Patent ID: 8318090

Claim:
A germicidal system comprising: a UV-C radiation source configured to emit UV-C radiation having a wavelength in a range from about 235 nm to about 295 nm; an enclosure surrounding the UV-C radiation source, wherein: the enclosure comprises an opening configured to receive a bodily extremity substantially protected from exposure to UV-C radiation by a prophylactic covering substantially opaque to UV-C radiation; and the enclosure is configured to position the substantially protected bodily extremity such that, when the UV-C radiation source is activated, a surface of the substantially protected bodily extremity receives incident UV-C radiation having a predetermined incident intensity, wherein the incident UV-C radiation comprises at least a portion of the UV-C radiation emitted from the UV-C radiation source; and a device configured to activate the UV-C radiation source for a predetermined exposure time sufficient to deactivate at least 99.99% of user-specified pathogens on the surface of the substantially protected bodily extremity.