# US 10,946,111 B2 · Systems and methods for disinfection > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,946,111 B2 - Document ID: US10946111B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/898,235 - Filed: 2020-06-10 - Published: 2020-09-24 - Granted: 2021-03-16 - Earliest claimed: 2014-01-29 - Assignees: P Tech, LLC - Applicants: P Tech, LLC - Inventors: Peter M. Bonutti; Justin Beyers; Tonya M. Bierman - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10946111B2 ## CPC - A61L 2/10: Ultraviolet [UV] radiation - A61L 2/025: Ultrasonic waves - C02F 1/325: {Irradiation devices or lamp constructions} - C02F 1/36: ultrasonic vibrations - C02F 2201/3222: Units using UV-light emitting diodes [LED] - C02F 2201/3226: Units using UV-light emitting lasers - C02F 2303/04: Disinfection - F25D 2400/22: Cleaning means for refrigerating devices - A61L: METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES (preservation of bodies or disinfecting characterised by the agents employed A01N; preserving, e.g. sterilising, food or foodstuffs A23; preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes A61K) - C02F: TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE (separation in general B01D; special arrangements on waterborne vessels of installations for treating water, waste water or sewage, e.g. for producing fresh water, B63J; adding materials to water to prevent corrosion C23F; treating radioactively-contaminated liquids G21F9/04; regeneration of reactants for recirculation into processes, see the relevant places for the processes) - F25D: REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (refrigerated showcases A47F3/04; thermally-insulated vessels for domestic use A47J41/00; refrigerated vehicles, see the appropriate subclasses of classes B60 - B64; containers with thermal insulation in general B65D81/38; heat-transfer, heat-exchange or heat-storage materials, e.g. refrigerants, or materials for the production of heat or cold by chemical reactions other than by combustion C09K5/00; thermally-insulated vessels for liquefied or solidified gases F17C; air-conditioning or air-humidification F24F; refrigeration machines, plants, or systems F25B; cooling of instruments or comparable apparatus without refrigeration G12B) ## Abstract A disinfecting system includes a housing. An ultraviolet light (UV) source is secured to the housing and configured to emit UV light for disinfection of a target. A processor is secured to the housing in communication with the UV light source. The processor is configured to activate the UV light source for a selected amount of time suitable for disinfection of the target. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A disinfecting system comprising: an ultraviolet (UV) device including an ultraviolet light (UV) source configured to emit UV light for disinfection of a target; an image sensor configured to acquire image data of the target during disinfection of the target; and a processor in communication with the UV device and the image sensor, wherein the processor is configured to analyze the image data received from the image sensor during disinfection of the target to determine a parameter of disinfection by the UV device, wherein the processor is configured to communicate feedback to an operator of the disinfecting system during disinfection of the target based on the determined parameter of disinfection. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The disinfecting system set forth in claim 1, wherein the parameter of disinfection comprises a safety parameter indicating that at least one of an animal or person has entered a field of UV emission from the UV light source during use of the UV device. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The disinfecting system set forth in claim 2, wherein the feedback comprises automatically turning off the UV light source if the processor determines said at least one of an animal or person has entered the field of UV emission during use of the UV device. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The disinfecting system set forth in claim 3, further comprising a display, wherein the feedback further comprises visual feedback communicated on the display. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The disinfecting system set forth in claim 2, wherein the parameter of disinfection further comprises an area of the field of UV emission during use. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The disinfecting system set forth in claim 2, wherein the parameter of disinfection further comprises a distance between the UV light sources and the target during use. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The disinfecting system set forth in claim 2, wherein the parameter of disinfection further comprises a dosage of UV emitted on the target during use. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The disinfecting system set forth in claim 1, further comprising a robot, wherein the UV device and the image sensor are mounted on the robot. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The disinfecting system set forth in claim 1, wherein the UV light source is configured to emit UV light having a wavelength from about 100 nm to about 400 nm. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The disinfecting system set forth in claim 9, wherein the UV light source is configured to emit UV light having a wavelength from about 240 nm to about 260 nm. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The disinfecting system set forth in claim 9, wherein the additional operating parameter is distance from the target during use. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The disinfecting system set forth in claim 1, further comprising an ultrasound transducer configured to emit ultrasonic energy for disinfecting the target, wherein the processor is in communication with the ultrasound transducer. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The disinfecting system set forth in claim 1, wherein the UV light source comprises an ultraviolet LED. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The disinfecting system set forth in claim 1, wherein the UV light source comprises a laser. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The disinfecting system set forth in claim 1, further comprising at least one additional sensor in communication with the processor, wherein the at least one additional sensor is configured to detect an additional operating parameter of the UV device during use, wherein the processor is configured to analyze the additional operating parameter received from the at least one additional sensor during use of the UV device to determine the parameter of disinfection by the UV device, wherein the processor is configured to communicate feedback to the operator of the disinfecting system during use of the UV device based on the determined parameter of disinfection. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The disinfecting system set forth in claim 1, wherein the UV device is in wireless communication with the processor. ### Claim 17 A disinfecting system comprising: a UV device including an ultraviolet light (UV) source configured to emit UV light for disinfection of a target; and a smart mobile device including a processor, wherein the UV device is in communication with the smart mobile device via a wireless connection, wherein the processor of the smart mobile device is configured to control the UV device during disinfection of the target, wherein the smart mobile device includes a display, wherein processor is configured to provide visual data relating to the disinfection of the target on the display. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The disinfecting system set forth in claim 17, wherein the smart mobile device is one of a smartphone, a smart tablet, and a smart watch. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The disinfecting system set forth in claim 17, wherein the smart mobile device is physically unattached to the UV device. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The disinfecting system set forth in claim 17, further comprising a robot, wherein the UV device is physically coupled to the robot, wherein the smart mobile device is physically unattached to the robot. ### Claim 21 (depends on 17) The disinfecting system set forth in claim 17, further comprising an image sensor in communication with the processor, the image sensor configured to generate image data of the target during disinfection. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The disinfecting system set forth in claim 21, wherein the smart mobile device includes a display in communication with the processor, wherein the processor is configured to receive the image data from the image sensor and to provide an image of the target on the display during disinfection. ### Claim 23 A disinfecting system comprising: a UV device including an ultraviolet light (UV) source configured to emit UV light for disinfection of a target; a processor; a display in communication with the processor; and an image sensor in communication with the processor, the image sensor being configured to generate image data of the target during disinfection of the target and to send the image data to the processor, wherein the processor is configured to receive the image data from the image sensor and to provide an image of the target on the display during disinfection. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The disinfecting system of claim 23, wherein the processor is in wireless communication with the UV device. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The disinfecting system of claim 24, wherein the processor is configured to control operation of the UV device during disinfection of the target. ### Claim 26 (depends on 23) The disinfecting system of claim 23, wherein the processor is configured to analyze the image data received from the image sensor during use of the UV device to determine a parameter of disinfection by the UV device. ### Claim 27 (depends on 23) The disinfecting system of claim 23, further comprising at least one additional sensor configured to detect an operating parameter of the UV device during use, wherein the processor is configured to analyze the additional operating parameter received from the at least one additional sensor during use of the UV device to determine a parameter of disinfection by the UV device. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The disinfecting system of claim 27, wherein the processor is configured to communicate feedback to the operator of the disinfecting system during use of the UV device based on the determined parameter of disinfection. ### Claim 29 (depends on 23) The disinfecting system of claim 23, wherein the image sensor is in wireless communication with the processor.