Patent Description:
Ultraviolet radiation has been used to destroy infectious materials present within various medical facilities, such as, surgery rooms. Thus, it is known to destroy infectious material using ultraviolet radiation. While the generation of ultraviolet, type C (UV-C) radiation for the purpose of sterilization of surfaces is not a new idea, traditional handheld products utilize mercury lights are undesirable for several reasons. These products can be difficult to maintain, contain mercury, and may require high voltages. Recently, UV-C light emitting diodes (LEDs) have appeared on the market and are capable for effective sterilization of surfaces. However, such UV-C LEDs still suffer from low efficiency.

An illuminator comprising the features of the preamble of claim <NUM> is disclosed in <CIT>. More specifically, an ultraviolet gradient sterilization, disinfection, and storage system is described in <CIT> wherein ultraviolet radiation is directed within an area. A storage area is scanned and monitored for the presence of biological activity within designated zones. Once biological activity is identified, ultraviolet radiation is directed to sterilize and disinfect designated zones within the storage area. <CIT> is concerned with methods and compositions for controlling microbial growth on a surface. A method disclosed therein includes exposing the surface to be treated to electromagnetic radiation, the electromagnetic radiation being emitted from one or more electromagnetic radiation sources towards the surface, wherein the surface is provided with one or more photosensitizers being activatable by electromagnetic radiation. The electromagnetic radiation emitted from the one or more electromagnetic radiation sources has a wavelength in a range between <NUM> and <NUM>, and the one or more photosensitizers exhibit antimicrobial efficacy upon activation by electromagnetic radiation. A further ultraviolet system for disinfection is described in <CIT> wherein ultraviolet radiation is directed within an area. The target wavelength ranges and/or target intensity ranges of the ultraviolet radiation sources can correspond to at least one of a plurality of selectable operating configurations including a sterilization operating configuration and a preservation operating configuration. A storage device including ultraviolet radiation is described in <CIT>. Again, ultraviolet radiation is directed within an area. Items located within the area and/or one or more conditions of the area are monitored over a period of time. Based on the monitoring, ultraviolet radiation sources are controlled by adjusting parameters of the ultraviolet radiation generated by the ultraviolet radiation source. Adjustments to the ultraviolet radiation source or sources can correspond to selectable operating configurations. In <CIT>, an ultraviolet razor blade treatment system for providing a cleaning treatment to a shaving razor is disclosed. The ultraviolet razor blade treatment system can include a shaving razor cleaning unit that has at least one ultraviolet radiation source and sensor to clean surfaces of the shaving razor for purposes of disinfection, sterilization, and/or sanitization.

It can be considered an object of the invention to provide an illuminator, a system, and an enclosure with which a highly dependable and safe treatment of objects can be achieved. This object is solved by the illuminator having the features of claim <NUM>, the system having the features of claim <NUM>, and the enclosure having the features of claim <NUM>. Aspects of the invention provide an illuminator with ultraviolet and blue-UV sources. Prolonged exposure to blue-UV light, e.g., in the wavelength range of approximately <NUM> nanometers (nm) to approximately <NUM>, results in sterilization due to generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The present invention combines both UV LEDs and blue-UV LEDs in order to improve the disinfection of surfaces.

A first aspect of the invention provides an illuminator according to claim <NUM>.

A second aspect of the invention provides a system according to claim <NUM>.

A third aspect of the invention provides an enclosure according to claim <NUM>.

The illustrative aspects of the invention are designed to solve one or more of the problems herein described and/or one or more other problems not discussed.

These and other features of the invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed description of the various aspects of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings that depict various aspects of the invention.

It is noted that the drawings may not be to scale. The drawings are intended to depict only typical aspects of the invention, and therefore should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention.

