Method and apparatus for sterilizing or disinfecting catheter components

• US 20030017073A1
• Filed: 06/17/2002
• Published: 01/23/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Uv-Solutions LLC
• Original Assignee: Uv-Solutions LLC
• Inventors: Eckhardt, Richard, Jenkins, Geoffrey H., Kimball, Sandra
• Application Number:
  US10/173,137
• Publication Number:
  US 20030017073A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/24
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/50 Supports for surgical instruments, e.g. articulated arms
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/0047 Ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/10 Ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0019 Cleaning catheters or the like, e.g. for reuse of the device, for avoiding replacement
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/167 with energizing means, e.g. light, vibration, electricity
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/00 Catheters; Hollow probes dilators A61M29/00; peritoneal catheters A61M1/285; tracheal tubes A61M16/04; for drainage A61M27/00; for uterus, vagina or rectum A61M31/00 ; for measuring or testing A61B; materials for catheters A61L29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/16 having provision for disinfection or sterilisation A61M39/143 takes precedence; methods or apparatus for disinfection or sterilisation A61L2/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0645 Applicators worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0661 ultraviolet
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0624 for eliminating microbes, germs, bacteria on or in the body

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for sterilizing or disinfecting using ultraviolet light. One embodiment of the invention is directed to a method for sterilizing or disinfecting at least a portion of an interior surface of a catheter, the interior surface being defined by a wall. The method comprises acts of identifying a stagnation zone in the catheter, and transmitting ultraviolet light through the wall at the stagnation zone. Another embodiment of the invention is directed to an ultraviolet light-transmissive catheter. The catheter comprises a wall defining an interior of the catheter, and a region of the wall adapted to transmit ultraviolet light.

Claims

1. A method for sterilizing or disinfecting at least a portion of an interior surface of a catheter, the interior surface being defined by a wall, the method comprising acts of:

identifying a stagnation zone in the catheter; and

transmitting ultraviolet light through the wall at the stagnation zone.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the stagnation zone includes a change in diameter of the wall.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the stagnation zone includes a crevasse in the wall.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least a portion of the interior surface of the catheter includes at least a portion an interior surface of a connector defined by a wall, and wherein the act of transmitting includes transmitting ultraviolet light through the wall of the at least a portion of the connector.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the connector has male and female components, and wherein act of transmitting includes transmitting ultraviolet light through the wall of the at least a portion of the connector while the male and female components are coupled.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the connector has male and female components, and wherein the method further comprises an act of:

coupling a terminal cap to one of the male and female components; and

wherein that act of transmitting includes sterilizing or disinfecting the one of the male and female components using ultraviolet light while the one of the male and female components is coupled to the terminal cap.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least a portion of the interior surface of the catheter includes at least a portion of the interior surface of a hub defined by a wall, and wherein the act of transmitting includes transmitting ultraviolet light through the wall of the at least a portion of the hub.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising an act of:

detecting an exposure of the wall to ultraviolet light based on a color change of the wall.

9. An ultraviolet light-transmissive catheter, comprising:

a wall defining an interior of the catheter; and

means within the wall for transmitting ultraviolet light through the wall of a catheter to the interior of the catheter.

10. The ultraviolet light-transmissive catheter of claim 9, wherein the means for within the wall for transmitting ultraviolet light includes a recess in the wall.

11. The ultraviolet light-transmissive catheter of claim 9, wherein the means within the wall for transmitting ultraviolet light includes a void in the wall.

12. The ultraviolet light-transmissive catheter of claim 9, wherein the means in the wall for transmitting ultraviolet light includes ultraviolet light-transmissive material infused in the wall.

14. The catheter of claim 13, wherein the region of the wall includes recess.

15. The catheter of claim 13, wherein the region of the wall includes a void.

16. The catheter of claim 13, wherein the region of the wall is infused with ultraviolet light-transmissive material.

17. The catheter of claim 16, wherein the region of the wall further includes a recess.

18. The catheter of claim 16, wherein the region of the wall further includes a void.

19. The catheter of claim 16, wherein at least a portion of the wall includes a color-changing material to indicate an exposure to ultraviolet light.

13. An ultraviolet light-transmissive catheter, comprising:

a wall defining an interior of the catheter; and

a region of the wall adapted to transmit ultraviolet light.

20. A method for sterilizing or disinfecting a portion of a catheter enclosed within a container, comprising an act of:

transmitting ultraviolet light through the container.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the container is a substantially air-tight container.

22. A method for sterilizing or disinfecting a portion of a catheter connector coupled to a cap, comprising an act of:

transmitting ultraviolet light through the cap.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the lens is fixed to the catheter.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the act of applying includes applying ultraviolet light to an interior portion of the catheter.

23. A method for sterilizing or disinfecting an interior portion of a catheter, comprising acts of:

positioning an ultraviolet light source above a lens component of the catheter; and

transmitting light from the ultraviolet light source through the lens and along the interior portion of the catheter.

24. An apparatus for sterilizing or disinfecting an interior portion of catheter using an ultraviolet light source, comprising:

a lens to transmit light from the ultraviolet light source along the portion of the catheter.

26. A method, comprising acts of:

applying ultraviolet light to a portion of a catheter to sterilize or disinfect the portion of a catheter; and

inserting the portion of the catheter into a patient.