DESC:A SYSTEM FOR ULTRAVIOLET BASED STERILIZATION OF BREATHING CIRCUITS
FIELD
[0001] The embodiments herein generally relate to ultraviolet based sterilization. More particularly, the disclosure relates to a sterilization system using ultraviolet light of breathing circuits.

BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART
[0002] Breathing circuits are used for delivering oxygen, medicated agents for inhalation, to patients or removing carbon dioxide. Generally breathing circuits include a HEPA Filter for filtering micro particles in the oxygen/inhalation agent, a HME (Heat and Moisture Exchanger) filter and humidifiers for adding moisture to the air/inhalation agent in the circuit.
[0003] However, usage of HEPA filters requires intermittent changing of the filters causing ventilators to be unavailable for a certain period of time. The HME filter is not microbicidal, does not kill germs, bacteria, virus, fungi and spores. The humidifiers provided do not disinfect or sterilize. Thus, in existing breathing circuits of ventilator, rate of spreading of contagious diseases is higher. Different patients using the same ventilator can transmit infection from one patient to the other.
[0004] Therefore, there is a need for sterilizing and disinfecting the breathing circuits, for decreasing cross contamination. Moreover, there is a need for a system for sterilizing air flowing through the breathing circuits.

OBJECTS
[0005] Some of the objects of the present disclosure are described herein below:
[0006] The main objective of the present disclosure is to provide a system for sterilizing air flowing in breathing circuits.
[0007] Another objective of the present disclosure is to provide a system using ultraviolet light for sterilizing air flowing in breathing circuits.
[0008] Still another objective of the present disclosure is to provide a system for ultraviolet based sterilization using a sleeve.
[0009] Yet another objective of the present disclosure is to provide a safe system for sterilizing breathing circuits without affecting surroundings.
[00010] The other objectives and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated for illustration of preferred embodiments of the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope thereof.

SUMMARY
[00011] In view of the foregoing, an embodiment herein provides a system for ultraviolet based sterilization of breathing circuits.
[00012] In accordance with an embodiment, the system includes an inhalation limb conveying air for inhalation to a user, an exhalation limb conveying exhaled air from the user, an ultraviolet sleeve wrapped around the inhalation limb and the exhalation limb, a plurality of ultraviolet light sources provided in the ultraviolet sleeve for sterilizing and disinfecting the inhalation air flowing through the inhalation limb and the exhaled air flowing through the exhalation limb and a shielding sleeve enclosing the inhalation limb and the exhalation limb for preventing ultraviolet radiation.
[00013] In an embodiment, the ultraviolet light source including an LED ultraviolet light emitting Ultraviolet-C light.
[00014] In accordance with an embodiment, the ultraviolet sleeve including a plurality of sensors for measuring parameters of the inhalation air and the exhaled air and the parameters including temperature, pressure, presence of moisture and presence of micro-organisms.
[00015] In accordance with an embodiment, a material of the shielding sleeve selected from a group consisting of acrylic, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) for preventing ultraviolet radiation.
[00016] In accordance with an embodiment, a control module powering the ultraviolet light sources of the ultraviolet sleeves through supply wires (304, 305).
[00017] In accordance with an embodiment, a controlling knob provided in the control module for regulating intensity of the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light sources by changing intensity of the power supply.
[00018] In accordance with an embodiment, a display connected to the control module for displaying status of the ultraviolet sleeve, values of intensity of ultraviolet light and parameters measured by a plurality of sensors provided in the ultraviolet sleeve.
[00019] In accordance with an embodiment, a socket provided at an end (301a) of the inhalation limb and a socket provided at an end (302a) of the exhalation limb, the supply wire connected to the socket of the inhalation limb for powering the ultraviolet sleeve and the supply wire connected to the socket of the exhalation limb for powering the ultraviolet sleeve.
[00020] In an embodiment, the control module connected to an external power source selected from one of AC source and DC source.
[00021] In accordance with an embodiment, the control module including a microcontroller, a user device wirelessly communicating with the microcontroller; and the microcontroller controlling the power supply from the control module to the ultraviolet sleeves based on command from the user device.
[00022] In accordance with an embodiment, varying sterilization and disinfection based on constituents of the inhalation air and the exhaled air flowing through the breathing circuit by varying number of ultraviolet light sources, intensity of ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light sources, distance of the ultraviolet light sources from the breathing circuit and arrangement of the ultraviolet light sources relative to the breathing circuit.
