ELIMINATOR

Cross Reference to Related Applications

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.

62/861,696, filed June 14, 2019, the contents of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

Field

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to smartphone cases and, more particularly, to smartphone cases including one or more LEDs for disinfecting.

Background

[0003] Smartphone cases covering all or a portion of a smartphone can provide protection against damage from dust, water, and dropping. Smartphone cases have incorporated a multitude of functions into a single case. One function not currently provided by smartphone cases is the ability to disinfect using light.

[0004] Ultraviolet (UV) light in the UVB range (280-315 nm) and the UVC range (200 nm-280 nm) have been used for disinfecting air, water, and surfaces. Conventional sources of UV light include mercury-vapor lamps and xenon lamps. These lamps, however, emit a very wide range of UV wavelengths, the vast majority of which are not useful for disinfecting and may pose a health hazard. Furthermore, these lamps require a high voltage power supply that may cause safety issues. Commercially available UV light emitting diodes (LEDs) exist that emit in the UVB and UVC wavelengths. They, however, emit low power, cannot be tuned to the specific wavelengths that are desirable for disinfecting, and are very inefficient and expensive.

[0005] It would be desirable to have an efficient, wavelength specific UVC LED incorporated into a smartphone case for use in disinfecting. SUMMARY

[0006] According to the present teachings, a smartphone case is provided. The smartphone case can include a rear portion sized and shaped to cover a rear surface of a smartphone and a perimeter portion extending from edges of the rear portion to at least partially cover a perimeter portion of the smartphone. The smartphone case can further include one or more disinfecting light emitting diodes (LEDs) disposed on the rear portion on a side opposite the smartphone, a power supply electrically connected to the LEDs, and a power on/off switch connected to the LEDs and the power supply, wherein the disinfecting LEDs emits UVC light.

[0007] According to the present teachings, the smartphone case can optionally be formed by coupling two separate pieces, comprise one or more LEDs, include the power switch on the perimeter portion of the smartphone case, and/or allow the power switch to turn the one or more disinfecting LEDs on and off and varies an output of the one or more disinfecting LEDs. Further, the smartphone case can optionally include the rear portion being formed of a polymer, a metal, a ceramic, glass, or combinations thereof. The smartphone can further include the one or more disinfecting LEDs comprising a power efficiency that ranges from a 1 Watt input yielding about 5 to about 750 milliwatt output and/or have dimensions ranging from about 4.4 mm x 4.4 mm to about 1 mm x 1mm. The one or more disinfecting LEDs of the smartphone case can reduce a number of bacteria, viruses, or pathogens on a surface by Log 4.1 or greater after exposure for 5 seconds at 3 cm, have a total power consumption of about 1.0 Watts to about 10 Watts, and/ or be powered by about 1.25 Watts. The one or more disinfecting LEDs of the smartphone case can provide UVC light at 218 nm. The one or more disinfecting LEDs of the smartphone case can comprise a substrate comprising copper and aluminum, a die comprising aluminum- gallium nitrite, and a plurality of silicon quantum dots.

[0008] According to the present teachings, a method for disinfecting using a smartphone case is also provided. The method can include providing a smartphone case comprising an LED configured to output UVC light in a range of 200-220 nm. The method can further include turning on the LED using an on/off power switch to provide UVC light in a range of 200-220 nm, holding the smartphone case about 0.5 to about 3.0 inches from an object to be disinfected to expose the object to UVC light in a range of 200-220 nm, and exposing the object to UVC light within the range of 200-220 nm for about 1 second to about 15 seconds. The method can further include turning off the LED.

[0009] According to the present teachings, the method for disinfecting using a smartphone case can optionally include turning off the LED using an on/off power switch or occurs automatically without having to use the on/off power switch. The method for disinfecting using a smartphone case can include exposing the object to UVC light within the range of 200-220 nm for about 1 second to about 15 seconds to reduce a number of bacteria, viruses, and/or pathogens on the object by Log 4.1 or greater.

