(12) United States Patent
`Neister
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 9,700,642 B2
`Jul. 11, 2017
`
`USOO970.0642B2
`
`(54) METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
`STERILIZING AND DISINFECTING AIR AND
`SURFACES AND PROTECTING A ZONE
`FROM EXTERNAL MICROBAL
`CONTAMINATION
`(71) Applicant: S. Edward Neister, Dover, NH (US)
`(72) Inventor: S. Edward Neister, Dover, NH (US)
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 142 days.
`(21) Appl. No.: 14/254,957
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Apr. 17, 2014
`O
`O
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2014/0227132 A1
`Aug. 14, 2014
`
`(65)
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`(63) Continuation-in-part of application No. 1 1/831,667,
`filed on Jul. 31, 2007, now Pat. No. 8,753,575, which
`Continued
`(Continued)
`
`(51) Int. Cl
`we
`(2006.01)
`A6IL 2/10
`(2006.01)
`A6IL 2/00
`(Continued)
`(52) U.S. Cl
`AV e. we
`CPC ................ A61L 2/10 (2013.01); A23B 7015
`(2013.01); A23L 3/28 (2013.01); A61L 2/00II
`(2013.01); A61L 9/20 (2013.01); B08B 1700
`(2013.01)
`
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`CPC. A61L 2/10; A61L 270011: A61L 9/20: A23L
`3/28: A23B 7/015; B08B 17/00
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`3,672,126 A
`4,317,041 A
`
`6, 1972 Goettle
`2/1982 Schenck
`(Continued)
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`2139811 Y
`8, 1993
`2604181 Y
`2, 2004
`(Continued)
`
`CN
`CN
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`U.S. Appl. No. 60/543,710, Feb. 11, 2004.*
`
`Primary Examiner — Regina M. Yoo
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Lambert & Associates;
`Gary E. Lambert; David J. Connaughton, Jr.
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`This invention relates to a method, process and apparatus for
`disinfecting and sterilizing all types of Surfaces contami
`nated with microorganisms and toxic Substances to render
`both inactive. Furthermore, this invention relates to both a
`method and apparatus for disinfecting and/or sterilizing
`breathable air and then using this air to protect a confined
`space from external contamination. The apparatus consists
`of a new ultra-violet (NUV) source that is more effective
`than "TE based 254 y light for distry DNA of
`virus, bacteria, spores and cysts. It is most effective in
`breaking chemical bonds in toxic gases and Biotoxins that
`are useful to terrorists. It is combined with other apparatus
`that remove particulates and byproducts sometimes pro
`duced by the NUV source and maintains positive pressure of
`the confined space so as to prevent the influx of air from
`outside the protected Zone.
`18 Claims, 10 Drawing Sheets
`
`% Reduction of MS-2 Phage Virus
`99.99999
`
`
`
`99.9999
`
`99.999
`
`99.99
`
`99.9
`
`99.0
`
`20i
`60
`irradiance (mjlcm2)
`
`- -253 nm care 259 mm
`------ r Sterilray TM (222 nm)
`x s as Chemical Cleaners
`: UV irradiation Test on MS2
`
`1
`
`EXHIBIT 1001
`
`

`

`US 9,700,642 B2
`Page 2
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`is a continuation-in-part of application No. PCT/
`US2006/003393, filed on Jan. 31, 2006.
`Provisional application No. 60/593,626, filed on Jan.
`31, 2005.
`
`Int. C.
`A6IL 9/20
`BOSB (7/00
`A23B 7/05
`A2.3L 3/28
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`(60)
`
`(51)
`
`(56)
`
`7/1984 Wesley
`4.458,153 A
`6, 1985 Hofmann
`4,524,079 A
`5,364,645 A 11/1994 Lagunas-Solar et al.
`5.492.676 A
`2, 1996 Katatani et al.
`5,505,904 A
`4, 1996 Haidinger et al.
`5,647,890 A * 7/1997 Yamamoto .............. BO3C 3,155
`95/69
`
`5/1998 Sangster et al.
