# US 11,439,719 B2 · Device for disinfecting equipment and method of using the same

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- Number: US 11,439,719 B2
- Document ID: US11439719B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/833,799
- Filed: 2020-03-30
- Published: 2020-07-16
- Granted: 2022-09-13
- Earliest claimed: 2017-05-03
- Assignees: 3B Medical, Inc.
- Applicants: 3B Medical, Inc.
- Inventors: Albert A. Lucio
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11439719B2

## CPC

- A61L 2/26: Accessories
- A61L 2/06: Hot gas
- A61L 2/10: Ultraviolet [UV] radiation
- A61L 2/202: Ozone
- A61L 2/24: Apparatus using programmed or automatic operation
- A61L 2103/15: Laboratory, medical or dentistry appliances, e.g. catheters or sharps
- A61L 2202/11: Apparatus for generating biocidal substances, e.g. vaporisers, UV lamps
- A61L 2202/121: Sealings, e.g. doors, covers, valves, sluices
- A61L 2202/122: Chambers for sterilisation
- A61L 2202/14: Means for controlling sterilisation processes, data processing, presentation and storage means, e.g. sensors, controllers, programs
- A61L 2202/15: Biocide distribution means, e.g. nozzles, pumps, manifolds, fans, baffles, sprayers
- A61L 2202/16: Mobile applications, e.g. portable devices, trailers, devices mounted on vehicles
- A61M 16/00: Devices for influencing the respiratory system of patients by gas treatment, e.g. ventilators (iron lungs A61H31/02); Tracheal tubes
- 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)
- A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)}

## Abstract

This disclosure relates to a device for disinfecting equipment, such as medical devices, surgical equipment, and/or CPAP components (or, CPAP equipment), including the various parts of a CPAP system, such as hoses, masks, pillows, couplings, humidifiers, etc., that require frequent cleaning and disinfecting. An example device includes a chamber, an ultraviolet (UV) light configured to emit UV light within the chamber, an ozone generator configured to generate ozone within the chamber, and a control unit configured to activate the UV light and the ozone generator simultaneously for a first period of time. A method is also disclosed.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A device for disinfecting equipment, comprising:
a chamber;
an ultraviolet (UV) light source configured to emit UV light within the chamber;
an ozone generator configured to generate ozone within the chamber;
a control unit configured to activate the UV light source and the ozone generator simultaneously for a first period of time,
a blower, the control unit configured to activate the blower for the first period of time;
a heater;
wherein, after the first period of time, the control unit is configured to activate the heater and cause the blower to continue to run for a second period of time,
wherein the control unit is configured to activate the heater to raise a temperature of the chamber to a predetermined temperature and to maintain the chamber at the predetermined temperature for a second period of time,
a vacuum pump;
wherein, after the second period of time, the control unit is configured to deactivate the heater and cause the blower to continue to run for a third period of time, and
wherein the control unit is configured to activate the vacuum pump during the third period of time.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The device as recited in claim 1, wherein the first period of time is seven minutes.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The device as recited in claim 2, wherein the UV light source emits UV light at a wavelength of 254 nanometers (nm).

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The device as recited in claim 2, wherein the UV light source includes a 13 Watt UV-C bulb.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The device as recited in claim 1, wherein the UV light source emits UV-C light.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The device as recited in claim 1, wherein the second period of time is seven minutes.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The device as recited in claim 1, wherein the vacuum pump is activated near an end of the third period of time.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The device as recited in claim 1, further comprising:
a base; and
a closure moveable relative to the base between an open position and a closed position, wherein the base and closure provide boundaries of the chamber when the closure is in the closed position.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The device as recited in claim 8, wherein the closure is lockable relative to the base and is only unlocked when one or both of a temperature of the chamber and a level of ozone within the chamber are below predetermined thresholds.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The device as recited in claim 9, further comprising:
a temperature sensor;
an ozone sensor;
wherein the control unit is configured to interpret signals of the temperature sensor and the ozone sensor to determine a temperature of the chamber and a level of ozone within the chamber, respectively.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The device as recited in claim 9, wherein the closure is only unlocked when there is no detectable level of ozone within the chamber.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The device as recited in claim 1, wherein the chamber has a volume of 7.5 cubic feet.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The device as recited in claim 1, wherein the chamber is sized to receive at least one of CPAP components, medical devices, and surgical instruments.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The device as recited in claim 1, wherein, after the first period of time, the control unit is configured to deactivate the ozone generator and UV light source.