[0010] According to the present teachings, a smartphone case is provided. The smartphone case can include a rear portion sized and shaped to cover a rear surface of a smartphone and a perimeter portion extending from edges of the rear portion to at least partially cover a perimeter portion of the smartphone. The smartphone case can further include one or more disinfecting light emitting diodes (LEDs) disposed on the rear portion on a side opposite the smartphone where the one or more disinfecting light emitting diodes have a total power consumption of about 1 to about 10 Watts, and a power supply electrically connected to the LEDs; and wherein the disinfecting LEDs emit UVC light at one or more wavelengths in a range of 200 nm to 220 nm to disinfect without harming human tissue.

[0011] According to the present teachings, the smartphone case has a power efficiency of each of the one or more disinfecting LEDs can range from about 1 Watt input yielding about 5 to about 750 milliwatt. The one or more disinfecting LEDs of the smartphone case reduces a number of bacteria, viruses, or pathogens on a surface by Log 4.1 or greater after exposure for 5 seconds at 3 cm. Each of the one or more disinfecting LEDs of the smartphone case comprise a substrate comprising copper and aluminum, a die comprising aluminum-gallium nitrite, and a plurality of silicon quantum dots

[0012] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the disclosure, as claimed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate the present disclosure and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 1A schematically depicts a front view of a smartphone case according to the present disclosure;

[0015] FIG. IB schematically depicts a side view of a perimeter of a smartphone case according to the present disclosure;

[0016] FIG. 2A schematically depicts a rear view of a smartphone case including Far

UVC LEDs according to the present disclosure;

[0017] FIG. 2B schematically depicts an arrangement of ten Far UVC LEDs disposed on a rear portion of a smartphone case according to the present disclosure according to the present disclosure;

[0018] FIGS. 3A-B schematically depict a method for disinfecting using a smartphone case according to the present disclosure.

[0019] FIGS. 4A-B schematically depicts a UVC LED module according to the present disclosure;

[0020] FIG. 5 depicts a method for disinfecting using a smartphone case according to the present disclosure.

DESCRIPTION

[0021] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary implementations of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part thereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific exemplary implementations in which the present disclosure may be practiced. These implementations are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the present disclosure and it is to be understood that other

implementations may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following description is, therefore, merely exemplary.

[0022] Studies have shown that certain narrow bands of Far UVC light can effectively kill viruses, bacteria, and/or pathogens without damaging the epidermis layer of human skin or the retina. The disclosed smartphone case covering all or a portion of a smartphone incorporates one or more disinfecting LEDs that consume minimal power and generate minimal heat to provide Far UVC light, for example, at one or more wavelengths in a range from about 200 to about 220 nm to disinfect by killing viruses, bacteria and/or pathogens without damaging human tissue. Because of the small size and inexpensive cost of the disinfecting LED, one or more can be incorporated into a smartphone case.

[0023] FIGS. 1A-B depict a smartphone case 100 according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 1A shows a front view of smartphone case 100 and includes an opening 105 for a smartphone's camera lens and/or LED light. Smartphone case 100 can include a rear portion 110 and a perimeter portion 120. Rear portion 110 can be sized and shaped to cover a back of a smartphone (the side opposite the screen). Perimeter portion 120 extends from rear portion 110 and is sized and shaped to cover a perimeter of the smartphone. FIG. IB depicts a side view of smartphone case 100 showing perimeter portion 120. When a smartphone is inserted into smartphone case 100, it is securely held in place at least by perimeter portion 120. Optionally, smartphone case 100 can be formed of two or more pieces shown as 111 and 112 in FIGS. 1A-B. When a smartphone is inserted, two or more pieces 111 and 112 function as a smartphone case. Although depicted as two similar sized halves, it is envisioned that smartphone case can be formed of unequally sized portions, a single piece, and other smartphone configurations known in the art. Specific dimensions of the smartphone case will vary depending on the make and model of the smartphone for which it is used.