As indicated above, aspects of the invention provide an illuminator comprising more than one set of ultraviolet radiation sources. A first set of ultraviolet radiation sources operate in a wavelength range of approximately <NUM> nanometers to approximately <NUM> nanometers. A second set of ultraviolet radiation sources operate in a wavelength range of approximately <NUM> nanometers to approximately <NUM> nanometers. The illuminator can also include a set of sensors for acquiring data regarding at least one object to be irradiated by the first and the second set of ultraviolet radiation sources. A control system configured to control and adjust a set of radiation settings for the first and the second set of ultraviolet radiation sources based on the data acquired by the set of sensors.

Ultraviolet radiation, which can be used interchangeably with ultraviolet light, means electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength ranging from approximately <NUM> nanometers (nm) to approximately <NUM>. Within this range, there is ultraviolet-A (UV-A) electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength ranging from approximately <NUM> to approximately <NUM>, ultraviolet-B (UV-B) electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength ranging from approximately <NUM> to approximately <NUM>, and ultraviolet-C (UV-C) electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength ranging from approximately <NUM> to approximately <NUM>. As used herein, blue-ultraviolet (blue-UV) radiation has a wavelength between approximately <NUM> to <NUM>.

Generally, ultraviolet radiation, and in particular, UV-B radiation and UV-C radiation is "germicidal," i.e., it deactivates the DNA of bacteria, viruses and other pathogens, and thus, destroys their ability to multiply and cause disease. This effectively results in sterilization of the microorganisms. Specifically, UV-B radiation and UV-C radiation cause damage to the nucleic acid of microorganisms by forming covalent bonds between certain adjacent bases in the DNA. The formation of these bonds prevents the DNA from being "unzipped" for replication, and the organism is neither able to produce molecules essential for life process, nor is it able to reproduce. In fact, when an organism is unable to produce these essential molecules or is unable to replicate, it dies. Ultraviolet radiation with a wavelength of approximately between about <NUM> to about <NUM> provides the highest germicidal effectiveness, while an ultraviolet radiation between about <NUM> to about <NUM> is sufficient for providing overall germicidal effectiveness, and ultraviolet radiation between <NUM> to <NUM> is a preferred range for facilitating disinfection, sterilization of various objects. While susceptibility to ultraviolet radiation varies, exposure to ultraviolet energy in the above range for about <NUM> to about <NUM> milliwatt-seconds/cm<NUM> is adequate to deactivate approximately <NUM> percent of the pathogens.

As used herein, a material/structure is considered to be "reflective" to ultraviolet light of a particular wavelength when the material/structure has an ultraviolet reflection coefficient of at least <NUM> percent for the ultraviolet light of the particular wavelength. A highly ultraviolet reflective material/structure has an ultraviolet reflection coefficient of at least <NUM> percent. Furthermore, a material/structure/layer is considered to be "transparent" to ultraviolet radiation of a particular wavelength when the material/structure/layer allows at least ten percent of radiation having a target wavelength, which is radiated at a normal incidence to an interface of the material/structure/layer to pass there through. Also, unless otherwise noted, the term "set" means one or more (i.e., at least one) and the phrase "any solution" means any now known or later developed solution.

Turning to the drawings, <FIG> shows an illustrative ultraviolet illuminator <NUM> according to an embodiment for irradiating an object <NUM> that requires disinfection. The illuminator <NUM> can include a first set of radiation sources <NUM> and a second set of radiation sources <NUM> for irradiating the object <NUM>. It is understood that first and second set of radiation sources <NUM>, <NUM>, along with other features of the illuminator <NUM>, can be located at any location on the surface of the illuminator <NUM> and the depiction in <FIG> is on an example of one configuration. To this extent, it is understood that the particular arrangement, sizes, quantities, etc., of the illustrative components of the illuminator <NUM> depicted in <FIG> is only illustrative of various arrangements, sizes, quantities, etc., of the components.

