Uv flux multiplication system for sterilizing air, medical devices and other materials

Abstract

An ultraviolet flux multiplying air sterilization chamber comprises inner surfaces having a diffuse reflective behavior. The sterilization chamber includes an inlet aperture and an outlet aperture for air to flow through said chamber and a light source emitting an ultraviolet light. Due to the reflectivity of the inner surfaces of the chamber, a flux of the ultraviolet light is multiplied by reflecting multiple times from the inner surfaces of the chamber. The inlet and outlet apertures are advantageously configured to reduce the amount of light that escapes from the chamber and increase the amount of photons available in the chamber. In an exemplary embodiment, perforated end panels having diffuse, reflective interior surfaces may be provided over at least a portion of the inlet and outlet apertures.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An UV flux multiplying air sterilization chamber comprising:
 a plurality of inner surfaces, wherein at least one of said inner surfaces comprises a reflective material having a diffuse reflective behavior and a reflectivity of greater than about 90%;   an inlet aperture for air to flow into the chamber and an outlet aperture for air to flow out of said chamber; and   a light source emitting an UV light, wherein a flux of said UV light is multiplied by reflecting said UV light multiple times from the inner surfaces of the chamber.