18522531. ILLUMINATION OF LIGHT DIFFUSING OPTICAL FIBERS, ILLUMINATION OF BLUE-VIOLET LIGHT DELIVERY SYSTEMS, BLUE-VIOLET LIGHT DELIVERY SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR BLUE-VIOLET LIGHT INDUCED DISINFECTION simplified abstract (CORNING INCORPORATED)

ILLUMINATION OF LIGHT DIFFUSING OPTICAL FIBERS, ILLUMINATION OF BLUE-VIOLET LIGHT DELIVERY SYSTEMS, BLUE-VIOLET LIGHT DELIVERY SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR BLUE-VIOLET LIGHT INDUCED DISINFECTION

Organization Name

CORNING INCORPORATED

Inventor(s)

William Spencer Klubben, Iii of Boston MA (US)

Kaitlyn Matias Rees of Cambridge MA (US)

ILLUMINATION OF LIGHT DIFFUSING OPTICAL FIBERS, ILLUMINATION OF BLUE-VIOLET LIGHT DELIVERY SYSTEMS, BLUE-VIOLET LIGHT DELIVERY SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR BLUE-VIOLET LIGHT INDUCED DISINFECTION - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18522531 titled 'ILLUMINATION OF LIGHT DIFFUSING OPTICAL FIBERS, ILLUMINATION OF BLUE-VIOLET LIGHT DELIVERY SYSTEMS, BLUE-VIOLET LIGHT DELIVERY SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR BLUE-VIOLET LIGHT INDUCED DISINFECTION

Simplified Explanation

The method described in the abstract involves disinfecting using a light diffusing optical fiber that scatters light to irradiate a pathogen sample with specific light parameters.

• Light diffusing optical fiber optically coupled to a light source
• Scattering structures within the core or cladding scatter light towards the outer surface
• Light output directed into the fiber for a specific time interval
• Pathogen sample irradiated with light of specific power density and wavelength for a specific exposure time

Potential Applications

This technology could be applied in various fields such as healthcare, food processing, water treatment, and laboratory settings for disinfection purposes.

Problems Solved

This technology provides a method for effectively disinfecting pathogen samples using light, which can help in reducing the spread of infections and diseases.

Benefits

The benefits of this technology include efficient disinfection, non-invasive treatment, and the ability to target specific pathogens without the use of chemicals.

Potential Commercial Applications

Potential commercial applications of this technology include medical device sterilization, water purification systems, food safety processes, and laboratory equipment sterilization.

Possible Prior Art

One possible prior art could be the use of UV light for disinfection purposes, but the specific method described in this patent application involving a light diffusing optical fiber with scattering structures is unique and innovative.

How does this technology compare to traditional chemical disinfection methods?

This article does not provide a direct comparison between this technology and traditional chemical disinfection methods.

What are the potential limitations or challenges in implementing this technology on a larger scale?

The article does not address the potential limitations or challenges in implementing this technology on a larger scale, such as cost, scalability, or regulatory approvals.

Original Abstract Submitted

A method of disinfecting using a light diffusing fiber includes optically coupling a light source to a light diffusing optical fiber having a core, a cladding surrounding the core, an outer surface, and a plurality of scattering structures positioned within the core, the cladding, or both the core and the cladding. The method further includes positioning the light diffusing optical fiber in optical engagement with a pathogen sample and directing light output by the light source into the light diffusing optical fiber for a first time interval. The scattering structures scatter light propagating along the light diffusing optical fiber toward the outer surface and a portion of the light diffuses through the outer surface thereby irradiating the pathogen sample with light having an average power density of about 5 mW/cmto about 30 mW/cmat a wavelength from about 380 nm to about 495 nm for an exposure time from about 2 hours to about 24 hours.