The first set of radiation sources <NUM> and the second set of radiation sources <NUM> can comprise any combination of one or more ultraviolet radiation emitter. Examples of an ultraviolet radiation emitter can include, but are not limited to, high intensity ultraviolet lamps (e.g., high intensity mercury lamps), discharge lamps, ultraviolet LEDs, super luminescent LEDs, laser diodes, and/or the like. In one preferred embodiment, the ultraviolet radiation source can include a set of LEDs manufactured with one or more layers of materials selected from the group-III nitride material system (e.g., AlxInyGa<NUM>-x-yN, where <NUM> ≤ x, y ≤ <NUM>, and x + y ≤ <NUM> and/or alloys thereof). Additionally, the ultraviolet radiation source can comprise one or more additional components (e.g., a wave guiding structure, a component for relocating and/or redirecting ultraviolet radiation emitter(s), etc.) to direct and/or deliver the emitted radiation to a particular location/area, in a particular direction, in a particular pattern, and/or the like. Illustrative wave guiding structures can include, but are not limited to, a wave guide, a plurality of ultraviolet fibers, each of which terminates at an opening, a diffuser, and/or the like.

The first set of radiation sources <NUM> can include ultraviolet radiation sources that operate in the ultraviolet wavelength range (e.g., <NUM> to <NUM>). In an embodiment, the first set of radiation sources <NUM> can operate to emit radiation having a peak wavelength in or immediately adjacent to the UV-C wavelength range and are referred to as "UV-C sources" herein. According to the invention, the first set of radiation sources <NUM> can operate in the wavelength range of approximately <NUM> to approximately <NUM>. Although <FIG> shows two instances of the first set of radiation sources <NUM> on the illuminator <NUM>, it is understood that the illuminator <NUM> can include any number of instances of the first set of radiation sources <NUM>. Furthermore, each of the instances of the first set of radiation sources <NUM> can include any number of sources.

In an embodiment, each of the ultraviolet radiation sources in the first set of radiation sources <NUM> can operate at a different peak wavelength (λ). In an embodiment, each of the ultraviolet radiation sources in the first set of radiation sources <NUM> can irradiate a different location of the object <NUM>. In another embodiment, the first set of radiation sources <NUM> can all irradiate different locations on the object <NUM> but with relatively uniform radiation. In another embodiment, more than one ultraviolet radiation source in the first set of ultraviolet radiation sources <NUM> can irradiate a single location on the object <NUM> but each ultraviolet radiation source can operate at a different wavelength and/or intensity.

Optical elements can be included to facilitate the efficiency of radiation. In an embodiment, the first set of radiation sources <NUM> can include a set of reflective optical elements in order to focus the ultraviolet radiation to specific locations on the object <NUM>. In an embodiment, the set of reflective optical elements can include one or more of: a lens, a set of lenses, a parabolic reflector, a wave-guiding structure, and/or the like. In an embodiment, the optical elements can include UV transparent material.

According to the invention, the second set of radiation sources <NUM> can include blue-UV radiation sources that operate in the blue-UV wavelength range of approximately <NUM> to approximately <NUM>. The second set of radiation sources <NUM> can operate at a higher intensity, with wider coverage that continuously operate over an extended period of time. For example, the second set of radiation sources <NUM> operating in the blue-UV wavelength range can operate continuously for several days. Prolonged exposure to radiation in the blue-UV wavelength range results in sterilization due to generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS are chemically reactive chemical species that contain oxygen. The ROS can disrupt the proliferation of microorganisms on the object <NUM> by binding to and oxidizing the microorganisms.

It is understood that both the first set of radiation sources <NUM> and the second set of radiation sources <NUM> can produce a distributed intensity over one or more areas of the object <NUM> that is located a distance away from the illuminator <NUM>. In an embodiment, the distance between the illuminator <NUM> and the object <NUM> can range from a few centimeters to several meters. In an embodiment, irradiation of a location defines a region of the object <NUM> that is impinged by radiation, wherein the intensity of radiation deposited at the boundary of the region is at most <NUM>% of the intensity of light deposited at the center of the region. It is understood that the position of irradiated locations can be adjusted to result in separate locations over the surface of the object <NUM>, wherein separate means that the intensity of radiation between each of the locations is no larger than <NUM>% of the intensity in the center of the locations. In addition, these locations of irradiation can be designed to have relatively uniform radiation, with radiation intensity varying through the location by no more than several times (e.g., a factor of three or less) between any two points within the location.