[0024] Rear portion 110 and perimeter portion 120 can be formed of a metal, plastic, glass, ceramic or combinations thereof.

[0025] FIG. 2A depicts a back view of smartphone case 100. One or more disinfecting

LEDs can be affixed to emit Far UVC light from the back of smartphone case 100. FIG. 2A depicts four disinfecting LEDs 160 affixed to back portion 110 of smartphone case 100, facing away from a screen of a smartphone inserted into smartphone case 100, that can provide Far UVC light at one or more wavelengths from 200 to 220 nm. Disinfecting LEDs 160 can be positioned as desired on back portion 110 to direct UVC light away from smartphone case 100. For example, disinfecting LEDs 160 can direct UVC light in a direction normal to back portion 110. Although depicted with four disinfecting LEDs, one or more LEDs can be used, for example, ten disinfecting LEDs as shown in FIG. 2B. One or more disinfecting LEDs 160 can be arranged as desired, for example, in a single row as in FIG. 2B, in an array of rows and columns, or asymmetrically.

[0026] Smartphone case 100 can further include a battery 125 that provides power to operate disinfecting LEDs 160. In various embodiments, battery 125 can provide sufficient power for disinfecting one or more LEDs 160 to operate and no capacitor is needed. In an exemplary embodiment, battery 125 can have sufficient capacity and be configured to charge a smartphone and operate disinfecting one or more LEDs 160. For example, battery 125 can have a capacity of at least 2,200 mAh. Smartphone case 100 can further include a power switch 130 which controls operation of disinfecting LEDs 160. Power switch 130 can be electrically connected to battery 125 and one or more disinfecting LEDs 160 to turn on and off the one or more disinfecting LEDs. Optionally, power switch 130 can also control an output of one or more LEDs 160 to vary the amount of UV light directed to disinfect a surface. For example, power switch 130 can be used to intensify or dim the UV light as desired. Although depicted as a hardware switch, power switch 130 can optionally be software-based. In this case, the output of the one or more LEDs 160 can be controlled by a software application on the smartphone. For example, smartphone case 100 can connect to the smartphone via a wired electrical connection or a wireless connection, such as

Bluetooth, to allow a user to turn on and off one or more LEDs 160 and vary the output of one or more LEDs 160.

[0027] Disinfecting LED 160 can provide Far UVC light to disinfect a surface. For example, one or more disinfecting LEDs 160 can be tuned to provide light only in a range of 200 nm to 220 nm. One or more disinfecting LEDs 160 can optionally provide Far UVC light in a range within the UVC spectrum, for example, 207 nm to 218 nm, or from 210 nm to 215 nm. Disinfecting LEDs 160 can also be tuned to provide Far UVC light at one or more specific wavelengths within the UVC range of 200 nm to 220 nm, for example, 200 nm, 201 nm, 203 nm, etc. Disinfecting LEDs 160 can also be tuned to provide UVC light at one or more wavelengths in a range from about 220 to about 280, for example, at 256 nm.

[0028] Tuning the one or more disinfecting LED 160 to specific wavelengths can be accomplished by a combination of a substrate selection including aluminum gallium nitrate and populated with a plurality of silicon quantum dots. FIG. 4A schematically depicts a top view and FIG. 4B schematically depicts a side view of a disinfecting LED 460 that provides Far UVC light, for example at 218 nm, according to the present disclosure. Disinfecting LED 460 includes a substrate 462, a die 463 disposed on substrate 462, and a plurality of silicon quantum dot filter particles 464 disposed on die 463. In various embodiments, substrate 462 can be formed of a combination of aluminum and copper. Substrate 462 can vary in size from a width W of about 4.40 +/- 0.15 millimeters and a length L of about 4.40 +/- 0.15 millimeters to width W of about 1 +/- 0.05 mil limeter and length L of about 1 millimeter +/- 0.05. Die 463 can be formed of, for example, aluminum gallium nitrite and disposed on substrate 462. The dimensions of die 463 can vary depending on the size of the substrate, for example, it can have a length and a width that varies from 40 mm x 40 mm to 1mm x 1 mm or less and be patterned in either a serial or parallel pattern depending on the UVC wavelength range desired or specific wavelengths desired.

