HK1238411B - Ultraviolet discharge lamp apparatuses with one or more reflectors and systems which determine operating parameters and disinfection schedules for germicidal devices - Google Patents

Description

Ultraviolet discharge lamp device with one or more reflectors and system for determining operating parameters and disinfection schedule of sterilization equipment

This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application with the application date of June 8, 2012, application number "201280038279.1", and invention name "Ultraviolet discharge lamp device with one or more reflectors and system for determining operating parameters and disinfection list of sterilization equipment".

Background of the Invention

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to ultraviolet discharge lamp devices and systems for controlling the operation of germicidal devices, and more particularly to ultraviolet discharge lamp devices having one or more reflectors, methods of operating such devices, and systems for determining operating parameters and disinfection schedules for germicidal devices.

2. Description of Related Technology

The following descriptions and examples are not admitted to be prior art by virtue of their inclusion in this section.

In general, a sterilization system is designed to subject one or more surfaces and/or objects to a sterilant to deactivate or kill microorganisms resident on these surfaces and/or objects. Applications of sterilization systems include, but are not limited to, sterilization, object disinfection, and room/area decontamination. Examples of sterilization systems are those used to sterilize surgical instruments, food, or pharmaceutical packaging. Examples of area/room decontamination systems are those used in hospital rooms to disinfect surfaces and objects therein and those used in agricultural operations, such as those used to cultivate and/or raise animals. Area/room disinfection is becoming increasingly important because pathogenic microorganisms have been shown to exist in the environment and cause infections. This is especially important because drug-resistant microorganisms are more common in the environment and are becoming increasingly difficult to deal with.

The challenge for conventional room/area decontamination systems is distributing the disinfectant to all surfaces requiring disinfection in an effective manner. In particular, due to cost and size constraints, many conventional room/area decontamination systems are limited in the number of disinfection sources they can include. Furthermore, the directionality of the disinfectant in conventional room/area decontamination systems is typically fixed. As a result, conventional systems are typically configured to deliver high doses of disinfectant so that a large number of surfaces within a room or area can be disinfected at the same time. A problem with blanket distribution of high doses of disinfectant is that some portions of the room or area may be overexposed, effectively wasting the disinfectant and potentially wasting time and/or energy required to perform the disinfection process. Furthermore, in some cases, portions of the room/area may not receive sufficient disinfectant when the disinfectant is blanket distributed throughout the room, particularly surfaces that are relatively far away from and/or not in direct line with the disinfection source. Insufficient exposure to disinfectant can leave an undesirably high number of pathogenic microorganisms on surfaces or objects, making people who subsequently come into contact with these surfaces highly susceptible to infection.

Another problem with conventional room/area decontamination systems is the lack of consideration and prioritization of objects and surfaces in the room during the execution of the disinfection process. Therefore, if the disinfection process for a room/area is terminated before the allotted time, it is possible that objects and/or surfaces in the room that are likely to be highly contaminated will not have been fully disinfected. In particular, the disinfection source of a room/area decontamination system is typically positioned or installed near a central point in the room (rather than near one or more specific objects) so that the exposure of the disinfectant from the source to the periphery of the room/area is substantially uniform throughout the room/area. Similarly, in situations where the system includes multiple disinfection devices, these devices are typically evenly distributed throughout the room rather than near one or more specific objects in an effort to disinfect the entire room during a given disinfection process.

In some embodiments, the disinfection source of a room/area decontamination system can be positioned near an object or surface, such as a bed in a hospital room, but positioning the disinfection source near a particular object does not satisfy the need to disinfect other objects or surfaces in the room/area that are likely to be considered highly contaminated, such as door handles or light switches in the room. In addition, when the disinfection source is fixedly mounted at a specific location in the room, if the object is moved, the effectiveness of its location for that specific object will be lost. In situations where the decontamination system includes disinfection source(s) that can be freely positioned in the room, the task of positioning the disinfection source(s) is generally performed manually and is therefore labor intensive and prone to placement errors. Moreover, none of these latter configurations involve analyzing the characteristics of the room (e.g., area, regional configuration, and/or relative placement of objects therein) for the placement of the disinfection source in the room.

There are a number of different methods for disinfecting surfaces and objects, ranging from chemical methods (such as bleaching) to advanced methods such as ultraviolet (UV) disinfection. In particular, ultraviolet radiation in the spectrum between approximately 200 nanometers and approximately 320 nanometers is known to be effective in deactivating, and in some cases, killing, microorganisms, thus justifying the use of ultraviolet light technology to disinfect and/or sterilize items. Some UV disinfection devices utilize discharge lamps to generate ultraviolet light. In addition to disinfection and sterilization applications, discharge lamps are also used to generate ultraviolet (UV) light in various applications, such as polymer curing. Generally speaking, a discharge lamp refers to a lamp that generates light by an internal discharge between electrodes in a gas. This discharge creates a plasma that provides the radiated light. In some instances, such as in mercury vapor lamps, once the lamp is triggered, the generated light is continuous. Other discharge lamp configurations, commonly referred to as flash tubes or flash lamps, generate light for very short durations. Such discharge lamps are sometimes used to provide periodic light pulses and are therefore sometimes referred to as pulsed light sources. A commonly used flash lamp is a xenon flash tube.

While different types of discharge lamps have been investigated to provide UV light for various applications, little has been done to improve the efficiency of the UV light generated in devices using discharge lamps, particularly with respect to the spread of the UV light (i.e., the distance and angle of incidence on the target object). This lack of progress stems from the fact that many devices using discharge lamps (such as food sterilization and single-object disinfection equipment) are configured to treat objects placed in close proximity and direct alignment with the lamp, making it difficult or impossible to improve the efficiency of the UV light by modifying its spread. Furthermore, room/area decontamination systems are specifically designed to disperse light over a wide area, so modifying the UV spread from the system can hinder these goals. Furthermore, many devices using discharge lamps are limited in their application and versatility. For example, many food sterilization and single-object disinfection devices are self-contained and configured to treat specific objects; therefore, they generally do not include features that would improve the system's versatility for use with other objects or in other applications. Furthermore, some devices require time-consuming and/or cumbersome regulations to protect users from injury. For example, pulsed UV technology typically utilizes a xenon flash lamp that generates pulses of a broad spectrum of light, from deep UV to infrared (including very bright and intense visible light). Exposure to visible and UV light can be harmful, so regulations such as confining the pulsed light within the boundaries of the device or covering the windows of the room where the room decontamination unit is used may be required.

Accordingly, it would be beneficial to develop discharge lamp devices having features that improve their usability, including but not limited to features that improve the efficiency of the generated ultraviolet light, increase the versatility of the device, and reduce and/or eliminate the time-consuming and cumbersome provisions required by conventional systems. Additionally, it would be beneficial to develop room/area decontamination systems that are more effective and efficient than conventional room/area decontamination systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following description of various system embodiments is not to be construed in any way as limiting the subject matter of the appended claims.

Embodiments of the apparatus disclosed herein include a discharge lamp configured to emit ultraviolet light, a power circuit configured to operate the discharge lamp, and a reflector system configured to redirect the ultraviolet light emitted from the discharge lamp, and no optical elements are present for generating laser light from the light emitted by the discharge lamp. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a support structure that contains the power circuit and supports the discharge lamp. In some of such embodiments, the reflector system is configured to redirect ultraviolet light that propagates away from the support structure to an area outside the apparatus that is between about 2 feet and about 4 feet from the floor of the room in which the apparatus is arranged. In other embodiments, the reflector system may additionally or alternatively be configured to redirect ultraviolet light that propagates away from the support structure to an area surrounding an outer surface of the apparatus and further cause the ultraviolet light that is redirected to the surrounding area during operation of the apparatus to collectively occupy the entirety of the surrounding area. In any case, the reflector system of the apparatus disclosed herein, in some embodiments, includes a repositionable reflector.

An embodiment of the system includes a disinfection source and a processing subsystem comprising a processor and program instructions executable by the processor to receive data regarding physical attributes of a room in which the disinfection source is disposed. Furthermore, the processing subsystem includes program instructions executable by the processor to determine a location within the room to place the disinfection source and/or an orientation of components comprising the disinfection source based on the received data.

Other system embodiments include multiple disinfection sources and a processing subsystem comprising one or more processors and program instructions executable by the one or more processors. In some cases, the program instructions are executable by the one or more processors to receive data about the characteristics of the room in which the multiple disinfection sources are arranged and determine one or more individual operating parameters of the multiple disinfection sources based on the data. In other cases, the program instructions are executable by the one or more processors to identify, for each of the multiple disinfection sources, a target location, area, object, or surface within the room in which the multiple disinfection sources are arranged, and to compare two or more of the target locations, areas, objects, and/or surfaces. In such systems, the program instructions can also be executed by the one or more processors to perform one or more corrective actions to change the planned disinfection process of at least one of the multiple disinfection sources based on detecting that two or more target locations are within a predetermined distance of each other and/or based on detecting that two or more target areas overlap.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after reading the following detailed description and referring to the accompanying drawings:

FIG1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an ultraviolet discharge lamp apparatus having a horizontally positioned discharge lamp;

FIG2 a depicts an alternative arrangement for housing an optical filter in the ultraviolet discharge lamp apparatus depicted in FIG1 ;

FIG2 b depicts another alternative arrangement for housing an optical filter in the ultraviolet discharge lamp apparatus depicted in FIG1 ;

FIG2 c depicts yet another alternative arrangement for housing an optical filter in the ultraviolet discharge lamp apparatus depicted in FIG1 ;

FIG3 depicts an alternative configuration of the ultraviolet discharge lamp apparatus depicted in FIG1 with the discharge lamp disposed externally of the apparatus's support structure;

FIG4 is a perspective view of an ultraviolet discharge lamp apparatus having a vertically positioned discharge lamp;

FIG5 depicts an alternative configuration of the discharge lamp assembly of the ultraviolet discharge lamp apparatus depicted in FIG4;

FIG6 depicts an alternative configuration of filters for the ultraviolet discharge lamp apparatus depicted in FIG4;

FIG7 depicts another alternative configuration of filters for the ultraviolet discharge lamp apparatus depicted in FIG4 ;

FIG8 depicts a system including a plurality of ultraviolet discharge lamp devices;

FIG9 depicts a system including one or more disinfection sources and a processing subsystem having processor-executable program instructions for determining operating parameters and a disinfection schedule for the one or more disinfection sources;

FIG10 depicts a flow chart outlining a method for processor-executable program instructions that may be configured to execute the system depicted in FIG9; and

11 depicts a flow chart outlining another method by which processor-executable program instructions may be configured to execute the system depicted in FIG. 9 .

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description thereof are not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, are intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

Turning to the drawings, exemplary embodiments of discharge lamp apparatus are provided. Specifically, exemplary configurations of the apparatus are shown in Figures 1-3 as having discharge lamps arranged longitudinally and horizontally with the plane of the apparatus supporting the lamp (hereinafter referred to as "horizontally positioned lamps"). Additionally, exemplary configurations of the apparatus are shown in Figures 4-7 as having discharge lamps arranged longitudinally and perpendicularly with the plane of the apparatus supporting the lamp (hereinafter referred to as "vertically positioned lamps"). Additionally, a system having two discharge lamp apparatuses is shown in Figure 8. As will be explained in greater detail below, the apparatus and features described herein are not limited to the descriptions in the drawings, including that the discharge lamps are not limited to "horizontal" and "vertical" positioning. Furthermore, it is noted that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and that certain features may be depicted at a larger scale than other features to emphasize their characteristics.

Each of the devices described with reference to Figures 1-8 includes a discharge lamp configured to generate ultraviolet light, and thus, the devices described with reference to Figures 1-8 are sometimes referred to as "ultraviolet discharge lamp devices." In some embodiments, the discharge lamp of the device can also be configured to generate light in other ranges, but such configurations will not prevent the devices described herein from being referred to as "ultraviolet discharge lamp devices." In any case, the devices described with reference to Figures 1-8 do not have optical elements for generating laser light from the light emitted by the discharge lamp, and thus, in some embodiments herein, these devices may be referred to as non-laser devices. In other words, the devices described with reference to Figures 1-8 are configured to propagate the light emitted from the discharge lamp in a non-laser manner. As shown in more detail below, the devices described with reference to Figures 1-8 are configured to expose areas and rooms, as well as objects as a whole, to ultraviolet light, and thus, these devices are specifically configured to distribute light in a broad manner, rather than to produce a narrow, diffraction-limited beam of light as generated by a laser.

As used herein, the term "discharge lamp" refers to a lamp that generates light by an internal discharge between electrodes in a gas. The term encompasses gas discharge lamps, which generate light by sending an electrical discharge through an ionized gas (i.e., a plasma). The term also encompasses surface discharge lamps, which generate light by sending an electrical discharge along the surface of a dielectric substrate present in a gas, creating a plasma along the substrate's surface. Thus, discharge lamps contemplated for use with the devices described herein include both gas discharge lamps and surface discharge lamps. Discharge lamps can be further characterized by the type of gas(es) employed and the pressure at which they operate. Discharge lamps contemplated for use with the devices described herein may include low-pressure, medium-pressure, and high-intensity discharge lamps. Furthermore, the gases employed may include helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon, nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen, water vapor, carbon dioxide, mercury vapor, sodium vapor, and any combination thereof. Furthermore, discharge lamps contemplated for use with the devices described herein may have any size and shape, depending on the design specifications of the devices. Furthermore, discharge lamps contemplated for use with the devices described herein may include those that generate continuous light and those that generate short bursts of light, the latter of which are referred to herein as flash tubes or flash lamps. A flash tube or flash lamp used to provide periodically occurring light pulses is referred to herein as a pulsed light source.

A commonly used gas discharge lamp for producing continuous light is a mercury vapor lamp, which may be considered for use in some of the devices described herein. It emits light with a strong peak at 253.7 nanometers, which is considered particularly useful for sterilization and disinfection, and is therefore commonly referred to as ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI). A commonly used flash lamp that may be considered for use in the devices described herein is a xenon flash tube. Compared to mercury vapor lamps, xenon flash tubes generate a wide spectrum of light, from ultraviolet to infrared, thereby providing ultraviolet light throughout the spectrum known to be useful for sterilization (i.e., between approximately 200 nanometers and approximately 320 nanometers). In addition, xenon flash tubes can provide relatively sufficient intensity in the spectrum known to be optimal for sterilization (i.e., between approximately 260 nanometers and approximately 265 nanometers). Moreover, xenon flash tubes generate a significant amount of heat, which may further contribute to the deactivation and killing of microorganisms.

Although surface discharge lamps are not currently commercially available, as described above, they may be considered for use in some of the devices described herein. Similar to xenon flash tubes, surface discharge lamps produce ultraviolet light throughout the spectrum known to be used for sterilization (i.e., between about 200 nanometers and about 320 nanometers). However, compared to xenon flash lamps, surface discharge lamps operating at higher energy levels per pulse therefore have higher UV efficiency and provide longer lamp life. It should be noted that the foregoing description and comparison of mercury vapor lamps, xenon flash lamps, and surface discharge lamps do not in any way limit the devices described herein to include such lamps. Rather, the foregoing description and comparison are given merely to provide factors that one skilled in the art may consider when selecting a discharge lamp for an ultraviolet discharge lamp device, particularly depending on the purpose and application of the device.