The illuminator <NUM> can also include a third set of radiation sources <NUM>. In an embodiment, the third set of radiation sources <NUM> can include sources of fluorescent radiation. The third set of radiation sources <NUM> can include visible radiation sources such as incandescent, fluorescent, laser, solid state, and/or the like radiation sources that operate at least partially in the wavelength range of <NUM> to <NUM>. For example, the third set of radiation sources <NUM> can include a visible source of collimated light capable of irradiating a surface of the object <NUM> at a set of angles. Furthermore, the illuminator can include a sensor <NUM> (e.g., a visual camera) capable of detecting the intensity of the reflected light at the set of angles. The third set of radiation sources <NUM> can include infrared radiation sources such as blackbody, solid state, and/or the like radiation sources that emit radiation that is in the wavelength range of <NUM> to <NUM> millimeter (mm).

Although only one sensor <NUM> is shown on the illuminator <NUM>, it is understood that the illuminator <NUM> can include any number of sensors <NUM>. To this extent, the illuminator <NUM> can include one or more of various types of sensors <NUM>. The set of sensors <NUM> can be configured to measure a plurality of conditions associated with the radiation from any of the sets of radiation sources <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> or the object <NUM>. The set of sensors <NUM> can include sensors to detect visible radiation, UV radiation (e.g., blue-UV, UV-C, and/or the like), infrared radiation, chemicals fluorescence, and/or the like. For example, in an embodiment, the set of sensors <NUM> can include one or more sensors configured to detect fluorescent light radiated by the microorganisms on the object <NUM>. In an embodiment, the set of sensors <NUM> can include one or more fluorescent radiation sensors configured to detect fluorescent radiation induced on the surface of the object <NUM> by one or more of the sets of radiation sources <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. In an embodiment, the third set of radiation sources <NUM> can include one or more visible radiation sources and the set of sensors <NUM> can include a visual camera configured to monitor the conditions of the object <NUM>. For example, the visual camera can detect changes in the surface appearance of the object <NUM> (e.g., changes in color, mildew growth, presence of dirt particles, changes in reflective or scattering properties of the surface, and/or the like). In an embodiment, the set of sensors <NUM> can also include environmental condition sensors, such as a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a gas sensor, and/or the like.

In an embodiment, the object <NUM> can include a photo-catalyst, such as titanium dioxide (TiO<NUM>), copper, silver, copper/silver particles. , and/or the like. Such a photo-catalyst can further disrupt the growth and proliferation of microorganisms on the object <NUM>.

The illuminator <NUM> includes a control unit <NUM> that is configured to control and/or adjust the set of radiation sources <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and the set of sensors <NUM>. The control unit <NUM> can control and/or adjust the set of radiation sources <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> according to a plurality of radiation settings. The plurality of radiation settings can be based upon various environmental conditions in which the object <NUM> is placed (e.g., the location of the object <NUM>, and/or the like), various attributes regarding the object <NUM> and/or the area surrounding the object <NUM> determined by the set of sensors <NUM>, and/or the like. For example, the controller <NUM> can determine a set of attributes regarding the object <NUM> and/or the area surrounding the object <NUM> and adjust the plurality of radiation settings of the set of radiation sources <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and the set of sensors <NUM> to achieve a target set of attributes for the object <NUM> and/or the area surrounding the object <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a schematic of an illustrative system <NUM> that can be implemented with any of the embodiments described in conjunction with <FIG> according to an embodiment. In this embodiment, the system <NUM> is shown including the illuminator <NUM> that includes the set of UV-C sources <NUM>, the set of blue-UV sources <NUM>, the set of sensors <NUM>, and a set of environmental devices <NUM>. The third set of radiation sources <NUM> (<FIG>) are not shown for clarity, but it is understood that they can be included in the illuminator <NUM>.

