Patent Description:
Sterile, or at least substantially-sterile environments are common in the medical field for treating patients with minimal risk of infection. To avoid exposing patients in such environments to infectious organisms medical personnel working therein are required to take precautionary measures. All personnel are required to wash thoroughly before entering the environment, and wear items of clothing such as surgical scrubs that have been decontaminated.

Other objects such as medical equipment can also be contaminated with infectious organisms, and can pose a threat to introduce such organisms into the sterile environment. Bedding, medical devices, and virtually all other objects brought into a sterile environment must undergo sterilization procedures to minimize the risk of infection to patients. More recently, portable electronic devices such as tablet computers, for example, have become useful within sterile environments such as an operating room during a surgical procedure. Pulse oximeters, keyboards, and any other object that is often touched by hospital personnel or patients can also provide a means for transmitting infectious organisms when not properly and consistently decontaminated.

The wide array of electronic devices such as tablet computers and notebook computers, and medical devices, for example, that require decontamination pose additional problems when being considered for use in a medical environment. Their cases include apertures, seams, internal compartments and a variety of other structures where infectious organisms can hide from a disinfectant or sterilizing agent, which is often topically applied as part of a decontamination process. Thus, even when exposed to such a decontaminant or sterilizing agent, infectious organisms hidden at such locations on an electronic device can be unknowingly transported into the sterile environment.

Conventionally writing instruments such as ink pens include a cylindrical housing defining an interior compartment. An ink reservoir disposed within the interior compartment stores ink that is to be dispensed onto a medium as the user is writing. A writing tip such as a ball-point, for example, is coupled in fluid communication to the ink reservoir and extends from the ink reservoir through an aperture located at a terminal end of the housing.

Retractable pens include an adjustable writing tip. The adjustable writing can be adjusted inwardly to a stowed position, where the writing tip is retracted through the aperture at the terminal end of the housing into the interior chamber. When the retractable pen is to be used, the writing tip can be adjusted outwardly through the aperture to a writing position where the writing tip extends beyond the housing, thereby exposing the ball point or other ink-dispensing surface to make contact with the medium. A button located at an end of the housing opposite the aperture can be pushed into the housing through another aperture to urge the writing tip toward the writing position, and pushed again to retract the writing tip to the stowed position. Although the inside diameter of each aperture is within a close tolerance of the outside diameter of the respective writing tip and button, there remains a space separating those objects from the interior periphery of their respective apertures through which a contaminant can enter the interior chamber of the pen.

In medical settings such as hospitals many patients may be treated by physicians, nurses and other caregivers who travel from room to room. In each patient's room the caregiver's hands are likely to make physical contact with the patient or other objects during the course of treating the patient. This physical contact can expose the caregiver's hands to germs and other possible contaminants that, unless the proper disinfection techniques are followed, could be transferred to another patient in a different room visited by the caregiver. These contaminants can also be spread to objects held by the caregiver, such as pens or other writing instruments, for example. Prior art document <CIT> discloses an apparatus for disinfecting objects of various shapes and sizes based on UV radiation. Another example is shown in <CIT>.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a method and apparatus for sterilizing the variety of commonly used devices in the medical field regardless of the particular shape of the object.

There is also a need in the art for an ink-based writing instrument with an interior chamber that is substantially sealed from an ambient environment to interfere with the intrusion of contaminants into the interior chamber. There is also a need in the art for a disinfection station that exposes writing instruments to a disinfecting agent when not in use and stores disinfected writing instruments in a disinfected environment.

Therefore, the invention relates to an apparatus for disinfecting objects of various shapes and sizes by placing the object in a housing enclosing a disinfecting chamber as specified in claim <NUM>.

According to another aspect, the subject application involves a method for using the above-described apparatus for disinfecting commonly used devices and objects, particularly in the medical field.

The above summary presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the systems and/or methods discussed herein. This summary is not an extensive overview of the systems and/or methods discussed herein. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope of such systems and/or methods. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement of parts, embodiments of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and wherein:.

Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the present invention. Relative language used herein is best understood with reference to the drawings, in which like numerals are used to identify like or similar items. Further, in the drawings, certain features may be shown in somewhat schematic form.

It is also to be noted that the phrase "at least one of', if used herein, followed by a plurality of members herein means one of the members, or a combination of more than one of the members. For example, the phrase "at least one of a first widget and a second widget" means in the present application: the first widget, the second widget, or the first widget and the second widget. Likewise, "at least one of a first widget, a second widget and a third widget" means in the present application: the first widget, the second widget, the third widget, the first widget and the second widget, the first widget and the third widget, the second widget and the third widget, or the first widget and the second widget and the third widget.