As described above, the apparatus described with reference to Figures 1-8 is configured to distribute ultraviolet light in a broad manner so that objects and/or areas/rooms as a whole can be treated. In other words, the apparatus described with reference to Figures 1-8 is not configured to produce a narrow beam of light directed to a specific small target, as can be used for laser applications. In view of its configuration of distributing ultraviolet light in a broad manner, the apparatus described with reference to Figures 1-8 is particularly applicable to disinfecting, decontaminating and/or sterilizing objects as a whole and to areas and/or rooms. For example, the apparatus described with reference to Figures 1-8 can be used to disinfect hospital rooms or can be used in agricultural operations, including those used for sowing and/or raising animals. Additionally or alternatively, the apparatus described with reference to Figures 1-8 can be used to reduce microorganisms on plants or to sterilize objects such as surgical tools, food or drug packaging. Other applications for the apparatus described with reference to Figures 1-8 involving broad exposure to ultraviolet light can be polymer curing and pharmaceutical procedures.

In some cases, the devices described herein may be particularly suitable for room disinfection. Specifically, and as described in more detail below, some of the features of the devices described with reference to Figures 1-8 (particularly the inclusion of filters, the inclusion of a reflector system for redirecting UV light transmitted from the device's support structure, the adaptability to be moved around a room during operation, and/or the inclusion of multiple discharge lamp devices) may be particularly suitable for room disinfection devices. For this reason, many of the devices described with reference to Figures 1-8 are targeted at room disinfection devices. Furthermore, for reasons explained below, many of the devices described with reference to Figures 1-8 are specifically targeted at floor-based, freestanding, portable room disinfection devices. However, the features described with reference to Figures 1-8 are not necessarily limited to floor-based, portable, or freestanding room disinfection devices or configurations. Rather, the features described with reference to Figures 1-8 may be applicable to any type of ultraviolet discharge lamp device. As used herein, the term "room disinfection" refers to the cleaning of a bounded area suitable for human use to deactivate, eliminate, or prevent the growth of pathogenic microorganisms in that area.

The room disinfection devices described herein can fall into various configurations, including floor-based, wall-based, and ceiling-based. However, although the room disinfection device can be placed in the ceiling of a room or in or against a wall, in many cases, it is advantageous to position the ultraviolet room disinfection device away from such structures. In particular, one of the main factors affecting the UV light intensity on an object (and thus the UV disinfection efficiency) is the distance to the object, and thus, in many cases, it is advantageous to position the ultraviolet room disinfection device near the center of the room or near the object to be decontaminated to minimize the distance to the object. Moreover, in several rooms in a building (such as a hospital) where the room disinfection device can be used, it is generally beneficial for the device to be portable. For these reasons, many of the devices described herein and depicted in the accompanying drawings are directed to freestanding, portable, and floor-based room disinfection devices.

In general, the devices described with reference to Figures 1-8 may be configured to distribute light substantially unidirectionally or multidirectionally. As used herein, the phrase "configured to distribute light substantially unidirectionally" may refer to configuring the device to propagate a majority of the light emitted from the discharge lamp in a single direction, with supplemental light propagating at an angle of less than 30 degrees to this direction. All other light distributions may be referred to by the phrase "configured to distribute light multidirectionally". A room disinfection device configured to distribute light substantially unidirectionally may be a room disinfection device housed within a wall or ceiling and/or a room disinfection device having a discharge lamp mounted within the boundaries of the device without a supplemental optical component system for redirecting light propagating away from the device. In contrast, a room disinfection device configured to distribute light multidirectionally may be a room disinfection device having a structure extending from the discharge lamp and/or having a supplemental optical component system for redirecting light propagating away from the device.

Given that a room typically includes objects of varying sizes and shapes, located at varying heights and distances from a given point in the room (depending on the number and the different locations of surfaces to be disinfected), it is sometimes advantageous for a UV device for room disinfection to be configured to distribute UV light in many directions (i.e., multidirectionally). Furthermore, as described above, it is sometimes advantageous to position the UV room disinfection device away from the room walls to reduce the distance to various objects in the room and effectively increase the disinfection efficiency of the UV light emitted from the device. Further to such considerations, it is sometimes advantageous for the UV room disinfection device to be configured such that at least some of the UV light generated by the discharge lamp propagates to an area surrounding the outer surface of the device and further such that the UV light propagating to the surrounding area during operation of the device collectively occupies the entirety of the surrounding area. Such a configuration provides disinfection from a UV room disinfection device positioned in a ceiling or wall and is described in more detail below with reference to some of the devices depicted in the accompanying drawings.

1 , an example configuration of an ultraviolet discharge lamp apparatus having a horizontally positioned discharge lamp is provided. Specifically, apparatus 20 is shown having a discharge lamp 22 disposed within a support structure 24 and specifically arranged longitudinally parallel to the plane of apparatus 20 supporting discharge lamp 22 (i.e., arranged parallel to the upper surface of support structure 24). As described above and as will be elaborated in more detail below, the ultraviolet discharge lamp apparatus described herein is not limited to embodiments in which the discharge lamp is arranged in a "horizontal position." Rather, the ultraviolet discharge lamp apparatus described herein may include discharge lamps arranged at any angle relative to the surface plane of the support structure supporting the discharge lamp. Furthermore, the ultraviolet discharge lamp apparatus described herein is not limited to embodiments in which the discharge lamp is arranged adjacent to the upper surface of the apparatus. Specifically, the ultraviolet discharge lamp apparatus described herein may have the discharge lamp arranged adjacent to any exterior surface of the apparatus, including the sidewalls and the bottom surface.

Horizontally positioned and vertically positioned lamps arranged adjacent to the upper surface of the support structure are particularly discussed herein because these configurations are configurations that serve to refine some of the novel features of the ultraviolet discharge lamp apparatus disclosed herein. However, such disclosure should not be construed as necessarily limiting the arrangement of the discharge lamps in the ultraviolet discharge lamp apparatus described herein. It is also noted that the ultraviolet discharge lamp apparatus described herein is not limited to embodiments in which the discharge lamps are mounted within the boundaries of the support structure depicted in FIG1 . Rather, the ultraviolet discharge lamp apparatus may alternatively have a discharge lamp arranged at least partially external to the support structure, such as the discharge lamps in the exemplary embodiments depicted in FIG3-7 .

As shown in FIG1 , in addition to the discharge lamp 22, the apparatus 20 includes a power circuit 26 and a trigger circuit 30 disposed within a support structure 24, as well as circuitry connecting the power circuit and trigger circuit to the discharge lamp 22. Generally speaking, the power circuit 26, the trigger circuit 30, and the connecting circuitry are configured to operate the discharge lamp 22 (i.e., to send an electrical discharge to the lamp to create a radiant plasma therein). Specifically, the trigger circuit 30 is configured to apply a voltage trigger voltage to an ignition electrode of the discharge lamp 22, which may surround the lamp or may be the anode or cathode of the lamp, and the power circuit 26 (e.g., a capacitor) is configured to apply an electrical potential between the cathode and anode of the lamp. In some cases, the trigger circuit 30 may be referred to herein as a pulse generator circuit, particularly when the discharge lamp apparatus includes a flash tube. The trigger voltage ionizes the gas inside the lamp, which increases the conductivity of the gas to allow an arc to form between the cathode and anode.

As mentioned above, in some cases, the discharge lamp 22 may be a continuous light lamp, such as a mercury vapor lamp. In such embodiments, the trigger circuit 30 may generally generate a signal less than 1000 volts and, therefore, may not be a significantly high voltage. (As used herein, the term "high voltage" refers to voltages greater than 1000 volts.) In other embodiments, the discharge lamp 22 may be a flash tube. Flash tubes require ionization at higher voltages, typically between 2000 volts and 150,000 volts. An example voltage range for a trigger circuit for a xenon bulb may be between approximately 20 kV and 30 kV. In comparison, an example voltage range for a power storage circuit for a xenon bulb may be between approximately 1 kV and approximately 10 kV. In any case, the device 20 may include additional circuitry to provide power to other features within the device, including, but not limited to, a central processing unit (CPU) 32, a user interface 34, and a room occupancy sensor 36, shown in FIG. 3 .

Although not required, one or more of the operations in the device 20 may be computer-operated, and thus, in some embodiments, the device 20 may include a CPU 32 to execute application program instructions. In addition, the device 20 may operatively include a user interface 34 to provide the user with a means for activating operation and possible specific operating modes of the device 20 and a means for providing the user with access to data collected from the device. In some cases, the user interface 34 may alternatively be a device that is different from the device 20 but is configured for wired or wireless communication with the device 20. In this way, the device 20 can be remotely controlled. The room occupancy sensor 36 is an optional security mechanism that may generally be configured to determine whether a person is present in a room, such as by motion detection or photographic recognition. Other optional features shown in the device 20 include a roller 38 and a handle 39 that affect the portability of the device, but may be omitted depending on the design specifications of the device.

As shown in FIG1 , the device 20 may include a filter 40, a cooling system 44, and a reflector system 60. As will be described in more detail below, the configuration of the filter, cooling system, and reflector system, as well as the placement of the discharge lamp, may vary among the ultraviolet light devices described herein. In fact, alternative embodiments of one or more of such features are described relative to the configuration shown and described with reference to FIG1 . Each of such embodiments includes the support structure and accompanying components described in FIG1 (with particular reference to the support structure 22, power circuit 26, trigger circuit 30, CPU 32, user interface 34, room occupancy sensor 36, scroll wheel 36, and handle 39). However, for the sake of brevity and to emphasize the different configurations of the depicted filter and reflector systems and the placement of the discharge lamp, such features are not depicted in FIG2-7 .

As described above, each of the devices described with reference to Figures 1-8 includes a discharge lamp configured to generate ultraviolet light. In some embodiments, the device's discharge lamp can also be configured to generate light in other ranges, such as, but not limited to, visible light. In some such situations, particularly (but not necessarily limited to) situations where the generated visible light is extremely bright and/or distracting, attenuating the visible light may be beneficial. For example, a xenon flash lamp generates a broad spectrum pulse similar to the spectrum of sunlight, but with an intensity of visible light up to 20,000 times greater than that of sunlight. Therefore, in some embodiments, the devices described herein include a filter configured to attenuate visible light. In some cases, the devices described herein may include a filter configured to attenuate light in a substantial portion (greater than 75%) or the entire visible light spectrum. However, in other embodiments, the filter may be configured to pass light in less than a substantial portion of the visible light spectrum. In any case, the filter may be configured to attenuate the majority of light in a given portion of the visible light spectrum, and in some cases, to attenuate greater than 75% or all of the light in a given portion of the visible light spectrum.

Because the device described with reference to Figures 1-8 is configured for UV exposure, the filter must pass UV light in addition to attenuating visible light. Therefore, in some cases, the filter may be a visible light band-stop filter. However, in other embodiments, the filter may be a UV band-pass filter. In other cases, the filter may be configured to pass a majority of light within a given portion of the UV spectrum, and in some embodiments, to pass greater than 75% or all of the light within a given portion of the UV spectrum. In some cases, the given portion of the UV spectrum may be a majority (greater than 75%) or the entire UV spectrum. However, in other embodiments, the given portion of the UV spectrum may be less than a majority of the UV spectrum. In some embodiments, the filter may be specifically configured to pass light within a specific portion of the UV spectrum. For example, in cases where the device is used for disinfection, decontamination, or sterilization purposes, the filter may be configured to pass a majority (greater than 75%) or all of the germicidal UV spectrum (i.e., approximately 200-320 nanometers). Additionally or alternatively, the filter may be configured to pass light in a majority (greater than 75%) or all of the ultraviolet light spectrum known to be optimal for germicidal purposes (ie, approximately 260-265 nanometers).

An exemplary filter glass material that may be used as a filter for the ultraviolet discharge lamp apparatus described herein is Schott UG5 glass, available from SCHOTT North America, Inc. of Amesford, New York. The Schott UG5 glass filter attenuates a large portion of the visible light spectrum while allowing approximately 85% of ultraviolet light in the range of approximately 260 nanometers to approximately 265 nanometers to pass through. Other filter glass materials having similar or different properties may also be used, depending on the design specifications of the apparatus. In other cases, the filter contemplated for use in the ultraviolet discharge lamp apparatus described herein may be a film having any of the optical properties described above. In such embodiments, the film may be disposed on a light-transmitting material such as quartz. In other embodiments, the filter contemplated for use in the ultraviolet discharge lamp apparatus described herein may be a combination of a filter glass material and a film disposed thereon, each of which is configured to attenuate visible light.

As used herein, the term "filter material" refers to a material designed to affect the transmission of a spectrum of light by blocking or attenuating a specific spectrum of wavelengths. In contrast, as used herein, "light transmissive" refers to a material that allows light to pass through without significantly blocking or attenuating a specific spectrum of wavelengths. Quartz is a well-known light transmissive material. As used herein, the term "film" refers to a thin layer of a substance and includes the term "coating" to refer to a layer of a substance extending over a surface. Films contemplated for use in the filters described herein can be in solid or semi-solid form, and thus include solid substances and colloids. Additionally, films contemplated for use in the filters described herein can have a liquid, semi-solid, or solid form (when applied to a material), wherein the liquid and semi-solid forms can subsequently be converted to a solid or semi-solid form after application.

In any case, the efficiency of the filters placed in the UV discharge lamp devices described herein will decrease over time due to overexposure, and therefore, the filters may need to be replaced periodically. Overexposure is a phenomenon in which the ability of an optical component to transmit UV radiation decreases relative to the time it is exposed to UV radiation. In some embodiments, the filters contemplated for use in the UV discharge lamp devices described herein may include an overexposure ratio that is approximately an integer multiple of the degradation rate of the discharge lamp comprising the device. In other words, the discharge lamp may have a degradation rate that is an approximate factor of the overexposure ratio of the filter. The term "factor" in such characterizations of the filter refers to the mathematical definition of the term, specifically, to a number that divides another number evenly, i.e., without a remainder. The overexposure ratio of the filter can be approximately any integer multiple of the degradation rate of the discharge lamp, including one, and therefore, in some embodiments, the overexposure ratio of the filter can be similar to or the same as the degradation rate of the discharge lamp.

Generally speaking, discharge lamps are guaranteed for a certain number of uses (i.e., a specific number of triggers to generate plasma), which is determined based on the expected performance degradation of one or more of the discharge lamp's components. For example, pulsed light sources are typically guaranteed for a specific number of pulses. For the devices described herein, such a usage count can be used to characterize the discharge lamp's performance degradation rate by multiplying the amount of UV light to be emitted during each operation by the guaranteed number of triggers for that discharge lamp. In this way, the performance degradation rate can be calculated to be correlated to the overexposure rate of the optical filter. If the overexposure rate of the optical filter is approximately an integer multiple of the performance degradation rate of the discharge lamp in the device, the components can advantageously be replaced at the same time, thereby reducing device downtime relative to embodiments in which components are replaced based on their respective individual specifications. Additionally, in situations where light is monitored to determine when to replace an item, the monitoring process can be simplified because only the light from one component needs to be measured. Other features of the filter incorporated in the device described herein that are intended to combat overexposure are discussed in more detail below with reference to Figures 1 and 3, with particular reference to a sensor system configured to monitor parameters associated with the operation of the discharge lamp and the transmittance of the filter and the accommodation of a thermal recovery system within the device.