As discussed herein, the system <NUM> can include the control unit <NUM> for controlling and adjusting the plurality of radiation settings for the set of UV-C sources <NUM> and the set of blue-UV sources <NUM> and controlling and receiving data from the set of sensors <NUM>. In an embodiment, the control unit <NUM> can be implemented as a computer system <NUM> including an analysis program <NUM>, which makes the computer system <NUM> operable to manage the various components in the illuminator <NUM> in the manner described herein. In particular, the analysis program <NUM> can enable the computer system <NUM> to operate the set of UV-C sources <NUM> and the set of blue-UV sources <NUM> in order to generate and direct ultraviolet radiation towards the object <NUM>. The computer system <NUM> can also process data corresponding to one or more attributes regarding the object, which can be acquired by the set of sensors <NUM>, and/or an ultraviolet radiation history stored as object data <NUM>. The computer system <NUM> can individually control each ultraviolet radiation source in the set of UV-C sources <NUM> and the set of blue-UV sources <NUM> and each individual sensor in the set of sensors <NUM> and/or control two or more of the ultraviolet radiation sources and the sensors as a group. Furthermore, the ultraviolet radiation sources in the illuminator <NUM> can emit ultraviolet radiation of substantially the same wavelength or of multiple distinct wavelengths.

In an embodiment, during an initial period of operation, the computer system <NUM> can acquire data from at least one of the sensors in the set of sensors <NUM> regarding one or more attributes of the object <NUM> and generate data <NUM> for further processing. The data <NUM> can include information regarding a presence of an object <NUM>, a weight of an object <NUM>, a microorganism concentration and/or location on the object <NUM>, a size of an object <NUM>, and/or the like. The computer system <NUM> can use the data <NUM> to control one or more aspects of the ultraviolet radiation generated by the set of UV-C sources <NUM> and/or the set of blue-UV sources <NUM> during an illumination period.

Furthermore, one or more aspects of the operation of the ultraviolet radiation sources in the set of UV-C sources <NUM> and the set of blue-UV sources <NUM> can be controlled or adjusted by a user <NUM> via an external interface I/O component 226B. The external interface I/O component 226B can be located on the exterior of the illuminator <NUM>, and used to allow the user <NUM> to control (e.g., selectively turn on/off) the ultraviolet radiation sources <NUM>, <NUM>.

The external interface I/O component 226B can include, for example, a touch screen that can selectively display user interface controls, such as control dials, which can enable the user <NUM> to adjust one or more of: an intensity, scheduling, and/or other operational properties of the set of ultraviolet radiation sources <NUM>, <NUM> in the illuminator <NUM> (e.g., operating parameters, radiation characteristics). In an embodiment, the external interface I/O component 226B could conceivably include a keyboard, a plurality of buttons, a joystick-like control mechanism, and/or the like, which can enable the user <NUM> to control one or more aspects of the operation of the set of ultraviolet radiation sources <NUM>, <NUM>. The external interface I/O component 226B also can include any combination of various output devices (e.g., an LED, a visual display), which can be operated by the computer system <NUM> to provide status information pertaining to the illumination period of the object for use by the user <NUM>. For example, the external interface I/O component 226B can include one or more LEDs for emitting a visual light for the user <NUM>, e.g., to indicate a status of the illumination period. In an embodiment, the external interface I/O component 226B can include a speaker for providing an alarm (e.g., an auditory signal), e.g., for signaling that ultraviolet radiation is being generated or that the object had been illuminated by ultraviolet radiation.

The computer system <NUM> is shown including a processing component <NUM> (e.g., one or more processors), a storage component <NUM> (e.g., a storage hierarchy), an input/output (I/O) component 226A (e.g., one or more I/O interfaces and/or devices), and a communications pathway <NUM>. In general, the processing component <NUM> executes program code, such as the analysis program <NUM>, which is at least partially fixed in the storage component <NUM>. While executing program code, the processing component <NUM> can process data, which can result in reading and/or writing transformed data from/to the storage component <NUM> and/or the I/O component 226A for further processing.