The disinfecting process performed by the apparatus and methods described herein is performed by a disinfecting apparatus on demand, as materially-disinfected substantially-sterilized objects are needed in an application, for example, a medical application. Rendering the object "materially disinfected" does not necessarily require the object to be <NUM>% sterile, free of any and all living organisms. Instead, to be "materially disinfected", the living contagions on the object are exposed to UVC light. Although this exposure may not kill the contagions, the exposed contagions are unable to replicate as a result of the exposure to UVC light, thus promoting a lower level of replicating living contagions on the object after performance of the sterilization process than existed on the object prior to performance of the sterilization process. According to other aspects, the object is required to possess a lower level of living or otherwise biologically-active contagions than a threshold quantity permitted under U. Food and Drug Administration requirements on objects dedicated for use in a sterile field such as in an operating room during a surgical procedure. According to other aspects, the sterilization process kills or otherwise eliminates at least <NUM>% of all living or otherwise biologically-active contagions present on the object immediately prior to performance of the sterilization process. According to yet other aspects, achieving high-level disinfection of an object utilizing the disinfecting apparatus can involve deactivation of a suitable portion of the biologically-active contagions to achieve at least a <NUM> log<NUM> reduction of such contagions on the object that remain infectious (i.e., no more than <NUM>/<NUM>th of the biologically-active contagions on the object remain active or infectious at a time when the decontamination process is completed). According to yet other aspects, achieving a low to intermediate-level of disinfection of an object utilizing the disinfecting apparatus can involve deactivation of a suitable portion of the biologically-active contagions to achieve at least a <NUM> log<NUM> reduction (i.e., <NUM>/<NUM>,<NUM>th) <NUM>% of such contagions on the object. According to yet other aspects, achieving high-level disinfection of an object utilizing disinfecting apparatus can involve deactivation of a suitable portion of the biologically-active contagions to achieve at least a <NUM> log<NUM> reduction (i.e., <NUM>/<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>th) of such contagions on the object. Yet other aspects requiring sterilization of the object can result in a complete and total absence of viable organisms on the object at a time when the decontamination process is completed.

Thus, although referred to as a "disinfecting apparatus" herein for convenience, it is to be understood that the disinfecting apparatus subjects objects to a decontamination process that at least disinfects, and optionally sterilizes, the objects by exposing the objects to a disinfectant, interchangeably referred to herein as a sterilizing agent, to deactivate (e.g., kill or otherwise render no longer infectious) a portion of a biologically-active contaminate present on the objects. Once the decontamination process is complete, the objects are suitable for use in a sterile field such as an operating room during a surgical procedure or other healthcare-related practice.

An illustrative variant of writing instrument in the form of a retractable pen <NUM> is shown in <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, the pen <NUM> is equipped with a writing tip <NUM> in a stowed position, where the writing tip <NUM> is at least partially recessed within a first end <NUM> of a housing <NUM>. Adjustment of the writing tip <NUM> between the stowed position shown in <FIG> and the writing position shown in <FIG> is achieved in response to actuation of a push button <NUM> provided adjacent to a second end <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. While the writing tip <NUM> is in the stowed position, the push button <NUM> is fully extended in an axial direction away from the second end <NUM> of the housing <NUM> generally indicated by arrow <NUM>. With the writing tip <NUM> in the writing position shown in <FIG>, the push button <NUM> can be maintained in a relatively inward position in the opposite axial direction indicated generally by arrow <NUM>. Adjustment of the writing tip <NUM> from the writing position to the stowed position, and vice versa, can be brought about in response to a pushing of the push button <NUM> in the direction indicated by arrow <NUM> followed by a release of the push button <NUM>. Although the overall length of the pen <NUM> can be any desired length, variants of the pen <NUM> have an overall length L in <FIG> from a surface of the push button <NUM> furthest away from the second end <NUM> of the housing to the apex of the writing tip <NUM> of at least about three (<NUM> in. ) inches, and optionally less than about <NUM> (<NUM> in. Specific embodiments of the pen <NUM> have an overall length L that is between about <NUM> (<NUM> in. ) and about <NUM> (<NUM> in.

An exterior surface of the housing <NUM> can be generally-cylindrical in shape, or can include a plurality of axially aligned planar surfaces that collectively form an arcuate shape. The housing <NUM> defines an interior compartment <NUM>, shown in <FIG>, in which an ink cartridge <NUM> is disposed. The ink cartridge <NUM> is operatively connected in fluid communication with the writing tip <NUM> to supply the writing tip <NUM> with ink that is discharged from the writing tip <NUM> onto a surface, such as paper for example, on which a user of the pen <NUM> is writing.

A helical spring <NUM> is provided within the interior compartment <NUM> to urge the writing tip <NUM> and, optionally, also the ink cartridge <NUM> and/or push button <NUM>, in the axial direction indicated generally by arrow <NUM> in <FIG>. Thus, the spring <NUM> urges the writing tip <NUM> generally toward the stowed position and is compressed against a narrowing portion <NUM> of the housing <NUM> defining a portion the interior compartment <NUM> when the writing tip <NUM> is adjusted to the writing position.

