Method and apparatus for sterilizing or disinfecting a region through a bandage

• US 6,730,113 B2
• Filed: 06/17/2002
• Issued: 05/04/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Uv-Solutions LLC
• Original Assignee: Uv-Solutions LLC
• Inventors: Eckhardt, Richard, Jenkins, Geoffrey H., Kimball, Sandra
• Primary Examiner(s): Gibson, Roy D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): JOHNSON III, HENRY M
• Application Number:
  US10/173,129
• Publication Number:
  US 20030031586A1
• Time in Patent Office: 687 Days
• Field of Search: 604/20, 604/49, 604/289, 604/290, 604/304, 604/305, 607/94, 128/898
• US Class Current: 607/94
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/50 Supports for surgical instruments, e.g. articulated arms
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/0047 Ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/10 Ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0019 Cleaning catheters or the like, e.g. for reuse of the device, for avoiding replacement
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/167 with energizing means, e.g. light, vibration, electricity
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/00 Catheters; Hollow probes dilators A61M29/00; peritoneal catheters A61M1/285; tracheal tubes A61M16/04; for drainage A61M27/00; for uterus, vagina or rectum A61M31/00 ; for measuring or testing A61B; materials for catheters A61L29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/16 having provision for disinfection or sterilisation A61M39/143 takes precedence; methods or apparatus for disinfection or sterilisation A61L2/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0645 Applicators worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0661 ultraviolet
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0624 for eliminating microbes, germs, bacteria on or in the body

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for sterilizing or disinfecting a region through a bandage. One embodiment of the invention is directed to a method, comprising acts of determining the transmissivity of at least a portion of a bandage to ultraviolet light, and selecting an intensity of ultraviolet light to be applied through at least a portion of the bandage. Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a method of sterilizing or disinfecting a region underneath a bandage on a patient. A further embodiment of the invention is directed to an apparatus for sterilizing or disinfecting a region of tissue of a patient. The apparatus comprises an ultraviolet light-emitting lamp and a bandage adapted to transmit at least some of the ultraviolet light emitted by the lamp. Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a bandage, comprising an ultraviolet light-transmissive film, and a color-changing material coupled to the film to indicate an exposure of the film to ultraviolet light.

Claims

1. A method of sterilizing or disinfecting a region underneath a bandage on a patient, comprising an act of:

applying ultraviolet light to the region through the bandage, wherein the act of applying ultraviolet light includes applying ultraviolet light to a portion of a catheter underneath the bandage.

2. A method of sterilizing or disinfecting a region underneath a bandage on a patient, comprising acts of:

applying ultraviolet light to the region through the bandage; and

detecting an exposure of at least a portion of the bandage to ultraviolet light.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the act of detecting an exposure of the at least a portion of the bandage to ultraviolet light includes detecting a hue in a portion of the bandage.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the act of detecting an exposure of the at least a portion of the bandage to ultraviolet light includes using a optical detection device to detect the hue.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the act of applying occurs only when the optical detection device detects a particular hue.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the act of detecting an exposure of the at least a portion of the bandage to ultraviolet light includes detecting a pattern in a portion of the bandage.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the act of detecting an exposure of the at least a portion of the bandage to ultraviolet light includes using a optical detection device to detect the pattern.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the act of applying occurs only when the optical detection device detects a particular pattern.

9. A system for sterilizing or disinfecting a region of tissue of a patient, comprising:

an ultraviolet light-emitting lamp; and

a bandage adapted to transmit at least some of the ultraviolet light emitted by the lamp;

wherein the bandage covers at least a portion of the region of tissue; and

wherein the bandage includes a movable pad.

10. A system for sterilizing or disinfecting a region of tissue of a patient, comprising:

an ultraviolet light-emitting lamp; and

a bandage adapted to transmit at least some of the ultraviolet light emitted by the lamp;

wherein the bandage covers at least a portion of the region of tissue; and

wherein the bandage includes a light filter to filter a chosen portion of a light spectrum emitted by the ultraviolet light-emitting lamp.

11. A method, comprising acts of:

determining the transmissivity of at least a portion of a bandage to ultraviolet light; and

selecting an intensity of ultraviolet light to be applied through at least a portion of the bandage.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the act of determining the transmissivity of the at least a portion of the bandage to ultraviolet light includes reading a visual indicator on the bandage.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the act of determining the transmissivity of the at least a portion of the bandage to ultraviolet light includes reading a barcode on the bandage.

14. A bandage, comprising:

an ultraviolet light-transmissive film; and

a color-changing material coupled to the film to indicate an exposure of the film to ultraviolet light.

15. The bandage of claim 14, wherein an adhesive coupled to the film includes the color-changing material.

16. The bandage of claim 14, wherein the color-changing material is chosen such that a duration of time required for the color-changing material to revert to a state present prior to an application of ultraviolet light corresponds with a desired duration of time between applications of ultraviolet light.

17. The bandage of claim 14, wherein the color-changing material is embedded in the film.