Patent Application Titled “System And Method Of Disinfecting Surfaces Within And Around Vanity Mirrors” Published Online (USPTO 20190083673)

2019 APR 09 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Hospital & Nursing Home Daily -- According to news reporting originating from Washington, D.C., by NewsRx journalists, a patent application by the inventor MUNN, MAX (Tarrytown, NY), filed on October 29, 2018, was made available online on March 21, 2019.

The assignee for this patent application is Sterilumen Inc. (Tarrytown, New York, United States).

Reporters obtained the following quote from the background information supplied by the inventors: “This invention generally relates to vanity mirrors and, more specifically, to hazard-free vanity mirrors that disinfect and purify air both inside and outside vanity mirror cabinets by exposing pathogens to a source of ultraviolet (UV) light within the spectral range of 260-280 nm for use in medical and other facilities.

“Health care-acquired infections (HAIs) in hospitals, assisted living facilities, etc., are serious health problems. It has been estimated that HAIs cause or contribute in excess of 99,000 deaths annually in the United States. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports 1 in 25 patients will contract at least one infection during their stay. Various bacteria become immune or resistant to disinfectants applied to surfaces in hospitals and other medical facilities, these bacterias commonly cause what are being referred to as ‘staph’ infections because they are resistant to many chemical disinfectants used to clean counter tops and other surfaces in hospital rooms and the like. The general problem is discussed, for example, in the Official Publication of the International Ultra Violet Association, IUVANews. http://www.iuva.org/Publications. These infections are considered preventable. In 2011 the federal government stopped reimbursing hospitals for the care of patient that acquired an infection during their stay. Additional penalties for high infection rates have since been added that are in some situations as much as 40% of the overall revenue.

“One of the hurdles to success are multi drug resistant organisms (MDRO) that are resistant to standard disinfection products and practices. This has opened the door for new technologies such as ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) that primarily uses short-wavelength ultraviolet (UV-C) light to kill or inactivate microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, molds and other pathogens.

“Each year over 1,400,000 patients contract diseases unrelated to their initial stay at a hospital. Approximately 100,000 Americans die each year for this reason. The cost, both emotionally and financially is staggering and difficult to calculate.

“The greatest concentration of pathogens within a hospital room occurs at the surface in the area surrounding the sink in the bathroom. Specifically, the faucet and the handles and the surface between these controls, and the back splash behind the sink, including the wall surface just above the sink is the most infected area in the typical hospital room.

“Various UV devices have been proposed to reduce infectious pathogens. For example, bathrooms in airplanes have started to use UV LED strips to reduce pathogens while in flight. Other facilities are being outfitted with various devices to expose pathogens to UV light sources. However, UV light sources have generally been independent or stand alone devices that are specifically designed for intermittent applications.”

In addition to obtaining background information on this patent application, NewsRx editors also obtained the inventor’s summary information for this patent application: “In order to address the above and other problems associated with sanitizing or sterilizing airborne pathogens it is an object of the invention to provide a disinfecting vanity mirror that serves the additional function of exposing airborne pathogens both inside and outside vanity mirror cabinets, and pathogens on surfaces such as countertops, to ultraviolet (UV) light to destroy or neutralize such pathogens and makes them ineffective or less effective.

“It is another object of the invention to provide a disinfecting vanity mirror as in the previous object that meets infection control requirements and is simple in construction and economical to manufacture.

“It is still another object of the invention to provide a disinfecting vanity mirror as in the previous objects that is simple and convenient to install above sinks, countertops and other areas in medical and other facilities that require surface and air purification and disinfection.

“It is yet another object of the invention to provide disinfecting vanity mirror of the type under discussion that promotes and accelerates the flow of air to be sanitized or sterilized to cause it to rise by convection or otherwise past a UVC source of light.

“It is an additional object to the invention to provide a disinfecting vanity mirror that incorporates a UVC source of light that is safe to occupants, effective, non-obtrusive and aesthetically pleasing and provides continuous and reliable anti-bacterial sanitizing action both by being in proximity to a countertop and by re-cycling air to insure enhanced exposure of bacteria to UV radiation.

“It is still an additional object of the invention to provide a method of sanitizing or disinfecting airborne bacteria and surfaces by incorporating a UVC light source within the mirror cabinet and along a bottom edge of a vanity mirror above a sink and/or countertop (e.g. 10” above the surface) or in other areas or surfaces that require sanitizing or disinfecting.

“It is yet an additional object to pivotally mount the vanity mirror along one vertical edge so that it can be pivoted away from the mounting surface to provide access for cleaning that normally covered or hidden surface.

“To achieve the above and other objects a disinfecting vanity mirror comprises a substantially enclosed cabinet having top, bottom, side and rear walls and a mirror panel as a front wall when mounted on a wall. The cabinet forms a substantially enclosed space or plenum defining a vertical direction extending between the top and bottom walls when the cabinet is mounted on a wall. At least one UV light source is provided within the enclosed space to sanitize air and surfaces within the enclosed space when air rises in proximity to the UV light source to expose the air flow to UV light. The top and bottom walls are provided with at least one air passageway in each of the top and bottom walls to allow vertical air flow through the passageways and through the enclosed space along the vertical direction. At least one micro-fan is advantageously provided above the air passageways for enhancing vertical air flow.