Shown clearly in <FIG>, the first end <NUM> of the housing <NUM> defines a recess <NUM> in which at least a portion of the writing tip <NUM> is disposed in the stowed position. A generally-cylindrical external wall <NUM>, which can optionally be integrally formed as part of a monolithic unit with another portion of the housing <NUM>, forms an arcuate perimeter of the recess <NUM>. A proximate partition <NUM>, shown best in <FIG>, disposed between the recess <NUM> and the interior compartment <NUM> defines an aperture <NUM> through which the writing tip <NUM> extends from the interior compartment <NUM> into the recess <NUM>. The partition <NUM> can optionally be integrally formed as part of a monolithic unit (e.g., molded, cast, etc.. ) from the same material as an external surface of the housing <NUM>. Use of a rigid material with suitable strength such as a plastic, metal, other material or combination thereof, offers the writing tip <NUM> lateral support to remain substantially stationary even while in the writing position and being used by a user who is writing with the pen <NUM>.

To interfere with the entry of contaminants into the interior compartment <NUM> from the ambient environment of the pen <NUM>, a flexible skirt <NUM> extends between the perimeter wall <NUM> and the writing tip <NUM>. The skirt <NUM> can optionally extend from an external periphery of the wall <NUM>, a terminal surface of the wall <NUM> in the axial direction that forms an end of the housing <NUM>, or from an internal periphery of the wall <NUM>. Regardless of the surface from which the skirt <NUM> extends toward the writing tip <NUM>, the externally-exposed surface of the skirt <NUM> and any portion of the internal periphery of the wall <NUM> is exposed to light directed into the recess <NUM> from beyond the first end <NUM>. In other words, the skirt <NUM> and any exposed portion of the internal periphery of the wall <NUM> are visible when looking axially into the recess <NUM> formed at the first end <NUM>, and can optionally form a continuous surface free of hidden surfaces that could be shielded from light aimed into the recess <NUM> by other portions of the pen <NUM>. For such variants, contaminants such as parasites or other infectious organisms on the skirt <NUM> and/or interior periphery of the wall <NUM> can be deactivated or otherwise neutralized by a decontamination agent such as UVC light impart into the recess <NUM> from a location located axially beyond the first end <NUM> of the pen <NUM>.

The skirt <NUM> can be made from any material that is flexible enough to extend with the writing tip <NUM> to the writing position and be retracted into the recess <NUM> when the writing tip <NUM> is adjusted to the stowed position, while maintaining a reasonable seal that interferes with, and optionally prevents, the entry of contaminants into the interior compartment <NUM> through the recess <NUM> and aperture <NUM>. As can be seen in <FIG>, while the writing tip <NUM> is in the stowed position, the skirt <NUM> is received, along with the writing tip <NUM>, in the recess <NUM>. When the writing tip <NUM> is extended to the writing position as shown in <FIG>, the skirt <NUM> can optionally extend outwardly, beyond the recess <NUM>. According to alternate variants, however, the skirt <NUM> can coupled to a portion of the writing tip <NUM> such that the skirt <NUM> remains within the perimeter of the wall <NUM>, and accordingly within the recess <NUM>, even when the writing tip <NUM> is adjusted to the writing position.

According to yet other variant, the skirt <NUM> can be formed as a rubber gasket disposed about an interior periphery of the aperture <NUM> to substantially seal the entry into the interior compartment <NUM> from the first end <NUM>. The gasket can press tightly against the outside diameter of the writing tip <NUM> where the writing tip <NUM> extends through the aperture <NUM>, and maintains this contact against the writing tip <NUM> as it travels axially through the gasket between the writing and stowed positions. Again, the exposed surfaces of such a gasket and interior periphery of the perimeter wall <NUM> are not shaded or otherwise shielded from a decontamination agent directed into the recess <NUM> from beyond the first end <NUM> of the housing <NUM>.

Similarly, the push button <NUM> adjacent to the second end <NUM> of the housing <NUM> can be concealed by a flexible sheath <NUM>. The sheath <NUM> can be formed from an elastomeric material to form a cap over the push button <NUM>, yet allow actuation of the push button <NUM> in response to a force applied to the externally-exposed surface of the sheath <NUM>. The sheath <NUM> can also be coupled to perimeter of the housing <NUM> adjacent to the second end <NUM>, and a seal can be applied where the sheath <NUM> meets the second end <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. The sheath <NUM> conceals apertures formed between interworking components of the push button <NUM> assembly through which contaminants could otherwise potentially enter an interior portion of the pen <NUM>. Additionally, the sheath <NUM> has a substantially-cylindrical, and smooth externally-exposed surface, allowing for effective decontamination of that externally-exposed surface in response to exposure to a decontamination agent such as UVC light.

Although the variant of the writing instrument described with reference to <FIG> is a push-button ink pen <NUM>, alternate variants of the writing instrument include a pen <NUM> shown in <FIG>. Such variants include a first end <NUM> configured to be analogous to the first end <NUM> of the variants described above. A writing tip <NUM> is adjustable between a stowed position (<FIG>) and a writing position (<FIG>), and a skirt <NUM> interferes with entry of contaminants into an interior compartment of the pen <NUM>. However, adjustment of the writing tip's position is achieved by rotating a first housing portion 112a relative to a second housing portion 112b in the directions indicated by arrows <NUM>, <NUM>. A seal can be provided at the intersection of the housing portions 112a, 112b to interfere with the entry of contaminants into the interior compartment of the pen <NUM> and allow for effective decontamination of the pen <NUM> through exposure of the pen <NUM> to a decontamination agent that requires direct exposure of the surfaces to be decontaminated to the decontamination agent such as UVC light.