`5,750,072 A
`5, 1998 Schenck
`5,753,106 A
`5,843,374. A * 12/1998 Sizer ......................... A23L 3/28
`422/24
`5,933,702 A * 8/1999 Goswami ................ A61L 9,205
`422, 186.3
`
`5,993,738 A 11/1999 Goswani
`6,063,170 A * 5/2000 Deibert ................... A61L 9,015
`261,80
`
`8/2000 Anderson
`6,099,799 A
`6,149,717 A 11/2000 Satyapal et al.
`6, 160,835 A * 12/2000 Kwon .................... B23K26/06
`219,121.68
`6,165,170 A * 12/2000 Wynne ................. A61B 18,203
`606/10
`
`6,235,090 B1
`
`5, 2001 Bernstein et al.
`
`6,673,137
`
`6,770,069
`
`7,326,387
`2002fOO89275
`
`1, 2004
`
`8, 2004
`
`2, 2008
`T/2002
`
`2002/0177.118
`
`11/2002
`
`2003/017O151
`
`9, 2003
`
`2003/O188740
`
`10, 2003
`
`2004/O120846
`2004/O120850
`2004O1660.18
`2004/0238344
`
`2005/O118078
`
`2005/0173652
`
`2005, 0186.108
`2005/0205206
`
`2006, O188835
`2007/OO45561
`2007/010228O
`
`A1
`A1
`A1
`
`6, 2004
`6, 2004
`8, 2004
`12, 2004
`
`6, 2005
`
`8, 2005
`
`8, 2005
`9, 2005
`
`8, 2006
`3, 2007
`5/2007
`
`Wen ........................ A61L 9,015
`422/121
`Hobart ................. A61B 18,203
`128/898
`
`Arts et al.
`Falkenstein ............... A61L 2/10
`313/29
`Coogan, Jr. ......... A61M 1/3681
`435.2
`Hunter ...................... A61L 2/10
`422, 1863
`Tribelsky .................. CO2F9FOO
`128.200.14
`
`Bates et al.
`Kaiser
`Clark et al.
`Benoit ...................... A61L 9.20
`204,157.3
`Dobbs .................. BO1D 53,885
`422, 1863
`Ressler .................. A23B 4,015
`250,455.11
`
`Fields
`Lembersky ........... A61L 2.0011
`156,3455
`
`Nagel et al.
`Cooper
`Hunter et al.
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`CN
`IL
`JP
`KR
`WO
`WO
`WO
`
`2662909 Y
`WO 2004O11038 A1 *
`20032O7165
`2004OO97758
`OO23552
`O238447
`O245756
`
`WO
`2005/061396 A1
`* cited by examiner
`
`12, 2004
`2/2004 ............. A23B 7 O15
`T 2003
`11 2004
`5, 2000
`5, 2002
`6, 2002
`10, 2002
`7/2005
`
`2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 11, 2017
`
`Sheet 1 of 10
`
`US 9,700,642 B2
`
`
`
`
`
`. Directed Radiation
`
`Figure 1: NUV Source
`
`Figure 2: Volumetric Air Treatment
`
`3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 11, 2017
`
`Sheet 2 of 10
`
`US 9,700,642 B2
`
`
`
`S.
`
`s
`-: 3
`
`a... floor reatment & Cleaner
`
`
`
`b. Handheld Surface treatment
`
`Figure 3: Surface Treatment
`
`--
`''
`
`R
`
`& & ( - S -- is
`
`SY
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`six
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`arrara
`
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`
`Siri.S.M.S.a.Sma.--
`
`b. Serving Counter
`
`Figure 4: Food Treatment
`
`4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 11, 2017
`
`Sheet 3 of 10
`
`US 9,700,642 B2
`
`W.
`
`N
`
`
`
`- 16
`
`x8x NYSSwiss SXSixxx-xxx
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`^s. sixxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx
`
`Figure 6: Operating Zone with Sterilizer
`
`5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 11, 2017
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`Sheet 4 of 10
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`US 9,700,642 B2
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`POtEtEOE
`
`Figure 7: CFDAir Flow
`
`6
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 11, 2017
`
`Sheet S of 10
`
`US 9,700,642 B2
`
`YESSCA
`NASSE
`SAN
`
`re-CANss NA
`
`EXAs.