[0029] Each of the one or more disinfecting LED 160, also referred to here as microchips, can have dimensions to fit within smartphone case 100, for example 1 mm x lmm. Total power consumption for all of the one or more disinfecting LED 160 can be about 1.0 Watt to about 10 Watts. Optionally, one or more disinfecting LED 160 can have a total power consumption of about 3.0 to about 8.0 watts or from about 5.0 to about 7.0 watts. Power efficiency of each of the one or more disinfecting LEDs can range from about 1 Watt input yielding about 5 to about 750 milliwatt output, to 1 Watt input yielding about 100 to about 650 milliwatt output, or to 1 Watt input yielding about 500 to 600 milliwatt output. The output, at the Far UVC wavelength, can disinfect a surface area of about at least 9.4 cm squared and can increase as the distance from the smartphone case to the surface to be disinfected increases. Disinfecting LEDs 160 can be, for example, an Ultraviolet-C silica quantum dot integrated LED microchip (SQDILM) available from Micronan, Inc. (Anahola,

HI). Heat generated by, for example, a 2 Watt or 5 Watt LED is minimal due to the short periods of time required to disinfect. Optionally, smartphone case can include a heat sink to dissipate heat generated by one or more LEDs 160.

[0030] FIGS. 3A-B depict a method of disinfecting using smartphone case 100 and disinfecting LEDs 160 for disinfecting a surface 390 of object 392. As shown in FIG. 3A, the back of smartphone case 100 can include one or more disinfecting LEDs 160. FIG. 3B shows a side view of smartphone case 100 with a UVC light 161 being emitted from disinfecting LEDs 160. Exposure of surface 390 of object 392 to be disinfected to UVC light 161 can disinfect surface 392 by reducing the number of bacteria, viruses, and pathogens on surface 390. In an embodiment, disinfecting can be accomplished by positioning smartphone case 100 about 0.5 inches to about 3 inches from surface 390. Disinfecting LEDs 160 can be turned on to expose surface 390 to UVC light 161 for about 1 to about 15 seconds.

Operation of LEDs 160 can be controlled using on/off power switch 130. Optionally, LEDs 160 can automatically turn off without having to use on/off power switch 130. For example, one or more disinfecting time periods can be selected where disinfecting LEDs 160 automatically turn off after expiration of the set disinfecting time periods. Exemplary disinfecting time periods can be, for example, 1 seconds, 5 seconds, 10 seconds, or any desired time period. Optionally, disinfecting LEDs 160 can be turned off automatically after a set time period to avoid overheating or other problems due to user error or a user forgetting to turn off disinfecting LEDs 160. Disinfecting ca n be done with or without a smartphone inserted into smartphone case 100.

[0031] A method for disinfecting 500 according to the present disclosure is depicted in FIG. 5. At 510 of method 500, a disinfecting LED is activated. The disinfecting LEDs that are activated are disposed on a smartphone case, for example, as shown in FIGS. 1A, IB, 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B, and are disinfecting LEDs, for example, such as disinfecting LEDs 160 as disclosed herein. Activating the disinfecting LEDs can be accomplished using a dedicated switch on the smartphone case or using a software application. Activating the disinfecting LED can further include selected one or more predetermined exposure times, for example, 5 seconds, 6 seconds, etc.

[0032] At 520 of method 500, the smartphone case is positioned proximate to a surface of an object to be disinfected. The distance from the surface of the object to be disinfected to the smartphone case can be, for example, about 0.5 inches to about 3 inches. One or ordinary skill in the art will understand that positioning the smartphone case can also be done at the same time or prior to activating the disinfecting LED at 510 of method 500.

