WO2025219855A1

WO2025219855A1 - Sanitization system from microorganisms based on multispectral ultraviolet irradiation

Info

Publication number: WO2025219855A1
Application number: PCT/IB2025/053887
Authority: WO
Inventors: Luciano Pacifici; Paolo Tassin; Mauro UCELLI; Andrea PACIFICI; Erik TASSIN; Laura BENEDETTI
Original assignee: Identitykey Srl
Current assignee: Identitykey Srl
Priority date: 2024-04-15
Filing date: 2025-04-14
Publication date: 2025-10-23
Anticipated expiration: 2026-10-15

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system for sanitising (1) from microorganisms based on multispectral ultraviolet irradiation comprising a light source (2) operable to irradiate multispectral ultraviolet radiation and a control unit (5) configured to: store predefined modulations and predefined wavelengths for the multispectral ultraviolet radiation radiated by the light source (2) to perform a sanitisation in relation to different microorganisms; in response to a command from a user, operate the light source (2) in such a way that the latter irradiates a given multispectral ultraviolet radiation having at least one of the predefined modulations and having at least two predefined wavelengths stored therein The predefined modulation of the multispectral ultraviolet radiation comprises at least one of a frequency modulation, an amplitude modulation and a pulse modulation of the multispectral ultraviolet radiation.

Description

SANITIZATION SYSTEM FROM MICROORGANISMS BASED ON MULTISPECTRAL ULTRAVIOLET IRRADIATION

Cross-Reference to Related Applications

This Patent Application claims priority from Italian Patent Application No . 102024000008530 filed on April 15 , 2024 , the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference .

Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention concerns a saniti zation system from microorganisms based on multispectral ultraviolet irradiation .

State of the Art

As is well known, ultraviolet rays ( in particular UV-C rays ) are used as a means of disinfection and sanitisation against harmful microorganisms .

Today, UV-based sanitising systems are widely used in the healthcare sector , which, however, requires increasingly ef ficient and flexible solutions .

In this respect , IT202100018290A1 concerns a system configured to neutralise micro-organisms on the basis of light radiation having a wavelength within a narrow band by inducing an optical resonance in the micro-organism .

Furthermore , US2022331473A1 concerns a method for sanitising a space comprising the steps of :

• position a plurality of light sources configured to emit light in a wavelength between 185 nm and 405 nm;

• determine at least one pathogen you want to neutralise present in the space ;

• determine a contamination level of the pathogen in the space by means of a detection sensor ; and

• determine a treatment plan to emit light from at least one of several light sources by means of a control unit to eliminate the pathogen .

However, known sanitisation systems involve the emission of ultraviolet radiation in a predefined and speci f ic range of wavelengths , so they are only suitable for neutralising a limited number of microorganisms .

Object and Summary of the Invention

The obj ect of the present invention is to provide a microorganism sanitisation system that is highly ef ficient and flexible .

This and other obj ects are achieved by the present invention as it relates to a sanitisation system from microorganism based on multi-spectral ultraviolet irradiation, as defined in the appended set of claims .

More particularly, the present invention relates to a sanitisation system from microorganism based on multispectral ultraviolet irradiation comprising a light source operable to irradiate multispectral ultraviolet radiation and a control unit configured to :

• store predefined modulations and predefined wavelengths for multispectral ultraviolet radiations irradiated by the light source to perform a sanitisation in relation to di f ferent microorganisms ;

• in response to a command from a user, operate the light source in such a way that it radiates a given multi spectral ultraviolet radiation having at least one of the predefined modulations and having at least two stored predefined wavelengths ; and

• allow a user to update the stored predef ined modulations and/or predefined wavelengths by adding one or more new predefined modulations and/or one or more new predefined wavelengths and/or modi fying one or more of the stored predefined modulations and/or one or more of the stored predefined wavelengths and/or deleting one or more of the stored predef ined modulations and/or one or more of the stored predefined wavelengths ; wherein a predefined modulation of the multispectral ultraviolet radiation includes at least one of :

• a frequency modulation;

• an amplitude modulation; and

• a pulse modulation of the multispectral ultraviolet radiation .