A decontamination station <NUM> such as that shown in <FIG> can be hung on a wall or otherwise placed at a convenient location in a healthcare facility, for example, to decontaminate, and optionally store, the pens <NUM>, <NUM> described above. A plurality of such decontamination stations <NUM>, each compatible with the pens <NUM>, <NUM>, can be located at various locations throughout the healthcare facility to facilitate ready access to decontaminated pens <NUM>, <NUM>.

The decontamination station <NUM> of <FIG> includes a feed region <NUM>, a decontamination region <NUM> and a distribution region <NUM>. The feed region <NUM> includes a hopper <NUM> into which pens <NUM>, <NUM> can be deposited through an entry aperture <NUM>. The entry aperture <NUM> can include one or a plurality of adjustable doors that can be temporarily pushed downward, into the hopper <NUM> as shown in broken lines <NUM> to allow a pen <NUM>, <NUM> to be dropped, or otherwise permit the introduction of a pen <NUM>, <NUM> into the decontamination station <NUM>. The door(s) can be spring biased, and returned to the closed position once the force pushing the door(s) downward is removed and the pen <NUM>, <NUM> inserted reaches the hopper <NUM>. According to alternate variants, the entry aperture <NUM> can include opposing sets of bristles, an elastomeric rubber flap, or other selective entry device that interferes with light or other decontamination agent exiting the decontamination station <NUM> when closed, but allows the insertion of the pens <NUM>, <NUM>.

Although the decontamination station <NUM> can be compatible with a plurality of different pens <NUM>, <NUM>, for the sake of brevity and clarity a variant of the decontamination station <NUM> will be described with reference to push-button embodiment of the pen <NUM>.

The hopper <NUM> includes tapered walls <NUM> or other directional structures that funnel pens <NUM> toward an entrance <NUM> to a feeding cylinder <NUM>. The pen <NUM> rolls along the tapered walls <NUM> until it reaches the entrance, at which time the pen <NUM> falls into the entrance <NUM> and reaches the feeding cylinder <NUM>. The pen <NUM> will rest on an arcuate, outer surface <NUM> of the feeding cylinder <NUM> in the entrance <NUM> while the feeding cylinder <NUM> rotates. When the feeding cylinder <NUM> rotates to an extent that a generally U-shaped receptacle <NUM> formed in the feeding cylinder <NUM> becomes aligned with the entrance <NUM>, the pen <NUM> resting therein falls into the receptacle <NUM>. The depth and shape of the receptacle <NUM> is sufficient to allow the pen <NUM> therein to be rotated with the feeding cylinder <NUM> toward an entrance to the decontamination region <NUM> without striking any surrounding walls <NUM>.

When the pen <NUM> in the receptacle <NUM> becomes aligned with an entrance to the decontamination region <NUM>, the pen <NUM> falls under the force of gravity in the direction of arrow <NUM> into a space <NUM> between a moving conveyor <NUM> and a stationary object <NUM>. While within the space <NUM>, the pen <NUM> is exposed to a decontamination agent such as UVC light <NUM> emitted by at least one, and optionally a plurality of UVC bulbs <NUM> arranged adjacent to the space <NUM>. The conveyor <NUM> is operable to control movement of the pen <NUM> through the space <NUM> to ensure sufficient exposure to the decontamination agent to achieve the desired level of decontamination.

After exiting the space <NUM>, the pen <NUM> is allowed to fall into the distribution region <NUM> under the force of gravity in the directly generally indicated by arrow <NUM>. Pens <NUM> exiting the decontamination region <NUM> can be stockpiled in the distribution region <NUM> on another feeding cylinder <NUM>. An optical sensor <NUM>, for example, can optionally be utilized to monitor the number of pens <NUM> stockpiled to prevent the accumulation of more pens <NUM> in the distribution region <NUM> than permitted by the available space. In response to a signal from the optical sensor <NUM>, operation of the conveyor <NUM> or other pen transport mechanism can be discontinued until such time the optical sensor <NUM> determines that additional storage space has become available. Pens <NUM> that have accumulated in the distribution region <NUM> can optionally be exposed to the decontamination agent such as the UVC light <NUM> while awaiting removal from the decontamination station <NUM>, thereby promoting storage of the pen <NUM> in a decontaminated state.

The feeding cylinder <NUM> is analogous to the feeding cylinder <NUM> described above, and rotates to occasionally receive a decontaminated pen <NUM> in one, of possibly a plurality of generally U-shaped receptacles <NUM> formed in the feeding cylinder <NUM>. The feeding cylinder <NUM> can be driven by an electric motor, can be manually rotatable, or can otherwise be controllable to rotate when removal of a pen <NUM> from the decontamination station <NUM> is desired. For example, a handle exposed to the exterior of the decontamination station <NUM> can be manipulated to cause rotation of the feeding cylinder <NUM> until the pen in the receptacle <NUM> is aligned with an exit <NUM> of the decontamination station <NUM>, at which time the pen <NUM> falls under the force of gravity in the direction generally indicated by arrow <NUM> into a dispenser <NUM>. The dispenser <NUM> can then be adjusted downward, allowing for access to, and removal of the pen <NUM> in a decontaminated state suitable for use in the healthcare facility.