[00023] In accordance with an embodiment, the system includes an ultraviolet sleeved wrapped around a breathing circuit. The ultraviolet sleeve includes an ultraviolet light enclosure wherein ultraviolet light sources are enclosed. Ultraviolet light mounts are provided for placing the ultraviolet light sources. The ultraviolet light sources sterilize air/oxygen/medicated inhalation agents flowing through the breathing circuits
[00024] In accordance with an embodiment, a sleeve strap is provided circumferentially inside the ultraviolet sleeve. In an embodiment, an ultraviolet light filter is provided circumferentially inside the ultraviolet sleeve for filtering ultraviolet light and reducing exposure to outside surroundings.
[00025] These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating preferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[00026] The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The use of the same reference numbers in different figures indicates similar or identical items.
[00027] Fig.1 illustrates a longitudinal view of an ultraviolet sleeve for sterilization of breathing circuits, according to an embodiment herein;
[00028] Fig.2 illustrates a lateral view of the ultraviolet sleeve for sterilization of breathing circuits, according to an embodiment herein;
[00029] Fig. 3 illustrates a system for sterilization of breathing circuits, according to an embodiment herein;
[00030] Fig. 4 illustrates an inside view of the breathing circuit for sterilization of breathing circuits, according to an embodiment herein;
[00031] Fig. 5 illustrates a chart showing values of irradiance of an ultraviolet LED strip in µW/cm2, according to an embodiment herein; and
[00032] Fig. 6 illustrates a chart showing values of ultraviolet exposure dose of an ultraviolet LED strip in J/m2, according to an embodiment herein.
LIST OF NUMERALS
101 - Ultraviolet sleeve
102 - Sleeve strap
103 - Ultraviolet light sources
104 - Ultraviolet light mount
105 - Power source
201 - Ultraviolet enclosure module
202 - Ultraviolet light filter
203 - Breathing circuit
301 - Inhalation limb
302 - Exhalation limb
301a - End of inhalation limb
302a - End of exhalation limb
304, 305 - Supply wires
306 - Control module
307 - Input slot
308 - Power switch
309 - Controlling knob
310 - Display

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[00033] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[00034] As mentioned above, there is a need to provide a system for sterilization of breathing circuits. In particular, there is a need to provide an ultraviolet based system for sterilization of air flowing through breathing circuits. The embodiments herein achieve this by providing “A system for ultraviolet based sterilization of breathing circuits”. Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to Fig.1 to Fig.6, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown preferred embodiments.
[00035] Fig.1 illustrates a longitudinal view of the ultraviolet sleeve for sterilization of breathing circuits. The sleeve includes a sleeve strap (102), an ultraviolet light source (103), an ultraviolet light mount (104) and a power source (105).
[00036] The sleeve strap (102) is provided circumferentially inside the ultra-violet sleeve (101). The ultraviolet sleeve 101 includes an ultraviolet light mount (104), wherein ultraviolet light sources (103) are placed in the ultraviolet light mount (104). In an embodiment, the light sources (103) including but not limited to LED light. The LED light emitting ultraviolet light in the UV-C spectrum having a wavelength in a range between 270-285nm.
[00037] Ultraviolet light in short wavelength of ultraviolet-C, used in ultraviolet germicidal irradiation, are capable of killing micro-organisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, spores thereby disinfecting and sterilizing the particular area. The ultraviolet light sources (103) produce UV-C light for sterilizing. The ultra violet light sources (103) are connected to a power source (105). In an embodiment, the power source (105) is AC/DC power source. The power source (105) enables functioning of the ultraviolet light source (103) for long hours without any interruption.
[00038] Fig.2 illustrates a lateral view of ultraviolet sleeve for sterilization of breathing circuits. The ultraviolet sleeve (101) includes an ultraviolet enclosure module (201), an ultraviolet light filter (202). The ultraviolet sleeve encloses the breathing circuit (203).