Brief Description of the Drawings

For a better understanding of the present invention, the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing (provided merely as an explanatory, but by no means limiting, example ) , which schematically illustrates a block diagram of the sanitising system according to an embodiment of the present invention .

Description of the Invention

The following description is provided to enable a person skilled in the art to realise and use the invention .

Various modi fications to the presented embodiments will be immediately apparent to those s killed in the art , and the generic principles disclosed herein could be applied to other forms of implementation and applications without , however, departing from the scope of protection of the present invention as defined in the appended claims .

Therefore , the present invention i s not to be understood as being limited to the embodiments described and shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope of protection in accordance with the features defined in the appended claims .

Figure 1 schematically illustrates ( in particular, by means of a block diagram) a high-level architecture of a sanitising system ( denoted as a whole by 1 ) according to an embodiment of the present invention .

The sanitisation system 1 comprises a light source 2 operable by a user to irradiate multiple ultraviolet (UV) radiations in order to sanitise surfaces and/or air from microorganisms , e . g . viruses and/or bacteria and/or fungi .

In particular, the inactivation of microorganisms depends on the wavelength of the irradiated UV radiation .

Preferably, the wavelength of irradiated UV radiation falls in the range of 200 nanometres to 280 nanometres ; this type of UV radiation is also called UV-C radiation .

Preferably, the light source 2 comprises an array of light-emitting diodes ( LEDs ) configured to , when activated, radiate UV-C radiation of di f ferent respective wavelengths , obtaining a multispectral UV-C radiation .

Preferably, the diode array, in particular the diodes themselves , is configured to radiate at least two UV-C radiations of two di f ferent wavelengths .

According to a possible embodiment of the present invention, the light source 2 is configured to radiate di f ferent regular or irregular light radiation waveforms having di f ferent wavelengths by individually controlling each diode of the LED matrix . For example , a customised LED matrix can be created and actuated by loading a layout generated by an external computer-aided design ( or CAD) .

According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the light source 2 comprises a triple matrix of LEDs to generate more UV-C radiation and a white or coloured light radiation .

Preferably, the light source 2 comprises two or more types of UV-C LEDs configured to emit two or more types of ultraviolet radiation of di f ferent wavelengths . Conveniently, the light source 2 includes a cooling circuit 3 that includes a coolant, whereby the light source 2 can be advantageously operated for long periods without overheating. Thus, in outdoor applications, e.g. in agriculture, during sanitation in viticulture or fruitgrowing, the multi-spectral ultraviolet radiation, preferably at high power, can be emitted even at ambient temperatures of up to 40 degrees.

As illustrated in Figure 1, the light source 2 is operable by the user via a control interface 4. Specifically, through the control interface 4, the user is able to generate new modulation patterns for UV radiation of analogue and/or digital type.

Preferably, modulation models for UV radiations is of the analog type, since the analog modulation models, in linear and non-digital regime, produce a light emission with higher purity than those obtained with a digital modulation, for example with integrated digital signals; in particular, analog modulation allows to obtain a UV radiation free from residual ripple (i.e., Ripple) , intermodulation and harmonics that reduce the efficiency of the virucidal action.

Modulation models for irradiating UV radiation are based on :

• a frequency modulation,

• an amplitude modulation,

• preferably a phase modulation, and

• a pulse modulation of the UV radiation.

Preferably, the pulse modulation comprises at least one of Pulse Amplitudion Modulation (PAM) , Pulse Frequency Modulation (PFM) , Pulse Duration Modulation (PDM) or Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) and Pulse Position Modulation (PPM) . In this way, the sanitisation system 1 adapts to specific disinfection processes on specific micro-organisms.

Preferably, the light source 2 comprises at least two diodes configured to emit respective light radiation having respective wavelengths (also different) and having different modulations .

As an example, the light source 2 comprises a first diode emitting radiation having a wavelength Xi and presenting a first modulation of a type described above (e.g. amplitude or frequency modulation) and a second diode emitting radiation having a second wavelength X2 and presenting a second modulation of a type described above (e.g. amplitude or frequency modulation) .

By way of example, the light source 2 comprises a plurality of diodes emitting respective light radiations having the same modulation as described above at two different wavelengths.