Several different exemplary configurations and arrangements of optical filters, and optional accompanying components, are described in detail below, with particular reference to Figures 1-7. Specifically, several different configurations of apparatus are described below for housing an optical filter in alignment with a discharge lamp. Each of the optical filters in the embodiments described with reference to Figures 1-7 may have the filter characteristics set forth above. These characteristics are not repeated for each embodiment for purposes of context. As described above, although not so limited, the optical filters may be particularly well-suited for room disinfection apparatus. This is because room disinfection apparatus are generally configured to distribute light into the environment of the apparatus and, therefore, do not include a housing to contain the light. It is noted that while housing an optical filter may be beneficial in some of the apparatus described herein, it is not necessarily a requirement and, therefore, may be omitted in some embodiments.

Another distinctive feature of the ultraviolet discharge lamp apparatus described herein is a reflector system configured to redirect ultraviolet light that propagates away from the apparatus's support structure. In general, the reflector system contemplated for use with the ultraviolet discharge lamp apparatus described herein can be used to increase the size of the area exposed to ultraviolet light emitted by the apparatus, reduce the distance that the ultraviolet light is channeled to a target object or area, and/or improve the angle of incidence of the ultraviolet light on the target object or area. Several different exemplary configurations and arrangements of reflector systems configured to achieve one or more of such purposes are described in more detail below and are shown in Figures 1-7. In particular, an apparatus having a repositionable reflector is described. Additionally, an apparatus configured to redirect ultraviolet light that propagates away from the apparatus's support structure to surround an outer surface of the apparatus is described. As described above, such configurations may be particularly suitable for room disinfection apparatus.

Furthermore, a device is described that includes a reflector system configured to redirect ultraviolet light traveling away from the device's supporting structure to an area outside the device, located between approximately 2 feet and approximately 4 feet from the floor of the room in which the device is located. Generally speaking, areas between approximately 2 feet and approximately 4 feet from the room's floor are considered "high-touch" areas of a room because frequently used objects are often placed in such areas. Examples of objects commonly found in high-touch areas of a room include, but are not limited to, desks, keyboards, telephones, chairs, door and cabinet handles, light switches, and sinks. Examples of objects in high-touch areas of hospital rooms also or alternatively include beds, nightstands, tray tables, and IV stands. Because such areas are considered high-touch areas, they are generally considered to have the highest potential for contact with bacteria, and some studies indicate that high-touch areas can be areas with the highest bacterial concentrations. For these reasons, it can be advantageous to direct at least some ultraviolet light to an area between approximately 2 feet and approximately 4 feet from the room's floor. The accommodation of the reflector system described herein can be used to achieve such objectives.

Although not so limited, the reflector systems described herein may be particularly well-suited for room disinfection devices. This is because room disinfection devices are generally configured to project light into the device's environment and, therefore, do not include an enclosure to contain and reflect the light. For the reasons set forth above, many of the ultraviolet discharge lamp devices described herein and depicted in the accompanying drawings are directed to floor-based room disinfection devices, in which the discharge lamp is arranged to transmit light above the upper surface of the device's support structure. As discussed above, however, such emphasized disclosure should not be construed as necessarily limiting the configurations of the ultraviolet discharge lamp devices described herein. For example, in embodiments in which the discharge lamp is arranged to transmit light adjacent to a sidewall surface of the device's support structure, the device's reflector system may include a reflector coupled to an uppermost portion of the sidewall surface and/or a reflector coupled to a lowermost portion of the sidewall, such that the ultraviolet light is reflected downwardly or upwardly toward a desired area of focus. In other instances in which the discharge lamp is arranged to transmit light below the lower surface of the device's support structure, the device's reflector system may include a reflector below the discharge lamp. Several other arrangements may also be suitable for increasing the size of the area exposed to UV light emitted by the device, reducing the distance the UV light channels to the target object or area, and/or improving the angle of incidence of the UV light on the target object or area.

In any case, as described in more detail below, the reflector systems contemplated for use with the devices described herein may include one or more reflectors, which may have any size or shape and may be positioned anywhere within the device to achieve the desired redirection of light. Furthermore, the reflectors may be made of any material suitable for the desired redirection of light. An exemplary reflector material suitable for many of the device configurations described herein is 4300UP Miro-UV, available from ALANOD Aluminum-Veredlung GmbH & Co. KG. Another exemplary reflector material suitable for many of the device configurations described herein is diffuse reflector, available from W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc. Other reflector materials may be used in addition or alternatively, depending on the specific specifications of the reflective system. In any case, each of the embodiments of the reflective system described with reference to Figures 1-7 may have the characteristics of the reflective system described above. These characteristics will not be repeated for each embodiment for the sake of clarity. While accommodation of optical filters, such as in the devices described herein, may be beneficial in some devices, it is not necessarily a requirement and may be omitted in some embodiments. Furthermore, the features of the filter and reflector system are not mutually exclusive or inclusive of each other for the device, and thus, the device may include one or both features.

Turning to FIG. 1 , the apparatus 20 includes an optical filter 40 configured to attenuate visible light emitted from a discharge lamp 22. The configuration of the optical filter 40 for attenuating visible light emitted from the discharge lamp 22 in FIG. 1 is particularly distinguished by its optical properties for attenuating visible light and its placement above and aligned with the discharge lamp 22. As shown in FIG. 1 , the optical filter 40 can be positioned flush with the upper surface of the support structure 24 between the sidewalls of the cup-shaped portion 42, thereby comprising a housing wall enclosing the discharge lamp 22. As described in more detail below, the apparatus described herein includes a cooling system for regulating the temperature of the discharge lamp and enclosing the lamp within an enclosure, providing an efficient means of achieving a desired temperature. Using the optical filter 40 as a housing wall for the discharge lamp 22 simplifies its integration into the apparatus 20 and can therefore be advantageous in some designs. However, in some embodiments, it can be advantageous to have the optical filter 40 distinct from the housing of the discharge lamp 22. For example, in some cases it may be advantageous to be able to arrange the filter in or out of alignment with the discharge lamp depending on the desired operation of the device.Such configurations are described in more detail below, and exemplary variations of device 20 accommodating such configurations are shown in Figures 2a-2c.

The cooling systems contemplated for use with the devices described herein may vary and may generally depend on the device's specifications. Exemplary cooling systems that may be used include, but are not limited to, forced air systems and liquid cooling systems. The cooling system 44 shown in FIG. 1 is a forced air system and includes an air inlet 46, an air intake duct 48, a fan 50, a temperature sensor 52, an air duct 54, and an air outlet 56. In some cases, one or more of the air inlet 46, the air intake duct 48, the air duct 54, and the air outlet 56 may include an air filter. In some embodiments, the air duct 54 and/or the air outlet 56 may additionally or alternatively include an ozone filter. However, in other cases, the ozone filter may be omitted from the device. Ozone is generally produced as a byproduct of the use of the discharge lamp 22, particularly when the lamp generates ultraviolet light with a wavelength shorter than approximately 240 nanometers, because this UV light spectrum dissociates oxygen atoms from oxygen molecules, initiating the ozone generation process. Ozone is a known health and quality risk, and therefore, its release from devices is regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Ozone is also known to be an effective germicide, so if the amount of ozone to be generated by a discharge lamp is below the EPA ozone exposure limit, it may be beneficial to exclude ozone filters from equipment that includes such discharge lamps.

In any case, different outlet configurations for the cooling system 44 are contemplated for use with the apparatus 20 and other apparatuses described herein. For example, in some configurations, the cooling system may be configured to have air outlets on the lower portion of the sidewalls of the support structure 24 or on the bottom surface of the support structure 24. Benefits of such alternative configurations include increased capacity for the ozone filter and reduced environmental disturbance, particularly when the air outlets are positioned on the bottom surface of the support structure 24. In any case, the apparatus described herein may include a cooling system for the remaining components within the support structure 24. In some cases, the support structure cooling system may be integrated with the cooling system 44 for the discharge lamp 22. However, in other embodiments, the two cooling systems may be different. It should be noted that while the inclusion of one or more cooling systems may be beneficial in some of the apparatuses described herein, this is not necessarily a requirement and, therefore, may be omitted in some embodiments.

As described above, the apparatus 20 may include a reflector system 60. Generally speaking, the reflector system 60 is configured to redirect ultraviolet light that propagates away from the support structure 24. The configuration of the reflector system 60 for achieving this purpose involves the placement, shape, size, and angle of the reflector 62. Specifically, the discharge lamp 22 in the apparatus 20 is arranged to propagate light above the upper surface of the support structure 24. Therefore, the reflector 62 is positioned above the discharge lamp 22 to redirect the propagating ultraviolet light. Generally speaking, redirecting the ultraviolet light reduces the distance the ultraviolet light travels to objects adjacent to the apparatus, including the underside surfaces of the objects and the upper and sidewall surfaces of the objects. Specifically, ultraviolet light that avoids traveling to surfaces above the apparatus (e.g., the ceiling of the room in which the apparatus is located) by way of the reflector 62 is reflected back toward the object adjacent to the apparatus. Avoiding traveling to surfaces above the apparatus also shortens the distance the ultraviolet light must travel to impinge on the underside of the object (e.g., by reflection from the floor of the room in which the apparatus is located). Thus, reflector system 60 may include reflectors such as reflector 62 shown in FIG1 positioned above support structure 24 but spaced from the ceiling of the room in which the equipment is located. However, in some cases, reflector system 60 may include reflectors positioned in or on the ceiling of the room in which the equipment is located.

In some cases, the reflector system 60 can be configured to optimize the angle of incidence at which the ultraviolet light is directed onto the surface of an object. For example, the reflector 62 can be designed to have a specific size and/or shape and/or be repositionable so that the optimal angle of incidence on the object can be achieved. Exemplary configurations in which the reflector 62 is repositionable are discussed in more detail below. In any case, in some embodiments, the reflector system 60 includes one or more additional (i.e., in addition to the reflector 62) reflectors. For example, in some cases, the reflector system 60 can include a reflector coupled to the sidewall of the support structure 24 that is configured to redirect the ultraviolet light received from the reflector 62. The inclusion of such additional reflectors can be beneficial for directing the ultraviolet light onto the underside of objects in the room. Additional reflectors can also be used or alternatively and generally designed (i.e., sized, shaped, and positioned) to cooperate with the reflector 62 to achieve any of the above-mentioned purposes of the reflector system 60.

In some embodiments, the reflector system 60 may be specifically configured to redirect ultraviolet light that propagates away from the support structure 24 to an area that is between about 2 feet and about 4 feet from the floor of the room in which the device 20 is arranged. Specifically, as explained above, redirecting the ultraviolet light to such an area may be advantageous because the area is a high touch zone. In some cases, the reflector system 60 may additionally or alternatively be configured to redirect ultraviolet light that propagates away from the support structure 24 to an area surrounding the outer surface of the device. For example, the reflector 62 may have a shape and size that causes the ultraviolet light to be redirected to an area surrounding the support structure 24. Alternatively, the reflector 62 may have a shape and size that causes the ultraviolet light to be redirected to an area surrounding the reflector system 60. In either case, the tapered shape of the reflector 62 may be particularly suitable for achieving such redirection.

As used herein, the term "surround" refers to forming a continuous circle around an object. The term is not limited to embodiments surrounding the entirety of an object or even a substantial portion of an object. Thus, phrases such as "the ultraviolet discharge lamp device may be configured such that ultraviolet light surrounds an outer surface of the device" described herein refer to forming a continuous ring of ultraviolet light around at least some outer portions of the device. Additionally, phrases such as "the ultraviolet discharge lamp device may be configured such that ultraviolet light that propagates to an area surrounding the device during operation of the device collectively occupies the entirety of the surrounding area" described herein refer to each portion of the continuous ring area surrounding the device being exposed to ultraviolet light at some time during operation of the device.

Regardless of the configuration of the reflector system 60 or whether the apparatus 20 further includes the reflector system 60, in some embodiments, the apparatus 20 may include another reflector system disposed within the support structure 24 that is configured to redirect light emitted from the discharge lamp 22 in a direction that propagates away from the support structure. Specifically, the apparatus 20 may include a reflective system configured to redirect light emitted from the side and bottom surfaces of the discharge lamp 22 in the same direction as light emitted from the top surface of the discharge lamp 22. Examples of such reflective systems may include a floor and/or sidewalls of the cup-shaped portion 42 having a reflective material. However, other configurations of reflective systems are contemplated for use with the apparatus described herein.

As shown in FIG1 , reflector system 60 may include support beams 64 and 66 for suspending reflector 62. This cantilever support structure is merely an example, and various other support structures are contemplated for reflector 62. Regardless of the configuration used to suspend reflector 62 above discharge lamp 22, in some cases, reflector system 60 may include through-holes so that some light traveling toward reflector system 60 can pass through the area above reflector system 60. One example embodiment is shown in FIG1 as having support beam 66 including through-holes 68. In addition or alternatively, reflector 62 may include through-holes for such purposes. In other embodiments, reflector system 60 may lack such through-holes. Regardless, the dimensions of reflector system 60, and particularly reflector 62, may vary between devices. In some cases, the face dimensions of reflector 62 may be the same as or larger than the face dimensions of the housing containing discharge lamp 22. In this manner, nearly all light traveling from support structure 24 will be directed toward reflector 62. However, in other embodiments, the face size of the reflector 62 may be smaller than the face size of the enclosure containing the discharge lamp 22. In such cases, some of the light propagating from the support structure 24 will be directed past the reflector 62.

Regardless of its size or configuration, in some cases, reflector system 60 can be configured to move horizontally and/or vertically, as indicated by the double-arrowed lines in FIG. 1 . In this manner, reflector 62 can be a repositionable reflector. In some embodiments, reflector 62 can be moved between operations of apparatus 20, thus, in some cases, reflector system 60 can include a means for securing the repositionable reflector at different locations on apparatus 20. In other embodiments, reflector system 60 can include a mechanism for moving reflector 62 while apparatus 20 is in operation. Movement of reflector 62 can be continuous or periodic while apparatus 20 is in operation, thus, in some cases, reflector 62 can be moved while discharge lamp 22 is emitting light. "Apparatus 20 in operation" refers to the period of time when the apparatus' components are activated to operate discharge lamp 22, and in particular, to generate radiant plasma within the discharge lamp. As described above, in some embodiments, discharge lamp 22 can be configured to generate continuous light once the lamp is ignited, thus, "apparatus 20 in operation" in such cases refers to the time during which the lamp is ignited and the time during which continuous light is emitted. In other embodiments, a flash lamp or a pulsed light source may be used for discharge lamp 22, in which case "device 20 in operation" refers to the time during which light is emitted from the lamp and the time between flashes of light.

