Respiratory circuit with in vivo sterilization
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus for in vivo sterilization of a respirator circuit, comprising:
- a) a breathing tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends, said breathing tube defining at least a portion of a respiratory circuit having an inner surface;
b) a ventilator tube in fluid communication with the proximal end of the breathing tube, said ventilator tube defining at least a portion of the respiratory circuit and having a inhalation portion and an exhalation portion; and
c) one or more ultraviolet light sources in optical communication with at least a portion of the inner surface of the respiratory circuit, said one or more light sources emitting ultraviolet radiation for sterilizing the irradiated portion of the respiratory circuit while connected to a patient.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A respirator circuit comprises a breathing tube, such as an endotracheal tube, having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends. The lumen defines at least a portion of the respirator circuit. A ventilator tube is in fluid communication with the proximal end of the breathing tube end and defines a portion of the respirator circuit. One or more light sources capable of emitting ultraviolet radiation irradiates at least a portion of the respirator circuit, thereby sterilizing the respiratory circuit.
-
Citations
35 Claims
-
1. An apparatus for in vivo sterilization of a respirator circuit, comprising:
-
a) a breathing tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends, said breathing tube defining at least a portion of a respiratory circuit having an inner surface; b) a ventilator tube in fluid communication with the proximal end of the breathing tube, said ventilator tube defining at least a portion of the respiratory circuit and having a inhalation portion and an exhalation portion; and c) one or more ultraviolet light sources in optical communication with at least a portion of the inner surface of the respiratory circuit, said one or more light sources emitting ultraviolet radiation for sterilizing the irradiated portion of the respiratory circuit while connected to a patient. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. A respiratory apparatus, comprising:
-
a) an endotracheal tube adapted for insertion into the trachea of a patient, said tube having a proximal end, a distal end and a tube wall, said tube wall having an inner surface and an outer surface; and b) an ultraviolet light source in optical communication with at least a portion of the inner surface of the tube wall while the endotracheal tube is inserted in a patient, wherein the inner surface is sterilized by the ultraviolet light. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
-
-
28. A respiratory apparatus, comprising:
-
a) a breathing tube adapted for insertion into the trachea of a patient, said breathing tube having an inner surface, an outer surface, and a lumen through which a patient can breathe; and b) a means for irradiating at least a portion of the inner surface of the tube with ultraviolet radiation to sterilize the inner surface while the breathing tube is inserted in the trachea of a patient. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31)
-
-
32. A method for in vivo sterilization of a breathing tube, comprising the steps of:
-
a) inserting the breathing tube in the trachea of a patient, said breathing tube having an inner surface defining a lumen through which a patient can breathe; and b) irradiating at least a portion of the inner surface of the tube with ultraviolet radiation to sterilize the inner surface while the breathing tube is inserted in the trachea of a patient. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35)
-
Specification