According to alternate variants, the dispenser <NUM> can be operatively connected to a controller that controls operation of an electric motor or other actuation mechanism that rotates the feeding cylinder <NUM>. When a pen <NUM> in a decontaminated state is desired, the dispenser <NUM> can be adjusted downward or otherwise manipulated to cause activation of the electric motor and, accordingly, rotation of the feeding cylinder <NUM>.

A side view of a variant of the decontamination region <NUM> is shown in <FIG> to illustrate decontamination of the pen <NUM>, which is shown in <FIG> with the writing tip <NUM> pointed out of the paper, as it travels through the decontamination region <NUM>. The pen <NUM> is shown received in the space <NUM> between the conveyer <NUM> and the stationary object <NUM>. The stationary object can include a base plate <NUM> from which bristles <NUM> extend. The bristles <NUM> can be upstanding filaments, packed close together, that extend approximately <NUM> (<NUM>/<NUM> in. ) to approximately <NUM> (<NUM>/<NUM> in. ) away from the base plate <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the pen <NUM> extends partially into the layer of bristles <NUM>, and rotates in the direction generally indicated by arrow <NUM> as the pen <NUM> rolls through the decontamination region <NUM>.

The conveyer <NUM> includes a belt <NUM> that extends continuously around a pair of pulleys <NUM>, with a pulley <NUM> located adjacent to the entrance and exit of the decontamination region <NUM>. At least one of the pulleys <NUM> is driven by an electric motor operated by a controller that causes rotation of the belt <NUM> when transportation of the pen <NUM> through the decontamination region <NUM> is desired. The belt <NUM> can be formed from a material that is substantially transparent to UVC light <NUM>. For example, the belt <NUM> can be formed of a fine wire mesh that transmits a substantial portion, or most of the UVC light <NUM> emitted by the UVC bulb <NUM> disposed on an opposite side of the belt <NUM> from the pen <NUM>. According to other variants, the belt <NUM> can be formed by a material that is substantially transparent to UVC light for variants that utilize UVC light as the decontamination agent.

In operation, the controller can activate the electric motor that drives the pulley <NUM> in response to sensing the presence of a pen <NUM> in the hopper <NUM> or at the entrance of the decontamination region <NUM>, and optionally also in response to detecting room for additional decontaminated pens <NUM> in the distribution region <NUM>. Contact between the exterior periphery of the pen <NUM> and the belt <NUM> traveling about the pulleys <NUM> causes the pen <NUM> to rotate in the direction indicated generally at <NUM> in <FIG> and <FIG>, and roll over the bristles <NUM>. Rotation of the pen <NUM> over the bristles enhances the decontamination of the pens <NUM>, and allows all of the externally-exposed surfaces of the pens <NUM> to be exposed to UVC light <NUM> from the bulb <NUM> separated from the pen <NUM> by the belt <NUM>. Additionally, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, an additional UVC bulb <NUM> can be arranged vertically, with a longitudinal axis in an axial direction aligned substantially parallel with the space <NUM> between the belt <NUM> and the bristles <NUM>, adjacent to one or both ends <NUM>, <NUM> of the pen <NUM> within the space <NUM>. Operation of the additional, vertically-arranged bulbs <NUM> emits UVC light to decontaminate the exposed surfaces of the skirt <NUM> and internal periphery of the wall <NUM> at the first end <NUM> of the pen <NUM>, and the exposed surfaces of the sheath <NUM> adjacent to the second end <NUM> of the pen <NUM>. And since the horizontally-oriented UVC bulbs <NUM> emit UVC light imparted on the externally-exposed surface of the housing <NUM>, Substantially all externally-exposed surfaces of the pen <NUM> are decontaminated.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate an alternate variant of the decontamination region <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the decontamination region <NUM> includes the belt <NUM> extending about the pulleys <NUM> to cause rotation of the pen <NUM> as it travels through the decontamination region <NUM>. Light emitted from UVC bulb <NUM> passes through the belt <NUM> to reach the pen <NUM>.

Instead of the base plate <NUM> and bristles <NUM>, the stationary object <NUM> includes a pair of ribs <NUM> that are angled inward, toward each other along the path the pen <NUM> travels. Rotation of the belt <NUM> about the pulleys <NUM> again causes rotation of the pen <NUM> in the angular direction indicated by the arrow <NUM>. However, instead of rolling over the bristles <NUM> as described for the variant above, the pen <NUM> rolls over the ribs <NUM>. Since the ribs <NUM> are angled inward, toward each other at their lowermost points, no single portion of the pen <NUM> is concealed from UVC light <NUM> as the pen <NUM> travels through the space <NUM> of the decontamination region <NUM>. Additionally, another horizontally-arranged UVC bulb <NUM> is separated from the pen <NUM> by the ribs <NUM>, to emit UVC light onto surfaces of the housing <NUM> that are not in contact with, or shaded from the UVC bulb <NUM> by the ribs <NUM>. But since the ribs <NUM> are angled as shown in <FIG>, the surfaces of the housing <NUM> that are shielded by the ribs <NUM> will change as the pen <NUM> rolls along the decontamination region <NUM>, ensuring that no single surface of the housing <NUM> is shielded from UVC light <NUM> while the pen <NUM> travels along the entire length of the decontamination region <NUM>.

Although the ribs <NUM> are described as being angled inward, with the lower region of each rib <NUM> being closer to each other than the upper regions of the those ribs <NUM>, the arrangement of the ribs <NUM> is not so limited. The ribs <NUM>, of which there can be at least one, and optionally a plurality, can be configured to have any desired shape and any desired arrangement that ensures no externally-exposed surface of the housing <NUM> is shielded from UVC light <NUM> along the entire length of the decontamination region <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a cross section of an alternate variant of a disinfecting apparatus <NUM>. The disinfecting apparatus <NUM> includes a disinfecting chamber <NUM> for placing an object to be disinfected (not shown). The disinfecting apparatus <NUM> may be of any size. Of particular interest in determining the size of the disinfecting apparatus <NUM> is the volume of the disinfecting chamber <NUM>. There are two competing interests in determining the size of the disinfecting chamber <NUM>. First, the intensity of the UVC light deceases as distance from the source increases according to an inverse squared relationship and the disinfecting factor of the UVC light is determined by the product of the intensity of light and the time of irradiation. Therefore, the larger a disinfecting chamber is, the longer the disinfecting process needs to be in order to reach an appropriate level of sterilization. However, it is also desirable to have a disinfecting chamber that is large enough to hold objects of various shapes and sizes. For example, a keyboard requires a disinfecting chamber that is approximately <NUM> (twenty inches) tall whereas a pulse oximeter would require a disinfecting chamber that is only a few cm (inches) tall. Accordingly, it may be desirable in some embodiments to have a large disinfecting chamber and in some variants to have a small disinfecting chamber. It should be noted that the size of the disinfecting apparatus is not intended to be a limiting parameter.

A floor <NUM> of the disinfecting chamber <NUM> is shown with a pyramidal shape to limit the contact area with the object placed in the disinfecting chamber <NUM> because such contact areas inhibit UVC light from reaching the object to disinfect it. In some variants, the floor <NUM> may be lined with ultraviolet c (UVC) light sources in the depressions of the pyramidal shape, thereby increasing the likelihood the object receives UVC light at or near points of contact with the floor <NUM>. In other variants the floor <NUM> may be entirely UVC light sources so that even at points of contact with the object to be disinfected, the UVC light still hits the object to be disinfected. However, in variants where UVC light sources themselves act as a floor, the light sources may be subject to breaking if a heavy object is placed in the disinfecting chamber <NUM> or an object is dropped in to the disinfecting chamber <NUM>. In these cases, it may be desirable to reinforce the UVC light sources. Any materials used to reinforce the UVC light sources should be substantially transparent to UVC light to permit transmission of a substantial portion (e.g., at least <NUM>%, or at least <NUM>%, or at least <NUM>%, or at least <NUM>%) of the UV light emitted by the disinfecting apparatus. One illustrative example of such a material is quartz. Another material that is substantially-transparent is polypropylene. In still other embodiments, rather than resting on the floor <NUM>, an object to be disinfected may rest in a basket, for example, a wire-frame or mesh basket optionally formed of quartz. In such variants, UVC light emitted from UVC light sources can pass through the openings in the basket to the object where the wire frame or mesh limits the contact areas of the object that UVC light is unable to penetrate. According to other variants, the floor <NUM> itself can optionally be formed of fused silica or quartz, for example, and the UVC light sources arranged vertically beneath the floor, thereby separating the objects to be disinfected from the UVC light sources. For such embodiments, the floor <NUM> can be approximately <NUM> (<NUM>/<NUM> in. ) thick to transmit approximately <NUM>%-<NUM>% of the UVC light emitted by those UVC light sources.

Although UVC light sources are described herein as examples of the decontaminating sources, Xenon light sources or any other source of radiation that can be used to render objects materially disinfected are within the scope of the present disclosure. For instance, strobed Xenon light sources, with their operation timed to prevent operation during times when a door such as the no-touch door <NUM> and/or shield <NUM> described below are open. For any of the variants described herein not utilizing pulsed sources, operation of such sources during the disinfection process can optionally be limited to less than <NUM> seconds, or optionally less than <NUM> seconds to limit the yellowing exhibited by surfaces exposed to the sources during disinfection.

