Tubular device delivering light and radiation into a patient

• US 20100241198A1
• Filed: 03/19/2010
• Published: 09/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mark Klepper
• Original Assignee: Mark Klepper
• Inventors: Klepper, Mark
• Granted Patent: US 8,480,722 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/92
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0604 Lungs and/or airways
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0651 Diodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0601 Apparatus for use inside the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0624 for eliminating microbes, germs, bacteria on or in the body

Abstract

A device delivers light within a patient using an inner cannula, fiber optics, LED along an endotracheal tube, ETT or tracheostomy tube or a strip with embedded LED adhered to an ETT. The inner cannula includes a tubular thin walled device that transmits light by fiber optics or delivers electrical power to an LED. The light passes along one or more fibers placed within the walls of the inner cannula for outward delivery of the light. The light affects the inside of the cannula, the area between the cannula and the ETT, the area outside the ETT, and into the tracheobronchial tree. The light delivers an antimicrobial effect into the upper airway of a patient. Alternatively, the light delivery device involves tubes and cannulas attaching to existing medical tubes and devices. Alternatively, a transparent strip of embedded LED secures to an existing medical tube.

Claims

1. A device delivering light and other radiation within a patient suppressing infectious vectors, the patient having a medical conduit such as an airway placed therein, comprising:

a flexible cylindrical tube having a wall, at least one lumen, and two opposite ends, said tube adapting to fit within an existing medical conduit; and

,

at least one radiation delivery unit upon said tube proximate one end for insertion within the patient.

2. The light and other radiation delivery device of claim 1 further comprising:

said at least one radiation delivery unit including one of a light emitting diode, a fiber optic line, an incandescent bulb, or a fluorescent bulb.

3. The light and other radiation delivery device of claim 2 further comprising:

said light emitting diode emitting one of visible light, infra red light, and ultraviolet light.

4. The light and other radiation delivery device of claim 3 wherein said light emitting diode emits blue light for managing microbial contamination and colonization in the native airway of a patient or an artificial airway supplied for a patient.

5. The light and other radiation delivery device of claim 1 wherein said device removes readily from within a patient and from an existing medical conduit for cleaning, replacement, or disposal.

6. The light and other radiation delivery device of claim 1 wherein said device monitors and measures various physiologic indices of a patient.

7. The light and other radiation delivery device of claim 1 further comprising:

said tube adapted to suction liquid and semi-liquid material from the mouth, throat, larynx and trachea of a patient.

8. The light and other radiation delivery device of claim 7 further comprising:

said tube being hollow and adapted to guide along an existing medical conduit.

9. The light and other radiation delivery device of claim 7 further comprising:

said device adapted to attach to an existing medical conduit for a combined insertion into a patient.

10. The light and other radiation delivery device of claim 7 wherein said tube allows for the injection or delivery of materials into the mouth, throat, larynx and trachea of a patient.

11. The light and other radiation delivery device of claim 7 further comprising:

said device adapted to communicate with light sources, the light sources delivering light to said radiation sources for application from an end of said tube proximate the mouth, throat, larynx, or trachea of a patient.

12. The light and other radiation delivery device of claim 7 wherein said device allows placement of any diagnostic mechanism or therapeutic mechanism, energy source, optical device or monitoring means into the mouth, throat, larynx or trachea of a patient.

13. The light and other radiation delivery device of claim 7 further comprising:

said device includes conductive means to delivery electricity to said radiation delivery unit.

14. The light and other radiation delivery device of claim 1 further comprising:

said radiation delivery units receiving energy through conductive materials including one of copper wiring, aluminum wiring, or fiber optic lines.

15. The light and other radiation delivery device of claim 14 further comprising:

said conductive materials transporting light to the end of said tube for delivery into a patient.

16. The light and other radiation delivery device of claim 15 wherein said conductive materials deliver light to the upper airway of a patient.

17. A device delivering light and other radiation within a patient suppressing infectious vectors, the patient having a medical conduit such as an airway placed therein, said device comprising:

an elongated strip having a top surface, an opposite bottom surface, a distal end for insertion into a patient, an opposite proximal end, a plurality of radiation sources proximate said distal end, said radiation sources in communication with conductive materials, strip adapted to attach to the medical conduit.

18. The light and other radiation delivery device of claim 17 further comprising:

said plurality of radiation sources including one of a light emitting diode, a fiber optic line, an incandescent bulb, or a fluorescent bulb.

19. The light and other radiation delivery device of claim 18 further comprising:

said light emitting diode thus emitting blue light for managing microbial contamination and colonization in the native airway of a patient or an artificial airway supplied for a patient.

20. The light and other radiation delivery device of claim 17 further comprising:

said strip having a base, wiring upon said base in communication with said plurality of radiation sources, a transparent encapsulant bonding said plurality of radiation sources and said wiring to said base, a securing layer upon said base opposite said encapsulant, and a release liner upon said securing layer.