[0033] At 530 of method 500, the surface of the object to be disinfected is exposed to UVC light. Depending on the size of the surface to be disinfected, the distance of the surface of the smartphone case, and the type of virus, bacteria, etc., the smartphone case can be held in a single location to expose the surface to the UVC light for the entire duration of the desired time period, for example 1 second, 5 seconds, or 10 seconds. Optionally, the smartphone case can be scanned over a larger area during the exposure time. The UVC light can be Far UVC light having one or more wavelengths in a range of 200 to 220 nm. Exposure time can range from about 1 second to about 15 seconds.

[0034] At 540 of method 500, the disinfecting LED can be turned off. Turning off the disinfecting LED can be accomplished using a dedicated switch on the smartphone case or using a software application on the smartphone. For example, the disinfecting LED can be turned off as desired or if a predetermined exposure time was selected at 510 of method 500, the disinfecting LED can be turned off automatically after the predetermined exposure time has elapsed. After turning off disinfecting LED, a number of bacteria, viruses, and/or pathogens on the surface of the object is reduced by Log 4.1 or greater. Method 500 can be utilized with or without a smartphone in smartphone case 100.

[0035] Example 1

[0036] The effectiveness of the disclosed method and smartphone case to eliminate viruses, bacteria and/or pathogens was demonstrated by testing. A first disinfecting LED outputting UV light at 218 nm and a second disinfecting LED outputting UV light at 256 nm were used. Testing was conducted on two bacterial specimens, E. coli and G.

Stearothermophilus. The G. Stearothermophilus spore is one of the hardest bacteria to eliminate and is the bacterial standard to ensure medical sterilization of medical instruments. For each test, the bacterial specimens were placed in two petri dishes, a first for testing and a second for use as a control. The number of colony forming units (CFUs) present in the petri dishes was then counted for each test and a control specimen. [0037] The Log is a measurement of how many CFU/Bacteria there are; as the log increases, the number of CFU/Bacterial becomes multiplied by 10. For example, Log 1 has 10 CFU's versus Log 2 which has 100 CFU's, versus Log 5 which has 100,000 CFU's. As shown in Table 1, the Log Reductions convey how effective a product is at reducing pathogens. The greater the log reduction the more effective the product is at killing bacteria and other pathogens that can cause infections. For Reference, Log 6 reduction is considered medical sterility because it kills 99.9999% of bacteria.

[0038] Table 1

[0039] The disinfecting LEDs were positioned 1 cm above the bacteria for all the tests. A lens was used to direct the UV light from the disinfecting LEDs to the bacterial specimens. For both disinfecting LEDs, the wattage and the exposure times were varied. The results are shown below in Table 2.

[0040] Table 2

[0041] After exposure to the UV light, the number of CFUs present in the test and control specimens was counted. The difference between the number of CFUs present in the control specimen and the number of CFUs present in the test specimen was then expressed as a log reduction. As shown in Table 1, a log reduction of 2 correlates to a 99% reduction of CFUs, a log reduction of 3 corrections to a 99.9% reduction of CFUs, and a 4 log reduction correlates to a 99.99% reduction of CFUs. As shown in Table 2, all exposure times and wattages, for both the 218 nm and 256 nm disinfecting LEDs, effectively eliminated 99% to 99.99% of the bacterial specimens.

[0042] Example 2

[0043] Testing was performed using an Ultraviolet-C silica quantum dot integrated

LED microchip (SQDILM) available from Micronan, Inc. (Anahola, H I) at 218 nm wavelength. Four separate test were conducted, including two different wattage tests at similar distances, one different wattage test at different time and distance, and a positive control to be used to obtain a known response, so that this positive response could be compared to the unknown response of the experiment.

[0044] All the tests, including the positive control test, were performed on the common infective bacteria, E. Coli. The bacteria in all tests were placed on approximately 10 mm by 10mm square slides, allowed to dry, then were either exposed with the UV light (3 slides) or allowed to grow naturally for the positive control (1 slide) test.