The pathway <NUM> provides a communications link between each of the components in the computer system <NUM>. The I/O component 226A and/or the external interface I/O component 226B can comprise one or more human I/O devices, which enable a human user <NUM> to interact with the computer system <NUM> and/or one or more communications devices to enable a system user <NUM> to communicate with the computer system <NUM> using any type of communications link. To this extent, during execution by the computer system <NUM>, the analysis program <NUM> can manage a set of interfaces (e.g., graphical user interface(s), application program interface, and/or the like) that enable human and/or system users <NUM> to interact with the analysis program <NUM>. Furthermore, the analysis program <NUM> can manage (e.g., store, retrieve, create, manipulate, organize, present, etc.) the data, such as the object data <NUM>, using any solution.

In any event, the computer system <NUM> can comprise one or more general purpose computing articles of manufacture (e.g., computing devices) capable of executing program code, such as the analysis program <NUM>, installed thereon. As used herein, it is understood that "program code" means any collection of instructions, in any language, code or notation, that cause a computing device having an information processing capability to perform a particular function either directly or after any combination of the following: (a) conversion to another language, code or notation; (b) reproduction in a different material form; and/or (c) decompression. To this extent, the analysis program <NUM> can be embodied as any combination of system software and/or application software.

Furthermore, the analysis program <NUM> can be implemented using a set of modules <NUM>. In this case, a module <NUM> can enable the computer system <NUM> to perform a set of tasks used by the analysis program <NUM>, and can be separately developed and/or implemented apart from other portions of the analysis program <NUM>. When the computer system <NUM> comprises multiple computing devices, each computing device can have only a portion of the analysis program <NUM> fixed thereon (e.g., one or more modules <NUM>). However, it is understood that the computer system <NUM> and the analysis program <NUM> are only representative of various possible equivalent monitoring and/or control systems that may perform a process described herein with regard to the control unit, the ultraviolet radiation sources and the sensors. To this extent, in other embodiments, the functionality provided by the computer system <NUM> and the analysis program <NUM> can be at least partially implemented by one or more computing devices that include any combination of general and/or specific purpose hardware with or without program code.

In each embodiment, the hardware and program code, if included, can be created using standard engineering and programming techniques, respectively. In another embodiment, the control unit can be implemented without any computing device, e.g., using a closed loop circuit implementing a feedback control loop in which the outputs of one or more sensors are used as inputs to control the operation of the disinfecting pad. Illustrative aspects of the invention are further described in conjunction with the computer system <NUM>. However, it is understood that the functionality described in conjunction therewith can be implemented by any type of monitoring and/or control system.

Regardless, when the computer system <NUM> includes multiple computing devices, the computing devices can communicate over any type of communications link. Furthermore, while performing a process described herein, the computer system <NUM> can communicate with one or more other computer systems, such as the user <NUM>, using any type of communications link. In either case, the communications link can comprise any combination of various types of wired and/or wireless links; comprise any combination of one or more types of networks; and/or utilize any combination of various types of transmission techniques and protocols.

Some or all of the components depicted in <FIG> can receive power from a power source <NUM>. The power source <NUM> can take the form of one or more batteries, a vibration power generator that can generate power based on magnetic inducted oscillations or stresses developed on a piezoelectric crystal, a wall plug for accessing electrical power supplied from a grid, and/or the like. In an embodiment, the power source can include a super capacitor that is rechargeable. Other power components that are suitable for use as the power source can include solar, a mechanical energy to electrical energy converter such as a rechargeable device, etc..

In an embodiment, the control unit <NUM> can detect changes imparted to the object <NUM> from the set of radiation sources <NUM>, <NUM> as a function of data determined by the set of sensors <NUM>. In particular, the control unit <NUM> can detect the changes as a function of the data associated with the irradiation by the set of UV-C sources <NUM> and the blue-UV sources <NUM>, and the data associated with environmental conditions surrounding the object <NUM>. In one embodiment, the data associated with the irradiation can include the frequency, intensity, dosage, duration, and wavelength from the radiation emitted by the set of UV-C sources <NUM> and the blue-UV sources <NUM>. In an embodiment, when sterilizing the surface of the object <NUM>, the changes that can be detected by the set of sensors <NUM> can include change in color, change in fluorescence from the surface, change in reflective properties of the surface, and/or the like.