`Yvs.
`O
`NCES
`
`Figure 8: Dimer Formation by UV Photon
`(by permission of ERG CD UNH)
`
`& 83}} wica
`
`ONA
`
`S
`
`N & S288 & sm
`y
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`view& eigh's
`
`300
`
`35.
`
`Figure 9: UV Absorption of DNA
`
`7
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 11, 2017
`
`Sheet 6 of 10
`
`US 9,700,642 B2
`
`seria's res as as :glas" as 33° 35
`way & t..: 3 is : 8 i.
`Figure 10: B. coli GD 0.8u absorption
`% Reduction of MS-2 Phage Virus
`99.99999
`
`
`
`99.9999
`
`99.999
`
`99.99
`
`SS 3. SSSSSS
`
`S3 3. &SSS
`
`SSSSSS
`
`sa
`SS3 3. S3 & & x
`
`www.-
`
`irradiance (mj/cm2)
`Sterilray TM (222 nm)
`- -253 nm to Ar 259 mm
`8 * 8 Chemical Cleaners
`Figure 11: UV irradiation Test on MS2
`
`8
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 11, 2017
`
`Sheet 7 of 10
`
`US 9,700,642 B2
`
`ricisagrgeois
`E. : A
`2S
`
`
`
`isiosis is arci isssistiva p38ssgers
`
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`
`Figure 12: UV dose required for 4 log (99.99%) deactivation
`
`9
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 11, 2017
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`Sheet 8 of 10
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`US 9,700,642 B2
`
`RANGSE OF ESSEC WNESS
`- E S2E F A38 RNS A8(S N CONS
`ficro
`f2S,4&G is of a sch}
`85-SSESS Nisks *::::
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`
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`
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`
`electror microscope.
`
`
`
`
`
`Figure 13: ESP range of effectiveness
`
`10
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 11, 2017
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`Sheet 9 of 10
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`US 9,700,642 B2
`
`Test Comparison
`
`
`
`OO .
`
`OOO
`0.00
`
`20.OO
`
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`assaxtRSA st
`mhrm C. sporegenes"
`wham Few
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`Hillnear (A. baumann)
`Figure 14: Sterilray Technology Test Data
`
`80.00
`
`0.0
`
`11
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 11, 2017
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`Sheet 10 of 10
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`US 9,700,642 B2
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`
`
`: &
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`'S
`
`Š S.SYS, SSSSSS
`
`Figure 15: 300x and 100x micrographs of Bacillus atrophaeus
`
`12
`
`

`

`US 9,700,642 B2
`
`1.
`METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
`STERILIZING AND DISINFECTING AIR AND
`SURFACES AND PROTECTING A ZONE
`FROM EXTERNAL MICROBAL
`CONTAMINATION
`
`PRIORITY CLAIM
`
`This application is a continuation-in-part patent applica
`tion which claims the benefit to and priority from currently
`pending non-provisional U.S. utility patent application Ser.
`No. 1 1/831,667 filed on Jul. 31, 2007, which is a continu
`ation-in-part patent application of International patent appli
`cation number PCT/US2006/003393 filed on Jan. 31, 2006,
`currently expired, which is a non-provisional application of
`U.S. provisional application No. 60/593,626 filed on Jan. 31,
`2005.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`This specification teaches a new method for disinfecting
`and sterilizing air, Surfaces of all types and food from
`microorganisms and toxic chemical Substances. In addition,
`it relates to a process and apparatus for protecting Surfaces
`in closed or captured environments (Zones) from external
`Sources of microbial contamination in an efficient and cost
`effective process. These Zones can be large Volumes Such as
`high rise building, cruise ships and jet airliners, or Small
`Volumes such as Small rooms or Surgical operation areas
`whether in a hospital operating room or on the battle field.
