Heat-sanitization of surfaces

摘要

Solutions for limiting the undesirable spread of pathogens by indirect contact are provided. The solutions involve heat-sanitization of contact regions on articles or fixtures by flowing selected electromagnetic radiation energy through underlying waveguide structures substantially parallel to the contact regions.

主权项

1. A method of heat-sanitizing an outer surface region of an article,
the method comprising: providing a selected electromagnetic radiation absorber portion in the outer surface region; and flowing selected electromagnetic radiation energy through an underlying waveguide structure substantially parallel to the outer surface region so that the selected electromagnetic radiation absorber portion is coupled to and heated by the electromagnetic radiation energy flow to a positive temperature that heat-sanitizes an exposed portion of the outer surface region.