Method of Providing Doses of Light Sufficient to Deactivate Dangerous Pathogens Throughout a Volumetric Space Over a Period of Time
A method of providing doses of light sufficient to deactivate bacteria throughout a volumetric space. The method includes: (1) receiving data associated with a desired illuminance level for the space, indicative of an estimated occupancy of the volumetric space over a pre-determined period of time, and indicative of dimensions of the space; (2) determining, based on the received data, an arrangement of one or more lighting fixtures in the volumetric space, the one or more lighting fixtures configured to at least partially emit disinfecting light having a wavelength of between 400 nm and 420 nm, and a total radiometric power to be applied via the one or more lighting fixtures to produce a desired power density at any exposed surface within the volumetric space during the period of time; and (3) installing the determined arrangement of one or more lighting fixtures in the volumetric space.
1 . A method of providing doses of light sufficient to deactivate MRSA bacteria throughout a volumetric space over a period of time, the method comprising:
receiving first data associated with a desired illuminance level for the volumetric space, second data indicative of an estimated occupancy of the volumetric space over a pre-determined period of time, and third data indicative of a length and a width of the volumetric space;
determining, based on the first data, an arrangement of one or more lighting fixtures in the volumetric space, the one or more lighting fixtures configured to at least partially emit disinfecting light having a wavelength of between 400 nm and 420 nm, and the arrangement of one or more lighting fixtures further comprising means for directing the disinfecting light;
determining, based on the second and third data, a total radiometric power to be applied via the one or more lighting fixtures to produce a desired power density at any exposed surface within the volumetric space during the period of time, the desired power density comprising a minimum integrated irradiance of the disinfecting light equal to 0.01 mW/cm 2 ; and
installing the determined arrangement of one or more lighting fixtures in the volumetric space, such that the determined total radiometric power can be applied to the volumetric space via the one or more lighting fixtures.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the third data is indicative of the length, the width, and a height of the volumetric space.
3 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving fourth data indicative of a desired correlated color temperature for the volumetric space, wherein determining the arrangement of one or more lighting fixtures comprises determining the arrangement of one or more lighting fixtures based on the first and fourth data.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the volumetric space has a volume of less than or equal to 707.92 m 3 .
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the volumetric space is partially defined by an area extending between 0.5 m below a plane of the one or more lighting fixtures and 60.96 cm above a floor plane of the volumetric space, the area being equal to or less than 232.25 m 2 .
6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the volumetric space is partially defined by an area extending between 1.5 m below a plane of the one or more lighting fixtures and 60.96 cm above a floor plane of the volumetric space, the area being equal to or less than 232.25 m 2 .
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the means for directing the disinfecting light comprises one or more of a reflector or a diffuser.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the arrangement of one or more lighting fixtures comprises a means for managing heat generated by the one or more lighting fixtures.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein each of the one or more lighting fixtures applies a radiometric power at 20 degrees from a center axis of light distribution that is equal to 50% of a radiometric power applied at the center axis of light distribution, wherein the radiometric power at 20 degrees and the radiometric power at the center axis are measured at equal distances from one or more sources of the light distribution.
10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the exposed surface in the volumetric space is 1.5 m from an external-most luminous surface of the one or more lighting fixtures at nadir, and wherein the minimum integrated irradiance of the disinfecting light is equal to 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25, or 0.30 mW/cm 2 .
11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the desired power density comprises an average power density comprising an average integrated irradiance of the disinfecting light greater than 0.05 mW/cm 2
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the average integrated irradiance of the disinfecting light is greater than 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25, or 0.30 mW/cm 2 .
13 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the period of time comprises a 24 hour period.
14 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more lighting fixtures are configured to at least partially emit light having a wavelength of greater than 420 nm.
15 . A method of providing doses of light sufficient to deactivate MRSA bacteria throughout a volumetric space over a period of time, the method comprising:
installing an arrangement of one or more lighting fixtures in the volumetric space, the one or more lighting fixtures configured to at least partially emit disinfecting light having a wavelength of between 400 nm and 420 nm, and the arrangement of one or more lighting fixtures further comprising means for directing the disinfecting light; and
applying, via the one or more lighting fixtures, a determined radiometric power to the volumetric space, wherein the determined radiometric power produces a minimum power density at any exposed surface within the volumetric space during the period of time, the minimum power density comprising a minimum integrated irradiance of the disinfecting light equal to 0.01 mW/cm 2 .
16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the means for directing the disinfecting light comprises one or more of a reflector or a diffuser.
17 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the arrangement of one or more lighting fixtures comprises a means for managing heat generated by the one or more lighting fixtures.
18 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the one or more lighting fixtures comprise one or more first light-emitting elements and one or more second light-emitting elements, the one or more first light-emitting elements configured to emit the disinfecting light, and the one or more second light-emitting elements configured to emit light having the wavelength of greater than 420 nm.
19 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the one or more lighting fixtures comprise one or more one light-emitting diodes and one or more phosphor elements covering or arranged proximate to the one or more light-emitting diodes, the one or more light-emitting diodes configured to emit the disinfecting light, and the one or more phosphor elements configured to produce the light having the wavelength of greater than 420 nm.
20 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the exposed surface in the volumetric space is 1.5 m from an external-most luminous surface of the one or more lighting fixtures at nadir, and wherein the minimum integrated irradiance of the disinfecting light is equal to 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25, or 0.30 mW/cm 2 .
21 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising automatically adjusting the disinfecting light to maintain the desired power density.
22 . The method of claim 21 , wherein automatically adjusting the disinfecting light comprises adjusting the wavelength, an intensity, or a bandwidth of the disinfecting light.
23 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising recording the wavelength, a bandwidth, or an intensity of the disinfecting light applied via the one or more lighting fixtures over the period of time.
24 . The method of claim 15 , wherein applying the determined radiometric power comprises controlling an intensity of the disinfecting light responsive to a control signal received from a user of the one or more lighting fixtures or a central controller located remotely from the one or more lighting fixtures.
25 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the determined total radiometric power is applied to the volumetric space without using any photosensitizers.