FR2781161A1 - Hot air hand dryer for use in public places, has an arrangement of filters, UV lights and resistance heaters as well as turbine for producing supply of heated sterile air for hand drying - Google Patents

Abstract

The device comprises a sealed box with inlet and outlet orifices, for input of ambient air and output of heated sterile air with the help of turbines, UV lights and a micro-filter. The air passes through a pre-filter, a bank of UV tubes, is then speeded up by the turbine and passes out via heaters and a micro-filter.

Description

Description

  The present invention relates to a device for drying hands in sterile conditions during cleaning prior to surgical procedures. Before any intervention, the drying in question is traditionally carried out in the following manner: The practitioners wash their hands, then, using a sterile towel, proceed to wiping. However, sometimes they apply the towel to unwashed areas (such as the forearms). The application of the towel on these areas, possibly carrying germs, multiplies the risk of infections if the practitioner finishes his wiping by ironing on the hands (as is practically

always the case by reflex) ..

  The sterile pulsed air drying procedure is more appropriate and allows

  eliminate the risk of contamination of the washed part.

  The device according to the invention takes these elements into account and uses a block to be installed near the sinks. It consists of a waterproof box with two orifices, the first sucks in the ambient air and the second rejects it hot

and sterile.

  In the intake outlet direction the device is as follows: The ambient air is sucked in through a micronized filter placed at the base of the orifices operating a first air filtering, then it passes through a series of filters UV located inside the housing parallel to the orifice contributing to the sterilization of this air. It ends up in an electric turbine which sucks it up and rejects it in a duct provided with heating resistors intended to heat additional medium air for a final sterilization of the Air which is finally rejected through both orifices fitted with filters

  micronized to complete sterilization.

  Start-up is carried out by means of an automatic detection switch. The average flow rate of hot sterile pulsed air is at least 5.5M3

(min 330m3 / h).

  The device is fixed to the wall, the air outlet nozzle is at least

  cm from the wall to avoid hand contact with the wall.

  This device can also be used for operators in front

  intervene in a clean room or for nurses in the treatment room.

  The attached drawing shows the invention in section.

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Claims (4)

Claims   1) Device to allow the drying of the hands before any intervention requiring sterile conditions, characterized in that it comprises a sealed housing with two orifices responsible for sucking in ambient air and rejecting sterile air using turbines, UV tubes and a micronized filter.   2) Device according to claim 1: Characterized in that a micronized filter is placed at the base of the   orifices carrying out the first air cleaning.   3) Device according to claim 1: Characterized in that a series of UV filters located inside the housing, parallel to the orifice, contribute to the air sterilization.   4) Device according to claim 1: Characterized in that a turbine sucks in air and rejects it through one and the other of the orifices.   ) Device according to claim 1: Characterized in that a series of resistors warms the air before   that it is not rejected, thereby participating in the sterilization of the latter.