In an embodiment, the object <NUM> can be a living organism, such as a person or an animal, and the system <NUM> can be used to apply a medical treatment. The illuminator <NUM> can include an environmental device <NUM> that detects a set of environmental conditions that can include various vital signs such as, blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, pulse, humidity of the skin, reflectivity of the skin, and/or the like. The changes that can be detected by the control unit <NUM> can include, but are not limited to, color changes of the human/animal skin, visual changes occurring over the surface of the human/animal skin (e.g., curing of the wounds, changes in the scarring tissue), and/or the like.

The control unit <NUM> can detect the changes imparted to the object <NUM> from the data obtained from the set of sensors <NUM> using any solution. For example, in an embodiment, the set of sensors <NUM> can include a visual camera that is sensitive to visible radiation and the illuminator can include a third set of radiation sources <NUM> (<FIG>) that includes a source of visible radiation. The visual camera can acquire image data of the object <NUM> at a first instance of time and at a later instance of time under similar visible radiation conditions, assuming that the surface is not moved or otherwise physically altered. The control unit <NUM> can compare the image data to determine changes in color, surface optical properties, and/or the like. The changes in color can provide information regarding an overall microbial growth. In an embodiment, the set of sensors <NUM> could also include a fluorescent detector to determine the presence of a fluorescent signal from the object <NUM>. The third set of radiation sources <NUM> (<FIG>) can include fluorescent radiation sources and the set of sensors <NUM> can include a fluorescence sensor in order to acquire information regarding changes of the surface related to accumulation of fluorescent bacteria. Similar to the visual source and camera, the fluorescent sources and sensors can acquire data at set instances of time, which the control unit <NUM> can compare at such different instances.

In one embodiment, the control unit <NUM> can also include a wireless transmitter and receiver that is configured to communicate with a remote location via Wi-Fi, BLUETOOTH, and/or the like. As used herein, a remote location is a location that is apart from the system <NUM>. For example, a remote computer can be used to transmit operational instructions to the wireless transmitter and receiver. The operational instructions can be used to program functions performed and managed by the control unit <NUM>. In another embodiment, the wireless transmitter and receiver can transmit data calculations (e.g., changes), data from the sensors to the remote computer, to facilitate further use of the system <NUM> with the object <NUM>.

Turning now to <FIG>, graphical representations that depict the operation of a scenario in which a first set of radiation sources and a second set of radiation sources, such as the first set of radiation sources <NUM> and the second set of radiation sources <NUM> shown in the embodiment shown in <FIG>, are operated as a function of time. As shown in <FIG>, at section <NUM> of the graph, ultraviolet radiation from the second set of the radiation sources (e.g., blue-UV radiation) is used while determining whether there is any contamination of the object (e.g., based on an amplitude of a fluorescent signal sensed by a fluorescent sensor, visual data from a visual camera, and/or the like). For example, the object can be irradiated with a radiation source that is capable of eliciting a fluorescent signal if microbial activity is present. The amplitude of the fluorescent signal can indicate the level of contamination and/or the amount of microbial activity. The object can be irradiated by blue-UV radiation over a prolonged period of time that ranges from tens of minutes to tens of hours while determining whether there is a fluorescent signal. During this time, the control unit and the fluorescence sensor operate in conjunction to monitor the amount of contamination present on the surface of the object.

In this example, <FIG> shows a sharp increase in the growth of microorganism activity as noted by reference element <NUM>. When the level of microorganism activity approaches a predetermined contamination threshold <NUM> at time t that is indicative of a need for more intense ultraviolet irradiation treatment due to rapid growth of microbial activity, then the control unit will direct the first set of ultraviolet radiation sources (e.g., UV-C radiation) to perform the more intense ultraviolet irradiation treatment at the short burst of intensity that lasts at most a few minutes (<FIG>, reference number <NUM>) starting at or shortly after time t. In this manner, ultraviolet radiation (e.g., UV-C radiation) applied from the first set of ultraviolet radiation sources can bring microbial activity within appropriate limits by rapidly suppressing microbial activity on the surface of the object. The blue-UV radiation from the second set of radiation sources is used to maintain microbial activity within limits over an extended period of time, while the UV-C radiation from the first set of radiation sources is designed to rapidly suppress microbial activity.