In any case, in some embodiments, the means for moving reflector 62 and sometimes securing reflector 62 at different locations within device 20 may include linear actuator(s) of beam 64 and/or beam 66 and program instructions processed by CPU 32 for influencing the linear actuator(s) and their timing. In some embodiments, device 20 may be configured so that reflector 62 can be manually moved. In such cases, the means for securing reflector 62 at different locations within device 20 may include recesses in beam 64 and/or beam 66 and receiving protrusions on reflector 62, or vice versa. Various other means for moving reflector 62 and/or securing reflector 62 at different locations within device 20 are also contemplated, and thus, the device is not limited to the examples described above. In any case, in some cases, reflector 62 may be removable from device 20 to effect movement of reflector 62 relative to discharge lamp 22 and/or facilitate storage or portability of the device.

In some cases, the movement of the reflector 62 may be based on the characteristics of the room in which the device 20 is arranged. Generally speaking, in some embodiments, it may be advantageous to access and/or analyze the characteristics of the room and use such information to determine a number of operating parameters of the device 20 (such as, but not limited to, the placement of the reflector 62 and/or the movement characteristics of the reflector 62). For example, if a relatively high number of objects in a room are within the same general area, it may be beneficial to position the reflector 62 so that more light is directed to that area compared to other areas of the room. Other examples of determining the operating parameters of the disinfection source based on the characteristics of the room are described with reference to Figures 2a-2c (i.e., determining the positioning of the filter 40 based on the characteristics of the room), with reference to Figure 7 (i.e., determining the positioning of the filter/reflector assembly based on the characteristics of the room), and with reference to Figures 9 and 10.

In general, the phrase "properties of a room" as used herein refers to the physical and non-physical properties of a room. The non-physical properties of a room include, but are not necessarily limited to, an identifier used to refer to the room (e.g., room number and/or room name) and occupancy information about the room (e.g., infection information of patients who previously occupied the room or are listed as patients who are about to occupy the room). The physical properties of a room include, but are not necessarily limited to, the size and/or volume of the room and/or the number, size, distance, position, reflectivity, and/or identification of surfaces, objects, and/or items within the room. In some cases, the physical properties of a room can be the identification of one or more pathological mechanisms, and sometimes the number or concentration of such mechanisms in the room, in a specific area of the room, or on a specific surface in the room. The phrase "operating parameters of a disinfection source" as used herein refers to any parameter that can affect the operation of a disinfection source, including, but not limited to, the operating time of the disinfection source, the positioning of the disinfection source, the orientation of the components comprising the disinfection source, and/or the power provided to the disinfection source. As used herein, the term "disinfection source" refers to a collection of one or more components used to generate and distribute a sterilant, and, if applicable, includes any additional components used to perform the generation or distribution of the sterilant. For example, the discharge lamp 22, power circuit 26, trigger circuit 30, filter 40, and reflector system 60 of FIG1 may be collectively referred to as a disinfection source. Alternatively, the device 20 as a whole may be referred to as a disinfection source.

In some embodiments, device 20 may include or be configured to access a database listing characteristics of the room in which device 20 is located. Additionally or alternatively, device 20 may include a system for collecting and/or generating data regarding the characteristics of the room in which device 20 is located. In such cases, any system known in the art for collecting, generating, and/or analyzing room characteristics may be used, depending on the data to be generated. Examples include spatial sensors, photo identification systems, and/or dosimeters. In some embodiments, system 70 shown in FIG. 1 may be operably coupled to CPU 32. Alternatively, CPU 32 may be configured to access room characteristic data from a database. In either case, CPU 32 may be configured to retrieve and access data regarding the characteristics of the room in which device 20 is located and, based on this data, determine operating parameters of device 20, such as the positioning of reflector 62. In some embodiments, the determined operating parameters may be relayed via user interface 34, thereby informing a user of device 20 to invoke operating parameters of device 20, such as moving reflector 62 to a specific position. In other cases, CPU 32 may be configured to send commands to devices within apparatus 20 for automatically invoking the operating parameters, such as automatically moving reflector 62, based on the determined operating parameters.

In some embodiments, system 70 can be used to measure the dose of ultraviolet light received by an object or location in a room where device 20 is located. Specifically, measuring the dose of ultraviolet light received by an object or location in the room can help determine the operating parameters of device 20. As described above, one of the main factors affecting the intensity of UV light on an object is the distance to the object. Another major factor is the angle of incidence of the light. If the dose of ultraviolet light received by an object or location in the room can be measured, such measurements can be used to determine the operating parameters of device 20 (e.g., moving reflector 62 to optimize the angle of incidence on the object or location). Through the operative coupling of system 70 to CPU 32, CPU 32 can be configured to retrieve measurements from system 70, determine operating parameters of device 20 based on these measurements, such as the positioning of reflector 62, relay the determined operating parameters to user interface 34, and/or send commands to a device within device 20 for automatically invoking the operating parameters based on the determined operating parameters, such as moving reflector 62. In general, any system known in the art for measuring ultraviolet light dose can be used with system 70. Examples include UV dosimeters and radiometers.

As mentioned above, the efficiency of discharge lamps and filters decreases over time due to overexposure. Furthermore, discharge lamps generally have a limited lifespan as their components wear out after extensive use. Therefore, in some embodiments, the UV discharge lamp devices contemplated herein may include a sensor system configured to monitor parameter(s) associated with the operation of the discharge lamp and, if applicable, parameter(s) associated with the transmittance of the filter. Specifically, such a sensor system may be useful for determining when to replace the discharge lamp. If applicable, the filter may also be useful for monitoring the efficiency of the UV light emitted from the device, as this efficiency is related to UV intensity and dose. Generally, the parameter associated with the transmittance of the filter may be UV dose or UV intensity. The same parameter may be monitored for discharge lamp operation, but pulse count may be monitored in addition or alternatively, as discharge lamps generally guarantee a specific pulse count. In any case, when a sensor system is used to monitor parameter(s) associated with both discharge lamp operation and filter transmittance, the sensor system may be configured to monitor the same parameter or different parameters for both components. In some embodiments, the sensor system may include a single sensor configured to measure parameters associated with the discharge lamp and the optical filter. However, in other embodiments, the sensor system may include different sensors for measuring respective parameters of the discharge lamp and the optical filter.

The exemplary sensor system of device 20 of FIG1 includes a sensor 72 disposed on the underside of reflector system 60 and a sensor 74 disposed within the housing containing discharge lamp 22. Generally speaking, sensor 74 can be used to monitor parameters associated with the operation of discharge lamp 22, and in particular, can be used to monitor light emitted from discharge lamp 22 before passing through optical filter 40. While FIG1 illustrates sensor 74 positioned on a sidewall surface of cup-shaped portion 42, sensor 74 can be disposed within the housing of discharge lamp 22. In other embodiments, sensor 74 can be omitted from device 20. Specifically, in some embodiments, sensor 72 can be configured to monitor parameters associated with the operation of discharge lamp 22 (such as by counting pulses), and thus sensor 74 may not be required. In any case, sensor 72 can be used to monitor parameters associated with the transmittance of optical filter 40 and can be disposed anywhere on device 20 or near device 20 to receive light passing through optical filter 40. While FIG1 illustrates sensor 72 disposed on the underside of reflector system 60, such placement is exemplary.

As described above, in some situations, it may be advantageous to be able to position the filter in alignment or out of alignment with the discharge lamp, depending on the desired operation of the device. Example embodiments include those in which the device will be used in a variety of rooms, some with windows and some without. As described above, positioning the filter in alignment with the discharge lamp may be advantageous in a room with windows. However, in contrast, positioning the filter out of alignment with the discharge lamp in an enclosed room without windows to prevent unnecessary performance degradation of the filter may be beneficial. Specifically, because the visible light generated by the discharge lamp in the enclosed room will not be visible, filtering may not be required. Furthermore, as described above, due to overexposure, the ability of the filter to transmit ultraviolet radiation will decrease over the time it is exposed to UV radiation. Thus, having the ability to position the filter out of alignment with the discharge lamp can provide a means of extending the life of the filter for a given device.

Exemplary variations of the apparatus 20 configured to accommodate both aligned and misaligned placement of the optical filter with respect to the discharge lamp 22 are illustrated in Figures 2a-2c. Specifically, Figures 2a-2c illustrate variations in the placement of the optical filter 40 relative to its housing as a portion of the discharge lamp 22 in Figure 1. It should be noted that while Figures 2a-2c merely illustrate example configurations for accommodating both aligned and misaligned placement of the optical filter with respect to the discharge lamp, such exemplary discussion and drawings should not be construed as limiting the apparatus configurations described herein for such purposes. It should also be noted that while Figures 2a-2c depict variations of the apparatus 20 of Figure 1, Figures 2a-2c depict only a portion of the apparatus for simplicity of the drawings. Specifically, Figures 2a-2c depict only the placement of the optical filter 40 relative to the housing of the discharge lamp 22 within the support structure 24. It should be noted that features depicted in Figures 2a-2c that have the same configuration as described with reference to Figure 1 (i.e., discharge lamp 22, support structure 24, filter 40, and cup-shaped portion 42) are labeled with the same reference numerals, and for the sake of brevity, descriptions of such features are omitted. Because the embodiment of Figures 2a-2c does not include filter 40 as part of the housing of discharge lamp 22, each of Figures 2a-2c includes new features relative to Figure 1, particularly housing cover 32. Generally speaking, housing 32 can be made of a light-transmitting material such as, but not limited to, quartz.

As shown in FIG2a , a variation 80 of the device 20 may include an optical filter 40 disposed on the housing cover 32. In such a configuration, in some implementations, the optical filter 40 may simply be placed atop the support structure 24 (i.e., the portion of the support structure 24 that includes the housing cover 32) without a means for securing the optical filter 40 to the support structure. Alternatively, variation 80 may include a means for attaching the optical filter 40 to the support structure 24. In either case, placement of the optical filter 40 on the housing cover 32 may be manual or automated. FIG2b illustrates a slightly modified variation 84 of the device 20 relative to variation 80 in FIG2a . Specifically, FIG2b illustrates the inclusion of a hinge 86 mounted to one side of the optical filter 40. In this manner, the optical filter 40 may be disposed on the housing cover 82 and removed from such a position without disassembling the device. Hinge 86 can be configured to pivot filter 40 between 90 and 180 degrees relative to the position of filter 40 shown in FIG2b. Thus, filter 40 can be positioned between an upright position and a position on support structure 24 opposite discharge lamp 22 when moved from a position above the discharge lamp. Movement of filter 40 in such embodiments can be manual or automated. A different variation of apparatus 20 is depicted in FIG2c, as indicated by the horizontal double arrow, which arranges filter 40 on a slider for moving the filter into and out of alignment with discharge lamp 22 along the upper surface of support structure 24. Movement of filter 40 on the slider can be manual or automated.

Regardless of how the device 20 is configured to accommodate the optical filter 40 in and out of alignment with the discharge lamp 22, the device 20 can be configured to protect the optical filter 40 from exposure to UV light when misaligned with the discharge lamp 22. For example, in some embodiments, the device 20 can include a compartment in which the optical filter 40 can be placed when the filter 40 is removed from the device and/or repositioned therein. Additionally or alternatively, the device 20 can include a component for covering the optical filter 40 when the filter 40 becomes misaligned with the discharge lamp 22. In any case, as described above, each of the embodiments disclosed in Figures 2a-2c can be automated, so not only can the UV discharge lamp apparatus disclosed herein be configured to accommodate the optical filter in and out of alignment with the discharge lamp, but in some embodiments, the apparatus can include a device for automatically moving the optical filter into and out of alignment with the discharge lamp. Such a device can include any mechanism known in the art for moving an object. In some embodiments, the determination of whether to move the optical filter and/or the timing of moving the filter can be determined by the user of the device 20. Alternatively, however, the apparatus 20 may include program instructions executable by the CPU 32 such that the determination of whether to move the filter and/or the timing of moving the filter may be automatic.

As described above, in some embodiments, it may be advantageous to access and/or analyze room characteristics and use such information to determine operating parameters for device 20. Specifically, it may be advantageous to determine whether there is a window in the room where device 20 is located and determine the positioning of optical filter 40 based on this data. In this manner, in embodiments where a window is detected in the room where device 20 is located, optical filter 40 may be positioned aligned with discharge lamp 22 before operating the discharge lamp to generate light. Conversely, in embodiments where a window is not detected in the room where device 20 is located, optical filter 40 may be positioned misaligned with discharge lamp 22 before operating the discharge lamp to generate light. Note that optional configurations for influencing the movement of optical filter 40 may be in addition to or in place of the configurations described above for influencing the movement of reflector 62. As described above, device 20 may include or be configured to access a database listing characteristics of one or more rooms, and/or device 20 may include system 70 for collecting and/or generating data regarding characteristics of a room. Generally speaking, in such cases, any system known in the art for determining whether there is a window in a room may be used with system 70, such as, but not limited to, a reflectance sensor. As further described above, CPU 32 of device 20 may be configured to retrieve and/or access data, determine a position of filter 40 based on the data, relay the determined position to user interface 34, and/or send a command to a device in device 20 for automatically moving filter 40 based on the determined position.

FIG2c illustrates the optical features of apparatus 20 in conjunction with a slider including optical filter 40, particularly the housing of thermal recovery chamber 90 adjacent to support structure 24. As discussed above, due to overexposure, the ability of an optical filter to emit ultraviolet radiation decreases over time due to its exposure to UV radiation. However, in some cases, the effects of overexposure can be reversed by heating the optical filter at elevated temperatures (such as on the order of 500°C). While such a process can be performed independently of apparatus 20, in some embodiments, incorporating the process into apparatus 20 can be advantageous to reduce apparatus downtime and/or to eliminate the need to have filter replacements readily available while optical filter 40 is recovering. Due to the elevated temperatures required to reverse the effects of overexposure, it is preferable that thermal recovery chamber 90 be a separate chamber from support structure 24. Furthermore, it would be advantageous to configure thermal recovery chamber 90 to not only withstand but also substantially contain the heat generated therein to prevent thermal bonding/damage to components within support structure 24.

As indicated by the downward arrow in FIG. 2c , in some embodiments, the device 20 can be configured to move the optical filter 40 into the thermal resiliency chamber 90 . In other embodiments, this can be done manually. In either case, in some embodiments, the movement of the optical filter 40 into the thermal resiliency chamber 90 can be dependent on measurements taken regarding the transmittance of the optical filter 40 . Specifically, information regarding the transmittance of the optical filter 40 collected from the sensor 72 can be used to determine when to move the optical filter into the thermal resiliency chamber 90 . While the inclusion of a thermal resiliency chamber can be beneficial in some devices, it is not a requirement and, therefore, can be omitted in some embodiments. Furthermore, the features of the thermal resiliency chamber 90 and the optical filter 40 on the slider shown in FIG. 2c are neither mutually exclusive nor mutually inclusive for the device, and thus, the device can include one or both features. In fact, any of the devices described herein that include optical filters can include a thermal resiliency chamber, including the features described above with reference to FIG. 1 , FIG. 2a , and FIG. 2b , as well as the features described below with reference to FIG. 3-7 .

