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Patent Application
App. No. 11/442,688

Sterilization methods and systems

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US None
App. No.
11/442,688
Abstract

Methods and systems for sterilizing one or more areas or one or more portions of one or more areas are described. In some embodiments, the methods and systems can be used to sterilize one or more areas or one or more portions of one or more areas through use of sterilizing radiation. In some embodiments, the methods and systems can be utilized so that objects, such as humans, that are within one or more areas or one or more portions of one or more areas are not substantially irradiated with sterilizing radiation.

Claims (156)

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23 . A sterilization method comprising:

approximating one or more distances from one or more sources of sterilizing radiation to one or more surfaces within one or more areas; and

transmitting one or more signals to the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation in response to the approximating.

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25 . The method of claim 23 , wherein approximating one or more distances from one or more sources of sterilizing radiation to one or more surfaces within one or more areas comprises:

approximating if the one or more surfaces within the one or more areas are included within one or more shadows.

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27 . The method of claim 23 , wherein approximating one or more distances from one or more sources of sterilizing radiation to one or more surfaces within one or more areas comprises:

approximating the one or more distances by modeling the one or more areas.

28 . The method of claim 23 , wherein transmitting one or more signals to the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation in response to the approximating comprises:

transmitting the one or more signals to the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation instructing the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation to emit sterilizing radiation substantially constantly.

29 . The method of claim 23 , wherein transmitting one or more signals to the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation in response to the approximating comprises:

transmitting the one or more signals to the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation instructing the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation to emit sterilizing radiation as a pulse.

30 . The method of claim 23 , wherein transmitting one or more signals to the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation in response to the approximating comprises:

transmitting the one or more signals to the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation instructing the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation to emit sterilizing radiation as ultraviolet light.

31 . The method of claim 23 , wherein transmitting one or more signals to the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation in response to the approximating comprises:

transmitting the one or more signals to the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation instructing the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation to emit sterilizing radiation as ultraviolet light having a wavelength between 100 and 400 nanometers.

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35 . The method of claim 23 , wherein transmitting one or more signals to the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation in response to the approximating comprises:

transmitting the one or more signals to the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation instructing the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation to direct sterilizing radiation emitted from the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation.

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37 . The method of claim 23 , wherein transmitting one or more signals to the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation in response to the approximating comprises:

transmitting the one or more signals to the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation instructing the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation to avoid emitting sterilizing radiation onto the one or more surfaces.

38 . The method of claim 23 , wherein transmitting one or more signals to the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation in response to the approximating comprises:

transmitting the one or more signals to the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation instructing the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation to emit sterilizing radiation onto the one or more surfaces.

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40 . The method of claim 23 , wherein transmitting one or more signals to the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation in response to the approximating comprises:

transmitting the one or more signals to the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation instructing the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation to emit sterilizing radiation onto the one or more surfaces according to a sterilization level assigned to the one or more surfaces.

41 . The method of claim 23 , wherein transmitting one or more signals to the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation in response to the approximating comprises:

transmitting the one or more signals to the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation instructing the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation to emit sterilizing radiation onto the one or more surfaces in a prioritized manner.

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100 . A sterilization system comprising:

means for approximating one or more distances from one or more sources of sterilizing radiation to one or more surfaces within one or more areas; and

means for transmitting one or more signals to the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation in response to the approximating.

101 . The system of claim 100 , wherein means for approximating one or more distances from one or more sources of sterilizing radiation to one or more surfaces within one or more areas comprises:

means for approximating one or more shapes that correspond to the one or more surfaces within the one or more areas.

102 . The system of claim 100 , wherein means for approximating one or more distances from one or more sources of sterilizing radiation to one or more surfaces within one or more areas comprises:

means for approximating if the one or more surfaces within the one or more areas are included within one or more shadows.

103 . The system of claim 100 , wherein means for approximating one or more distances from one or more sources of sterilizing radiation to one or more surfaces within one or more areas comprises:

means for approximating the one or more distances by accessing a database.

104 . The system of claim 100 , wherein means for approximating one or more distances from one or more sources of sterilizing radiation to one or more surfaces within one or more areas comprises:

means for approximating the one or more distances by modeling the one or more areas.

