Microbial disinfection for personal protection equipment

Abstract

A photosensitizer formulation can be disposed on or in a container. The photosensitizer formulation, when in contact with molecular oxygen and activated by light or ultrasound, produces microbicidal singlet oxygen. A variety of different arrangements and applications are described. For example, an air flow device may also be included to generate a flow of air through or over the photosensitizer formulation.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected is: 
     
         1 . An article, comprising:
 a container that is arranged to pass one or more flows of air through or across the container, wherein the container includes one or more photosensitizer formulations; and   wherein the one or more photosensitizer formulations are activated by a presence of light and molecular oxygen in the one or more flows of air to generate microbicidal singlet oxygen that is emitted into the flow of air passing through the container.   
     
     
         2 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the container further comprises:
 one or more chambers enclosed in the container, wherein the one or more photosensitizer formulations are disposed in the one or more chambers and exposed to the one or more flows of air through the container.   
     
     
         3 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the container further comprises:
 one or more external surfaces that are arranged to accumulate and expose the one or more photosensitizers to the one or more flows of air across the container.   
     
     
         4 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the photosensitizer formulation, further comprises:
 a physical format that includes one or more of a granulation, a solid, a powder, a gel, or a liquid.   
     
     
         5 . The article of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 one or more ports that are disposed in one or more external surfaces of the container, wherein one or more dimensions of the one or more ports are arranged for passage of the one or more flows of air through the container and retention of the one or more photosensitizer formulations disposed within the container; and   wherein the one or more ports include one or more of a perforation, a slit, or an orifice.   
     
     
         6 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein one or more portions of one or more external surfaces of the container, further comprise:
 one or more of a transparent material, a translucent material, or an optical lens that is arranged to transmit light that is incident on the one or more portions of the one or more external surfaces to the one or more photosensitizer formulations.   
     
     
         7 . The article of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 one or more filters that are arranged for passage of the one or more flows of air through the container and retention of the one or more photosensitizer formulations within the container.   
     
     
         8 . The article of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 one or more light sources that are arranged to emit light that is transmitted to the one or more photosensitizer formulations.   
     
     
         9 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the container further comprises:
 one or more channels that direct the one or more flows of air to the one or more photosensitizer formulations that are disposed within the container.   
     
     
         10 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the container further comprises:
 a shape that is arranged to fit over an outlet of a device that generates the one or more flows of air, wherein the shape includes one or more of a cup, or a cap.   
     
     
         11 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the container further comprises:
 a shape of the container that is substantially planar.   
     
     
         12 . The article of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a device that generates the one or more flows of air, wherein the device is arranged as one or more of a blower, a bubbler, or a fan.   
     
     
         13 . The article of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a housing that is arranged to direct the one or more flows of air, wherein the housing includes one or more of a nozzle, duct, spout, valve, or a vent.   
     
     
         14 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more photosensitizer formulations, further comprises:
 a compound that is inhalable, wherein activation of the compound by exposure to light causes emission of a scent.   
     
     
         15 . The article of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a vessel that is arranged to dispense the one or more photosensitizer formulations to the container, wherein the vessel includes one or more of a propellant or other pressurization.   
     
     
         16 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more photosensitizer formulations further comprise:
 an antimicrobial preservative that is arranged to prevent microbial growth within the one or more photosensitizer formulations or the container.   
     
     
         17 . A system, comprising:
 a container that is arranged to pass a flow of air through the container, wherein the container contains one or more photosensitizer formulations, wherein the one or more photosensitizer formulations are activated by a presence of light and molecular oxygen in the flow of air, and wherein the activation generates microbicidal singlet oxygen that is emitted in the flow of air passing through the container; and   wherein the container is adapted for coupling to an output of a device that generates the flow of air.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a housing that is coupled to the device to direct the flow of air, wherein the housing includes one or more of a nozzle, duct, spout, valve, or a vent.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the device further comprises:
 one or more of a blower, a bubbler, or a fan.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the device further comprises:
 a propellor that provides the flow of air, wherein the device is arranged as an airborne device propelled by the propellor.