Advantageously, the modelling of UV radiation ranges from a narrow band to a broad band of wavelengths, preferably in a range defined by a selected predefined wavelength ± 10 nanometers, several simultaneous or competing wavelengths. Advantageously, a pulse modulation of the ultraviolet radiation allows high levels of disinfection.

For example, if the default wavelength of UV radiation is 210 nanometers, the UV radiation modeling varies between 200 and 220 nanometers.

In fact, by irradiating multi-spectral ultraviolet radiation with a double modulation of different wavelengths, the disinfection effect is significantly increased.

Pulsed radiation, even of a single wavelength, is currently used to sterilise medical devices and is applied in the pharmaceutical packaging industry to translucent surfaces . In particular, the disinfection ef fect of a pulsed radiation is mainly due to the UV-C content , which can be modulated using di f ferent rate constants . The same modulation of two wavelengths produces much more ef fective ef fects for virucidal action and disinfection . In addition, pulse-modulated ultraviolet radiation induces a secondary ef fect , i . e . rapid heating due to UV-C that breaks down microbial cells , leading to rapid death of the microorganism .

The sanitising system 1 comprises a control unit 5 configured to operate the light source 2 in response to a command given by the user .

In particular, the control unit 5 is configured to store predefined modulations and predefined wavelengths for the multispectral ultraviolet radiation irradiated by the light source 2 and, in response to a command from a user, operate the light source 2 in such a way that the light source 2 irradiates a given multispectral ultraviolet radiation having at least one of the predefined modulations and having at least two predefined wavelengths stored therein .

Through the user interface 4 , the user is able to generate new modulation patterns , at di f ferent wavelengths , varying in frequency, amplitude , pulses (pwm) , duty cycle and pulse .

According to a possible embodiment of the present invention, the sanitisation system 1 comprises an image sensor, for example of the hyperspectral type , preferably high resolution, configured to detect a hyperspectral image .

Preferably, the control unit 5 includes an identi fication module (not shown) configured to process the image detected by the image sensor identi fying a microorganism, for example based on the identi fication of a predefined geometric shape of the microorganism . In particular, the identi fication module is conf igured to process the image detected by the sensor, to compare it with at least one predefined reference image associated with a predetermined microorganism, and to detect the possible presence of the predetermined microorganism on the basis of this comparison .

By way of example , the sensor is of the hyperspectral type and is configured to acquire an image indicative of the presence of a virus on a surface ; once the image has been acquired, the identi fication module compares the acquired image with predef ined reference images each associated with a predetermined type of virus ; i f the acquired image substantially corresponds to a reference image of a particular virus , the virus identi fied will be the one corresponding to the reference image .

According to this embodiment , the control unit 5 is configured to operate , preferably in automatic mode and without user intervention, the light source 2 on the basis of the identi fied microorganism, for example by emitting a multispectral ultraviolet radiation having at least two predefined wavelengths and at least one of the modulations described above so as to sanitise the surface or air where the microorganism has been detected .

Preferably, the control unit 5 operates the light source 2 , e . g . by calibrating its irradiation power, based on the ratio of the number of micro-organisms ( e . g . , viruses ) to the surface area on which the microorganisms are detected .

Preferably, the identi fication module is based on light analysis technologies , e . g . spectrophotometry, fluorescence , infrared spectroscopy, phase imaging, etc .

The user can control the control unit 5 via the control interface 4 or via an electronic device 6 configured to remotely control the control unit 5 .

In this way, the sanitisation of a surface and/or air can be activated remotely, preferably via a remote control and a LAN port for data network connection . Advantageously, since via a radio control it is possible to set the date and time of activation of the light source 2 and thus the activation of a sanitisation, some rooms can also be sanitised with hourly programming at night .

Preferably, the radio control allows commands to be sent to sanitisation system 1 up to a distance of two ki lometres between the user who is using the radio control and sanitisation system 1 ; in this way, the user is safe and not exposed to ultraviolet radiation

Indeed, ( even accidental ) exposure of a subj ect to UV radiation in the wavelength range between 100 nm and 280 nm is capable of causing serious damage , including irritation, erythema, burns , severe photokeratitis and/or inflammation of the cornea in the subj ect . In addition, UV radiation can also af fect the reactivity of various internal organs that play an important role in the immune system .

