US 12,226,728 B2
Detoxification device having heated filter for killing pathogens
Monzer A. Hourani, Houston, TX (US); Zhifeng Ren, Houston, TX (US); and Luo Yu, Houston, TX (US)
Filed by UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM, Houston, TX (US)
Filed on Aug. 17, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/889,596.
Application 17/889,596 is a continuation of application No. 17/118,379, filed on Dec. 10, 2020, granted, now 11,446,600.
Prior Publication US 2023/0124578 A1, Apr. 20, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B01D 46/00 (2022.01); A61L 9/014 (2006.01); A61L 9/16 (2006.01); B01D 39/16 (2006.01); B01D 46/42 (2006.01); B01D 46/44 (2006.01); B01D 46/52 (2006.01); F24F 8/108 (2021.01); H05B 1/02 (2006.01); H05B 3/12 (2006.01)
CPC B01D 46/4263 (2013.01) [A61L 9/014 (2013.01); A61L 9/16 (2013.01); B01D 39/1623 (2013.01); B01D 46/0002 (2013.01); B01D 46/0028 (2013.01); B01D 46/444 (2013.01); B01D 46/521 (2013.01); F24F 8/108 (2021.01); H05B 1/0288 (2013.01); H05B 3/12 (2013.01); A61L 2209/14 (2013.01); A61L 2209/16 (2013.01); A61L 2209/22 (2013.01); B01D 2239/1216 (2013.01); B01D 2279/40 (2013.01); B01D 2279/50 (2013.01); B01D 2279/65 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A detoxification device for removing pathogens from air within an environment, the detoxification device comprising:
a filtration media configured to catch and retain particles larger than about 0.3 micrometers (μm) with an efficiency of at least 99%;
a heating element comprising a metallic foam, wherein the heating element is configured to be heated upon application of an electrical current to the heating element, and wherein the heating element is configured, upon being heated, to heat the filtration media to a target temperature that is effective to kill a pathogen; and
a controller in electrical communication with the heating element, the controller being configured to cause the heating element to be heated when the controller determines that air flow is not being conducted through the detoxification device.