Systems and Methods Related to Ultraviolet Sanitization

Abstract

A sanitization system includes a plurality of light distribution hubs spaced along a longitudinal frame. Each hub includes a plurality of light emitting modules (e.g., LED chip-on-board) configured to deliver a predetermined type of light (e.g, UVC) to a target surface for a variable or predetermined amount of time at a variable or predetermined intensity to at least partially disinfect and/or sanitize the target surface. The target surface may be an interior surface of a medical imaging device, such as an inwardly facing bore surface and/or patient support surface of an MRI or CT scanner.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system, comprising:
 a power supply;   a longitudinal body member having a body member length along a longitudinal axis; and   a plurality of hubs supported by the body member, each hub further comprising two or more light-emitting devices radially spaced about the hub,   wherein the light-emitting devices are capable of emitting light radially outwardly from the hubs, the light having a wavelength between about 200 nanometers and about 280 nanometers,   wherein a first light emitted from a first light-emitting device on a first of the plurality of hubs is emitted at a first view angle,   wherein a second light emitted from a second light-emitting device on the first of the plurality of hubs is emitted at a second view angle,   wherein the second view angle overlaps the first view angle at a predetermined distance from the longitudinal axis.   
     
     
         2 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the light comprises a wavelength of between about 250 nanometers and about 280 nanometers. 
     
     
         3 . A system according to  claim 1 , the system comprising at least three hubs and wherein the hubs are positioned at substantially equal hub intervals along the body member length and between the plurality of hubs. 
     
     
         4 . A system according to  claim 3 , the system comprising five hubs. 
     
     
         5 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the light emitted from the hubs forms a substantially cylindrical light envelope along a majority of the body member length. 
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein each light-emitting device comprises a light emitting diode array. 
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 6 , further comprising a plurality of heatsinks, each of the plurality of heatsinks being coupled to one of the light-emitting devices. 
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 6 , wherein each light emitting device comprises a fused silica lens. 
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the light emitted radially outwardly from each hub encircles the hub completely at the predetermined distance. 
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 9 , wherein the predetermined distance is about 60 centimeters. 
     
     
         11 . The system according to  claim 9 , wherein the light energy density of the emitted light at the predetermined distance comprises about 20 millijoules per centimeter squared (mJ/cm 2 ) to about 50 mJ/cm 2 . 
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein a third light emitted from a third light-emitting device on a second of the plurality of hubs is emitted at a third view angle,
 wherein a fourth light emitted from a fourth light-emitting device on the second of the plurality of hubs is emitted at a fourth view angle,   wherein the fourth view angle overlaps the second view angle at the predetermined distance.   
     
     
         13 . A method comprising the steps of:
 placing a plurality of light-emitting devices into a hollow bore defined by an internal bore surface; and   in a first broadcasting step, broadcasting light radially outwardly from a first sub-plurality of the light-emitting devices onto a majority of the internal bore surface.   
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of light-emitting devices are mounted to a plurality of hubs spaced along a longitudinal body. 
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 13 , wherein the light comprises a wavelength of between about 200 nanometers and about 280 nanometers.