Surgery: light – thermal – and electrical application – Light – thermal – and electrical application – Light application
Reexamination Certificate
1998-07-02
2001-07-03
Dvorak, Linda C. M. (Department: 3739)
Surgery: light, thermal, and electrical application
Light, thermal, and electrical application
Light application
C607S090000, C607S094000, C606S002000, C606S010000, C606S011000, C606S013000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06254625
ABSTRACT:
The present invention generally relates to apparatus and method for sanitizing skin and more specifically relates to a waterless, chemical free apparatus and method, using ozone, ultraviolet, visible and near infrared light, for inactivating pathogens commonly found on human hands.
It is now known that many forms of infectious disease, such as the common cold, are contracted and spread to others, primarily by the hands. Conventional medical wisdom teaches that the best way to prevent contraction and transmission of most common bacterial and viral infections is by thoroughly and often cleansing the hands throughout the day, and primarily before touching one's face or preparing food.
Cleansing and sanitizing an individual's hands using warm soapy water is generally effective for removing “germs” that have accumulated on hands throughout the day. For additional protection, an antibacterial hand soap may be utilized in lieu of conventional soap. Washing and rinsing of the hands is sometimes followed by applying a topical sterilant such as for example, a denatured alcohol, an anti-bacterial hand gel or anti-bacterial hand lotion to further protect the hands. Although these measures will help to control the spread of many pathogens residing on the skin, they are ineffective if not performed routinely and methodically. Unfortunately, routine use of antibacterial soaps, lotions and gels may cause chapping of the skin or other undesirable reactions, especially for those persons being sensitive to the active ingredients found in these products.
In a public restroom, although soap and/or sterilant dispensers are provided, it is often the case that the supply is depleted. This is usually only discovered after the individual has attempted to activate the dispenser by manual means, said manual means being likely contaminated by prior users.
Without an antibacterial soap, mere rinsing of the hands with warm water is not effective for eliminating bacteria on the skin. The hot water supply in an average washroom is usually much cooler than the temperature necessary to kill the vast majority of pathogens, said temperature being typically at least 150 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. In addition, portable toilet facilities typically do not have a supply of soap or water available for washing hands.
Though not widely available, germicidal lamps have been developed. These lamps utilize light at germicidal wavelengths, such as light in the UVC waveband, for destroying pathogens residing on the skin. In rare instances where a germicidal lamp is available, effectiveness may be compromised by contagium embedded underneath the fingernails or in debris which UVC radiation will not penetrate.
In the food service industry sanitation of hands is especially important for the protection of the public. Food service workers are therefore mandated by law to wash the hands after use of a restroom in order to prevent transmission of infectious disease, such as hepatitis, to food service customers. Because restrooms and wash facilities are generally private, regulations requiring hand washing of food service workers are nearly unenforceable and compliance therewith is usually only on an honor basis. However, concerns for public safety have become so great, possibly in light of more resistant strains of bacterial and viruses that have emerged in recent years, that additional safety measures have been proposed and implemented including surveillance cameras in washrooms.
The present invention provides a safe and highly effective means of sanitizing hands without the use of water, soap, gels or lotions, which is effective in destroying microorganisms on both the surface and subsurface of hands as well as beneath fingernails.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention provides hand sanitizing apparatus which utilizes ultraviolet light to both inactivate pathogens on the hands as well as oxidize organic matter which may contain pathogens, on the surface and subsurface of the hands and embedded under fingernails, by using ozone produced by short wavelength ultraviolet light.
More particularly, the present invention may comprise, for example, a free standing unit which provides housing means for containing a series of lamps. The housing means includes means for enabling hands to be inserted into the unit while the lamps are sequentially operated as will be discussed in detail hereinafter.
First, an ultraviolet light having wavelengths less than about 184 nm is used to ionize atmospheric gas in the unit. The ozone is circulated through the unit and about the hands, oxidizing detritus or debris that may be embedded on the hands and beneath surfaces of nails. UVC light having germicidal wavelengths, for example, a peak wavelength of about 254 nm, is used for inactivation of pathogenic organisms resident on the skin surface.
Means are preferably provided for removing excess ozone after the sanitation treatment, said excess ozone being any ozone remaining in the unit after the oxidation of detritus or debris has taken place. For example, a light source having wavelengths of about 300 nm may be provided for this purpose by converting the excess ozone back into molecular oxygen.
Additionally, the present invention may include photoreactivation means, including preferably a high efficacy quartz halogen lamp, for protecting the hands from any undesirable effects of the UV light on the user's skin, by radiation of polychromatic light (Block A having wavelengths in the UVA, Soret, visible and near infrared wavelengths) [Photoreactivation]
In a broader aspect of the present invention, skin sanitizing apparatus may be provided which is used to treat skin other than on the hands. This can be accomplished through appropriate modifications to the apparatus housing.
Importantly, due to its minimal energy requirements, the apparatus of the present invention may be used in conjunction with solar panels to provide a means for sterilizing hands, while outdoors such as in the field where effective sterilization of would be otherwise unavailable. Accordingly, an even broader aspect of the present invention includes apparatus for sanitizing surfaces, for example, surfaces of food products, using a series of solar powered lamps designed to produce ozone, eliminate excess ozone and destroy pathogens on the surface with germicidal light.
The apparatus described briefly hereinabove and in greater detail hereinafter, is suitable for performing a method for sanitizing skin in accordance with the present invention. The method may include preprogrammed, sequential, and preferably timed, operation of the lamps for ensuring maximum effectiveness.
For example, a method in accordance with the invention may comprise initiating an ozone producing lamp and causing hands to be immersed in the produced ozone for a period of about six seconds during which the ozone oxidizes organic matter and debris on the surface and subsurface of the hands. During this period, germicidal ultraviolet light is radiated onto the hands for inactivation of pathogens on the hand surfaces. A Block A light source is then used to convert excess ozone back to molecular oxygen. In addition, the method may include radiating a polychromatic light at the hands for causing photoreactivation thereof.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4078747 (1978-03-01), Minovitch
patent: 5536400 (1996-07-01), Schultz
patent: 5614151 (1997-03-01), LeVay et al.
patent: 6010727 (2000-01-01), Rosenthal
Rosenthal Cenayda V.
Rosenthal Richard A.
Dvorak Linda C. M.
Hackler Walter A.
Kearney R.
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