As mentioned above, the ultraviolet discharge lamp apparatus described herein is not limited to embodiments in which the discharge lamp is positioned (i.e., mounted) within the boundaries of the support structure depicted in FIG. 1 . Rather, the ultraviolet discharge lamp apparatus may alternatively be based on a discharge lamp that is at least partially external to the support structure. An exemplary embodiment of a variation of apparatus 20 in which discharge lamp 22 is external to support structure 24 is shown in FIG. 3 . As shown in FIG. 3 , variation 92 may include a different filter configuration than that shown in apparatus 20 in FIG. 1 , specifically, filter 94 replacing filter 40. In addition to being configured to attenuate visible light propagating above discharge lamp 22, filter 94 is configured to attenuate visible light propagating laterally of the discharge lamp to account for the placement of discharge lamp 22 above support structure 24. Due to this displacement of discharge lamp 22, in some embodiments, cup portion 42 may be omitted from support structure 24 shown in FIG. In such cases, in some embodiments shown in FIG. 3 , variation 92 may include a reflective surface 96 positioned below discharge lamp 22 to redirect light emitted from the bottom of discharge lamp 22 upward.

As further described above and as will be explained in more detail below, the ultraviolet discharge lamp apparatus described herein is not limited to embodiments in which the discharge lamp is arranged in a "horizontal position." Rather, the ultraviolet discharge lamp apparatus described herein may include discharge lamps arranged at any angle relative to the plane of the support structure supporting the discharge lamp. Examples of ultraviolet discharge lamps in which the discharge lamp is arranged in a "vertical position" (i.e., arranged longitudinally perpendicular to the plane of the apparatus supporting the lamp) are shown in Figures 4-7. Each of these examples includes the support structure, power circuitry, trigger circuitry, and accompanying optional components (e.g., a CPU, user interface, sensor, room characteristic system, hinge, slider, and/or thermal recovery chamber) described in Figure 1. However, for the sake of brevity and to emphasize the different configurations of the depicted filter and reflector systems and the placement of the discharge lamp, such features are not depicted in Figures 4-7. Furthermore, for the sake of brevity, each of these features is not described with reference to Figures 4-7.

4 , apparatus 100 is shown having a discharge lamp assembly supported above a support structure 102 and arranged longitudinally perpendicular to the plane of the support structure 102. The discharge lamp assembly includes a discharge lamp 104 surrounded by an optical filter 106 and positioned vertically between a fan 108 and an ozone filter 119. Additionally, the discharge lamp assembly includes a base 110 and an air filter 112 supported on the base 114. In some embodiments, the optical filter 106 can be a housing wall that encloses the discharge lamp 104 and, together with the fan 108, constitutes a forced air cooling system for the apparatus 100. The apparatus 100 also includes a reflector 118 attached to the ozone filter 119 on top of the optical filter 106. The characteristics of the reflector 118, the discharge lamp 104, and the cooling system of the apparatus 100, as well as the optical characteristics of the optical filter, can generally include those described above for all of the ultraviolet discharge lamp apparatuses considered herein and are not further described for the sake of brevity. As with the embodiments described above, several of the components included in the apparatus 100 may be replaced and/or omitted for other configurations of the ultraviolet discharge lamp apparatus described herein, particularly the optical filter 108, the reflector 118, the ozone filter 119, and the cooling system of the apparatus 100. Thus, the collection and configuration of components depicted in FIG4 are not necessarily mutually exclusive.

Furthermore, it should be noted that the apparatus 100 may include additional components (i.e., components other than those depicted in FIG. 4 ). For example, in some embodiments, the apparatus 100 may include a light-transmissive intermediate barrier disposed between and separated from the discharge lamp 104 and the optical filter 106. An exemplary material for the intermediate barrier may be quartz, but its composition is not so limited. The intermediate barrier may be a wall of a housing enclosing the discharge lamp 104 and, thus, may be positioned vertically between the fan 108 and the ozone filter 119 and the cooling system of the apparatus 100. In such a case, the optical filter 106 surrounds the intermediate barrier as a separate glass piece separated from the intermediate barrier and is secured to the base 110, the fan 108, and/or the reflector 118. Including an intermediate barrier between the discharge lamp 104 and the optical filter 106 may be advantageous when it is desired to be able to align and dealign the optical filter 108 with the discharge lamp 104, or when it is desired to allow the optical filter 108 to move independently of the discharge lamp 104 during operation of the apparatus. In particular, the intermediate barrier may be part of the housing of the discharge lamp 104 , allowing the filter to be moved without sacrificing the cooling system of the discharge lamp 104 .

As described in more detail below, in some embodiments it may be advantageous to move (e.g., rotate or swing) the optical filter of the device described herein about a central axis during operation of the device. However, it is generally not desirable to move the discharge lamp in the same manner due to concerns about damage to the discharge lamp. Therefore, in some embodiments, the optical filter 106 may be fixed to the base 110 or the fan 108, but may be separated from the reflector 118, or vice versa. In such cases, the device 100 may include an additional component coupled to the optical filter 106 that is configured to block light, particularly visible light, in a gap between the optical filter 106 and the base, the fan 108, or the reflector 118. An exemplary component that may be particularly suitable for such functionality may be a dense collection of bristles.

In any case, while the amount and rate of cooling gas emitted from the device can vary greatly and may generally depend on the device's design specifications, in some embodiments, the amount and rate of gas may be sufficient to trigger a sprinkler system in a room, particularly when the cooling system's exhaust duct is directed toward the ceiling (as discovered during the development of the device described herein). Thus, in some cases, the device 100 may include a cover assembly spaced above the discharge lamp assembly to allow air to escape from the sides of the device rather than from above. An exemplary configuration of the cover assembly is shown in FIG5 and described in more detail below. An alternative solution for preventing the sprinkler system from being triggered by the exhaust of the cooling system is to reduce the gas flow rate through the lamp assembly, if doing so does not cause the discharge lamp to exceed the recommended maximum operating temperature. Conversely, reducing the gas flow rate (i.e., even if it does not cause the discharge lamp to exceed the maximum operating temperature) may not be desirable in some cases, as operating the discharge lamp at a cooler temperature provides the lamp with a longer lifespan and theoretically generates more UV light.

FIG5 illustrates a variation 115 of device 100 having a cover assembly 117 positioned above the device's lamp emission assembly, particularly above the outlet of a cooling system within the lamp emission assembly, so that gases exhausted therefrom can be directed to the side of the device rather than above it. As shown in FIG5 , the cover assembly 117 can be domed to prevent objects from being placed thereon. This domed configuration is not limited to embodiments in which the device includes a cover assembly above the discharge lamp assembly. Specifically, in some cases, the top of the discharge lamp assembly can be domed to allow for objects to be placed thereon. Furthermore, the inclusion of the cover assembly 117 is not mutually exclusive with embodiments in which the ozone filter 119 comprises the entire top portion of the discharge lamp assembly, as shown in FIG5 . Specifically, any of the devices disclosed herein may include a component separated from the outlet of its cooling system to direct gases exhausted therefrom.

As shown in FIG4 , in some embodiments, the apparatus 100 may include a linear actuator 116 coupled to the base 114. Generally speaking, the linear actuator 116 can be used to move the discharge lamp assembly and attached reflector 118 into and out of the support structure 102. Such a configuration can be advantageous for protecting the discharge lamp assembly and attached reflector from damage when the apparatus 100 is not in use, particularly when being transported. In other embodiments, the linear actuator 116 can be used to move the discharge lamp assembly and attached reflector while the apparatus 100 is in operation, and in some cases, while the discharge lamp 104 is emitting light. Specifically, in some embodiments, enabling the discharge lamp assembly and attached reflector to move while the apparatus 100 is in operation can be advantageous to aid in the distribution of ultraviolet light within the room in which the apparatus is deployed. Other means of effecting movement of the discharge lamp assembly and attached reflector can be used, and thus, the apparatus contemplated herein is not necessarily limited to the linear actuator 116 for such purposes. For example, the apparatus 100 may alternatively include a fixed track along which the discharge lamp assembly and attached reflector can be moved. In any case, configurations in which the discharge lamp assembly is moved during operation of the apparatus are not mutually exclusive with embodiments in which the apparatus includes a reflector attached to and/or above the discharge lamp assembly.

Because the device 100 is configured so that the discharge lamp 104 extends beyond the outer surface of the support structure 102, the optical filter 106 is configured to surround the discharge lamp 104 and, in some cases, may be cylindrical, as shown in FIG. Such configurations of the optical filter 106 may include filter glass in the form of a perfect circular cylinder, or may include a film having optical properties disposed on a transparent perfect circular cylindrical substrate (such as, for example, quartz). Other optical filter configurations surrounding the discharge lamp 104 are also possible, as described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 6 and 7 . In still other cases, the optical filter 106 may be omitted from the device 100. Specifically, as described above, while the inclusion of an optical filter may be beneficial in some of the devices described herein, it is not necessarily a requirement and, therefore, may be omitted in some embodiments.

A benefit of configuring the apparatus 100 so that the discharge lamp 104 extends beyond the outer surface of the support structure 102 is that the ultraviolet light emitted from the discharge lamp 104 and passing through the optical filter 108 (if applicable) surrounds the outer surface of the apparatus without necessarily accommodating the reflector 118. Specifically, the extension of the discharge lamp 104 beyond the outer surface of the support structure 102 inherently causes the ultraviolet light emitted from the discharge lamp 104 and passing through the optical filter 108 (if applicable) to surround the lamp housing, which comprises the outer surface of the apparatus. Depending on the height of the support structure 102 and the height of the discharge lamp assembly, the extension of the discharge lamp 104 beyond the outer surface of the support structure 102 may also cause the ultraviolet light emitted from the discharge lamp 104 to surround the support structure 102. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the extension of the discharge lamp 104 beyond the outer surface of the support structure 102 may allow the ultraviolet light to propagate to areas between approximately 2 feet and approximately 4 feet from the floor in which the apparatus 100 is disposed, which, as described above, may be considered high-touch areas in a room requiring particularly effective disinfection. In still other cases, although suspending the discharge lamp 104 above the support structure 102 may be beneficial for distributing light around the device 100, the placement of the discharge lamp 104 is not so limited. Specifically, the discharge lamp 104 may alternatively be arranged above the support structure 102 or may be partially disposed with the support structure 102.

Because extending the discharge lamp beyond the outer surface of the support structure is effective for propagating light around the device, a reflector system for redirecting UV light propagating away from the device may not be required in some embodiments of the devices described herein, particularly for devices with vertically positioned discharge lamps. However, in some cases, such a reflector system may be included in the device 100 shown in FIG4 . As described above, the reflector system of device 100 may include a reflector 118 attached to an ozone filter 119 on top of the optical filter 106. While such a configuration may be advantageous for moving the reflector 118 along with the discharge lamp assembly (i.e., vertically into and out of the support structure 102), the device configuration is not limited thereto. Specifically, the reflector 118 may be removably attached to and detached from the discharge lamp assembly of device 100. Such a configuration may be advantageous in embodiments where it is desirable to move the reflector independently of the discharge lamp assembly, such as for optimizing the redirection of UV light to a specific area. As shown in FIG5 , another alternative configuration of device 100 includes a reflector 118 and an ozone filter 119 having the same or similar diameters and positioned vertically relative to each other. Specifically, FIG5 shows a variation 115 of the device 100 in which the ozone filter 119 comprises the top portion of the discharge lamp assembly and the reflector 118 comprises the bottom portion of the assembly. Such a configuration can advantageously allow more air to flow through the lamp housing, thereby providing a more efficient cooling system. In still other embodiments, the ozone filter 119 can be omitted from the device 100 and replaced with an air filter and/or an optical filter.

In any case, reflector 118 can be circular as shown in FIG. 4 and, in some embodiments, can be particularly conical. However, other shapes are contemplated for reflector 118. In some embodiments, reflector 118 can include a hole so that some ultraviolet light can propagate above device 100. In any case, in some embodiments, device 100 can include additional components for redirecting ultraviolet light propagating from discharge lamp 104 and/or reflector 118. For example, in some embodiments, device 100 can include a reflector that is supported around the base of the discharge lamp assembly. In some cases, the additional reflector can be attached to the discharge lamp assembly so that the additional reflector moves with the discharge lamp assembly. In other embodiments, the additional reflector can be attached to the upper surface of support structure 102 and the discharge lamp assembly can move therethrough. Regarding the shape of reflector 118, in some cases, the additional reflector can be circular or even conical, but other shapes are also contemplated. Regardless of the configuration of the reflector 118 or even its accommodation within the apparatus 100, the base supporting the discharge lamp 104 (eg, the top of the fan 108) may include the reflector.

As described above, other filter configurations surrounding the discharge lamp 104 may be used with the ultraviolet discharge lamp apparatus disclosed herein and illustrated in Figures 6 and 7. It is noted that the apparatus variations illustrated in Figures 6 and 7 are used to emphasize that different filter configurations may not be contemplated for the apparatus described herein. Although not shown, the apparatus variations illustrated in Figures 6 and 7 may include any of the components illustrated and discussed with reference to Figures 1-5. For example, a variation may include any of the components of the lamp assembly described with reference to Figure 4, as well as the reflector 118. Furthermore, the dimensions of the ozone filter 119 in Figures 6 and 7 may be varied from that illustrated, and/or the ozone filter may be omitted from the configuration of Figures 6 and 7, depending on the design specifications of the apparatus.

FIG6 illustrates a variation 120 of apparatus 100 in which a multifaceted filter 122 surrounds a discharge lamp 104. FIG6 illustrates multifaceted filter 122 disposed on support structure 102, but such an arrangement is exemplary. Multifaceted filter 122 may alternatively be suspended above support structure 102, as shown and depicted for filter 106 in FIG4 . In still other configurations, multifaceted filter 122 and the accompanying discharge lamp 104 may be partially disposed within support structure 102. In any case, the multifaceted filter generally comprises a plurality of filter panels fused together. While multifaceted filter 122 is illustrated as comprising six panels, it is not so limited. Specifically, the multifaceted filters contemplated for use in the apparatus herein may include any number of filter panels. Furthermore, the filter panels may be supported by a filter glass material or may comprise a light-transmissive substrate, such as, for example, quartz, having a film having desired optical properties disposed thereon. In either case, in some embodiments, the filter panel can include narrow strips of different materials (such as metal or plastic) for structural support. In some cases, one or more of these narrow support strips can partially or fully include a reflective material to assist in redirecting light emitted from a discharge lamp around which the support strip is arranged.

In some embodiments, multifaceted filters can be less expensive than perfect circular cone filters, particularly for embodiments in which the filters are made of filter glass material. However, a disadvantage of using multifaceted filters can be that UV light is blocked where the plates are fused and/or where the support strips are positioned, and thus areas of the room where the device is located may not be adequately disinfected. One way to overcome this disadvantage is to move the multifaceted filter during operation of the device. Specifically, the multifaceted filter can be moved about a central axis so that UV light transmitted to the area surrounding the device 100 during operation can collectively occupy the entirety of the surrounding area. The multifaceted filter can rotate one full revolution or more during operation of the device, or it can rotate less than one revolution during operation of the device. In some embodiments, the multifaceted filter can move a fraction of a revolution, where the fraction corresponds to the number of optical panels comprising the multifaceted filter. For example, in an embodiment in which the multifaceted filter comprises six optical panels, the multifaceted filter can move one-sixth of a revolution.