`2. Description of the Related Art
`All prior art for sterilizing and disinfecting air has been
`based on using commercially available ultra-violet (UV)
`lamps or by using magnetic fields. These lamps are either
`pulsed or continuous. Continuous lamps are mercury based
`and emit principally at 254 nm. A number of companies are
`presently producing UV light based apparatus for the
`destruction of “virus, bacteria, spores and pathogens' (mi
`croorganisms or VSP) that are in room air. This is an
`effective treatment because it continually exposes room air
`currents to the treatment light and over time has sufficient
`exposure time to treat VSPs. The required exposure times
`range from 10s to 100's of seconds, depending on the light
`absorption capability of the different virus and bacteria at the
`45
`254 nm. While this is effective for treating the room air of
`individual rooms, it requires a long time to be effective in
`treating large flowing Volumes of air that pass quickly down
`large ducts. Its long treatment time is impractical for treating
`most Surfaces.
`Magnetic based apparatus also require time to deactivate
`or destroy these VSPs. Two such inventions are directed to
`specific applications. Wesley, U.S. Pat. No. 4,458,153 is
`directed specifically towards liquid like Substances enclosed
`in pipes, but does not discuss any test results. Sangster, U.S.
`Pat. No. 5,750,072 requires an injection of a sterilizing fluid
`as a mist or vapor for the magnetic field to produce radicals
`that in turn are used to alter the VSPs. He does not discuss
`any test results. Hofmann, U.S. Pat. No. 4,524,079 is
`directed specifically to treating food stuffs. He speaks of
`requiring up to 100 pulses at frequencies ranging from 5 to
`500 kHz. Although the action time would be short, the power
`required to treat large areas and the apparatus design limit its
`practical application. None of these patents are admitted to
`being prior art by their mention in this background section.
`The broad ultraviolet spectrum had been divided into
`three regions depending on its different effects on human
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
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`65
`
`2
`skin. Reference to these regions are predominantly made in
`medical terminology with UV-A defined as a range or band
`between 320 nm and 400 nm, UV-B defined as a band
`between 280 nm and 320 nm, and UV-C defined as encom
`passing wavelengths shorter than 280 nm. Recently the
`UV-C band has been shortened because strong water absorp
`tion causes different effects on the skin below 235 nm. UV-C
`is now considered the band encompassing wavelengths from
`280 nm to 235 nm. The Far UV begins at 235 nm and
`encompasses wavelengths to the beginning of vacuum UV at
`185 nm. Photochemists and photobiologists do not generally
`use these terms because absorption spectra of chemical
`bonds are much narrower than these generally defined
`bands. Instead, they use the wavelength of the applied
`radiation to define the observed effects.
`Claims have been made that UV-C radiation is used to
`alter the DNA. This is because the mercury lamp emission
`at 254 nm is close to a good DNA absorption band and is the
`most widely available UV-C radiation source. None of these
`claims make reference to any shorter wavelengths and to the
`absorption band that peaks at 200 nm (see FIG. 9). Most
`literature credits this peak to protein absorption whereas the
`peak centered near 260 nm is attributed to many amino
`acids. In fact, all literature directs researchers away from
`using any shorter wavelengths due to the high absorption of
`molecular water. Mercury lamps are used for wastewater
`treatment and work well for this application. However, this
`specification teaches that since we do not live underwater,
`the protein absorption band offers much more significant
`action spectra that can be used to alter the DNA of micro
`organisms more effectively. A source of Far UV photons
`targets this protein absorption band. This concept is a
`significant advancement and a step change in the technology
`used for sterilization and disinfection.
`During the past few years, new UV emitting lamps based
`on the excitation of excimers are becoming commercially
`available. These emitters produce single line or narrow
`spectral emission at a wavelength determined by the gas
`composition of the lamp. If the treatment lamp's wavelength
`is chosen to match closely to the peak of protein absorption
`of the microorganism's DNA, then a lethal dosage can be
`delivered to the VSPs in a shorter time. No patent has been
`found that teaches the use of “new ultra-violet” (NUV)
`Sources coupled with Supporting equipment that can effec
`tively and efficiently disinfect and sterilize large volumes of
`air, large and Small Surfaces, and food stuffs in various stages
`of preparation in a practical manner.