“A method of disinfecting or sterilizing air in medical facilities, workspaces and other chambers having vanity mirrors comprises the steps of mounting a substantially enclosed vanity mirror forming an enclosed space defining a vertical direction above a sink and/or counter-top surface and providing at least one UV light source mounted within the enclosed space to sanitize air and surfaces within the enclosed space. UV light sources are also preferably provided below the mirror cabinet to sanitize surfaces such as sinks, counter-tops etc. Preferably, air is drawn through the enclosed space, such as with an exhaust fan, to promote vertical air flow through the enclosed space to enhance exposure of the air flow to the UV light source.

“Motion is advantageously detected in proximity of the vanity mirror to control the UV light source to prevent excessive exposure to individuals in proximity to the vanity mirror.”

The claims supplied by the inventors are:

“1. Disinfecting vanity mirror comprising a substantially enclosed cabinet having top, bottom and lateral ends and rear and front walls when mounted on a wall, said cabinet ends and said walls together forming a substantially enclosed space defining a vertical direction extending between said top and bottom ends, said front wall comprising a mirror panel; mounting means for mounting said cabinet on a wall; and at least one UV light source within said enclosed space to sanitize air and surfaces within said enclosed space.

“2. A disinfecting vanity mirror as defined in claim 1, further comprising means for creating a vertical flow of air within said enclosed space through at least a portion of a distance between said top and bottom ends and passing in proximity of said at least one UV light source to expose said air flow to UV light.

“3. A disinfecting vanity mirror as defined in claim 2, wherein said top and bottom ends comprise top and bottom walls provided with at least one air passageway in each of said top and bottom walls to allow vertical air flow through said passageways and through said enclosed space along said vertical direction.

“4. A disinfecting vanity mirror as defined in claim 3, wherein said air passageways comprise a plurality of openings or perforations.

“5. A disinfecting vanity mirror as defined in claim 3, further comprising air flow enhancement means for promoting vertical air flow through said enclosed space.

“6. A disinfecting vanity mirror as defined in claim 6, wherein said air flow enhancement means comprises at least one fan for enhancing said vertical air flow.

“7. A disinfecting vanity mirror as defined in claim 6, wherein a plurality of fans are provided in proximity to said top wall for drawing air from said enclosed space and expelling the air to a region above said enclosed cabinet.

“8. A disinfecting vanity mirror as defined in claim 1, wherein a plurality of UV light sources are provided within said enclosed space.

“9. A disinfecting vanity mirror as defined in claim 8, wherein said plurality of UV light sources comprise UV LEDs spaced from each other along said vertical direction.

“10. A disinfecting vanity mirror as defined in claim 9, wherein at least two spaced substantially vertical columns of spaced UV LEDs are provided.

“11. A disinfecting vanity mirror as defined in claim 1, wherein said mounting means includes a hinge at one of said one lateral ends to movably mount said cabinet between a normally closed position substantially juxtaposed against the wall and an open position to provide access to a surface normally covered by said cabinet when in said closed position, whereby said normally covered surface can be cleaned and disinfected.

“12. A disinfecting vanity mirror as defined in claim 11, further comprising a magnetic or other wall lock for normally retaining said cabinet in said closed position and selectively enabling movement of said cabinet to an open position to expose said normally covered wall surface

“13. A disinfecting vanity mirror as defined in claim 1, wherein said source of UV light generates ultraviolet radiation within the range of 260-280 nm.

“14. A disinfecting vanity mirror as defined in claim 1, further comprising an easily-removable or exchangeable flange or bracket extending generally along said bottom end, said at least one UV light source being mounted on said flange or bracket that is configured to direct UV light substantially downwardly away from said cabinet.

“15. A vanity mirror as defined in claim 14, wherein said flange or bracket is removably attached to said bottom end of said cabinet.

“16. A method of disinfecting or sterilizing air in medical facilities, workspaces and other chambers having vanity mirrors comprising the steps of a mounting substantially enclosed vanity mirror forming an enclosed space defining a vertical direction above at least one of a sink and counter-top surface; providing at least one UV light source mounted within said enclosed space to sanitize air and surfaces within said enclosed space.

“17. A method as defined in claim 16 further comprising the step of drawing air through said enclosed space to promote vertical air flow through said enclosed space and enhance exposure of the air flow to said UV light source.

“18. A method as defined in claim 17, further comprising the step of detecting motion in proximity of the vanity mirror to control said UV light source.

“19. Disinfecting vanity mirror comprising a substantially enclosed cabinet having top, bottom and lateral ends and rear and front walls when mounted on a wall, said cabinet ends and walls together forming a substantially enclosed space defining a vertical direction extending between said top and bottom ends, said front wall comprising a mirror panel; mounting means for mounting said cabinet on a wall; and at least one UV light source within said enclosed space to sanitize air and surfaces within said enclosed space, wherein said top and bottom ends comprise top and bottom walls provided with at least one air passageway in each of said top and bottom walls to allow vertical air flow through said passageways and through said enclosed along said vertical direction.”

For more information, see this patent application: MUNN, MAX. System And Method Of Disinfecting Surfaces Within And Around Vanity Mirrors. Filed October 29, 2018 and posted March 21, 2019. Patent URL: http://appft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PG01&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=%2220190083673%22.PGNR.&OS=DN/20190083673&RS=DN/20190083673

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