Self-cleaning and sterilizing endotracheal and tracheostomy tube

• US 20080257355A1
• Filed: 04/18/2007
• Published: 10/23/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Chamkurkishtiah P. Rao
• Original Assignee: Chamkurkishtiah P. Rao, Diana C. Lister
• Inventors: Rao, Chamkurkishtiah P., Lister, Diana C.
• Granted Patent: US 8,381,728 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/207.14
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/10 Ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/16 using chemical substances
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/205 using a photocatalyst or photosensitiser
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/04 Tracheal tubes catheters in general A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0463 combined with suction tubes, catheters or the like; Outside connections
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0465 Tracheostomy tubes; Devices for performing a tracheostomy; Accessories therefor, e.g. masks, filters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0486 Multi-lumen tracheal tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/203 Bacteria
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0205 Materials having antiseptic or antimicrobial properties, e.g. silver compounds, rubber with sterilising agent
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0222 Materials for reducing friction
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0238 the material being a coating or protective layer
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 35/39 Photocatalytic properties

Abstract

The self-cleaning and sterilizing endotracheal and tracheostomy tube may include a combination of an endotracheal tube or a tracheostomy tube and a suction catheter that decreases the tendency of mucus and bacteria to adhere to the inner surfaces of the thereof. The endotracheal tube and the catheter may have a hydrophobic surface exhibiting the lotus effect, which may be formed either by femtosecond laser etching or by a coating of ploy (ethylene oxide). Alternatively, the endotracheal tube and the catheter may have a lumen coated with a photocatalyst. The endotracheal tube may also have a light source and a fiberoptic bundle mounted thereon, the optical fibers extending into the lumen to illuminate the photocatalyst.

Claims

1. A self-cleaning and sterilizing endotracheal tube, comprising:

an elongate tube formed of flexible nano-composite polymer material having an upper portion and a lower portion, the tube defining a lumen, the lower portion being adapted for insertion into a patient'"'"'s trachea in order to maintain patentcy of the patient'"'"'s airway; and

means for rendering the tube self-cleaning and sterilizing in order to prevent narrowing of the lumen and buildup of mucous and bacteria in the lumen.

2. The self-cleaning and sterilizing endotracheal tube according to claim 1, wherein said means for rendering the tube self-cleaning and sterilizing comprises a hydrophobic surface exhibiting a lotus effect formed in the lumen of the tube.

3. The self-cleaning and sterilizing endotracheal tube according to claim 2, wherein said hydrophobic surface is formed by femtosecond laser etched perpendicular lines formed in the surface.

4. The self-cleaning and sterilizing endotracheal tube according to claim 2, wherein said hydrophobic surface comprises a coating formed from chains of poly (ethylene oxide) disposed in the lumen of said tube.

5. The self-cleaning and sterilizing endotracheal tube according to claim 1, wherein said means for rendering the tube self-cleaning and sterilizing comprises:

a light source mounted on said tube;

a fiberoptic bundle having fibers extending into the lumen; and

a photocatalyst coated disposed on inner surfaces defining the lumen of the tube.

6. The self-cleaning and sterilizing endotracheal tube according to claim 1, wherein said light source comprises a source of ultraviolet light.

7. The self-cleaning and sterilizing endotracheal tube according to claim 1, wherein said source of ultraviolet light emits UV radiation at an antimicrobial wavelength selected from the group consisting of 185 nm, 254 nm, and 265 nm.

8. The self-cleaning and sterilizing endotracheal tube according to claim 6, wherein said light source comprises an LED.

9. The self-cleaning and sterilizing endotracheal tube according to claim 6, wherein said light source comprises an ultraviolet LED.

10. The self-cleaning and sterilizing endotracheal tube according to claim 6, wherein the fibers extending into the lumen of the tube include an uncoated portion extending axially within the lumen of the tube, the uncoated portion emitting light radially into the lumen.

11. The self-cleaning and sterilizing endotracheal tube according to claim 10, further comprising a UV reflector disposed between the uncoated portion of the fibers and an exterior surface of the tube.

12. The self-cleaning and sterilizing endotracheal tube according to claim 10, wherein said photocatalytic coating is transparent.

13. The self-cleaning and sterilizing endotracheal tube according to claim 6, wherein the fibers extending into the lumen of the tube are coated and have different lengths, the fibers having ends directed radially into the lumen of the tube, defining point sources of light.

14. The self-cleaning and sterilizing endotracheal tube according to claim 6, wherein said photocatalyst is selected from the group consisting of titanium oxide, silicon oxide, zinc oxide, zirconium oxide, and cadmium sulfate.

15. The self-cleaning and sterilizing endotracheal tube according to claim 6, further comprising an arm extending from said tube, said light source being mounted on said arm.

16. The self-cleaning and sterilizing endotracheal tube according to claim 1, further comprising a suction catheter removably inserted into said tube, the suction catheter defining a lumen.

17. The self-cleaning and sterilizing endotracheal tube according to claim 15, wherein the lumen of said catheter has a hydrophobic surface exhibiting a lotus effect, said hydrophobic surface being formed by femtosecond laser etched perpendicular lines formed in the surface.

18. The self-cleaning and sterilizing endotracheal tube according to claim 15, wherein the lumen of said catheter has a hydrophobic surface exhibiting a lotus effect, said hydrophobic surface comprising a coating formed from chains of poly (ethylene oxide) disposed in the lumen of said tube.

19. The self-cleaning and sterilizing endotracheal tube according to claim 15, further comprising a photocatalyst coated disposed on inner surfaces defining the lumen of said catheter.

20. The self-cleaning and sterilizing endotracheal tube according to claim 19, wherein said photocatalyst is selected from the group consisting of titanium oxide, silicon oxide, zinc oxide, zirconium oxide, and cadmium sulfate, said photocatalyst being doped with nitrogen or sulfur.