Parametric control in pulsed light sterilization
US6566659B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 4, 1999 |
| Grant date | May 20, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 4, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65B55/16
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An approach for sterilizing microorganisms at a target object employs a flashlamp system including means for generating pulses of light, and for deactivating microorganisms within the target object by illuminating the target object with the pulses of light having been generated; a photo-sensitive detector positioned so as to receive a portion of each of the pulses of light as a measure of an amount of light illuminating the target object, for generating an output signal in response thereto; and a control system, coupled to the flashlamp system and the photo-sensitive detector, for determining, in response to the output signal, whether the pulses of light are sufficient to effect a prescribed level of deactivation of microorganisms at the target object. In accordance with this approach sterilizing microorganisms involves steps of generating a pulse of light; deactivating microorganisms at the target object by directing the pulse of light having been generated at the target object; receiving a portion of the pulse of light as a measure of an amount of the pulse of light illuminating the target object; generating an output signal in response to the receiving of the portion of the puls…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.