In other words , the sanitisation system 1 can be networked to a router for remote web control , so that the user can monitor its operation and configure one or more modulation parameters of the irradiated UV radiation .

The manual activation via a sanitisation button from the remote control requires an activation password, so sanitisation can only take place with the consent and authorisation of the operator .

The control unit 5 , in response to the user ' s command, then radiates UV-C radiation having a predefined modulation and multiple wavelengths , which have been previously stored on said control unit 5 . Furthermore, the user is able to update the stored predefined modulations and/or predefined wavelengths by adding one or more new predefined modulations and/or one or more new predefined wavelengths and/or modifying one or more of the stored predefined modulations and/or one or more of the stored predefined wavelengths and/or deleting one or more of the stored predefined modulations and/or one or more of the stored predefined wavelengths.

In particular, the user is able to store, modify or save any new predefined modulation on the control unit 5 (e.g., on an internal memory or external USB memory via, preferably, the user interface 4) .

Preferably, the sanitisation system 1 further comprises a radar 7, preferably at 60 GHz, configured to detect a presence of a human or animal in an area 8 exposed to the UV radiation irradiated by the light source 2.

In this context, the control unit 5 is configured to:

- if the radar 7 has detected the presence of a human or animal within the area 8 exposed to UV radiation, interrupt the irradiation of UV radiation; and/or

- switch off the light source 2 once irradiation has ended .

Furthermore, intrinsic safety is implemented in the integrated electronics of the control unit 5 so that it satisfies the EN 61508 SIL2 level standard.

Specifically, the control unit 5 comprises:

- a microcontroller with double supervisory timer;

- double redundant and self-diagnosed inputs;

- outputs with double redundancy and self-diagnosis;

- a SIL2-certified safety relay;

- a firmware with time self-diagnosis, verified variable storage, safe SIL libraries to ensure Diagnostic Coverage appropriate to the desired safety level ( DC ) and required by EN 61508 standard, code writing consistent with MISRA rules ; and

- a redundant remote control communication radio protocol with time veri fication of sent packets in compliance with EN 61508 standard .

The sanitising system 1 also includes a power control unit 9 configured to control a power of the UV radiation irradiated by the light source 2 . In particular, the power control unit 9 is configured to :

- provide feedback on outputs ;

- have a hardware power cut ;

- control a temperature of the light source 2 ;

- check an area 8 with radar 7 ;

- monitor power supplies ;

- monitor a current Power On with password Emergency Stop ;

- enter Sleep and/or Idle mode ;

- have a backup battery that can also be used outdoors for a limited time in the absence of mains power ;

- have an adj ustable dimmer to vary the intensity of white or coloured lighting;

- have an input to connect the external twilight switch option which allows the automatic activation of light source 2 in low light conditions adj ustable by the twilight switch itsel f .

Conveniently, the current and the temperature of the LEDs are electronically controlled to prevent overheating or damage to the light source 2 and the ignition of the UV-C radiation is visually signalled by eight red flashing LEDs and an acoustic warning to signal that sanitisation is in progress . In particular, the power control unit 9 comprises a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature value of the light source 2 , wherein the control unit 5 is configured to compare the detected temperature value with a predefined temperature value . The control unit 5 is then configured to stop or allow the emission of the multispectral ultraviolet radiation based on this comparison .

UV-C radiations can signi ficantly af fect indoor air from a chemical point of view, consequently producing undesirable particles and gases . Preferably, the sanitisation system 1 therefore comprises an air treatment unit (UTA) 10 configured to sanitise the area 8 of exposure to UV radiation, allowing manual and/or automatic management of venti lation in enclosed spaces , wherein the automatic mode will allow the application of ventilation patterns dependent on the irradiated UV-C radiation .

Advantageously, the sanitisation system 1 can be applied in various areas or sectors .

As an example , the sanitisation system 1 could find application in an industrial environment , e . g . it could be installed on a conveyor belt where organic or inorganic products to be sanitised are conveyed . This function is made possible by certain I /O control signals compatible with PLCs used in the industrial environment .

