes at least an extra weight coupled to the envelope proximate its perimeter. In one example embodiment, the envelope includes an opening for receiving the object to be disinfected there-through. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is perspective see-through views of the example embodiment UVDU. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is blow-up view of an example embodiment material used to form an example embodiment envelope. 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of another example embodiment UVDU. 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an example embodiment UV source. 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is a front view of the example embodiment UVDU shown if  FIG. 3  without the UV source. 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is a partial cross-sectional view of the arm portion of the example embodiment UVDU shown in  FIG. 3  mated with a UV source. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0012]    An example embodiment UV Disinfecting Unit (UVDU)  10  is shown in  FIG. 1 . The example embodiment UVDU includes a frame  12 , which is a collapsible frame  12  which supports an envelope  14 . In the shown example embodiments, the envelope is supported by the frame within the frame. Example embodiment frames and envelop designs as well as the coupling of such envelopes to the frames are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,134,444 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,406,978, as well as U.S. Patent Publication No. 2012/0325,279, all three of which are fully incorporated into this application by reference (“the incorporated patents”). The size of the frame may vary. The size of the envelope may vary. In an example embodiment, the thickness of the envelope may be 3 mils or less. In the further example embodiment, the envelope may be disposable. The envelope may have multiple openings that may close with various known methods, as for example described in the incorporated patents to receive a UV device  16 , as for example an ultraviolet C (UVC) light lamp that emits a UV light capable of disinfecting and/or sanitizing fomites. UVC has a wave length in the range of 100 nm to 290 nm. The size of the UV device or lamp may vary for the size of the envelope. 
         [0013]    The envelope may be sized to be able to receive all types fomites  18  including incubators, wheelchairs, poles, and medical devices that are used to monitor patients in hospitals, as well as chairs and other furniture that may be used in hospital rooms. To do so, the envelope is equipped with the appropriate size opening(s). The opening may be closed with a door that attaches to the perimeter of the opening. For example, the door opening can be a separate panel made from the same material as the envelope and attaches to the perimeter of the opening as for example with a zipper or Velcro or other well-known fasteners. In other example embodiments, the door is a flap formed on the envelope which when folded away reveals the opening and which attaches at least an end of the opening using fasteners such as for example zippers or Velcro. For example, a front panel  17  of the envelope  14  may be a flap that folds away that allows for larger objects to be inserted into the envelope for disinfection. In other example embodiments, the opening is a slit that is formed on the envelope that may be closed using fasteners such as for example zippers or Velcro. 
         [0014]    Once the fomites and the UV device are within the envelope, the envelope is closed and the UV device is turned on for the appropriate amount of time to disinfect and/or sterilize the equipment inserted into the UVDU through an opening and the opening is closed. 
         [0015]    Example embodiment envelopes are also flame resistant. An example embodiment envelope is flame-rated to U.S. NFPA 701 standards. In example embodiment, the envelope has a weight of about 28 lbs, a footprint of about 35 by 86 inches and a height of about 88 inches. The envelope has a door to accept fomites being in an example embodiment about 48 by 102 inches in dimension. 
         [0016]    In an example embodiment, the envelope has its inner surface either coated or covered with a material, or the entire envelope is made from a material, that has a desired reflectivity. A desired reflectivity in the example embodiment is 50% or greater. In an example embodiment, the reflectivity is 70% or greater. In one example embodiment the reflectivity is 73%. In another example embodiment, the reflectivity is 75%. In an example embodiment, the reflectivity is 95% or greater. In yet another example embodiment, the reflectivity is 99%, In a further example embodiment, the reflectivity is greater than 99%. Reflectivity may be measured with well-known methods and devices, such as a spectral reflectometer. When the UV device is placed in an enclosed space, the UV light reached only those surfaces which are direct line of slight of the light. However, surfaces or areas which are shadowed or not in line of sight do not get the benefits of UV irradiation. By having the envelope walls formed from a fabric with the desired reflectivity or having the inner surfaces of the envelope covered with a reflective coating, the UV light form the UV source is reflected to these shadowed areas via specular or diffuse reflection. UV reflective materials which may be used to form or coat the fabric forming the envelope include ePTFE, aluminum and magnesium. Magnesium has a reflectivity of at least 75%. Aluminum has a reflectivity of at least 73%. ePTFE made by W.L. Gore has a reflectivity of at least 95%. 