`The NUV lamp is a coaxial design that can be made as
`Small as a pencil to as large as 1 meter long. Lamp efficiency
`is about 10-25% wall power to UV emission. The design has
`several advantages over mercury lamps. Most important is
`that its gas can be chosen to maximize its emission to the
`absorption peak of the targeted biochemical. Unlike the
`mercury lamp, the UV intensity can be varied from near Zero
`to maximum. It will produce 10 to 1000 times more intensity
`than mercury, depending on the lamp dimensions, and it
`does not use mercury that will soon become regulated by the
`EPA.
`In this specification, sterilization or sterilize refers to
`sterilization or high level disinfectant as defined by US
`FDA. The terms disinfectant and disinfection refers to all
`other levels of disinfection.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`Destruction of pathogens is significantly improved by
`targeting a biochemical in its DNA/RNA with the proper
`
`13
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`

`US 9,700,642 B2
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`5
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`3
`wavelength so the critical dosage can be delivered in the
`shortest time. The concept is to direct the correct spectral
`emission to target specific bonds with Sufficient intensity to
`destroy pathogens quickly and effectively on all types of
`Surfaces and in the air.
`Critical to this apparatus is the development of a new
`ultra-violet (NUV) source that emits a highly intense narrow
`wavelength band of photons that correspond to the maxi
`mum absorption band for DNA proteins and other compo
`nent bonds. The preferred embodiment is the NUV source at
`222 nm targets these proteins and their peptide bonds.
`The NUV source can also be made to emit photons at 282
`nm to target a mixture of amino acids and some proteins that
`absorb at this longer wavelength. For some specific cases,
`the NUV source may also produce 254 nm photons so as to
`target specific amino acids. The process is to use the
`irradiance from the NUV apparatus to produce high levels of
`disinfection on all types of contaminated Surfaces and air
`and to destroy Biotoxins and nerve agents. The process
`includes Support apparatus, oZone with the NUV source and
`preconditioning liquids and sprays that affect the tightness of
`the polypeptide helix which may improve absorption by the
`pathogen proteins or amino acids that result in improved
`destruction at lower dose or less time or both.
`Background for NUV Apparatus
`The genetic makeup of all living organisms is contained
`in their DNA molecule. This is a nucleic acid molecule that
`contains the genetic instructions to construct other compo
`nents of living cells, proteins and RNA molecules. Replica
`tion occurs by the splitting of the DNA molecule, which
`duplicates itself through a transformation of its structure.
`Parts of the DNA molecule have been given names such as
`pyrimidine bases, cytosine, thymine or uracil that form a
`35
`group of biochemicals that sustain life. The long DNA
`molecule holds itself together by using simple bonds like
`those found in Sugars.
`Researchers believe that the energy of the UV photon
`causes the formation of a strong (covalent) bond to develop
`between specific biochemicals. However, the bond strength
`of the covalent bond is very dependent on the relative
`position of the participating atoms. When the bond is
`symmetrical on both sides of a hydrogen atom in the bond,
`it is referred to as a dimer. A dimer is a very strong bond and
`is not generally broken during the vaporization of the liquid.
`UV light is known to produce Thymine, cytosine-thymine,
`and cytosine dimers. After the formation of the dimer,
`further replication of the DNA stops. FIG. 8 shows the
`concept of the dimer formation in a DNA molecule.
`The DNA molecule absorbs light from about 180 nm to
`about 300 nm. One of the most effective wavelengths to treat
`VSP's in water is about 254 nm because of low water
`absorption. However, water absorption of UV light increases
`steadily as the wavelength decreases below 240 nm. This
`limits the ability for UV light of shorter wavelengths to be
`as effective for water treatment.
`A standard commercial light source for UV irradiation
`near the 260 nm absorption peak of DNA is being produced
`by using mercury as the source for generating photons. The
`mercury gas and its pressure in the lamp determine the
`wavelength of the emitting light. For low-pressure (LP) and
`low-pressure high output (LPHO) lamps, the emitting wave
`length is near 254 nm. For medium pressure lamps, the
`emission ranges from 200 nm to above 300 nm. However,
`the strength of the emitted light is not effective below 245
`nm for the continuous emitting lamps and below 235 nm for
`
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`medium pressure lamps. Xenon gas in pulsed lamps pro
`duces a similar emission as the medium pressure mercury
`lamps.