The disinfecting chamber <NUM> also includes a wall <NUM> for leaning objects to be disinfected against. Since the wall <NUM> represents a large contact point with the object to be disinfected, in many embodiments the wall <NUM> is also made of a material that is substantially-transparent to UVC light. For example, the wall <NUM> could be made of tubes of quartz aligned next to each other as shown in the embodiment of <FIG>. The disinfecting chamber is also preferably lined with a substantially-reflective material so that UVC light waves emitted from UVC light sources can freely bounce around the disinfecting chamber, hitting the object to be disinfected at a number of angles of incidence and over the entire area of the object. According to one example, polished aluminum can be used as a substantially-reflective material. But regardless of the configuration of the disinfecting chamber <NUM>, the disinfecting chamber <NUM> can optionally be sealed, optionally hermetically, to prevent air within the disinfecting chamber from venting into the ambient environment of the disinfecting apparatus <NUM>. This seal can also prevent circulation of ambient air within the disinfecting apparatus <NUM>. Further, the disinfecting apparatus <NUM> can optionally include, or be operatively connected to a vacuum source that is operable to optionally evacuate the disinfecting chamber <NUM>.

In some variants, a hook or similar line <NUM>, optionally formed of quartz or another material substantially transparent to UVC light, can hang from the ceiling of the disinfecting chamber <NUM>. In such variants, an object to be disinfected may be attached to the line <NUM>. This is particularly helpful for objects with cords, such as pulse oximeters, so that the cord may dangle freely in the disinfecting chamber and be exposed to the maximum amount of UVC light. In contrast, if the object with a cord was simply placed in the disinfecting chamber <NUM>, the cord would "bunch" on the floor <NUM> with many contact points unexposed to UVC light. In some variants the end of the hook or line may include a UVC light emitting diode (LED) or similar UVC light source. In such variants, the inside of the object to be hooked may also be disinfected by the UVC light from the LED. An illustrative example of such an object is a pulse oximeter. The aperture for a finger of the pulse oximeter may be clamped to the line <NUM> with a UVC LED. The LED can then act as a disinfecting light source to disinfect the aperture of the pulse oximeter and the cord can hang freely in the disinfecting chamber so that it, along with the exterior surface of the pulse oximeter, can be disinfected as any other object. In other variants, rather than attaching the pulse oximeter or like object to the hook or line <NUM>, the object may be similarly clamped to one of the tubes of the wall <NUM> or a standalone tube (not shown) also located in the disinfecting chamber <NUM>. In such a variant, the pulse oximeter could be clamped on the tube as if the tube were a finger. The tube on which the pulse oximiter is to be clamped can optionally terminate short of the ceiling of the disinfection apparatus <NUM>, allowing the pulse oximeter to be clamped onto the tube much the way it would be clamped onto a finger. Further, since the tube can be formed of quartz, UVC light can impinge on an interior surface of the pulse oximeter that would otherwise be shaded if the pulse oximeter was clamped on the end of a tube formed of a UVC opaque material.

In other variants, one or a plurality of UVC light sources (not shown) may be located at the top of the disinfecting chamber <NUM>, adjacent to a ceiling. In such variants, the UVC light sources may hang from the ceiling. When the UVC light source hangs from the ceiling, it may be used in a manner similar to that of the UVC LED previously described. UVC light sources may also be embedded in the ceiling in a manner similar to that described with respect to the floor <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a top view of the disinfecting apparatus of the present invention. Three UVC light sources <NUM> are illustrated around the edge of the disinfecting chamber <NUM>, <NUM> degrees from each other, such that the emitted UVC light is evenly dispersed throughout the disinfecting chamber. It should be noted that although three UVC light sources <NUM> are shown, a greater or fewer number, preferably at an equal angular displacement, may be used in various embodiments. A shield <NUM> is also shown in three parts (corresponding to the three UVC light sources) around the disinfecting chamber <NUM> between the UVC light sources <NUM> and the floor <NUM>. In the state shown in <FIG>, each of the UVC light sources <NUM> are open to the disinfecting chamber <NUM> so that UVC light can reach an object to be disinfected. In many embodiments, the UVC light sources <NUM> remain on as long as the disinfecting apparatus is powered. However, in other embodiments, the UVC light sources <NUM> may be powered off if the disinfecting apparatus <NUM> has not been used for a particular period of time, for example, thirty minutes.

Looking down the disinfecting chamber <NUM> also illustrates the pyramidal floor <NUM> previously described. As shown by the arrows, the floor <NUM> can rotate relative to the stationary UVC light sources <NUM> during the disinfecting procedure to expose the object to be disinfected to every UVC light source <NUM> at a variety of angles. According to alternate embodiments, the floor <NUM> can optionally be stationary, and the UVC light sources <NUM> rotated at least partially about the circumference of the floor <NUM>. Regardless of whether the floor <NUM> or the UVC light sources <NUM> rotate, the angles at which UVC light emitted by the light sources <NUM> impinges on the object to be disinfected is adjusted during the disinfecting procedure. In this manner, substantially complete disinfection is performed about the object. Also shown are four quartz tubes creating a wall <NUM> for resting an object to be disinfected against as described above. As illustrated in <FIG>, the wall <NUM> is shown as four separated tubes, offset from the center of the circular floor <NUM>. However, in other embodiments, there may be a greater or fewer number of tubes. In still other embodiments, the tubes may aligned next to each other without any gap.