Turning now to <FIG>, an illustrative enclosure <NUM> including an illuminator <NUM> according to an embodiment is shown. Although the enclosure <NUM> is shown as a box, it is understood that the enclosure <NUM> can by any shape and size. The interior of the enclosure <NUM> can include UV reflective and/or UV diffusively reflective materials, which are used to recycle the ultraviolet radiation within the enclosure <NUM>. An embodiment of a diffusive ultraviolet reflective layer comprises a coating or thin film of a fluoropolymer. Examples of a fluoropolymer that are suitable as a diffusive ultraviolet reflective material that enables diffusive reflectivity can include, but are not limited to, expanding polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) membrane (e.g., GORE® DRP® Diffuse Reflector Material), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and/or the like. Other examples of ultraviolet material that can be used to recycle radiation can include, but are not limited to, polished aluminum, Bragg reflective dielectric mirrors, omnidirectional mirrors comprising dielectric and metallic layers (e.g., aluminum), and/or the like.

In an embodiment, reflective surfaces can be combined with partially UV transparent surfaces designed for further reflection, recycling and light guiding UV radiation. In an embodiment, such surfaces can comprise UV partially transparent material such as fluoropolymers, Al<NUM>O<NUM>, sapphire, SiO<NUM>, CaF<NUM>, MgF<NUM>, and/or the like. In this case, a surface can be formed of a partially UV transparent layer located on the interior side of the surface and a reflective layer located adjacent to the partially UV transparent layer on the exterior side of the surface. The object <NUM> to be disinfected is located within the enclosure <NUM>. In an embodiment, the illuminator <NUM> is located on a side of the enclosure <NUM> that is opposite of the side that the object <NUM> is located. Although it is not shown, the enclosure <NUM> can include an additional enclosure located therein designed for producing a hydroxyl group using ultraviolet radiation, a photo-catalyst (e.g., TiO<NUM>), water vapor, and/or the like, wherein the hydroxyl group is used to further disinfect the object <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An illuminator, comprising:
a first set of ultraviolet radiation sources (<NUM>; <NUM>),
a second set of ultraviolet radiation sources (<NUM>; <NUM>),
a set of sensors (<NUM>; <NUM>) for acquiring data regarding a surface of an object (<NUM>; <NUM>) to be irradiated by the first and the second set of ultraviolet radiation sources,
and a control system (<NUM>; <NUM>) configured to control and adjust a set of radiation settings for the first (<NUM>; <NUM>) and the second (<NUM>; <NUM>) set of ultraviolet radiation sources based on the data acquired by the set of sensors (<NUM>; <NUM>), wherein the control system (<NUM>; <NUM>) operates the second set of ultraviolet radiation (<NUM>; <NUM>) sources to irradiate the surface of the object (<NUM>; <NUM>) to maintain a level of microbial activity within a limit over time,
characterized in
that each ultraviolet radiation source in the first set of ultraviolet radiation sources (<NUM>; <NUM>) includes at least one light emitting diode operating in a wavelength range of approximately <NUM> nanometers to approximately <NUM> nanometers,
that each ultraviolet radiation source in the second set of ultraviolet radiation sources (<NUM>; <NUM>) includes at least one light emitting diode operating in a wavelength range of approximately <NUM> nanometers to approximately <NUM> nanometers, and that the control system (<NUM>; <NUM>) operates the first set of ultraviolet radiation sources (<NUM>; <NUM>) to perform a more intense ultraviolet irradiation treatment at a short burst of intensity of at most a few minutes to rapidly suppress the level of microbial activity on the surface of the object (<NUM>; <NUM>) only when the level of microbial activity exceeds a predetermined contamination threshold.