Patent ID: 12226539

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification and not limitation with reference to the Figures.

A sanitation system20for sanitizing, and in some embodiments sterilizing, all or at least a portion of the aerosols generated by a patient, such as during a medical or dental procedure for example, is illustrated. As used herein, the terms “sanitize” and “sterilize” are intended to indicate neutralizing, killing or otherwise rendering harmless bacteria or airborne viruses or microbes generated by a patient. Further, the sanitation system20is operable to perform this sanitation or sterilization in real time, such that the contaminated aerosols are sanitized or sterilized instantaneously as they are exhausted from the patient. It should be understood that the exhausting of contaminated aerosols herein may include aerosols resulting from breathing, coughing, sneezing, as well as aerosols generated as a result of the use of one or more medical or dental instruments.

The sanitation system20includes at least one light source22capable of emitting a light having a wavelength suitable to perform germicidal irradiation. Existing ultraviolet wavelengths that are commonly used to perform germicidal irradiation have a wavelength of 250-280 nm and cause significant damage to skin and eyes as it penetrates deeply into tissues. Accordingly, these ultraviolet wavelengths are not suitable for use in the presence of humans.

Because the light source22of the sanitation system20will be operated in the presence of at least one human, the wavelength selected must be safe for humans. In an embodiment, the light source22is operable to emit a germicidal ultraviolet light, such as having a wavelength between about 200 and about 230 nanometers, also known as “far-UVC.” In an embodiment, the light source22is configured to emit light having a wavelength of 222 nm. The shorter wavelength of far-UVC light is not capable of penetrating or damaging living human cells. However, bacteria or viruses are so small that the far-UVC light can easily penetrate the entire virion particle and exert maximum disruption of viral nucleic acid sequences in a very short time. As a result, far-UVC light is able to inactivate viral particles rapidly before they are able travel any significant distance. However, it should be understood that a light having any wavelength capable of neutralizing or irradiating bacteria, viruses or microbes that will not damage human cells is contemplated herein.

Additionally, a light source22having any configuration, such as an individual bulb, a light strip having a plurality of bulbs or light emitting diodes, a microplasma lamp, or another type of emitter, is within the scope of the disclosure. In embodiments of the sanitation system20including a multiple light sources22, a configuration of the light sources22may be substantially identical, or alternatively, may vary based on a position of the light source.

With reference toFIGS.1and2, various examples of a sanitation system20are shown. In each of these embodiments, the sanitation system20is mounted to an existing dental light fixture30. As shown, in an embodiment, the light source22is configured to attach to a portion of the dental light fixture30, such as a handle32thereof for example. The light source22may include a mounting assembly24including an adjustable arm26connected to a mounting bracket28at a first end and a retention clip29at the other. The mounting bracket28is configured to connect to the portion of the dental light fixture30and the retention clip29is configured to receive the one or more light sources22. In other embodiments, such as shown inFIG.2, the light source22may be integrated directly into a portion of the dental light fixture30. As shown, the light source22is positioned in overlapping arrangement with or directly adjacent one or more light sources34of the dental light fixture30.

By connecting the at least one light source22to a portion of the dental light fixture30, such as the handle32or the head36thereof, the light source22is movable with the dental light fixture30for optimal positioning relative to a patient to cleanse contaminated aerosols as they are generated. However, the light source22of the sanitation system20may also be moved independently of the dental light fixture30.

Power for the light source22could be provided using the existing wiring located in a conduit arm of the dental light fixture30, or alternatively, could be provided from a separate power source (not shown). Regardless, the light source22of the sanitation system20may be operated independently of or in combination with the lights34of the dental light fixture30. Although the sanitation system20is illustrated and described herein with reference to a dental light fixture30, it should be understood that the sanitation system may be adapted for use with other tools commonly used during a medical or dental procedure, including tools that are inserted into a patient's mouth.

The intensity or fluence of a light typically varies based on a distance relative to the light source22. During a dental procedure, the sanitizing light source22mounted to the dental light fixture30will be positioned at a distance of between 1-5 feet from the patient, and in some embodiments, about 1-4 feet, about 1-3 feet, or about 1-2 feet from the patient. In view of this distance, it is important to design the sanitation system20to achieve a necessary fluence of the light output by the light source22at the source of the aerosol generation. For example, the necessary fluence of the light at a patient's mouth must be sufficient to neutralize or irradiate bacteria, viruses or microbes expelled therefrom.

