IP Library › Granted Patent US 12702532
Granted Patent B2
US 12702532 · App. 18/285,651 · Granted Aug 11, 2026

Systems and methods for producing a controlled operating environment

Inventors: Daniel T. White (Gainesville, FL); Eamonn P Fitzgerald (Miramar, FL)
A61C17/096A61C17/065A61L9/20B01D46/0028B01D46/0049A61L2209/12A61L2209/14B01D2273/30B01D2279/65
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12702532
App. No.
18/285,651
Granted
Aug 11, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

An air handling and filtration/treatment system (whether portable of affixed) for the mitigation and management of airborne biological contaminants (either those pre-existing or those that may become generated) that includes a suspended air in-take assembly containing a removable filter; that includes a deflector having ducting leading to a housing assembly that includes a UV sanitizer, a fan assembly and controller; and includes an outflow assembly that includes ducting leading to a position able manifold having a plurality orifices. The manifold and deflector are laterally offset from the housing assembly and vertically aligned with each other. The manifold is positioned to encircle the bioaerosol source. When the system is operated, the fan assembly suctions air through the filter positioned at the duct inlet, through the UV sanitizer, and expels the treated air through the manifold orifices which are directed towards the deflector to create an air curtain and negative pressure environment which contains the newly generated bioaerosols directing them to the filter of the in-take assembly.

Claims (33)

1 . An air handling and filtration/treatment system for use in performing dental procedures, comprising:

a) a housing assembly including a motorized fan assembly, a user interface and a controller;

b) an intake assembly including a removable filter, a first duct having a first end coupled to said housing assembly and a second end positioned laterally offset from said housing assembly, and a deflector positioned adjacent said second end, said first duct being in fluid communication with said fan assembly;

c) an outflow assembly including a second duct having a first end coupled to said housing assembly and a second end coupled to a manifold member, said manifold member being positioned vertically below said deflector and includes a plurality of orifices that direct airflow vertically towards the deflector, said second duct being in fluid communication with said fan assembly; and,

said housing assembly further including an operable mode such that when said housing assembly is in said operable mode, operation of said motorized fan assembly causes the suction of air into said first duct second end and the expulsion of air through said second duct to thereby create a controlled environment positioned between said deflector and said manifold member whereby airflow emanating from said manifold is directed towards the deflector and is suctioned into said first duct second end.

2 . The air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 1 , wherein said removable filter is positioned at or near the terminable end of said first duct second end.

3 . The air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 2 , wherein said removable filter is a HEPA filter.

4 . The air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 1 , wherein said deflector is arcuate.

5 . The air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 1 , wherein said manifold member takes the form of a bib.

6 . The air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 5 , wherein said plurality of orifices are positioned adjacent the periphery of said bib.

7 . The air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 5 , wherein said bib is inflatable.

8 . The air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 1 , wherein said housing assembly includes a UV sanitizer.

9 . The air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 1 , wherein said intake assembly includes a UV sanitizer.

10 . The air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 1 , wherein said housing assembly includes a diffuser assembly such that when in said operable mode a portion of airflow from said fan assembly is directed to a diffuser member that reduces the air speed and discharges the air adjacent the housing assembly.

11 . The air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 1 , wherein said housing assembly includes a diffuser assembly such that when in said operable mode a portion of airflow from said fan assembly is directed to a diffuser member that reduces the air speed and discharges air to a manifold assembly.

12 . The air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 1 , wherein said airflow in said controlled environment is laminar.

13 . The air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 1 , wherein said airflow in said controlled environment has at least one speed of between 2 and 12 miles per hour.

14 . The air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 1 , wherein said intake assembly is telescoping.

15 . The air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 1 , wherein said intake assembly is vertically and horizontally adjustable.

16 . A portable air handling and filtration/treatment system for use in performing dental procedures, comprising:

a) a housing assembly including a motorized fan assembly, a user interface and a controller;

b) an intake assembly including a removable filter, a first duct having a first end coupled to said housing assembly and a second end positioned laterally offset from said housing assembly, and a deflector positioned adjacent said second end, said first duct being in fluid communication with said fan assembly;

c) an outflow assembly including a second duct having a first end coupled to said housing assembly and a second end coupled to a manifold member, said manifold member being positioned opposite said deflector and includes a plurality of orifices that direct airflow towards the deflector, said second duct being in fluid communication with said fan assembly; and

said housing assembly further including an operable mode such that when said housing assembly is in said operable mode, operation of said motorized fan assembly causes the suction of air into said first duct second end and the expulsion of air through said second duct to thereby define a controlled environment positioned between said deflector and said manifold member whereby airflow emanating from said manifold is directed towards the deflector and is suctioned into said first duct second end.

17 . A method of monitoring bioaerosols generated from a patient comprising:

providing an air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 16 ;

positioning the manifold member appropriately about a patient;

operating the air handling and filtration/treatment system such that bioaerosols generated from the patient are directed towards the removable filter by the airflow emanating from the orifices of the manifold member and subsequently captured within the removable filter;

removing the removable filter from the air handling and filtration/treatment system;

positioning a sealable barrier about the removable filter;

sealing said sealable barrier such that the removable filter is not exposed to the ambient environment; and

analyzing the sealed removable filter to determine captured bioaerosols.

18 . The method according to claim 17 including labeling said sealable barrier with information that corresponds to procedural data.