In any case, some of the devices described herein may include a mechanism for moving the filter about a central axis. Such a mechanism may include any mechanism known in the art for moving an object, and in further embodiments may also include program instructions executable by CPU 32, such that the timing of the movement of the filter about the central axis can be automated. As described above, while in some embodiments it may be advantageous to move the filter about the central axis around the ultraviolet discharge lamp device described herein during operation of the device, it is generally undesirable to move the discharge lamp in the same manner due to concerns about damage to the discharge lamp. Therefore, in some embodiments, variant 120 may include an intermediate barrier between discharge lamp 104 and multi-faceted filter 122. As described above, this intermediate barrier may be part of a housing surrounding discharge lamp 104. Alternatively, multi-faceted filter 122 may be configured to move independently of this intermediate barrier.

In still other embodiments, multifaceted filter 122 may not be configured to move about the central axis during operation of the device. Specifically, light propagating from adjacent filter panels of multifaceted filter 122 can theoretically converge at the same point, thus allowing ultraviolet light to surround the outer surface of device 100 without causing multifaceted filter 122 to move about the central axis during operation of device 100. In still other embodiments, discharge lamp 104 may include a configuration that counteracts potential obstruction from the fused regions of the filter panels and/or the support strips disposed on multifaceted filter 122. For example, discharge lamp 104 may include a U-shaped bulb with a spacing between the two "cuts" of the U that is greater than the width of the fused region and/or the support strips. In any of these scenarios, device 100 can be said to be configured such that at least some of the ultraviolet light emitted from discharge lamp 104 and passing through multifaceted filter 122 surrounds the outer surface of the device. Alternatively, it may be determined that coverage gaps caused by fused areas of the filter panel and/or where the support strips of multifaceted filter 122 are placed may not be significant, and thus movement of multifaceted filter 122 may not be required.

Figure 7 shows yet another configuration of an optical filter that may be used within the devices contemplated herein. Specifically, Figure 7 shows a variation 124 of the device 100 having an assembly of an optical filter 126 and a reflector 128 surrounding a discharge lamp 104. As shown in Figure 7, in some embodiments, the optical filter 126 and the reflector 128 may have approximately equal dimensions along the cylindrical sidewall of the assembly. However, other configurations are possible, including configurations in which the optical filter 126 is larger than the portion of the reflector 128 along the sidewall of the assembly and configurations in which the optical filter 126 is smaller than the portion of the reflector 128 along the sidewall of the assembly. Thus, a more general description of an optical filter/reflector assembly that may be contemplated for use with the devices described herein may be an assembly that includes a filter and a reflector opposite the filter, or vice versa.

As shown in Figure 7, in some cases, reflector 128 may also comprise the top portion of the assembly. However, other configurations for the assembly's top portion are contemplated, including alternatively comprising filter 126, or comprising a combination of reflector 128 and filter 126. Note also that the shape of the filter/reflector assembly is not limited to the perfectly circular cylindrical shape shown in Figure 7. Rather, one or more of reflector 128 and filter 126 may comprise multiple panels, thus allowing the assembly to have a variable cylindrical shape in some cases. Additionally or alternatively, the top portion of the assembly may be sloped, or more generally, have varying heights. Such a configuration may be particularly advantageous when at least a portion of the top portion comprises reflector 128, thereby redirecting UV light downward to a desired area within a room. Additionally or alternatively, such a configuration may be advantageous for preventing exhaust from the equipment's cooling system from being routed directly to the ceiling of the room in which the equipment is located.

In any case, the filter/reflector assembly of Figure 7 can be effective for targeting a specific area in a room adjacent to the device (such as an area with a high density of objects). In some embodiments, the filter/reflector assembly can be configured to move. For example, in some cases, the filter/reflector assembly can be configured to swing. Such a configuration can be advantageous when a given target area is larger than the span over which the filter/reflector assembly can effectively emit ultraviolet light (when it is stationary). In other embodiments, the filter/reflector assembly can be configured to rotate. In any case, in some embodiments, the movement of the filter/reflector assembly can be based on the characteristics of the room in which the device 100 is arranged. For example, if a relatively high number of objects in a room are in the same general area, it can be beneficial to position the filter/reflector assembly so that light is directed to that specific area compared to other areas of the room.

Similar to the device 20 described with reference to Figures 1 and 2a-2c, the device 100 may include or be configured to access a database listing characteristics of one or more rooms, and/or the device 100 may include a system 70 for collecting and/or generating data about the characteristics of a room. Any system known in the art for generating, collecting, and/or analyzing the characteristics of a room may be used. Examples include dosimeters, spatial sensors, and/or photo recognition systems. In some cases, the device 100 may also include a CPU 32 to retrieve the data, determine the position of the filter/reflector assembly based on the data, relay the determined position to the user interface 34, and/or send commands to a device in the device 100 for automatically moving the filter/reflector assembly based on the determined position.

In addition to or in lieu of the features described above, in some embodiments, the ultraviolet discharge lamp apparatus described herein may include multiple discharge lamps. Such apparatuses may include filters and/or reflective systems for each discharge lamp in accordance with the descriptions of such features provided above. In some embodiments, the apparatus may include discharge lamps having filters configured to attenuate a substantial portion of the visible light emitted from the discharge lamps, and also include discharge lamps without filters positioned near the discharge lamps. Such configurations may be advantageous for reducing the use of the discharge lamps, depending on whether it is desired to attenuate visible light during operation of the apparatus. In some cases, some or all of the multiple discharge lamps may be operated by the same power circuit and/or the same trigger circuit. In other embodiments, the apparatus may include different power circuits and/or different trigger circuits for each discharge lamp. In either case, it is contemplated herein that multiple apparatuses, each having one or more discharge lamps, may be configured to operate in communication with one another (i.e., to form a system) to disinfect a room. FIG8 illustrates an exemplary system 130 including multiple ultraviolet discharge lamp apparatuses 132 and 142, each including a discharge lamp assembly 134 and 144 and a sensor 136 and 146, respectively. The dashed line between devices 132 and 142 indicates that these units may be configured to communicate with each other and/or may be connected via a central processing unit.

In any case, a device with multiple discharge lamps or a system with multiple discharge lamps can be configured to operate the discharge lamps simultaneously, in sequential operation of the device/system, or in distinct operations. Operating multiple discharge lamps simultaneously can advantageously reduce the time required to treat an area. To further minimize the time required to treat an area while preventing an area from being "overdosed" with too much UV light, the device/system can be configured to modify operating parameters of the device/system, such as the intensity or pulse frequency of each lamp, based on the characteristics of the room in which the device/system is deployed or based on the UV light reflected from a target object. This can involve a database or one or more sensors, sometimes a sensor for each discharge lamp unit, to determine the characteristics of the room or the amount or intensity of UV light reflected from a target object. In some cases, the device/system can include ultrasonic, infrared, or other sensors to map the room in which the device/system is deployed, and in some embodiments can be configured to map the room with respect to each discharge lamp unit. Such mapping variations can also be included in devices that include a single discharge lamp, which are not necessarily part of a multi-device system.

In any case, the device/system's CPU can be configured to analyze the map(s) and determine the necessary UV dose to achieve the minimum dose on all target surfaces. Additionally, the CPU of a multi-lamp device/system can be configured to allocate power to each discharge lamp to optimize the total treatment time for the room. This can also be achieved using feedback from sensors used to measure reflected UV light. Information from all sensors (e.g., emitted UV light, room size/shape, and the positioning of all lamp units) can be fed into a formula or algorithm that determines the total operating time for each lamp unit. This allows power to be transferred to the unit that optimizes the decontamination rate within a region. For example, in a system configuration, two units can be used to treat different sections of an area, or even different rooms. When the sensor detects that one of these sections has received the required UV dose, the corresponding unit will shut down. In some embodiments, the remaining units can receive the transferred power and can pulse at a higher frequency (if desired). The sensor system can be sophisticated enough to detect the presence of a common space between different sections and further designate a second unit to treat that common space, thereby excluding that area from the first unit's dose calculation. Additionally, operating time can be optimized by varying the directionality of the emitted UV light of each bulb unit (through changes in reflector height, orientation, and/or shape).

In some embodiments, the device or system can be created to move around a room to provide multiple focal points of UV light distribution. In such cases, information obtained through room sensing (via ultrasound or infrared sensors or reflected UV light) can be used to guide the movement of the device/system around the room. The device/system can use motorized wheels to move and have sensors to maneuver around obstacles. The device/system can "learn" a room by sensing in real time as it moves, mapping the received dose on each surface as it moves. The device/system can also be manually pushed around the room by the user while the device/system maps the room, and the device/system's CPU can then analyze the map and determine the correct dose for each location of the device/system's operation. The map and dose requirements can be used to change the speed at which the mobile device/system will pass over different surfaces.

Turning to Figures 9-11, a system for controlling the operation of a sterilization device, and more specifically, a system for determining operating parameters and a sterilization schedule for the sterilization device, is provided. Specifically, Figure 9 depicts a system including one or more sterilization sources and a processing subsystem having processor-executable program instructions for determining the operating parameters and sterilization schedule for the one or more sterilization sources. Additionally, Figure 10 depicts a flowchart outlining another method for processor-executable program instructions that can be configured to execute the system depicted in Figure 9. Additionally, Figure 11 depicts a flowchart outlining another method for processor-executable program instructions that can be configured to execute the system depicted in Figure 9. In general, the systems and processes described with reference to Figures 9-11 may be applicable to any system that includes a sterilization source. As used herein, the term "sterilization source" refers to a collection of one or more components used to generate and dispense sterilant, and, if applicable, includes any additional components used to perform the sterilant generation or dispensing. In some embodiments, a device or apparatus may include a single collection of components used to generate sterilant. In such cases, the components associated with generating the sterilant may be referred to as the sterilization source, or alternatively, the device or apparatus as a whole may be referred to as the sterilization source. In other embodiments, the apparatus or device may include a multi-feed disinfection source (ie, a collection of multiple components for generating multiple sources of one or more disinfectants).

In any case, the term "disinfectant," as used herein, refers to an agent used to inactivate or kill microorganisms, particularly pathogen-carrying and/or pathogen-producing microorganisms (a.k.a., bacteria). As used herein, the term "kill" means to cause the death of an organism. In contrast, the term "inactivate," as used herein, means to render an organism incapable of replication rather than to kill. Thus, a disinfectant configured to inactivate microorganisms refers to an agent that renders microorganisms incapable of replication but allows the organism to survive. Generally speaking, the disinfection source(s) contemplated for use in the systems and processes described in Figures 9-11 can be configured to generate disinfectants in the form of liquids, vapors, gases, plasmas, ultraviolet light, and/or high-intensity narrow-spectrum (HINS) light. Thus, the disinfection source(s) contemplated for use in the systems or processes disclosed in Figures 9-11 may include, but are not necessarily limited to, the discharge lamp apparatus described above with reference to Figures 1-8. Examples of disinfection sources that can be configured to dispense liquid, vapor, gas, or plasma disinfectants include, but are not necessarily limited to, liquid sprayers, atomizers, plasma torches, and misting systems, including wet and dry mist systems. As used herein, the term "mist" refers to a suspension of tiny spheres of liquid in a gas. As used herein, a germicidal mist is classified as a liquid germicide.

In some embodiments, a liquid, vapor, gas, or plasma sterilant can be endowed with deactivating or killing functionality by the manner in which it is used. For example, boiling water, steam, and heated air are generally effective sterilants due to the temperatures at which they are employed. Furthermore, the germicidal effectiveness of some plasma sterilants is primarily due to the presence and activity of the charged particles that make up the plasma rather than the molecular composition of these charged particles. As used herein, the phrase "molecularly configured to" refers to the elemental composition of a substance (i.e., the number and type of atoms that make up the substance) that imparts the functionality stated after the phrase. In some cases, the deactivating and/or microbiocidal functionality of a liquid, vapor, gas, or plasma sterilant can be attributed to the elements that make up the sterilant, and thus, such sterilants may be referred to as being molecularly configured to deactivate and/or kill microorganisms.

An example of a gas sterilant whose molecules are configured to kill microorganisms is ozone. An example of a plasma sterilant whose molecules are configured to deactivate or kill microorganisms is a plasma sterilant that employs or generates reactive oxygen species. Examples of liquid and steam sterilants whose molecules are configured to deactivate or kill microorganisms include liquid and steam sterilants having a primary disinfectant such as, but not limited to, a bleach component, hydrogen peroxide, chlorine, alcohol, a quaternary ammonium compound, or ozone. In any of these cases, the liquid and steam sterilants can be aqueous or non-aqueous. It is noted that the disinfection source(s) contemplated for use in the systems and processes disclosed in Figures 9-11 may include disinfection sources configured to impart deactivation or killing functionality by means of a sterilant employed by the sterilant's molecular configuration.

9 , system 150 is shown as including disinfection source(s) 160 and optional disinfection sources 162 and 164. Specifically, the dashed lines that delimit disinfection sources 162 and 164 indicate that these disinfection sources are optional features of system 150. In general, system 150 can include any number of disinfection sources, including only one disinfection source or any plurality of disinfection sources. Moreover, system 150 can include any number of devices or apparatuses that include one or more disinfection sources. Specifically, in some cases, system 150 can include a single disinfection device or apparatus having one or more disinfection sources. In other embodiments, system 150 can include multiple disinfection devices or apparatuses, each having one or more disinfection sources, as shown in FIG9 .

In any case, the disinfection source(s) within system 150 may be fixedly arranged in the room or may be portable. In embodiments where system 150 includes multiple disinfection sources, fewer than all of the disinfection sources may be fixedly arranged in the room, and the other disinfection sources may be portable. In other embodiments where system 150 includes multiple disinfection sources, the disinfection sources of all of the disinfection sources may be fixedly arranged in the room, or all of the disinfection sources may be portable. Moreover, as described above, the disinfection source(s) contemplated for use in the systems and processes described in Figures 9-11 may be configured to generate liquid, steam, gas, plasma, ultraviolet light, and/or high-intensity narrow spectrum (HINS) light-type sterilants. It should be noted that in embodiments where system 150 includes multiple disinfection sources, the disinfection source(s) may be any combination of sources configured to generate liquid, steam, gas, plasma, ultraviolet light, and/or high-intensity narrow spectrum (HINS) light-type sterilants or may exclusively include disinfection sources of the same type.