         [0017]    To obtain the appropriate reflectivity, in an example embodiment, the material forming the envelope is aluminized. An example aluminized material  30  includes an outer fabric layer  32 , a heat stable adhesive  34  adhering the fabric layer  32  to a first aluminum layer  36 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . A protective film  38  is formed over the first aluminum layer  36  and a second, or inner, aluminum layer  38  if formed over the protective layer. Fabric layer  32  defines the outer surface of the envelope whereas inner aluminum layer  38  defines the reflective inner surface of the envelop. In an example, embodiment an appropriate aluminized fabric may be obtained from Gentex Corporation. In another example embodiment, as appropriate fabric forming the outer layer  32  is forwarded to Gentex Corporation for aluminizing. An example fabric layer  32  has a yarn size of 150 Dernier, a thread count in ends per square inch of 84T, a thread count in fillings per square inch of 48T, a yarn weight of 130 g/sqm, and a thickness of about 0.28 mm. When coated with a coating (e.g., layers  34 ,  36 ,  38  and  40 ), the coating has a weight of 35 g/sqm and a thickness of about 0.025 mm. 
         [0018]    In an example embodiment, an envelope  50  is used that has an upside down L shape as for example shown in  FIGS. 3, 5 and 6 . In other words, the envelope has a main portion  52 , as for example a rectangular of square portion in plan view, from which extends (e.g. is cantilevered) an arm portion  54 , which in an example embodiment may be square or rectangular in plan view, such that an empty space  56  is defined below the arm portion. In the shown example embodiment, both the main portion and the arm portion are cubic. The empty space allows a UV light source to be placed therein. In an example embodiment, at a bottom surface  58  of the arm portion is formed an opening  60  to receive a UV light source. An opening  57  sealable or closeable by a flap  67  provides access to the envelope interior for placing the objects to be disinfected therein. The opening in the shown example embodiment is formed on a front face of the main portion  52  of the envelope. 
         [0019]    In an example embodiment, the UV light source is a device produced by Xenex Disinfection Services, LLC and marketed under the name Lightstrike Disinfection Robot (herein the “robot”). LIGHTSTRIKE is a trademark of Xenex Disinfection Services, LLC. The robot  62 , as shown in  FIG. 4  has a UV emitting source  64 , for emitting UVC light, that extends from a body  66  of the robot. The source retracts into the body when not in use. In an example embodiment, the UV emitting source includes a neck  68  and a head  70  extending from the neck. In the example embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , the robot is received in the space  56  below the arm portion  54  of the envelope. The height of the space is such when the robot is placed in the space, the lower surface  58  of the arm portion of the envelope rests against an upper surface  65  the robot body  66 . In this regard the neck and head are extended through the lower surface opening  60  and into the envelope  50 . To ensure that the lower surface  58  of the arm portions contacts the robot body, and ring  59  is adhered or otherwise coupled at the perimeter or proximate the perimeter of the opening  60  so that it surrounds the opening  60  as for example shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . The ring may be made from any type material that provides sufficient weight for causing the perimeter of the opening  60  or the envelope portion surrounding the perimeter opening to move toward and rest on the body of the robot. For example the ring may be a thick wire that is placed in a pocket  61  surrounding the opening. The ring may be a one solid ring or may be formed in parts. In other example embodiments, spaced apart weights may be placed surrounding the opening. To ensure a better contact or even a seal between the lower surface and the body of the robot, an annular depression  63  may be formed on the robot  62  surrounding the neck  68  to receive the ring or the weight(s) surrounding the opening, as for example shown in  FIG. 6 . The opening has a diameter  60  sufficient to allow for penetration by the head. In an example embodiment the opening has a diameter just slightly larger than the diameter of the head. 
         [0020]    In an example embodiment, the UVDU is portable and collapsible and is deployed within minutes in any area of the healthcare facility. A portable UV device  16  may be wheeled into the containment unit with various fomites. The UV device in the device may be turned on and off remotely. After the disinfection or sterilization process is accomplished the fomites  18  and UV device  16  are removed from the UVDU. 
         [0021]    The example embodiment UVDU is highly advantageous in being able to isolate and enclose various fomites in an easy to install, minimal set up time, easy to store, collapsible and portable, easy to clean, flame-resistant/durable envelope with a sealed enclosure and thereby quickly disinfecting them with the portable UV device. The example embodiment UVDU reduces cycle time and increases the “kill rate.” 
         [0022]    Example embodiment UVDUs are highly advantageous to be able to isolate and enclose various fomites. Example embodiment UVDUs are easy to install, easy to store, collapsible and portable, easy to clean, and have a flame-resistant durable envelope sealed enclosure. 
         [0023]    Testing with the example embodiment envelopes and example embodiment UV sources saw over 99%, as for example over 99.9%, elimination of C, diff, MRSA, CRE, VER and other MDROs. 
         [0024]    While example embodiment disinfection units have been described with being used with collapsible frame, in other example embodiments any example envelope may be mounted on a fixed frame that is not collapsible and may or may not be portable. 
         [0025]    Although a few example embodiments have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the example embodiments without materially departing from this invention. The embodiments described herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope of the invention to the exact forms disclosed. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure as defined in the following claims. It is the express intention of the applicant not to invoke 35 U.S.C. 112, paragraph 6 for any limitations of any of the claims herein, except for those in which the claim expressly uses the words ‘means for’ together with an associated function.