Method, apparatus and system for treating biofilms associated with catheters
First Claim
1. A method for inhibiting biofilm formation associated with an indwelling catheter, the catheter comprising a stabilizing balloon, an inflation channel, and a vibrating piezo element coupled to a surface of the catheter, the method comprising:
- causing the piezo element to vibrate in a combination of vibrational modes, to cause a combination of acoustic wave modes, the combination of acoustic wave modes causing;
surface acoustic waves to be generated on the external and internal surfaces of the catheter, wherein the wave type of the surface acoustic waves is selected from the group consisting of Rayleigh and Lamb waves;
an acoustic wave to be generated in a liquid filling the inflation channel; and
resonance in the stabilizing balloon, the resonance within the stabilizing balloon generating vibrations in liquid exiting the catheter and surface acoustic waves on the catheter;
wherein the surface acoustic waves inhibit biofilm formation on surfaces of said catheter.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus, system and method for preventing or treating biofilm associated with catheters. A piezo-ceramic element may be attached to a catheter, and a vibration processor may be connected to the piezo-ceramic element. The vibration processor may provide electric signals that generate acoustic vibrations in the piezo-ceramic element, causing vibrations in or around the catheter. These vibrations may be particularly administered to disperse microbe colonies, thereby preventing or inhibiting formation of biofilm that may lead to infections. Vibrations may be amplified significantly due to resonance conditions in the catheter balloon, which may be powerful enough to be used to disperse microbe colonies that have grouped around the catheter or are attempting to do so.
51 Citations
17 Claims
-
1. A method for inhibiting biofilm formation associated with an indwelling catheter, the catheter comprising a stabilizing balloon, an inflation channel, and a vibrating piezo element coupled to a surface of the catheter, the method comprising:
-
causing the piezo element to vibrate in a combination of vibrational modes, to cause a combination of acoustic wave modes, the combination of acoustic wave modes causing; surface acoustic waves to be generated on the external and internal surfaces of the catheter, wherein the wave type of the surface acoustic waves is selected from the group consisting of Rayleigh and Lamb waves; an acoustic wave to be generated in a liquid filling the inflation channel; and resonance in the stabilizing balloon, the resonance within the stabilizing balloon generating vibrations in liquid exiting the catheter and surface acoustic waves on the catheter; wherein the surface acoustic waves inhibit biofilm formation on surfaces of said catheter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
-
Specification