To achieve the necessary fluence at a distance of up to 5 feet, such as 1-3 feet from the light source22, a light concentration assembly40may be positioned adjacent to the light source22. In an embodiment, light concentration assembly40is configured such that a fluence of the light emitted by the light source is at least 75% of the fluence of the light at the light source22, and in some embodiments is at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90% or at least 95%. Depending on the components thereof, the light concentration assembly40may be arranged at a position between the light source22and the source of the aerosol generation (FIG.3A). Alternatively, or in addition, at least a component42of the light concentration assembly40may be positioned adjacent a backside of the light source22, as shown inFIG.3B, such that the light source22is positioned between the component42and the source of the aerosol generation. With reference now toFIGS.3A,3B, and4A, in an embodiment, the at least one component42of the light concentration assembly40includes a lens, parabolic reflector, and/or a mirror made from a suitable material to collimate or concentrate the light output from the light source22while preserving the fluence thereof. Examples of suitable lenses include Plano-Convex and Convex-Plano lenses that may or may not have a mirrored surface. Such lenses may be used to minimize geometric dilution corresponding to point-source radiation into three-dimensional space (1/R2), by channeling/concentrating the light from the light source22to the source of the aerosol generation. In another embodiment, best shown inFIG.4Bthe light concentration assembly includes a plurality or array of microlenses42that cooperate to form a collimated output beam having desired characteristics including fluence. In yet another embodiment, the one or more components42of the light concentration assembly40include at least one planar optical element having one or more layers of phase shifting nanostructures, such as metalenses/collimators, concentrators, beam deflectors with near unity transmission/reflection efficiency.

Although the light concentration assembly40is illustrated as being separate from and associated with the light source22, embodiments where the light concentration assembly40is integrated into a portion of the light source22, such as within the housing of the light source22for example, are also within the scope of the disclosure. In such embodiments, the light concentration assembly40may be mounted within an interior of the housing of the light source, for example via optical glue. Alternatively, the light concentration assembly40may be integrated into the housing itself. For example, the front surface of housing of the light source22may be formed from a lens material or may have a lens built therein. Further, in some embodiments, the housing or lens may having integrated conducting grids associated or integrally formed therewith.

In another embodiment, illustrated inFIG.5, the sanitation system20includes a funnel50having a vacuum source52connected to a first end54thereof. The vacuum source52is selectively operable to vector and collect aerosol emitted by the patient. Specifically, the vacuum source52and the funnel50cooperate to direct the emitted aerosols away from patient and doctor in real time during production of these aerosols. In an embodiment, the one or more light sources22of the sanitation system20may be positioned to emit light along all or a portion of the flow path of the aerosols defined by the vacuum source52and the funnel50. Although two substantially identical light sources22are shown mounted to the funnel50approximately 180 degrees apart, any suitable position of the one or more light sources22is contemplated herein. Further, in an embodiment, the one or more light sources22may be positioned to emit light away from the funnel50, such as toward a patient's face, to sanitize any aerosols that are not directed into the funnel50. However, it should be understood that the viruses, bacteria, or other microbes evacuated by the sanitation system may be sanitized or neutralized via any suitable method, and/or at any position remote from the patient. The sanitation system20ofFIG.5is intended to be positioned generally adjacent the source of the aerosol generation, such as within about a foot of a patient's mouth for example. Accordingly, the sanitation system ofFIG.5need not include a light concentration assembly40. However, embodiments where a sanitation system20including a funnel50and vacuum source52includes a light concentration assembly40are also within the scope of the disclosure.

The purpose of the various sanitation systems illustrated and described herein is to mitigate or eradicate the contamination within the aerosol there by complimenting personal protective equipment for the dental team and further aiding the sanitization of the operatory.

The term “about” is intended to include the degree of error associated with measurement of the particular quantity based upon the equipment available at the time of filing the application.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, element components, and/or groups thereof.

While the present disclosure has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment or embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this present disclosure, but that the present disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims.