SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR STERILIZATION USING UV LIGHT
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Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments of this disclosure include systems, methods, and kits for sterilizing in vivo catheters using an optical fiber to deliver UV light. In an embodiment, a method for sterilizing a catheter with at least a first lumen, includes inserting a distal end of a fiber optic cable into a fiber insertion port of a catheter connector attached to a hub of the first lumen, flushing the first lumen with fluid from a fluid source, inserting the fiber optic cable into the first lumen until a stopper of the fiber optic cable is adjacent to the fiber insertion port, providing light to the fiber optic cable from a light source after the fiber optic cable is inserted into the first lumen, withdrawing the fiber optic cable from the first lumen while the light is provided, and ceasing to provide light to the fiber optic cable after the fiber optic cable is withdrawn from the first lumen. The disclosure is also applicable to catheters with multiple lumens and to catheters accessed through subcutaneous ports.
25 Citations
30 Claims
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1-16. -16. (canceled)
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17. A kit for sterilizing a catheter of at least one designated catheter type with at least a first lumen, comprising:
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a first fiber optic cable with a first fiber optic connector; a first catheter connector, including a first fiber insertion port configured to receive the first fiber optic cable, and a first hub adapter configured to connect with a first hub of the first lumen of the catheter at a proximal end of the first lumen; a first stopper; and packaging containing the first fiber optic cable, the first catheter connector, and the first stopper, wherein the first stopper is attached to or integrally formed with the first fiber optic cable at a first fiber length from a first distal end of the first fiber optic cable, and the first fiber length corresponds to a combined length of a first lumen length of the first lumen from the first hub to a first lumen distal end of the first lumen and a first catheter connector length of the first catheter connector from the first fiber insertion port to the first hub adapter. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A kit for sterilizing a catheter of at least one designated catheter type with at least a first lumen, comprising:
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a first fiber optic cable with a first fiber optic connector; a first catheter connector, including a first fiber insertion port configured to receive the first fiber optic cable, and a first hub adapter configured to connect with a first hub of the first lumen of the catheter at a proximal end of the first lumen; a first stopper; and packaging containing the first fiber optic cable, the first catheter connector, and the first stopper, wherein the first fiber optic cable includes at least a first stopper marking at a first fiber length from a first distal end of the first fiber optic cable, and the first fiber length corresponds to a combined length of a first lumen length of the first lumen from the first hub to a first lumen distal end of the first lumen and a first catheter connector length of the first catheter connector from the first fiber insertion port to the first hub adapter. - View Dependent Claims (30)
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Specification