Chemical apparatus and process disinfecting – deodorizing – preser – Process disinfecting – preserving – deodorizing – or sterilizing – Using direct contact with electrical or electromagnetic...
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-27
2003-10-07
Warden, Sr., Robert J. (Department: 1744)
Chemical apparatus and process disinfecting, deodorizing, preser
Process disinfecting, preserving, deodorizing, or sterilizing
Using direct contact with electrical or electromagnetic...
C422S121000, C422S186030, C422S186050, C422S186070, C422S305000, C095S047000, C095S052000, C095S054000, C096S010000, C096S224000, C438S707000, C134S001000, C134S001100, C134S002000, C134S022170, C034S235000, C034S275000, C034S276000, C588S253000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06630105
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention is an apparatus and method for providing for effective decontamination of chemical and biological agents using a gas-phase decontamination system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There is a critical need for rapid and effective decontamination procedures for chemical and biological agents in domestic threat scenarios in order to minimize the risk/effects of human exposure and the time periods required for the operational recovery of a targeted site. In many instances, the use of conventional aqueous decontamination agents, such as alkali, bleach, and high test hypochlorite solutions are not appropriate because they are corrosive, require bulk quantities to be available, cannot be used on sensitive electronic equipment, may cause waste management/disposal problems by violating run-off and discharge regulations if it should find its way into an urban drainage system. Further, many of the aqueous decon systems are not effective against both chemical and biological agents, cannot be effectively transported to confined areas or remote locations and could require extensive cleanup operations following their use.
The object of the present invention is to avoid the operational and logistic limitations of aqueous systems with a gas phase decon procedure which is highly reactive, effective against both chemical and biological systems, and sufficiently portable that it can be carried, back-packed or wheeled on a cart to a remote location or to a confined space without any external support systems (e.g., power, water, reagents). Although this system does generate highly reactive hydroxyl radicals, such species are short lived and do not pose a significant limitation. In reality, it is the combination of a high reactivity and short-lived specie that make this decontamination invention so attractive to utilize.
The design and configuration of this instrumentation is a small, portable, hand-carried or cart-carried or back-packed-type unit that can be readily transported into confined, remote, or isolated locations. It is ideally suited for the decontamination of sensitive equipment including: computers, electrical/electronic circuit boards, electrical switches and relays, wiring harnesses and other similar type of equipment which would be critically damaged or rendered inoperative when decontaminated with aqueous or solvent based systems. By virtue of the incorporation of a dual delivery nozzle into the configuration of this instrument, both the large outer surfaces and the limited inner surface areas of the equipment can be decontaminated. Although this instrument is directed toward the decontamination of chemical and biological agent contaminated sensitive equipment, it can equally be applied to larger surfaces (floors, ceilings, walls), as well as the sterilization of hospital equipment, surgical instruments, and other medical supplies in remote or field situations where resources are limited. Since the instrument is a gas phase decontamination technique, it is particularly applicable to sensitive equipment.
This invention is directed toward the use of the highly energetic and reactive properties of both the singlet atomic oxygen and hydroxyl radical species for the rapid and efficient decontamination of both chemical and biological agents. The application of the two reactive oxygen species O(
1
D) and OH toward both chemical agents and their simulants, has been the subject of prior studies, which clearly demonstrated the feasibility of this approach. In addition, these studies also suggested that this technique may be equally applicable for the decontamination of biological agents, as well. The use of atomic oxygen species to generate the highly reactive hydroxyl radical, represents a system of exceedingly high reactivity.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a principal object of the present invention to provide rapid and effective decontamination procedures and apparatus for chemical and biological agents.
Another object of the present invention is to provide portable systems and methods for using same which utilize a gas-phase decontamination procedure.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for decontaminating chemical and biological agents which is portable and uses highly energetic and reactive hydroxyl radicals in a gas system which can be used effectively to decontaminate both chemical and biological agents present in a variety of situations.
These and other objects of the present invention consist of certain novel features and a combination of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that various changes in the details may be made without departing from the spirit, or sacrificing any of the advantages of the present invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5151134 (1992-09-01), Boquillon et al.
patent: 5656096 (1997-08-01), Van Alstyne
patent: 5709754 (1998-01-01), Morinville et al.
patent: 6272768 (2001-08-01), Danese
patent: 6319328 (2001-11-01), Greenberg et al.
Brubaker Kenneth L.
O'Neill Hugh J.
Chorbaji Monzer R.
Dvorscak Mark P.
Gottlieb Paul A.
Smith Bradley W.
The United States of America as represented by the United States
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