105 . The system of claim 100 , wherein means for transmitting one or more signals to the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation in response to the approximating comprises:

means for transmitting the one or more signals to the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation instructing the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation to emit sterilizing radiation substantially constantly.

106 . The system of claim 100 , wherein means for transmitting one or more signals to the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation in response to the approximating comprises:

means for transmitting the one or more signals to the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation instructing the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation to emit sterilizing radiation as a pulse.

107 . The system of claim 100 , wherein means for transmitting one or more signals to the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation in response to the approximating comprises:

means for transmitting the one or more signals to the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation instructing the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation to emit sterilizing radiation as ultraviolet light.

108 . The system of claim 100 , wherein means for transmitting one or more signals to the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation in response to the approximating comprises:

means for transmitting the one or more signals to the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation instructing the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation to emit sterilizing radiation as ultraviolet light having a wavelength between 100 and 400 nanometers.

109 . The system of claim 100 , wherein means for transmitting one or more signals to the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation in response to the approximating comprises:

means for transmitting the one or more signals to the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation instructing the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation to emit sterilizing radiation as ultraviolet light having a wavelength between 180 and 300 nanometers.

110 . The system of claim 100 , wherein means for transmitting one or more signals to the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation in response to the approximating comprises:

means for transmitting the one or more signals to the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation instructing the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation to emit sterilizing radiation as ultraviolet light having a wavelength between 250 and 280 nanometers.

111 . The system of claim 100 , wherein means for transmitting one or more signals to the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation in response to the approximating comprises:

means for transmitting the one or more signals to the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation instructing the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation to emit sterilizing radiation as gamma radiation.

112 . The system of claim 100 , wherein means for transmitting one or more signals to the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation in response to the approximating comprises:

means for transmitting the one or more signals to the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation instructing the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation to direct sterilizing radiation emitted from the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation.

113 . The system of claim 100 , wherein means for transmitting one or more signals to the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation in response to the approximating comprises:

means for transmitting the one or more signals to the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation instructing the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation to shape sterilizing radiation emitted from the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation.

114 . The system of claim 100 , wherein means for transmitting one or more signals to the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation in response to the approximating comprises:

means for transmitting the one or more signals to the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation instructing the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation to avoid emitting sterilizing radiation onto the one or more surfaces.

115 . The system of claim 100 , wherein means for transmitting one or more signals to the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation in response to the approximating comprises:

means for transmitting the one or more signals to the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation instructing the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation to emit sterilizing radiation onto the one or more surfaces.

116 . The system of claim 100 , wherein means for transmitting one or more signals to the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation in response to the approximating comprises:

means for transmitting the one or more signals to the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation instructing the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation to emit sterilizing radiation onto one or more spatially defined surfaces within the one or more areas.

117 . The system of claim 100 , wherein means for transmitting one or more signals to the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation in response to the approximating comprises:

means for transmitting the one or more signals to the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation instructing the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation to emit sterilizing radiation onto the one or more surfaces according to a sterilization level assigned to the one or more surfaces.

118 . The system of claim 100 , wherein means for transmitting one or more signals to the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation in response to the approximating comprises:

means for transmitting the one or more signals to the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation instructing the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation to emit sterilizing radiation onto the one or more surfaces in a prioritized manner.

119 . The system of claim 100 , wherein means for transmitting one or more signals to the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation in response to the approximating comprises:

means for transmitting the one or more signals to one or more recording devices.

120 . A sterilization system comprising:

circuitry for approximating one or more distances from one or more sources of sterilizing radiation to one or more surfaces within one or more areas; and

circuitry for transmitting one or more signals to the one or more sources of sterilizing radiation in response to the approximating.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 15, 2016
From: SEARETE LLC
To: DEEP SCIENCE, LLC
Reel/Frame 037535/0584 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 10, 2006
From: JUNG, EDWARD K.Y.; LEVIEN, ROYCE A.; LORD, ROBERT W.; MALAMUD, MARK A.; RINALDO, JR. JOHN D.; WOOD, JR, LOWELL L.
To: SEARETE LLC
Reel/Frame 018238/0864 →