A no touch door <NUM> is also located along the side wall of the disinfecting chamber. One or more proximity sensors (not shown) can be used to recognize when an object to be disinfected is nearing the door to be placed inside the disinfecting chamber <NUM>. When the sensors recognize an object has been brought into close proximity with the door <NUM> to be placed in the disinfecting chamber the door <NUM>, and optionally shield parts <NUM>, rotate such that the disinfecting chamber <NUM> is exposed to a user placing an object in the disinfecting chamber <NUM>. To prevent irradiation of a user or extraneous objects, the shield parts <NUM> rotate to cover each of the UVC light sources <NUM>. But again, according to alternate variants, UVC light sources <NUM> that are adjustable instead of installed at a fixed location can optionally move behind the shields <NUM>. However, for the sake of brevity, the shield parts <NUM> are illustrated as being adjustable depending on the state of the door <NUM>. Sensors can also optionally detect when a user's hand is removed from the disinfecting chamber <NUM> after depositing the object to be disinfected. Upon detecting removal of the user's hand, the door <NUM> and shield parts <NUM> rotate to again close off the disinfecting chamber <NUM> to the external environment and expose the UVC light sources <NUM> to the disinfecting chamber <NUM>.

Although the variants described above include a disinfecting chamber <NUM> in which objects are to be placed, by hand, to be exposed to a disinfecting agent and rendered materially disinfected, other variants include a disinfecting chamber <NUM> with a floor that is located approximately at a level of a floor surface instead of a countertop on which the disinfecting apparatus <NUM> is placed. Such a disinfecting chamber <NUM> can extend upwardly a suitable height to allow hospital furniture such as an IV stand on which IV bags are suspended, to be rolled into the disinfecting chamber <NUM> without having to be elevated above more than a molding exposed while the door is open. Such variants may include a door that closes all the way to the floor surface on which the disinfecting apparatus rests <NUM>, preventing the UVC light from exiting the disinfecting apparatus <NUM> during operation. In use, the IV stand or other wheeled object to be rendered materially disinfected can be rolled over a mat or otherwise wiped down with a disinfectant when the IV stand is rolled into or out of the disinfecting apparatus <NUM>. An infusion pump or other object supported by the IV stand can optionally remain in place during operation of the disinfecting apparatus <NUM>, also rendering the exposed surfaces of those objects materially disinfected. Such usage would not expose every single surface of the IV stand, infusion pump and/or other object to the UVC light. However, the exposed surfaces of those objects that operators will come into contact with during typical usage are rendered materially disinfected.

Yet other variants of the disinfecting apparatus <NUM> can be configured to positively receive and retain the object to be rendered materially disinfected. For example, the disinfecting apparatus <NUM> can be configured as a stand with one or a plurality of disinfecting receivers. Each receiver can include one or a plurality of UVC light sources, optionally arranged to extend about the region in which the object is to be received. To accommodate objects of different sizes and shapes, a collar can be clamped to each of those different objects and coupled to a receiver. Thus, the collars are all configured to be compatible with the receiver, but also to be clamped to different objects, thereby ensuring the objects are properly held in place adjacent to the UVC light sources to render those objects materially disinfected. According to alternate variants, the collars themselves can be provided with UVC light sources such that the collars can be installed on the different objects and the UVC light sources energized to render the objects materially disinfected at a place of use. Regardless of the configuration, a curtain or other flexible blanket that is opaque to UVC light can be draped over the collars, or at least extends downwardly from the collars to interfere with the transmission of UVC light into the ambient environment.

Claim 1:
An apparatus (<NUM>) for disinfecting objects of various shapes and sizes, the apparatus comprising:
a housing enclosing a disinfecting chamber (<NUM>) in which objects are to be placed;
ultraviolet light sources (<NUM>) angularly displaced around the edge of the disinfecting chamber (<NUM>) to emit ultraviolet light into the disinfecting chamber (<NUM>) to be imparted on the object in the disinfecting chamber (<NUM>) for deactivating at least a portion of the biologically-active contaminant present on the object;
a liner provided to the disinfecting chamber (<NUM>) and comprising a reflective element so that the ultraviolet light is reflected around the chamber (<NUM>) to provide maximum incidence with the object;
the apparatus being characterized by
a wall (<NUM>) within the disinfecting chamber (<NUM>), the wall being formed at least in part from a material that is substantially-transparent to ultraviolet light against which objects are to be leaned, wherein the ultraviolet light is transmitted through the material to reach a portion of the object contacting the wall (<NUM>); and
a floor (<NUM>) of the disinfecting chamber (<NUM>) with a pyramidal shape with depressions to limit a contact area
with the object in the disinfecting chamber (<NUM>), wherein the floor (<NUM>) rotates within the disinfecting chamber (<NUM>) during a disinfecting procedure relative to the ultraviolet light source (<NUM>) to expose the object to be disinfected to every ultraviolet light source (<NUM>) at a variety of angles and further promote maximum incidence between the object and
ultraviolet light source (<NUM>).