Method and apparatus for sterilizing and disinfecting air and surfaces and protecting a zone from external microbial contamination

Abstract

This invention relates to a method, process and apparatus for disinfecting and sterilizing all types of surfaces contaminated with microorganisms and toxic substances to render both inactive. Furthermore, this invention relates to both a method and apparatus for disinfecting and/or sterilizing breathable air and then using this air to protect a confined space from external contamination. The apparatus consists of a new ultra-violet (NUV) source that is more effective than mercury based 254 nm light for destroying DNA of virus, bacteria, spores and cists. It is most effective in breaking chemical bonds in toxic gases and Biotoxins that are useful to terrorists. It is combined with other apparatus that remove particulates and byproducts sometimes produced by the NUV source and maintains positive pressure of the confined space so as to prevent the influx of air from outside the protected zone.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A process for disinfection comprising the steps of:
 generating photons of a wavelength of 222 nm;   directing the photons to a substance or surface for disinfection; and   wherein the substance or surface for disinfection is human or animal tissue.   
     
     
         2 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the substance or surface for disinfection is human tissue. 
     
     
         3 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the step of directing the photons to the substance or surface for disinfection results in a destroying of a plurality of chemical bonds within proteins, DNA, or RNA of a microorganism. 
     
     
         4 . The process of  claim 2  wherein the human tissue is in a human-occupied area. 
     
     
         5 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the step of directing the photons to the substance or surface for disinfection comprises reflecting the photons off a surface. 
     
     
         6 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the step of directing the photons further comprises providing a radiant dose energy of 40 mJ/cm 2  to the substance or surface to be disinfected. 
     
     
         7 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the step of directing the photons further comprises providing a radiant dose energy of 60 mJ/cm 2  to the substance or surface to be disinfected. 
     
     
         8 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the step of directing the photons further comprises a step of providing 540 kJ/mole of photon energy to the substance or surface to be disinfected. 
     
     
         9 . The process of  claim 2  wherein the human tissue is a wound. 
     
     
         10 . The process of  claim 2  wherein the human tissue is skin. 
     
     
         11 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the step of generating photons comprises activating a lamp wherein the lamp comprises a cover, the cover substantially transparent to 222 nm. 
     
     
         12 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the step of generating photons comprises activating a lamp positioned within a wand, and wherein the step of directing comprises positioning of the wand. 
     
     
         13 . A process of disinfecting air and surfaces in an area comprising the steps of:
 generating photons of a wavelength of 222 nm;   directing the photons to the air and surfaces; and   wherein the surfaces of the air and surfaces comprises human or animal tissue.   
     
     
         14 . The process of  claim 13  wherein the area is a human-occupied area. 
     
     
         15 . The process of  claim 13  wherein the area is a room. 
     
     
         16 . The process of  claim 13  wherein the step of directing the photons to the substance or surface for disinfection comprises reflecting the photons off a surface. 
     
     
         17 . The process of  claim 13  wherein the step of directing the photons further comprises providing a radiant dose energy of 40 mJ/cm 2  or 60 mJ/cm 2  to the substance or surface to be disinfected. 
     
     
         18 . The process of  claim 13  wherein the step of directing the photons further comprises providing a radiant dose energy of 60 mJ/cm 2  to the substance or surface to be disinfected. 
     
     
         19 . The process of  claim 13  wherein the step of directing the photons further comprises a step of providing 540 kJ/mole of photon energy. 
     
     
         20 . The process of  claim 13  wherein the tissue is human skin. 
     
     
         21 . The process of  claim 13  wherein the step of generating photons comprises activating a lamp, the lamp comprising a cover, the cover substantially transparent to 222 nm.