Tubular device delivering light and radiation into a patient

• US 8,480,722 B2
• Filed: 03/19/2010
• Issued: 07/09/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mark Klepper
• Original Assignee: Mark Klepper
• Inventors: Klepper, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Park, Kinam
• Application Number:
  US12/661,551
• Publication Number:
  US 20100241198A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,208 Days
• Field of Search: 607/92, 607/93, 607/89, 607/88, 606/5, 606/14, 606/13
• US Class Current: 607/92
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0604 Lungs and/or airways
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0651 Diodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0601 Apparatus for use inside the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0624 for eliminating microbes, germs, bacteria on or in the body

Abstract

A device delivers light within a patient using an inner cannula, fiber optics, LED along an endotracheal tube, ETT or tracheostomy tube or a strip with embedded LED adhered to an ETT. The inner cannula includes a tubular thin walled device that transmits light by fiber optics or delivers electrical power to an LED. The light passes along one or more fibers placed within the walls of the inner cannula for outward delivery of the light. The light affects the inside of the cannula, the area between the cannula and the ETT, the area outside the ETT, and into the tracheobronchial tree. The light delivers an antimicrobial effect into the upper airway of a patient. Alternatively, the light delivery device involves tubes and cannulas attaching to existing medical tubes and devices. Alternatively, a transparent strip of embedded LED secures to an existing medical tube.

Claims

1. A device for delivering light and other radiation through an endotracheal tube within a patient for medical treatment, and for suppressing infectious vectors, the patient having an endotracheal tube placed therein in preparation for treatment, comprising:

an endotracheal tube, said endotracheal tube having an inner end and an outer end;

a flexible cylindrical tube formed as an inner cannula and having inner and outer walls, said cylindrical tube having ends, one end of the cylindrical tube provided for locating within the endotracheal tube and in proximity with its inner inserted end, the opposite end of the cylindrical tube locating near the outer end of the endotracheal tube, said cylindrical tube capable of being inserted or removed from the endotracheal tube, during its usage, at least one lumen, said lumen having opposite ends, said lumen being embedded within the cylindrical tube, one end of said lumen locating proximate the inner end of the cylindrical tube, and the opposite end of said lumen extending from the cylindrical tube and approximate end of the endotracheal tube for connection with at least one radiation delivery unit for delivering light to said fiber optic for releasing light energy through the cylindrical tube;

a second energy transmitting line provided within the wall of the cylindrical tube an extending from exterior of the endotracheal tube to the inserted end of the cylindrical tube, at least LED to provide for further transmission of light from the inner inserted end of the endotracheal tube during treatment of a patient;

said fiber optic line delivering light radiation interiorly of the patient during treatment, and said light emitting diode emitting one of visible light, inferred light, and ultraviolet light into the patient during treatment;

wherein said cylindrical tube and its embedded fiber optic line and energy transmission line are readily removable from the endotracheal tube and the patient to facilitate cleaning, replacement, or disposal;

said endotracheal tube adapted to provide suction of liquid and semi-liquid material through the located cylindrical tube during application to suck liquid and semi-liquid material from the mouth, throat, larynx and trachea of the patient;

and said cylindrical tube adapted to attach within the endotracheal tube for their combined insertion into a patient during usage, and wherein said cylindrical tube allows for the injection or delivery of materials into the mouth, throat, larynx and trachea of the patient during usage, and wherein said cylindrical tube allows placement of any diagnostic mechanism or therapeutic mechanism, other energy source, optical device, surgical instrument, or other monitoring means into the mouth, throat, larynx or trachea of a patient; and

wherein said flexible cylindrical tube removably located within the endotracheal tube providing for energization of the radiation delivery units for inspection and treatment of a patient during usage.

2. The light and other radiation delivery device of claim 1 wherein said device monitors and measures various physiologic indices of a patient.

3. The light and other radiation delivery device of claim 1 further comprising:

said tube adapted to suction liquid and semi-liquid material from the mouth, throat, larynx and trachea of a patient.

4. The light and other radiation delivery device of claim 1 further comprising:

said radiation delivery units receiving energy through conductive materials including one of copper wiring, aluminum wiring, or fiber optic lines.

5. The light and other radiation delivery device of claim 4, and wherein there are a plurality of light emitting diodes provided spacedly along the length of the radiation delivery unit to provide the delivery of its radiation along the length of the flexible cylindrical tube locating within the endotracheal tube of said device for delivering light and other radiation within a patient.

6. A device delivering light and other radiation along an endotracheal tube within a patient for medical treatment, and for suppressing infectious vectors, the patient having an endotracheal tube placed within the patients airway in preparation for treatment, comprising:

an endotracheal tube, said endotracheal tube having an inserted end, that locates within the patient, and an outer end, that extends outside of the patient;

an elongated strip having a top surface, an opposite bottom surface, a distal end for insertion into a patient, an opposite proximal end, a plurality of radiation sources proximate said distal end, said radiation sources in communication with conductive materials, said strip adapted to attach to the endotracheal tube externally thereof, said plurality of radiation sources including one of a light emitting diode, a fiber optic line, a light emitting diode capable of emitting blue light for managing microbial contamination and colonization in a native airway of a patient; and

said strip having a base, wiring provided through said base and in communication with said plurality of radiation sources, a transparent encapsulate bonding with said plurality of radiation sources and said wiring to encapsulate said radiation source and wiring to the base, said wiring upon the base in communication with said plurality of radiation sources, a transparent encapsulant bonding said plurality of radiation sources and said wiring within the base, a securing layer upon said base opposite said encapsulant, said securing laying comprising one of an adhesive, cohesive, glues, resins, and epoxies, a release liner provided upon said securing layer, whereby said release liner may be removed and the strip applied along the length of the endotracheal tube to provide a radiation source for treatment of the patient when the endotracheal tube is inserted within the patient during treatment, and an energy source is applied to the outer end of the wiring to provide the delivery of energy such as electricity and light to the radiation source during treatment.

7. The light and other radiation delivery device of claim 6 further comprising:

said plurality of radiation sources including one of a light emitting diode, a fiber optic line, an incandescent bulb, or a fluorescent bulb.

8. The light and other radiation delivery device of claim 7 further comprising:

said light emitting diode thus emitting blue light for managing microbial contamination and colonization in a native airway of a patient or an artificial airway supplied for a patient.