[0045] CFUs (Coupon or Colony Forming Units), representing the number of

Bacterial Colonies formed in each sample slide including the control slides, were determined after the experiment was concluded and reported in terms of Log reduction as shown in Table 1. [0046] An untreated bacterial slide, used as a Positive Control, had a large number of CFU's as seen below.

[0047] Microorganism CFU/Coupon Log

E. Coli 1.6 x106 6.1

[0048] This showed that there are 1,600,000 bacterial colonies formed from the E.

Coli.

[0049] During testing the Positive Control was compared to the 218 nm Wavelength

UV-C emitting LED light at different distances, different times and to different LED Wattage.

[0050] Test 1- 218 nm at 1.25 Watts on E.coli at 3 cm distance for 5 Seconds

[0051] This showed that in comparing this test to the positive control, the E. Coli went from having a log 6.1 in the positive control to a log of less than 2.0, an equal to or greater than 4.1 Log reduction. In essence, the amount of E. coli was 10000 times smaller or eliminated over 99.99% of all the bacteria in this slide experiment in 5 seconds at 3 centimeters away from our LED UV-C source using only 1.25 Watts to power the light.

[0052] Test 2- 218 nm at 1.5 Watts on E. Coli at 3 cm distance for 5 Seconds

[0053] This showed that in comparing this test to the positive control, the E. Coli went from having a log 6.1 in the positive control to a log of less than 2.0, an equal to or greater than 4.1 Log reduction. In essence, the amount of number of E. Coli was 10000 times smaller or eliminated over 99.99% of all the bacteria in this slide experiment in 5 seconds at 3 centimeters away from our LED UV-C source using only 1.5 Watts to power the light.

[0054] Test 3- 218 nm at 1.5 Watts on E. Coli at 3 inches distance for 7 Seconds

[0055] Comparing this test to the positive, the E. Coli went from having a log 6.1 in the positive control to a log of 2.3, a 3.8 Log reduction. In essence, the amount of E. Coli was over 1000 times smaller or eliminated well over 99.9% of all the bacteria in this slide experiment in 7 seconds at 3 inches away from our LED UV-C source using only 1.5 Watts to power the light.

[0056] While the present teachings have been illustrated with respect to one or more implementations, alterations and/or modifications can be made to the illustrated examples without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it will be appreciated that while the process is described as a series of acts or events, the present teachings are not limited by the ordering of such acts or events. Some acts may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other acts or events apart from those described herein. For example, steps of the methods have been described as first, second, third, etc. As used herein, these terms refer only to relative order with respect to each other, e.g., first occurs before second. Also, not all process stages may be required to implement a methodology in accordance with one or more aspects or implementations of the present teachings. It will be appreciated that structural components and/or processing stages can be added or existing structural components and/or processing stages can be removed or modified. Further, one or more of the acts depicted herein may be carried out in one or more separate acts and/or phases. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms "including," "includes," "having," "has," "with," or variants thereof are used in either the detailed description and the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term "comprising." The term "at least one of" is used to mean one or more of the listed items can be selected. As used herein, the term "one or more of" with respect to a listing of items such as, for example, A and B, means A alone, B alone, or A and B. The term "at least one of" is used to mean one or more of the listed items can be selected. Further, in the discussion and claims herein, the term "on" used with respect to two materials, one "on" the other, means at least some contact between the materials, while "over" means the materials are in proximity, but possibly with one or more additional intervening materials such that contact is possible but not required. Neither "on" nor "over" implies any directionality as used herein. The term "about" indicates that the value listed may be somewhat altered, as long as the alteration does not result in nonconformance of the process or structure to the illustrated implementation. Finally, "exemplary" indicates the description is used as an example, rather than implying that it is an ideal. Other

implementations of the present teachings will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the disclosure herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the present teachings being indicated by the following claims.