[00039] The ultraviolet sleeve (101) is wrapped around the breathing circuit (203). The breathing circuit (203) is provided for flow of air, oxygen or medicated inhalation agents to a patient, or removal of carbon dioxide. The ultraviolet sleeve includes the ultraviolet light enclosure (201). The ultraviolet enclosure (201) encloses the ultraviolet light sources (103) on the mounts (104). The ultraviolet light sources (103) sterilize the air flowing through the breathing circuit (203). The ultraviolet light filter (202) is placed circumferentially inside the ultraviolet sleeve 101 for filtering the ultraviolet light from the light sources (103) and preventing exposure of the ultraviolet light to outside surroundings.
[00040] Fig. 3 illustrates a system for sterilization of breathing circuits. The system includes the breathing circuit including an inhalation limb 301 and an exhalation limb 302. The inhalation limb 301 is provided for conveying inhalation air or oxygenized air or air with medicated agents to a patient and the exhalation limb 302 is provided for conveying exhaled air from the patient. The ultraviolet sleeve (not shown in figure) is wrapped around the inhalation limb 301 and the exhalation limb 302 for sterilizing the air flowing through the breathing circuit. A shielding sleeve 303 is wrapped around the inhalation limb 301 and the exhalation limb 302 for enclosing the ultraviolet sleeve and preventing external ultraviolet radiation. In an embodiment, material of the shielding sleeve 303 including but not limited to acrylic, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).
[00041] In an embodiment, an end 304a of the inhalation limb 301 and an end 305a of the exhalation limb 302 includes a socket. A supply wire 304 is connected to the ultraviolet sleeve in the inhalation limb 301 and a supply wire 304 is connected to the ultraviolet sleeve in the exhalation limb 302 through the sockets provided at the end 304a and the end 304b for powering the ultraviolet light sources in the ultraviolet sleeve. Another end of the supply wire 304 and the supply wire 305 is connected to a control module 306.
[00042] In an embodiment, the control module 306 includes an input slot 307, a power switch 308, a controlling knob 309 and a display 310.
[00043] The input slot 307 is provided for connecting to an external power source for powering the ultraviolet light sources. The power switch 308 allows a user to switch on and switch off current supply from the control module 306 to the breathing circuit through the supply wires 304, 305. The controlling knob 309 allows the user to control intensity of the ultraviolet light emitted by the ultraviolet sources by regulating amount of the current supply to the ultraviolet light sources. The display 301 is a screen for displaying parameters including but not limited to intensity of ultraviolet rays, status of power supply. In an embodiment, the screen including but not limited to a LED screen, LCD screen.
[00044] In an embodiment, the control module 306 includes a microcontroller. The microcontroller is connected to the power switch 308 and the controlling knob 309, for controlling the power supply from the control module 306 to the ultraviolet sleeves 101. In an embodiment, the microcontroller is wirelessly connected to a user device. The user device including but not limited to a smartphone, mobile phine, laptop, computer. The microcontroller is wirelessly connected to the user device through a wireless network including but not limited to GSM, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth. The user device remotely controls the power supply to the ultraviolet sleeves 101 through the microcontroller.
[00045] Fig. 4 illustrates an inside view of the breathing circuit for sterilization of breathing circuits. The ultraviolet sleeve 101 is wrapped around the inhalation limb 301 and the exhalation limb 302 of the breathing circuit. The ultraviolet sleeve 101 includes the ultraviolet light sources for emitting ultraviolet light and sterilizing the air flowing through the inhalation limb 301 and the exhalation limb 302. In an embodiment, the ultraviolet sleeve 101 includes a plurality of sensors for measuring parameters of air flowing through the breathing circuit. The parameters of air include but not limited to temperature, pressure, presence of moisture and presence of micro-organisms.
[00046] In an embodiment, amount of sterilization and disinfection is variable by varying number of ultraviolet light sources (103), intensity of ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light sources (103), distance of the ultraviolet light sources (103) from the breathing circuit and arrangement of the ultraviolet light sources (103) relative to the breathing circuit.
[00047] Fig. 5 illustrates a chart showing values of irradiance of an ultraviolet LED strip in µW/cm2. In an embodiment, a lateral cross-section of a inhalation/exhalation limb of the breathing circuit including an LED ultraviolet light source is analyzed for measuring values of irradiance. Irradiance is the power per unit area incident upon a surface at a specified distance. Irradiance is inversely proportional to the source-to-surface distance (inverse square law function). The irradiance obtained from the LED ultraviolet light source at a center of the limb of the breathing circuit is 281.6 µW/cm2.