`DNA action spectra show that absorption increases as the
`wavelength decreases, with a relative maxima at 260 nm and
`largest at 200 nm. Many articles indicate the principal action
`spectra of the DNA absorption is from 245 to 280 nm range
`and do not address the 200 nm peak. An exception is FIG.
`9 which graphically shows this relationship (Von Sonntag:
`Disinfection by free radicals and UV-radiation. Water Sup
`ply 4, 11-18 (1986)). Since water absorption significantly
`increases below 240 nm, it becomes apparent that DNA
`effectiveness curves that omit the 200 nm peak apply only to
`organisms in water.
`MS-2 Phage is a marker virus that is used to measure
`reproduction viability after UV irradiation. FIG. 10 is DNA
`absorption without the influence of water (Gates, F. L. A
`study of the bactericidal action of ultra violet light III. Jour.
`General Physiology 14, 31-42 (1930)). Absorption is more
`than doubled at 220 nm.
`A recent technical paper (Peak et al. UV action spectra for
`DNA dimer induction: Photochemistry and Photobiology,
`40, 5 (613-620)-1984) suggests that dimer formation is not
`the only requirement to inactivate DNA. Absorption of other
`molecular groups in the long DNA chain increase as the
`wavelength is reduced from 254 nm. Damaging or destroy
`ing these bonds may be more effective in deactivating the
`DNA than compared to the 254 nm band. Reports show that
`damage caused by 254 nm light can be reversed by longer
`wavelength UV and blue light (FIG. 12). The DNA of
`pathogens not expected to have this photo-reactivation
`phenomenon after being exposed to higher energy 222 nm
`photons.
`The energy of the emitted photon is determined by its
`wavelength. Photon energy is about 5 eV at 250 nm, and
`increases for shorter wavelengths. Different bonds in the
`DNA will be affected with photons of different energy.
`The 540 kJ/mole photon energy from the NUV lamp
`exceeds the bond energies of many of the peptide bonds.
`This should cause physical damage to the microorganism.
`FIG. 15 shows a micrograph of the Bacillus atrophaeus after
`receiving a radiant dose from a NUV lamp. It shows a
`magnification of 300x and 1000x taken at low power to
`prevent any physical damage to the organisms during the
`picture process. The results of photon impact can be clearly
`seen in the 1000x frame by the ruptured sidewalls and
`segmentation of the organism. This is the first indication the
`author has seen that photons are actually causing physical
`damage and destruction to pathogens. A corresponding slide
`that received the same radiant exposure confirmed that all
`organisms were dead.
`ANUV lamp emitting at 222 nm is considered the most
`effective source because DNA molecules and biochemicals
`have greater absorption at this wavelength. The steep rise in
`absorption below 240 nm is exhibited by most proteins. It
`has been fairly well established that the peptide bonds in
`protein molecules are responsible for the steep rise in
`absorption. This occurs as well for nucleo-proteins, aromatic
`amino-acids, diglycine, triglycine, and bovine albumin
`(McLaren, et al., Photochemistry of Proteins and Nucleic
`Acids, Pergamon Press, Macmillan Company, 1964). An
`organic chemist Suggests that this lower wavelength is more
`effective in breaking bonds and producing dimers in the
`purine bases and Sugar phosphates instead of the pyrimi
`dines.
`This wavelength is not strongly absorbed by water vapor
`and oxygen in the air. However, at 200 nm, oxygen absorp
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`tion increases by 10 times and water absorption becomes
`slightly greater than oxygen. At 200 nm, OZone production
`vs. irradiance can not be controlled as it can at 222 nm. This
`would create a large amount of ozone that is harmful to
`humans and animals and reduce its effectiveness for appli
`cations in air, particularly for long irradiation distances.
