Method and apparatus to prevent infections
First Claim
1. Medical apparatus for placement in the human body comprisinga member having an exterior surface adapted for physiological contact;
- at least one photosensitizer at or in said exterior surface;
at least one light conductor extending along said member, each light conductor having an input at a proximal location along said member and an output at a distal location along said member, and a light transmitter for transmitting light energy to said input of the light conductor so that said light energy is conveyed along said member and is emitted at said output so as to illuminate said surface and said photosensitizer(s) residing on or in said exterior surface, the light energy being in a wavelength range to both activate the photosensitizer(s) so as to release toxic oxygen from said surface and also kill microorganisms on or opposite said surface.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A photosensitizer together with complementary light energy are used to prevent the development of infection associated with an indwelling medical catheter or device. Light of a selected wavelength or wavelength band is coupled to the catheter or device and transmitted by a wall or walls thereof to one or both of the external and internal surfaces thereof. The catheter or device also incorporates at least one photosensitizer which releases a toxic substance when activated by the light energy which destroys bacteria on or around the catheter or device. A method of preventing infection using photosensitizers and complementary light energy is also disclosed.
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Citations
36 Claims
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1. Medical apparatus for placement in the human body comprising
a member having an exterior surface adapted for physiological contact; -
at least one photosensitizer at or in said exterior surface;
at least one light conductor extending along said member, each light conductor having an input at a proximal location along said member and an output at a distal location along said member, and a light transmitter for transmitting light energy to said input of the light conductor so that said light energy is conveyed along said member and is emitted at said output so as to illuminate said surface and said photosensitizer(s) residing on or in said exterior surface, the light energy being in a wavelength range to both activate the photosensitizer(s) so as to release toxic oxygen from said surface and also kill microorganisms on or opposite said surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. Medical apparatus for placement in the human body comprising
a wall with interior and exterior surfaces; -
light energy conductors extending along at least an implantable segment of said wall, said conductors having inputs at a proximal location along said wall and outputs at a distal location along said wall;
at least one photosensitizer on or in said wall segment, said at least one photosensitizer, when illuminated by complementary light energy, releasing activated oxygen radicals which destroy microorganisms, and a light source for delivering complementary light energy to said inputs so that said complementary light energy is conveyed along said wall segment and is emitted at said outputs thereby illuminating the at least one photosensitizer residing on or in said wall segment and at least one of said surfaces, the complementary light energy being in a wavelength range to both activate the photosensitizer so as to release said oxygen radicals and also kill microorganisms on and opposite said at least one of said surfaces. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A method of preventing infections comprising the steps of forming a member with at least one light energy conductor extending along at least a segment of the member, each conductor having an input at a proximal location along the member and an output at a distal location along the member;
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incorporating at least one photosensitizer on or in said segment;
placing the segment in the body, and transmitting light energy to each input so that the light energy is conveyed along the segment and is emitted at the output so as to illuminate a surface of the member, the light energy being in a wavelength range to both activate the photosensitizer residing on or in said segment so as to release toxic oxygen and also kill microorganisms on and opposite the surface. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36)
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Specification