As described in more detail below, the process for determining the operating parameters and disinfection schedule for disinfection source 160 and optional disinfection sources 162 and 164 based on the characteristics of the room in which system 150 is arranged is summarized in Figures 10 and 11. Accordingly, the disinfection source(s) of system 150 and the equipment and devices including the disinfection source(s) can be specifically configured for room disinfection. Specifically, the disinfection source(s) of system 150 and the equipment and devices including the disinfection source(s) can be configured to distribute the disinfectant in a broad manner to treat the room. As used herein, the term "room disinfection" refers to the cleaning of a bounded area that is suitable for human use to deactivate, eliminate, or prevent the growth of pathogen-carrying microorganisms in the area. It is noted that the room disinfection devices and apparatus described herein, particularly those contemplated for use with the systems and processes described with reference to Figures 9-11, can include various configurations, including floor-based, wall-based, and ceiling-based configurations.

As further shown in FIG9 , system 150 includes a processing subsystem 152 having a processor 156 and program instructions 154 executable by processor 156. As described in more detail below with reference to FIG10 and 11 , program instructions 154 can be configured to determine operating parameters and/or disinfection schedules for the disinfection sources comprising system 150 (e.g., disinfection source 160 and disinfection sources 162 and 164 (if applicable)). As used herein, the term "program instructions" can generally refer to commands within a program configured to perform specific functions, such as receiving input, recording signal reception, determining when and/or whether to allow a device to initiate operation, and sending signals to initiate and/or terminate operation of a device. Program instructions can be implemented in any of a variety of ways, including, among other things, procedure-based, component-based, and/or object-oriented technologies. For example, program instructions can be implemented using ActiveX controls, C++ objects, JavaBeans, Microsoft Foundation Classes ("MFC"), or other technologies or methodologies, as desired. Program instructions that implement the processes described herein can be transmitted over a carrier medium such as a wire, cable, or wireless transmission link.

In some embodiments, the processing subsystem 152 can be a single processing unit connected to each of the disinfection source(s) of the system 150 and, therefore, can be considered a central processing unit, particularly when the system 150 includes multiple disinfection sources. In such cases, in other embodiments, the processing subsystem 152 can be a separate entity from the device(s) or apparatus(es) comprising the disinfection source(s) of the system 150 as shown in FIG9 . In still other cases, the processing subsystem 152 can be located within the device(s) or apparatus(es) comprising the disinfection source(s) of the system 150. In still other embodiments, the processing subsystem 152 can include multiple processors, each of which is located on a different device(s) or apparatus(es) comprising the disinfection source(s) of the system 150. In such cases, the processing subsystem 152 can be at least partially distributed among the devices or apparatus(es) comprising the multiple disinfection sources. In some embodiments, each device or apparatus(es) comprising the disinfection source(s) of the system 150 can include a processor and program instructions 154.

Turning to FIG10, a flow chart outlining a process for determining one or more operating parameters of one or more disinfection sources of a sterilization system based on characteristics of a room in which one or more disinfection sources are disposed is provided. As shown in block 170 of FIG10, the method includes receiving data regarding characteristics of a room in which one or more disinfection sources are disposed. Such a process may include accessing a database containing the data, as indicated by block 172, and/or receiving data from one or more sensors within the room that generate the data, as indicated by block 174. In the latter case, in some embodiments, the one or more sensors may be independent of the disinfection source(s) and the processing subsystem of the sterilization system. In other cases, one or more of the sensors may be located within one or more of the disinfection sources or within the processing subsystem of the sterilization system (if separate from the disinfection source(s)).

In general, the phrase "properties of a room" as used herein refers to the physical and non-physical properties of a room. The non-physical properties of a room include, but are not necessarily limited to, an identifier used to refer to the room (e.g., room number and/or room name) and occupancy information about the room (e.g., infection information of patients who previously occupied the room or are listed as patients who are about to occupy the room). The physical properties of a room include, but are not necessarily limited to, the size and/or volume of the room and/or the number, size, distance, position, reflectivity, and/or identification or priority of the surfaces and/or objects in the room. In some cases, the physical properties of a room can be the identification of one or more pathological mechanisms (i.e., detection via sampling analysis), and sometimes the number or concentration of such mechanisms in the room, in a specific area of the room, or on a specific surface in the room. The phrase "operating parameters of a disinfection source" as used herein refers to any parameter that can affect the operation of a disinfection source, including but not limited to the operating time of the disinfection source, the positioning of the disinfection source, the orientation of the components of the disinfection source, the sterilization dose delivery parameters of the disinfection source, and/or the power provided to the disinfection source.

As further shown in block 180 of FIG10 , the method further includes determining one or more individual operating parameters of one or more disinfection sources based on the received data regarding the characteristics of the room. In general, there are a number of ways in which such a process may be performed. Specifically, in some embodiments, the process may involve accessing a database comprising a list of room attributes and corresponding predetermined operating parameters for one or more disinfection sources. For example, non-physical attributes of a room (such as a room number, a room name, or occupancy information about the room) may be entered into a user interface of the disinfection system, and such data entry may initiate access to the aforementioned database to determine the operating parameters for one or more disinfection sources.

Specifically, a pre-assigned room identifier (such as "108" or "Operating Room") can be entered into a user interface (such as by key entry or scanning a barcode), and one or more operating parameters of one or more disinfection sources arranged in such room can be determined from a database summarizing such relevant information. Such embodiments may be particularly suitable for disinfection systems that include one or more portable disinfection devices and are thereby used in multiple different rooms. Another example includes entering occupancy information about the room (e.g., infection information of patients who previously occupied the room or patients who are scheduled to occupy the room) into a user interface, and one or more operating parameters of one or more disinfection sources can be determined from such information. Such embodiments are particularly useful when the patient who previously occupied the room was diagnosed with a spore infection and/or was treated for it, or when the incoming patient is known to have a low immune system (such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)). In such cases, the operating parameters determined for one or more disinfection sources can be based on the patient's illness.

In some cases, the aforementioned process can be augmented by taking into account the number and/or type of disinfection sources or devices arranged in the room. Specifically, in addition to inputting the non-physical attributes of the room (such as the room number, room name, or occupancy information about the room) into the user interface, the number and/or type of disinfection sources or devices arranged in the room can also be input into the user interface to determine one or more operating parameters of one or more disinfection sources. In such cases, the database accessing such entries may include additional fields regarding the number and/or type of disinfection sources applicable to each listed room attribute and each disinfection source, corresponding to different one or more operating parameter sets. In some cases, a specific disinfection source may be selected for use based on the characteristics of the room. It should be noted that the aforementioned embodiment is applicable not only to sterilization systems that exclusively have one or more portable disinfection devices, but also to sterilization systems that have one or more portable disinfection devices combined with a disinfection source fixedly placed in the room. In the latter of such embodiments, in some cases, the operating parameters listed in the database can be preset based on the known positioning of the fixedly placed disinfection sources in the room.

It should be noted that accessing the database to determine one or more operating parameters of one or more disinfection sources is not limited to non-physical properties of the room (such as a room identifier or occupancy information of the room). Specifically, the database may additionally or alternatively include a list of values or ranges of one or more physical properties (such as the size and/or volume of the room and/or the number, size, distance, position, reflectivity and/or identification or priority of surfaces and/or objects in the room) and the corresponding predetermined operating parameters of one or more disinfection sources that may be arranged in the room. Such embodiments may also be augmented by considering the number and/or type of disinfection sources or devices arranged in the room to determine one or more operating parameters of the disinfection source(s).

In any case, the physical properties may be input via a user interface or may be obtained via one or more sensors within the room. An example of an embodiment that may be applicable to the foregoing scenario is when the room dimensions are obtained and the accessible database includes different run times, different sterilant delivery rates, and/or different power levels to be provided to the disinfection source for different room sizes or ranges of room sizes. Specifically, a relatively large room will most likely require a longer and/or more efficient sterilant exposure than a smaller room, and therefore, it would be advantageous to contemplate setting the run time, sterilant delivery rate, and/or power level to be provided to the disinfection source based on the dimensions of the room. Other correlations of room characteristics with operating parameters of the disinfection source may be contemplated for use in the database, and thus, the foregoing examples are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure provided herein.

An alternative approach to determining one or more operating parameters of one or more disinfection sources based on the characteristics of the room is to employ an algorithm that correlates such variables. In some embodiments, the algorithm determines one or more operating parameters of one or more disinfection sources based solely on the physical characteristics of the room. In other cases, the algorithm may determine one or more operating parameters of one or more disinfection sources based on a combination of physical and non-physical characteristics of the room. In any embodiment, a particular disinfection source may be selected for use based on the characteristics of the room, particularly through the use of the algorithm, to additionally or alternatively determine the operating parameters of one or more disinfection sources. As with the database embodiment described above, in some embodiments, the algorithm may be based on the number and/or type of disinfection equipment arranged in the room in addition to the characteristics of the room. Although not necessarily so limited, employing an algorithm-based process may be advantageous when multiple room characteristics influence the determination of the operating parameters of one or more disinfection sources. Additionally or alternatively, it may be advantageous when multiple operating parameters are to be determined and/or when separate operating parameters are to be determined for multiple disinfection sources. Specifically, the range of correlated variables becomes more complex as more variables come into play, thus making an algorithm more suitable than a database in such situations.

In some cases, the room characteristic data received at block 170 of FIG. 10 may be used to identify locations, areas, objects, and/or surfaces within the room, as indicated by blocks 178 and 178. In such cases, the process of determining individual operating parameters for one or more disinfection sources, indicated by block 180, may be based on the identified locations, areas, objects, or surfaces at blocks 176 or 178 (i.e., via a database or algorithm). As shown in block 176, in some embodiments, the room characteristic data received at block 170 may be used to identify locations, areas, objects, and/or surfaces within the room, and a priority ranking (e.g., a number or letter) may be assigned to each of the identified locations, areas, objects, and/or surfaces (such as via a database or algorithm) based on a predetermined association of the priority ranking with the identified locations, areas, objects, and/or surfaces. In some cases, the priority ranking of at least some of the surfaces may be based on the amount of time since their last disinfection. It should be noted that the assignment of priority rankings in block 176 is one way in which priority is incorporated into locations, areas, objects, and/or surfaces within a room. Alternatively, priority rankings may be pre-assigned to locations, areas, objects, and/or surfaces. In any case, the priority rankings may include any type of character indicating the level of importance among locations, areas, objects, and surfaces within a room, including but not limited to numbers, letters, and words such as "high" and "low."

As shown in FIG10 , in some embodiments, the priority character assigned in block 176 can be used to identify target locations, areas, objects, and/or surfaces within the room, as indicated by the arrow between blocks 176 and 178. However, it should be noted that the dashed lines demarcating blocks 176 and 178 indicate that these processes are optional. Thus, in some embodiments, block 176 can be omitted from the process, and the room characteristic data received at block 170 can be used directly at block 178 to identify target locations, areas, objects, and/or surfaces (such as via a database or algorithm). In other cases, block 178 can be omitted, and the locations, areas, objects, and/or surfaces identified in block 176 can be used to determine one or more individual operating parameters at block 180. In still other embodiments, both blocks 176 and 178 can be omitted from the method, and thus, in some cases, the process outlined in FIG10 can proceed directly from block 170 to block 180. Note that in situations where target locations, areas, objects and/or surfaces within a room are identified, the process of box 180 determines one or more operating parameters for each disinfection source specific to its target location(s), area, object and/or surface.

The process of identifying target locations, areas, objects, and/or surfaces at box 178 can be implemented in various ways and generally may depend on the type of sensor used to analyze such targets. For example, in some cases, the target can be identified by detecting the maximum distance from each disinfection source (i.e., using a distance sensor), that is, the maximum distance to an object between devices or the maximum distance to a disinfection source (if no other devices are detected in the vicinity). In other embodiments, the target can be identified by detecting the shortest distance from each disinfection source or detecting a surface at a specified distance from each disinfection source. In an alternative scenario, a sensor can be used to estimate the size of objects and/or surfaces in a room and from such data the sensor and/or the processing subsystem of the sterilization system can be able to ascertain what the object and/or surface is (such as a bed, a bedside table, or a quadrupole in a hospital room).

In some of such embodiments, the target may be selected based on the verified object or surface. For example, in some cases, the target area may be identified based on a relatively high number of objects or surfaces in the area. In other embodiments, the target area may be identified based on one or more high priority objects and/or surfaces in the area. Similarly, the target location, object or surface may be identified based on the priority of the location, object and/or surface in the room. In some cases, identifying the target location, area, object or surface may include identifying a subset of multiple locations, areas, objects or surfaces that are respectively arranged around each disinfection source and designating the location, area, object or surface in each subset as a target. This designation process may be based on a number of different qualification criteria, including but not limited to the priority of the location, area, object or surface and/or the distance from each disinfection source.

There are a number of ways to design databases and/or algorithms to determine the operating parameters of one or more disinfection sources. Some example approaches are indicated in blocks 184 and 186 in FIG10 . Specifically, block 184 indicates establishing one or more individual operating parameters to primarily disinfect the surfaces of furniture and/or equipment within a room, as opposed to the surfaces of the room's floor, walls, and ceiling. In some such cases, the process may also include establishing one or more secondary operating parameters to primarily disinfect the room's floor, walls, and/or ceiling after the furniture and/or equipment have been disinfected for a predetermined amount of time. Generally speaking, furniture and equipment within a room have a higher likelihood of harboring bacteria than the room's floor, walls, and ceiling, and therefore, establishing a disinfection process that primarily disinfects those surfaces can be advantageous. Specifically, invoking such a priority on the disinfection schedule can result in a shorter and/or more efficient disinfection process, or at least increase the likelihood that sufficient disinfection has occurred if the disinfection process is terminated early.

As mentioned above, areas between approximately 2 feet and approximately 4 feet from a room's floor are considered "high-touch" areas of a room because frequently used objects are often placed in such areas. Because such areas are considered high-touch areas, they are generally considered to have the highest potential for contact with bacteria, and some studies indicate that high-touch areas can be areas with the highest bacterial concentrations. For these reasons, it may be advantageous to establish one or more separate operating parameters to primarily disinfect surfaces of furniture and/or equipment located in an area of a room between approximately 2 feet and approximately 4 feet from the room's floor. Additionally or alternatively, it may be advantageous to establish one or more separate operating parameters for different pieces of furniture and/or equipment, or even for different components of furniture and/or equipment. For example, a higher and/or longer dose of disinfectant may be provided to cabinet handles compared to vertical surfaces of cabinets. Several other priorities among furniture, equipment, and components may also be considered to tailor disinfection source operating parameters depending on the disinfection needs of the room being treated.

As shown in block 186 of FIG. 10 , in some embodiments, the process of block 180 may include developing one or more separate operating parameters to primarily disinfect surfaces with the highest priority ranking, which may have been assigned with reference to block 176 or may have been pre-assigned to locations, areas, objects, and/or surfaces within the room. Similar to the process of block 184 , the process of block 186 invoking such priorities on the disinfection schedule may result in a shorter and/or more efficient disinfection process, or at least increase the likelihood that sufficient disinfection has occurred if the disinfection process is terminated early. In some of these cases, the method may include determining one or more secondary operating parameters to primarily disinfect surfaces with lower priority rankings after the surfaces with the highest priority ranking have been disinfected for a predetermined amount of time. Blocks 184 and 186 are outlined in dashed lines in FIG. 10 to indicate that they are optional. In particular, many other approaches may be used to develop one or more operating parameters for one or more disinfection sources based on room characteristic data, and thus, the scope of the disclosure provided herein should not necessarily be limited to the depiction of FIG. 10 .