`Tests
`Using a lamp that emits 222 nm, a comparison test with
`and without water was made to determine the effect of this
`radiation on organisms. The organism used in all tests was
`the MS-2 virus, which has become a standard indicator of
`mutation effectiveness. The EPA report (811-R-96-002)
`reports a 4.3 average log reduction of the MS-2 virus using
`mercury light 254 nm at an irradiance greater than 128
`mj/cm.
`Three wavelengths were tested: 222, 253, 259 mm. The
`222 nm lamp was tested at three levels of irradiance with the
`virus in a thin layer of water in order to reduce the absorption
`effect of water. A separate test was also done with the virus
`in more water. The 253 and 259 nm lamps were tested at the
`identical irradiance levels with the virus in water. Controls
`were made on all tests and a single test dish on each lamp
`was made to check experimental error.
`The 222 nm lamp (FIG. 11) produced log 5 reductions at
`40 mi/cm and log 6.5 reductions at 60 mi/cm. The water
`test produced a 3.2 log reduction, which matched the equiva
`lent calculated irradiance in air. The 253 and 259 nm lamps
`produced about log 4 reductions at 60 mi/cm. A3 million
`reduction in population is about 10 to 100 times more
`effective than reported mercury 254 nm results at the same
`irradiance.
`The results of the test indicate that 222 nm light is very
`effective in causing mutations and destruction in microor
`ganisms. These tests indicate an improvement of between 10
`to 1000 times, depending on the intensity of the lamp. It is
`important to note the improvement of the 259 nm source
`compared to the 254 nm source. This produced a 10 times
`improvement in the test sample for just a 5% increase in
`40
`absorption. It illustrates the importance in using a UV
`photon emitter that is near the absorption peak of the DNA
`or targeted chemical Such as proteins, nucleic acids, or
`amino-acids.
`FIG. 12 illustrates the 254 nm dose required to deactiva
`tion different VSPs. The bars represent with (solid) and
`without (open) photo-reactivation. Note that a dose of 75
`mj/cm is required to deactivate the MS2 Phage virus and
`prevent photo-reactivation. In the tests shown in FIG. 11,
`half the dose at 222 nm was just as effective as the higher
`dose at 254 nm. Even though the sample was under water,
`the 222 nm radiation was still more effective than 254 nm.
`radiation.
`The 222 nm photon has more energy and is absorbed by
`S. N. S. O. O. O. O. H. and many carbon bonds that do
`not absorb 254 nm. This suggest that 222 nm light may also
`prevent DNA repair that has been reported when low level
`254 nm UV sources were used.
`FIG. 14 presents further testing done in independent
`research laboratories on many different pathogens. They
`include spores Bacillus atrophaeus and Clostridium sporo
`genes, feline calici virus, bacteria Acinetobacter baumannii,
`MRSA, MRSA+1% serum. The chart plots radiant dose
`against a log reduction of the target microorganism. It shows
`that high log reductions were achieved for viruses, bacteria
`and spores. This chart presents data that does not determine
`the minimum dose but only the log reduction at the dose
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`tested. Since many tests represented a 100% kill, a lower
`dose could obtain the same log reduction at or near 100%
`kill.
`A Survival plot was made of the Bacillus atrophaeus
`spore. Since it is known to be one of the most difficult spores
`to kill or deactivate, this curve represents the base line for
`the dose required to kill most pathogens for the NUV source.
`Future tests will generate survival plots of the other patho
`gens to determine the minimum dose for various log reduc
`tions.
`Since the NUV source can produce an irradiance of 100
`mw/cm, then a log 4 reduction of all but the B. atrophaeus
`can occur in a 0.1 second treatment resulting in a radiant
`dose of 10 mi/cm. The chart demonstrates that the NUV
`Source is a potent sporicide as well as capable of producing
`high disinfection on VSPs.
`Technical Discussion
`Critical to the destruction of the organism is targeting the
`proper biochemical with the proper wavelength so the
`critical dosage can be delivered in the shortest time. The
`critical dosage is that dosage that destroys or deactivates the
`organism and prevents its replication.
`Pyrimidine and purine bases of nucleic acids have a
`strong absorption near 260 nm. But proteins also have an
`absorption maximum at about 280 nm due to the absorption
`by the aromatic amino acids phenylalanine, tyrosine and
`tryptophane. Numerous lipids also absorb near this peak.
