Method and apparatus for the ultrasonic cleaning of biofilm coated surfaces
First Claim
1. The method of reducing a biofilm formed on a substrate, comprising:
- irrigating the biofilm with a fluid containing a biofilm-reducing agent;
suctioning the fluid from the biofilm, so as to maintain a fluid layer of the fluid in contact with the biofilm; and
inducing ultrasonic energy into the biofilm.
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Accused Products
Abstract
To treat body surfaces, such as the sinuses, which are coated with biofilms, the surface is irrigated and suctioned with a fluid which may contain a biocide or other chemical agent for disrupting the biofilm while ultrasonic energy is applied to either the fluid barrier formed over the biofilm or a body surface proximal to the biofilm. Action of the fluid enhanced by the ultrasonic energy tends to remove sections of biofilm which are suctioned out of the site. An electrical field may also be applied to the biofilm to enhance the disruptive action. Apparatus for practicing this method to treat chronic rhinosinusitis comprises an elongated tube adapted to be inserted into sinus cavities through the nose or mouth. The tube includes a first lumen which feeds an irrigating fluid containing biocides and/or biofilm-disruptive chemicals to the treatment site and a second lumen which suctions fluid from the site. An ultrasound horn extends through the tube and its distal end introduces ultrasonic energy into the fluid layer overlying the biofilm. Alternatively, an ultrasound probe may be applied to an adjacent body surface, such as the face over a sinus cavity. In an alternative embodiment, the tube includes a pair of electrodes which establish an electric field across the biofilm, accelerating degradation.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. The method of reducing a biofilm formed on a substrate, comprising:
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irrigating the biofilm with a fluid containing a biofilm-reducing agent;
suctioning the fluid from the biofilm, so as to maintain a fluid layer of the fluid in contact with the biofilm; and
inducing ultrasonic energy into the biofilm. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. The method of reducing biofilm resident on human tissue comprising:
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surrounding a section of the tissue coated with biofilm by a cavity having an open edge with a resilient gasket formed thereon;
introducing fluid containing a biofilm-reducing agent into the cavity;
suctioning excess fluid and biofilm residue from the cavity; and
applying ultrasonic energy into the fluid contained within the cavity to produce mechanical forces on the biofilm. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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15. Apparatus for treating biofilm covered tissue forming part of a cavity within a living body comprising:
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an elongated tube adapted to be inserted into the body so that its distal end is disposed within the cavity and its proximal end is exterior of the body, the tube containing a first lumen for introducing fluid into the cavity and a second lumen for suctioning fluid from the cavity;
a first port for introducing fluid containing biofilm treatment reducing agents into the proximal end of the first lumen;
a second port at the proximal end of the tube for applying a suction force to the second lumen to suction fluid from the cavity; and
an ultrasonic generator operative to introduce ultrasonic energy into the biofilm. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. Apparatus for treating biofilm covered tissue forming part of a cavity within a living body comprising:
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an elongated tube adapted to be inserted into the body so that its distal end is disposed within the cavity and its proximal end is exterior of the body, the tube containing a first lumen for introducing fluid into the cavity and a second lumen for suctioning fluid from the cavity;
a first port for introducing fluid containing biofilm treatment reducing agents into the proximal end of the first lumen;
a second port at the proximal end of the tube for applying a suction force to the second lumen to suction fluid from the cavity; and
an ultrasonic generator supported on the distal end of the elongated tube operative to introduce ultrasonic energy into fluid contained within the cavity. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27)
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28. The method of reducing a biofilm disposed on human tissue, comprising:
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irrigating the biofilm with a fluid;
suctioning the fluid from the biofilm so as to remove material separated from the biofilm; and
inducing ultrasonic energy into the biofilm. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31)
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Specification