Method and apparatus for sterilizing indwelling catheters

• US 20080159908A1
• Filed: 02/04/2008
• Published: 07/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Russell J. Redmond
• Original Assignee: Russell J. Redmond
• Inventors: Redmond, Russell J.
• Application Number:
  US12/012,707
• Publication Number:
  US 20080159908A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/24
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/10 Ultraviolet radiation

Abstract

A method and apparatus for delivering UV-C light energy to indwelling catheters by means of an elongated, flexible wand that is operably coupled with the UV-C light energy source. In one form of the invention the flexible wand is made from UV-C-transparent material and is fully disposable. In another form the wand is covered by a novel disposable cover made from UV-C-transparent materials and the wand is reusable.

Claims

1. An apparatus for exposing an indwelling catheter to germicidal ultraviolet-see light comprising:

(a) a source of germicidal UV-C light; and

(b) an elongated, flexible wand connected to said source of germicidal UV-C light for delivering the UV-C light to said indwelling catheter.

2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said flexible wand comprises a multiplicity of optical fibers.

3. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said flexible wand comprises a liquid-filled light-guide.

4. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said flexible wand includes a distal end having affixed thereto at least one light emitting diode.

5. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said apparatus further includes a UV-C-transparent disposable wand cover for covering said elongated, flexible wand.

6. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said indwelling catheter includes an internal passageway and in which said elongated, flexible wand is telescopically receivable within said internal passageway of said indwelling catheter.

7. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said indwelling catheter comprises an internal passageway and an external wall and in which said elongated, flexible wand is movable along said external wall of said indwelling catheter.

8. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said indwelling catheter comprises an endo-tracheal tube having an internal passageway and in which said elongated, flexible wand is telescopically receivable within said internal passageway of said endo-tracheal tube.

9. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said source of UV-C radiation comprises a germicidal UV-C generating lamp.

10. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, further including switching means for energizing said UV generating lamp.

11. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, further including timer means for controlling the length of time that said germicidal UV-C generating lamp is energized.

12. An apparatus for exposing an indwelling catheter to germicidal ultraviolet light comprising:

(a) a hollow housing;

(b) an elongated, flexible wand connected to said hollow housing;

(c) a source of germicidal UV-C radiation carried by said hollow housing for emitting UV-C radiation in a direction toward said elongated, flexible wand; and

(d) switching means carried by said hollow housing for controllably energizing said source of germicidal UV-C radiation.

13. The apparatus as defined in claim 12 in which said apparatus further includes a UV-C-transparent disposable wand cover for covering said elongated, flexible wand.

14. The apparatus as defined in claim 12, further including timer means carried by said hollow housing for controlling the length of time that said source of germicidal UV-C radiation is energized.

15. The apparatus as defined in claim 12 in which said hollow housing is generally cylindrical in shape and in which said switching means comprises a pair of electrical contacts mounted within said housing.

16. The apparatus as defined in claim 12 in which said switching means comprises a switch member slidably connected to said housing.

17. The apparatus as defined in claim 12 in which said apparatus includes a cover for covering said elongated flexible wand and in which said apparatus further includes cover-ejecting means carried by said hollow housing for ejecting said cover.

18. The apparatus as defined in claim 17, in which said apparatus further includes safety disabling means carried by said housing for preventing energizing of said source of germicidal UV-C radiation when said wand cover is removed.

19. A method for irradiating an indwelling catheter using an apparatus comprising an elongated, flexible wand that is operably coupled with the UV-C light energy source, said method comprising the steps of positioning the elongated, flexible wand proximate the indwelling catheter and then energizing the UV-C light energy source to controllably irradiate the indwelling catheter with UV-C radiation.

20. The method as defined in claim 19 in which the apparatus comprises a timer and in which the indwelling catheter is irradiated with UV-C radiation for a selected period of time.

21. The method as defined in claim 19 in which the indwelling catheter comprises a urinary drainage catheter.

22. The method as defined in claim 19 in which the apparatus further comprises a substantially UV-transparent cover for covering the elongated, flexible wand to form a covered flexible wand and in which the method comprises the step of positioning the covered flexible wand proximate the indwelling catheter and then energizing the UV-C light energy source to controllably irradiate the indwelling catheter with UV-C radiation.

23. The method as defined in claim 19 in which the indwelling catheter comprises an endo-tracheal tube having a lumen and an exterior surface.

24. The method as defined in claim 19 in which the apparatus further comprises a timer and in which the endo-tracheal tube is irradiated with UV-C radiation for a selected period of time.

25. The method as defined in claim 24 in which said method comprises the step of inserting the elongated, flexible wand into the lumen of the endo-tracheal tube and then energizing the UV-C light energy source to controllably irradiate the lumen of the endo-tracheal tube with UV-C radiation.

26. The method as defined in claim 24 in which said method comprises the step of positioning the elongated, flexible wand proximate the exterior surface of the endo-tracheal tube and then energizing the UV-C light energy source to controllably irradiate the exterior of the endo-tracheal tube with UV-C radiation.