`They include indole acetic acid and Lipase. And there are
`some major differences that occur in the synthesis of DNA
`to RNA. The protein thymine is replaced by the pyrimidine
`base uracil that has absorption near the 280 nm and not at
`lower wavelengths.
`It is important to note that biochemicals of DNA and RNA
`will have different absorption spectra and the peak absorp
`tion will be shifted by water, pH, temperature, previously
`absorbed light and Surrounding contaminates in the air.
`Uracil and cytosine are particularly Susceptible to photohy
`drate formation. A protein crosslink can be formed between
`a pyrimidines base and an amino acid. Cysteine and thymine
`are easily affected and uracil preferentially binds to cysteine,
`phenylalanine and tyrosine. Protein crosslinks induce irre
`versible cell damage. The disulfide group of cysteine can be
`split into reactive sulfhydryl groups. Tryptophane (280 nm
`absorption) can provide the singlet energy transfer to split
`the disulfide groups that strongly influence the structure and
`function of proteins in the DNA/RNA complexes.
`The presence of oZone can significantly induce damage to
`the long polypeptide amino acid chains and shorten the UV
`action kill time. For some applications, the NUV intensity is
`increased to produce some oZone to improve the pathogen
`destruction of the contaminated Surface.
`Test data confirmed that proteins in the RNA of the
`norovirus do not absorb the NUV wavelength at 222 nm
`effectively. However, a number of RNA proteins do exhibit
`strong absorption near the amino acid peak absorption of
`280 nm. More likely is the fact that RNA absorption is due
`to the combination of the proteins and the locations and
`types of amino acid bonds Surrounding them. Testing is
`underway to confirm that a NUV source at 282 nm will cause
`similar destruction to the RNA of the norovirus compared to
`the DNA destruction seen in FIG. 14.
`There are many UV absorption plots that indicate how the
`degree of absorption in the DNA/RNA molecule changes
`with wavelength as the pH of the carrier Solution is changed.
`The secondary structure is a term used to describe the coiling
`of the polypeptide chain. The tightness of the coil is also
`significantly affected by pH of the solution. This suggests
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`that the closeness of the different amino acids to peptide
`bonds affect the DNA/RNA absorption at a specific wave
`length. Consequently, pre-treating the Surface with a solu
`tion or spray that improves the absorption of the targeted
`proteins and amino acids prior to delivering a UV radiant
`dose is also being tested. In many cases, it may significantly
`improve the process by reducing the UV dose or treatment
`time. The concept of using the NUV source in conjunction
`with wipes and liquids for treating VSP's on surfaces is also
`contained in the scope of this specification.
`Biotoxins and nerve agents can be used by terrorists as
`weapons against groups of people. Nothing economical has
`been developed that could mitigate an attack and prevent the
`loss of life and incapacitation at the point of attack. While
`government agencies of the US have developed detectors
`that could be used in the future to warn people in the
`confined areas that are under attack, nothing would prevent
`the attack from being effective.
`Biotoxins and nerve agents are organic molecules that
`contain either DNA or have long chain carbon molecules.
`Both of these are susceptible to destruction using NUV light
`sources. 222 nm will destroy the C=C and C=O bonds
`causing the destruction of the chemical. Future testing will
`determine if the molecular extinction coefficient is sufficient
`to make this effective means for their destruction.
`The most effective means for delivery of these agents is
`to spread them in a gas phase through the air ventilation
`system. A detector would be used to turn on sufficient NUV
`30
`Sources so that the agents are destroyed before exiting the
`ventilation system into the confined area where the captured
`population is present. Tests still need to be done in regulated
`and controlled laboratories to develop the criteria for these
`sources to be effective and become the first line of defense.
`The use of a high E field electrostatic precipitator (ESP)
`is important to the Sterilization and disinfecting apparatus
`for air in some situations. FIG. 13 compares the range of
`effectiveness with mechanical filters for different pollutant
`sizes. As illustrated in the fourth column, it is capable of
`40
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