[00048] Fig. 6 illustrates a chart showing values of ultraviolet exposure dose of an ultraviolet LED strip in J/m2. In an embodiment, a lateral cross-section of a inhalation/exhalation limb of the breathing circuit including an LED ultraviolet light source is analyzed for measuring values of exposure dose for 10 seconds. The chart 600 shoes that the UV Exposure Dose at a center of the breathing circuit is 28.2 J/m2. As Dose(mJ/cm2) = Irradiance(mW/cm2) x time(s), the air to be treated in the breathing circuit has to be in the irradiance range at least for a span of 10 seconds for getting disinfected and with ‘n’ number of LEDs aligned throughout the breathing circuit for disinfecting maximum airborne particles and bacteria. Moreover, the required time is not absolute. Time is dependent on the exposure dose and irradiance. The exposure dose and irradiance are dependent by intensity of UV-C from the LED, arrangement and distance to surface of the breathing circuit.
[00049] A main advantage of the present disclosure is that the system disinfects breathing circuits thereby reducing infection rate in mechanically ventilated patients.
[00050] Another advantage of the present disclosure is that the system reduces incidence of multi drug resistant infection.
[00051] Still another advantage of the present disclosure is that the system provides an ultraviolet sleeve for continuous and uninterrupted sterilization of breathing circuits.
[00052] Yet another advantage of the present disclosure is that the system for sterilization of breathing circuits can be used in existing ventilators and new ventilators.
[00053] Another advantage of the present disclosure is that system provides ultraviolet based sterilization of air flowing through breathing circuits without exposure to outside surroundings.
[00054] Still another advantage of the present disclosure is that the system indirectly reduces cost of hospitalization.
[00055] Yet another advantage of the present disclosure is that the system indirectly reduces hospital stay of a patient.
[00056] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
,CLAIMS:We Claim:
1. A system for sterilizing breathing circuits, comprising:
an inhalation limb (301) conveying air for inhalation to a user;
an exhalation limb (302) conveying exhaled air from the user;
characterized in that
an ultraviolet sleeve (101) wrapped around the inhalation limb (301) and the exhalation limb (302);
a plurality of ultraviolet light sources (103) provided in the ultraviolet sleeve (101) for sterilizing and disinfecting the inhalation air flowing through the inhalation limb (301) and the exhaled air flowing through the exhalation limb (302); and
a shielding sleeve (303) enclosing the inhalation limb (301) and the exhalation limb (302) for preventing ultraviolet radiation.
2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ultraviolet light source (103) including an LED ultraviolet light emitting Ultraviolet-C light.
3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ultraviolet sleeve (101) including a plurality of sensors for measuring parameters of the inhalation air and the exhaled air; and
wherein the parameters including temperature, pressure, presence of moisture and presence of micro-organisms.
4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a material of the shielding sleeve (303) selected from a group consisting of acrylic, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) for preventing ultraviolet radiation.
5. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a control module (306) powering the ultraviolet light sources (103) of the ultraviolet sleeves (101) through supply wires (304, 305).
6. The system as claimed in claim 5, wherein a controlling knob (309) provided in the control module (306) for regulating intensity of the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light sources (103) by changing intensity of the power supply.
7. The system as claimed in claim 5, wherein a display (308) connected to the control module (306) for displaying status of the ultraviolet sleeve (101), values of intensity of ultraviolet light and parameters measured by a plurality of sensors provided in the ultraviolet sleeve (101).
8. The system as claimed in claim 5, wherein a socket provided at an end (301a) of the inhalation limb (301) and a socket provided at an end (302a) of the exhalation limb (302);
the supply wire (304) connected to the socket of the inhalation limb (301) for powering the ultraviolet sleeve (101); and
the supply wire (304) connected to the socket of the exhalation limb (302) for powering the ultraviolet sleeve (101).
9. The system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the control module (306) connected to an external power source (105) selected from one of AC source and DC source.
10. The system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the control module (306) including a microcontroller;
a user device wirelessly communicating with the microcontroller; and
the microcontroller controlling the power supply from the control module (306) to the ultraviolet sleeves (101) based on command from the user device.
11. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein varying sterilization and disinfection by varying number of ultraviolet light sources (103), intensity of ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light sources (103), distance of the ultraviolet light sources (103) from the breathing circuit and arrangement of the ultraviolet light sources (103) relative to the breathing circuit.