IP Library Granted Patent US 12,569,586
Granted Patent B2
US 12,569,586 · App. 17/066,166 · Granted Mar 10, 2026

UV sterilization apparatus, system, and method for forced-air patient heating systems

Inventor: Mark D. Krosney (Jensen Beach, FL)
Assignee: Molekule Group, Inc.
A61L9/20A61F7/0085A61F7/0097B01D53/007A61F2007/006A61L2209/111A61L2209/14A61L2209/16B01D2257/91B01D2259/804
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,569,586
App. No.
17/066,166
Granted
Mar 10, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

An improvement to UV sterilization and disinfection devices and methods is disclosed. An apparatus for sterilization and disinfection includes: a compact, highly effective air sterilization and disinfection apparatus, which delivers clean, pure air directly into a blower/warmer device for clean and effective management of patient body temperature.

Claims (19)

1 . An air treatment system comprising:

an air intake area comprising an opening and a filter assembly;

a fan configured to generate an airflow of filtered air; and

a sanitizing chamber configured to expose the airflow to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, wherein the sanitizing chamber includes:

a sterilization region comprising an array of ultraviolet (UV) light emitting diodes (LEDs); and

a UV light reflective inner surface that provides diffuse reflection, wherein:

the sanitizing chamber has a cross-sectional area within a range of 1 to 1.5 inches; and

a ratio of a total length of the sanitizing chamber to the cross-sectional area is at least 25 such that an amount of incident UV radiation escaping from an exit end of the sanitizing chamber is less than 1 mW/m 2 , wherein the airflow is output from the sanitizing chamber at the exit end.

2 . The air treatment system of claim 1 , wherein a length of the sterilization region is configured to minimize pressure drop across the air treatment system while enabling a 99% reduction of airborne pathogens from the airflow.

3 . The air treatment system of claim 1 , wherein the filter assembly comprises a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter.

4 . The air treatment system of claim 1 , wherein the array of UV LEDs is configured to emit radiation at one or more wavelength within a range of 240-280 nm.

5 . The air treatment system of claim 1 , wherein the UV LEDs are configured to irradiate the airflow with a UV radiation dosage, wherein the UV radiation dosage is calculated based on a computed residence time for the sanitizing chamber, computed UV radiation flux, and desired threshold of 99% reduction in airborne pathogens.

6 . The air treatment system of claim 1 , wherein a UV-reflective material covers at least some of an interior surface of the sanitizing chamber.

7 . The air treatment system of claim 1 , further comprising a UV sensor disposed in the sanitizing chamber, and at least one visible indicator, wherein the UV sensor monitors performance of the array of UV LEDs, and the at least one visible indicator provides information to a user about the performance of the array of UV LEDs.

8 . The air treatment system of claim 1 , wherein the sanitizing chamber further comprises:

at least one bend having a total bend angle of at least 90 degrees; and

at least one straight region, wherein the at least one straight region includes the sterilization region comprising the array of UV LEDs.

9 . The air treatment system of claim 1 , further comprising an exhaust portion coupled to a warming blanket, wherein the exhaust portion is configured to receive the airflow that has passed through the sanitizing chamber.

10 . The air treatment system of claim 1 , further comprising a heating assembly configured to heat the airflow.

Assignments (10)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ASSIGNEE'S CITY PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 69273 FRAME: 737. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT . Recorded Nov 4, 2025
From: MKUL INC.
To: MOLEKULE GROUP, INC.
Reel/Frame 072901/0284 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ASSIGNEE'S CITY PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 69270 FRAME: 782. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE CHANGE OF NAME. Recorded Nov 4, 2025
From: MOLEKULE GROUP, INC.
To: MKUL, INC.
Reel/Frame 072901/0387 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Oct 25, 2024
From: MOLEKULE GROUP, INC.
To: MKUL, INC.
Reel/Frame 069270/0782 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 25, 2024
From: MKUL INC.
To: MOLEKULE GROUP, INC.
Reel/Frame 069273/0737 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE APPLICATION NO. 11406729 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 063560 FRAME 0224. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE CHANGE OF NAME. Recorded May 16, 2023
From: MOLEKULE, INC.
To: MOLEKULE GROUP, INC.
Reel/Frame 063649/0857 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 7, 2023
From: AEROCLEAN TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: MOLEKULE, INC.
Reel/Frame 063560/0270 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 7, 2023
From: MOLEKULE, INC.
To: MOLEKULE GROUP, INC.
Reel/Frame 063560/0224 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 12, 2023
From: MOLEKULE GROUP, INC. (F/K/A AEROCLEAN TECHNOLOGIES, INC.)
To: SILICON VALLEY BANK
Reel/Frame 062361/0228 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 12, 2023
From: MOLEKULE GROUP, INC. (F/K/A AEROCLEAN TECHNOLOGIES, INC.)
To: SILICON VALLEY BANK
Reel/Frame 062361/0264 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 16, 2020
From: KROSNEY, MARK D
To: AEROCLEAN TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 054082/0917 →
Continuity (7)
Continuation 15693889 · Sep 1, 2017
Continuation In Part 14921638 · Oct 23, 2015
Continuation In Part 14527449 · Oct 29, 2014
Division 13951598 · Jul 26, 2013
Provisional Application 62552547 · Aug 31, 2017
Provisional Application 61676407 · Jul 27, 2012
Related Publication 20210093744A1 · Apr 1, 2021
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