As a further example , the sanitisation system could find application in the agricultural sector for sanitisation in viticulture or fruit-growing, e . g . for sanitising plants in greenhouses and generating arti ficial light useful for the growth cycle . Advantageously, the sanitisation system 1 is configured to del iver high power even at ambient temperatures of up to 40 degrees , allowing new sanitisation systems to be modelled in outdoor agriculture to reduce the use of fungicides .

A further example of application concerns the use of the sanitisation system 1 in enclosed spaces , of fices , schools , and can be used for both ambient lighting and at the same time for sanitisation with UV-C at a programmable time and hour ( typically at night ) .

From the above description, the many innovative features of the present invention are immediately obvious to a technician in the field .

In particular, the sanitisation system 1 of fers the possibility to be used in various applications , e . g . in the electro-medical sector, in operating theatres , in the sanitisation of trains and cars , in applications on the customer ' s request for closed or open environments , in lighting and sanitisation for greenhouses/ nurseries or in sanitisation on packaging lines .

Finally, it is clear that the sanitisation system 1 according to the present invention can be modi fied and variants can be made which, however, do not go beyond the scope of protection defined by the claims .

Claims

1 . Sanitisation system ( 1 ) from microorganism based on multispectral ultraviolet irradiation comprising a light source ( 2 ) operable to irradiate multispectral ultraviolet radiation and a control unit ( 5 ) configured to :

• store predefined modulations and predefined wavelengths for multispectral ultraviolet radiations irradiated by the light source ( 2 ) to perform a sanitisation in relation to di f ferent microorganisms ;

• in response to a command from a user, operate the light source ( 2 ) in such a way that it radiates a given multispectral ultraviolet radiation having at least one of the predefined modulations and having at least two stored predefined wavelengths ; and

• allow a user to update the stored predef ined modulations and/or predefined wavelengths by adding one or more new predefined modulations and/or one or more new predefined wavelengths and/or modi fying one or more of the stored predefined modulations and/or one or more of the stored predefined wavelengths and/or deleting one or more of the stored predef ined modulations and/or one or more of the stored predefined wavelengths ; wherein the predefined modulation of the multispectral ultraviolet radiation includes at least one of :

• a frequency modulation;

• an amplitude modulation ; and

• a pulse modulation of the multispectral ultraviolet radiation .

2 . Sanitisation system according to claim 1 , wherein the pulse modulation comprises at least one of a pulse amplitude modulation, a pulse frequency modulation, a pulse width modulation and a pulse position modulation .

3. Sanitisation system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the predefined modulation of the multispectral ultraviolet radiation comprises a phase modulation.

4. Sanitization system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the predefined modulation of the multispectral ultraviolet radiation is of the analog type.

5. Sanitisation system according to any of the preceding claims, comprising an identification sensor configured to acquire a data indicative of a presence of a microorganism; wherein the control unit (5) comprises an identification module configured to detect the presence of a microorganism on the basis of the data acquired by the identification sensor and operate the light source (2) on the basis of the detected microorganism.

6. Sanitisation system according to claim 5, wherein the identification sensor is of the hyperspectral type and is configured to acquire a hyperspectral type image.

7. Sanitisation system according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an electronic device (6) configured to remotely control the control unit (5) for operating the light source (2) .

8. Sanitising system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the light source (2) comprises a cooling unit for cooling the light source (2) .

9. Sanitisation system according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a radar (7) configured to detect a presence of a human or an animal in an area (8) of exposure to the multispectral ultraviolet radiation; wherein, if the radar (7) detects the presence of a human or an animal, the control unit (5) is configured to interrupt the irradiation of the multispectral ultraviolet radiation.

10. Sanitisation system according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a power control unit (9) of the multispectral ultraviolet radiation irradiated by the light source ( 2 ) .

11. Sanitisation system according to claim 10, wherein the power control unit (9) comprises a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature value of the light source (2) ; wherein the control unit (5) is configured to compare the detected temperature value with a predefined temperature value; said control unit (5) being configured to interrupt or allow emission of the multispectral ultraviolet radiation based on said comparison.

12. Sanitisation system according to any of the preceding claims, comprising an air treatment unit (10) configured to sanitise the area (8) of exposure to multi-spectral ultraviolet radiation.