As further shown in FIG10 , the process may optionally include block 182 for determining a separate operating parameter schedule for one or more disinfection sources. In this context, the term "schedule" refers to a series of operating parameter specifications to be executed sequentially for one or more disinfection sources. As discussed with respect to the options for executing the process of block 180 , determining the operating parameter schedule may be based on the furniture and equipment in the primary disinfection room and/or may be based on pre-assigned priorities for locations, areas, objects, and/or surfaces within the room. Other approaches may also be used to develop the schedule.

Regardless of the manner in which the operating parameters of one or more disinfection sources are determined, in some embodiments, the process of FIG. 10 includes a block 188 for sending information to one or more disinfection sources based on the one or more individual operating parameters. This information may include the operating time of the disinfection source(s), commands for adjusting the sterilant delivery rate from the disinfection source(s), and/or the power level at which the disinfection source(s) are operated. In yet other embodiments, the specific power levels may be sent to the disinfection source(s) based on the determination process performed with reference to block 180. In some cases, the information sent to the disinfection source(s) may be the location of the disinfection source(s) placed in the room and/or the orientation of the components comprising the disinfection source(s). In such cases, the disinfection devices comprising the disinfection source(s) may be configured to move and/or they may be capable of moving one or more of their components so that they can comply with the received information. Alternatively, the one or more operating parameters determined at block 180 may be displayed on a user interface and the user of the disinfection system may call upon the one or more operating parameters.

10 has specific application to room disinfection. Although such embodiments are described in detail and further enhancements are contemplated, the specific disclosure of such embodiments should not be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure set forth above with respect to FIG.

Consider a system having a specific application for room disinfection that includes a disinfection source and a processing subsystem that includes a processor and program instructions that can be executed by the processor to receive data about the physical properties of the room in which the disinfection source is arranged. Such program instructions can be used to access a database including data and/or receive data from one or more sensors of the system that generate the data. In either case, the processing subsystem includes program instructions that can be executed by the processor to determine the location of the disinfection source in the room and/or the orientation of the components that include the disinfection source based on the received data. In some cases, these program instructions are further used to determine a list of locations in the room for locating the disinfection source and/or a list of orientations of one or more components of the disinfection source based on the data. In some embodiments, the disinfection source can be one of a plurality of disinfection sources that comprise the system. In such cases, the program instructions of the system can be executed by the processor to determine the location of each of the plurality of disinfection sources in the room and/or determine the orientation of one or more components of each of the plurality of disinfection sources.

The disinfection source(s) in the aforementioned system may include liquid(s), gas, steam, plasma, ultraviolet light, and/or high-intensity narrow spectrum (HINS) light disinfection sources. In addition, the adjustable one or more components of the disinfection source(s) may include any movable component of the disinfection source(s). Examples of movable components of a light-based disinfection source may include, but are not limited to, any components of a filter comprising the disinfection source or a reflector system comprising the disinfection source, such as the components described for the ultraviolet discharge lamp apparatus shown in Figures 1-8. In some embodiments, the disinfection source may be configured to move relative to the apparatus or device comprising the disinfection source(s). For example, an example of a possible configuration of a movable disinfection source may be similar to a movable spotlight having 180-degree movement capability or even up to almost 360-degree movement capability. For example, other movable disinfection source configurations may be considered. For example, in some cases the disinfection source may be configured to move along a track. In other embodiments, the entire apparatus or device comprising the disinfection source may be configured to move, particularly to different locations within a room.

In any case, in embodiments where the disinfection source is configured to move itself and/or move one or more of its components, the processing subsystem may also include program instructions executable by the processor to send information to the disinfection source for positioning itself at a determined position and/or arranging the components in a determined orientation. In yet other embodiments, the determined position and/or determined component orientation may be displayed on a user interface, and the user of the disinfection system may invoke one or more operating parameters. In any case, a disinfection source that is particularly suitable for the signature method is a UV disinfection source with a repositionable reflector. However, such disclosure should not be construed in any way as necessarily limiting the scope of the systems and/or methods described herein. In any case, the aforementioned system may have any of the configurations shown above with reference to Figures 9 and 10. Thus, the system is not necessarily limited to receiving data regarding the physical properties of a room. Specifically, the system may be configured to also receive non-physical properties of the room. Furthermore, the system may include program instructions for determining any operating parameters of the disinfection source based on the characteristics of the room. Specifically, the aforementioned system is not necessarily limited to determining the position of the disinfection source within the room and/or the orientation of the components comprising the disinfection source.

Consider another system with a specific application for room disinfection that includes multiple disinfection sources and a processing subsystem including one or more processors and program instructions executable by the one or more processors to receive data about the characteristics of the room in which the multiple disinfection sources are arranged. In addition, the program instructions are used to determine one or more individual operating parameters of the multiple disinfection sources based on the data. Specifically, the one or more individual operating parameters are specific to each of the disinfection sources. The one or more individual operating parameters may include the operating time of the disinfection source, the positioning or speed of the disinfection source within the room, the orientation of the components of the disinfection source, the rate of disinfectant delivery from the disinfection source, and/or the power provided to the disinfection source. In some cases, the program instructions are also used to determine a list of individual operating parameters for each of the multiple disinfection sources based on the characteristics of the room based on the data. Generally speaking, the multiple disinfection sources may include (a) liquid, gas, steam, plasma, ultraviolet light, and/or high-intensity narrow spectrum (HINS) light disinfection sources. The multiple disinfection sources may include disinfection sources of the same type or may include a combination of disinfection sources in which at least some of the disinfection sources are different from each other. Furthermore, the aforementioned system may have any of the configurations shown above with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10 .

A sterilization system that is considered to be particularly suitable for the aforementioned system is a light disinfection system having multiple light disinfection sources and a power distribution device for distributing a separate power requirement determined by a processing subsystem to each of these light disinfection sources. In place of the power distribution device, each of the disinfection sources may include a power control circuit. In such a case, the processing subsystem may include processor-executable program instructions for sending an independent signal to the power control circuit to set the amount of power used to generate light for each disinfection source. In either case, different light disinfection sources may be distributed among different devices, may be placed on the same device, or may be combined. Although the aforementioned light disinfection system is considered to be particularly suitable for room disinfection in which multiple disinfection sources are used, such disclosure should not be interpreted in any way as necessarily limiting the scope of the systems and/or methods described herein. In particular, it is stated that other types of sterilization disinfection sources may be used in similar systems and/or the system may be configured to have varying operating parameters other than power.

As described in more detail below with reference to Figure 11, in some embodiments, the system may be configured to enable the disinfection sources to work in collaboration with each other, particularly with respect to the location, area, object and/or surface that the disinfection source targets to be disinfected. In some cases, the collaborative effectiveness may involve different devices communicating with each other. Specifically, a system including disinfection sources placed on different devices may be configured to enable at least some of these devices to communicate with each other, particularly with respect to their presence/position relative to each other and/or the location, area, object or surface that their (all) disinfection source targets to be disinfected. Specifically, in some cases, these devices may be configured to detect each other via a sensing system, such as, but not limited to, ultrasonic detection or infrared detection. In other embodiments, at least one device may include a processor and program instructions executable by the processor for sending information about its location or the target location, area, object or surface of its disinfection source. Thus, the sterilization device of the system described herein may be configured to know or be able to verify the presence or location of other sterilization devices in the room.

In a situation where a device is configured to send information about a target position, area, object or surface of its disinfection source, another device may include a processor and processor executable program instructions for receiving the information and comparing the received information with the target position, area, object or surface of its disinfection source. However, additionally or alternatively, the collaborative effectiveness may involve comparing data about the target positions, areas, objects or surfaces of multiple disinfection sources at a central processing unit. In either scenario, as described in more detail below with reference to Figure 11, the system may be configured to perform one or more actions once it is detected that two or more positions, objects or surfaces are within a predetermined distance of each other or once it is detected that two or more areas overlap. In addition, the system may be configured to record areas that have been disinfected by the device during the progress of the disinfection process, so that those areas are deprioritized or not considered for subsequent stages of the disinfection process.

Turning to FIG11, a flow chart outlining another method of processor-executable program instructions that can be configured to execute the system described in FIG9 is shown. Specifically, FIG11 outlines a method for coordinating information about target locations, areas, objects, or surfaces of multiple disinfection sources and executing changes to the target locations, areas, objects, or surfaces and/or changes to operating parameters of one or more of the disinfection sources upon detecting that two or more locations, objects, or surfaces are within a predetermined distance of each other or upon detecting that two or more areas overlap. As shown in blocks 190 and 192 of FIG11, the method includes identifying, for each of the multiple disinfection sources, a target location, area, object, or surface of the room in which the multiple disinfection sources are arranged. It is noted that the term "identifying" as used herein includes determining/identifying the target location, area, object, or surface based on room characteristic data as described with reference to block 178 of FIG10, but also includes receiving the target location, area, object, or surface, such as through user input, barcode scanning, or accessing a database. In any case, a determination is made at blocks 194 and 196 as to whether two or more target locations, objects, or surfaces are within a predetermined distance of one another or whether two or more target areas overlap. The predetermined distance may have any predetermined value and, in some cases, may be a threshold value that indicates whether the target locations, objects, and surfaces are the same.

In the case where the determination at box 194 or box 196 is "no", the method proceeds to box 198 to continue preparing the system for the disinfection process based on the target location, area, object or surface identified for the disinfection source. In some cases, the process at box 198 may include determining one or more individual operating parameters for each of the disinfection sources, such as described with reference to Figure 10. However, in alternative embodiments, such a process may have been performed before boxes 194 and 196. In some cases, the process at box 198 may include sending information to the disinfection source based on the individual operating parameters determined for each of the disinfection sources, such as described with reference to box 188 in Figure 10. In alternative embodiments, the process at box 198 may include displaying one or more operating parameters on a user interface and the user of the disinfection system may call up the one or more operating parameters.

In the event that the determination at box 194 or box 196 is "yes," the method continues to box 200 to perform one or more corrective actions, particularly changes to the planned disinfection process of at least one of the multiple disinfection sources. Although boxes 202 and 204 are provided to provide examples of corrective actions that may be performed, other corrective actions may be considered. Note that both boxes 202 and 204 may be performed for box 200 or one of boxes 202 and 204 may be performed for box 200. As shown in box 202, one corrective action may be to identify different target locations, areas, objects, and/or surfaces for at least one of the disinfection sources corresponding to two or more detected target locations, areas, objects, and/or surfaces. Another corrective action may be to change an operating parameter of at least one of the disinfection sources corresponding to two or more detected target locations, areas, objects, and/or surfaces, as indicated in box 204. In such cases, the operating parameters that are modified can be the operating time of the disinfection source, the positioning of the disinfection source within the room, the orientation of the components comprising the disinfection source, the rate of delivery of sterilant from the disinfection source, and/or the power provided to the disinfection source. In some cases, the operating parameters predetermined for the disinfection source corresponding to the two or more detected locations, areas, objects, and/or surfaces can be compared before performing one or more corrective actions at block 200. Specifically, in the case where the determination at block 194 or block 196 is "yes," the operating parameters predetermined for the disinfection source can be compared and the comparison can take into account the one or more corrective actions performed with reference to block 200.

It should be noted that although the processor-executable program instructions summarized in Figures 10 and 11 are described as being part of a system that includes one or more disinfection sources, these processor-executable program instructions are not necessarily so limited. Specifically, the processor-executable program instructions summarized in Figures 10 and 11 may be placed on a separate storage medium that is not necessarily associated with a specific disinfection system. Specifically, the processor-executable program instructions summarized in Figures 10 and 11 may be distributed as software on a commercially available storage medium for use with one or more disinfection systems. In general, the term "storage medium" as used herein may refer to any electronic medium configured to maintain one or more sets of program instructions, such as, but not limited to, read-only memory, random access memory, magnetic or optical disks, or tape.

Those skilled in the art who have the benefit of this disclosure will appreciate that it is believed that the present invention provides an ultraviolet discharge lamp device having one or more reflectors and a method for operating such a device. In addition, it is believed that the present invention provides a system for determining the operating parameters and/or disinfection schedule of a sterilization device. Specifically, the system is configured to work in a "smart" manner (i.e., taking one or more characteristics of a room into consideration to determine the operating parameters and/or disinfection schedule of a sterilization device). In some cases, the system can be configured to optimize the sterilization process of a room (e.g., time, efficiency, and ubiquity). In view of this specification, further modifications and alternative embodiments of various aspects of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

For example, although the foregoing discussion emphasizes the configuration of ultraviolet radiation lamp equipment for disinfection purposes, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Specifically, the ultraviolet radiation lamp equipment described herein can be used for any application that utilizes ultraviolet rays. In addition, the systems and processes described herein for determining operating parameters and disinfection scheduling can be applied to any sterilization system. Therefore, this specification is to be interpreted as illustrative only, with the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the general way of performing the present invention. It is to be understood that the forms of the invention shown and described herein are adopted as currently preferred embodiments. Elements and materials can be replaced for the embodiments illustrated and described herein, parts and processes can be reversed, and certain features of the present invention can be utilized independently, all of which will become apparent to those skilled in the art after having the benefit of the description of the present invention. Changes can be made to the elements described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as described in the following claims.

Claims (12)

1. A device for room disinfection, wherein the device comprises: A discharge lamp configured to emit ultraviolet light; A power circuit configured to operate the discharge lamp; A support structure that includes the power circuit and supports the discharge lamp, wherein the discharge lamp is arranged to propagate light over the upper surface of the support structure. A reflector system configured to redirect light emitted from the discharge lamp to an area outside the device, between 2 feet and 4 feet from the floor of the room in which the device is disposed, wherein the reflector system includes a reflector above the discharge lamp; A means for automatically moving the reflector in the device relative to the supporting structure; A system for collecting data on the characteristics of the room in which the equipment is arranged; and A controller is used to retrieve the data, determine the position of the reflector based on the data, and send commands to a device for automatically moving the reflector according to the determined position. 2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the discharge lamp is arranged perpendicularly to the horizontal plane of the device. 3. The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the center of the reflector is on the vertical axis intersecting the discharge lamp. 4. The device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the center of the discharge lamp is located on the longitudinal axis of the discharge lamp. 5. The device as claimed in any one of claims 2-4, characterized in that the device has no opaque parts between the circumferential surface of the discharge lamp and the environment surrounding the device, so that light emitted from the discharge lamp surrounds the device. 6. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the discharge lamp is arranged horizontally parallel to the horizontal plane of the device. 7. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the discharge lamp is arranged at an angle between 0° and 90° relative to the horizontal plane of the device. 8. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reflector is annular. 9. The device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the inner peripheral edge of the annular reflector is coupled to the housing of the discharge lamp. 10. The device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the inner peripheral edge of the annular reflector is spaced apart from the housing of the discharge lamp. 11. The device of claim 1, wherein the reflector comprises a material that exhibits a reflectance of more than 90% for ultraviolet light. 12. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reflector is detachable from the device and separate from the discharge lamp.