Nanovibration coating process for medical devices using multi vibration modes of a thin piezo element

• US 20050268921A1
• Filed: 05/18/2005
• Published: 12/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jona Zumeris, Yanina Zumeris, Zadick Hazan
• Original Assignee: Jona Zumeris, Yanina Zumeris, Zadick Hazan
• Inventors: Zumeris, Yanina, Zumeris, Jona, Hazan, Zadick
• Granted Patent: US 7,892,191 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/898
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/00 Instruments, implements or accessories specially adapted for surgery or diagnosis and not covered by any of the groups A61B1/00 - A61B50/00, e.g. for luxation treatment or for protecting wound edges protective face masks A41D13/11; surgeon's or patient's gowns or dresses A41D13/12; devices for carrying-off, for treatment of, or for carrying-over, body liquids A61M1/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/40 Apparatus fixed or close to patients specially adapted for providing an aseptic surgical environment
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/70 Cleaning devices specially adapted for surgical instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/10 Equipment for cleaning
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0009 Making of catheters or other medical or surgical tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0045 multi-layered, e.g. coated coating materials A61L29/08

Abstract

An apparatus and method is provided for preventing biofilm formation associated with an indwelling medical device. The method involves applying nanovibrational acoustic waves to surfaces of a medical device utilizing a piezo resonator to generate the waves.

Claims

1. A method for preventing biolfilm formation associated with an indwelling medical device, the method comprising applying nanovibrational acoustic waves to surfaces of the medical device.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the waves propagate throughout all surfaces of the medical device.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein amplitude of the waves range from about 1 to about 50 nanometers.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein frequencies of the waves range from about 1 Hz to about 50 MHz.

5. A method according to claim 1 wherein frequencies of the waves range from about 1 Hz to about 10 MHz.

6. The method according to claim 1 wherein the waves are generated by at least two piezo resonators.

7. The method according to claim 1 wherein the waves are generated by a piezo ceramic resonator which is a plate supported on the surfaces of the medical device.

8. The method according to claim 1 wherein the medical device is a catheter.

9. The method according to claim 1 wherein the waves are applied by a piezo resonator having a polarization axis perpendicular to the surface of a medical device and the waves are thereby substantially limited to the propagation on external surfaces of the medical device.

10. The method according to claim 1 wherein the waves exhibit bending vibrations.

11. The method according to claim 1 wherein the waves exhibit second and higher harmonics.

12. The method according to claim 1 wherein the waves are generated by a piezo ceramic material joined to a metal material into a bimorph element, each material being present in a layer at a respective weight ratio from about 0.95 to about 1.35.

13. The method according to claim 1 comprising sensing with a sensor the effectiveness of the waves and the surfaces of the medical device and obtaining feedback of the sensing at a distance remote from the sensor to adjust properties of the waves.

14. The method according to claim 1 wherein the waves are generated by a mechanical vibration device which is actuated by transmitted electrical signals from a modulator and switching device.

15. The method according to claim 13 wherein the feedback is pathological conditions and human body temperature.

16. The method according to claim 1 wherein the waves have selected vibrational energies to encourage growth of beneficial bacteria relative to bacteria forming detrimental biofilm.

17. The method according to claim 1 wherein the medical device is a catheter providing intravenous fluids, the catheter having a hub or connector and the waves emanate from a piezo element attached to the hub or connector.

18. An apparatus for preventing biofilm formation on surfaces of an indwelling medical device comprising a piezo resonator generating nanovibrational acoustic waves along the surfaces of the medical device.

19. The apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the waves have amplitudes which range from about 1 to about 50 nanometers.

20. The apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the waves have frequencies which range from about 1 Hz to about 50 MHz.

21. The apparatus according to claim 18 further comprising a second piezo resonator.

22. The apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the waves exhibit second and higher harmonics.

23. The apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the piezo resonator comprises a piezo ceramic material joined to a metal material forming a bimorph element, each material being present in a layer at a respective weight ratio from about 0.95 to about 1.35.

24. The apparatus according to claim 18 further comprising a sensor for sensing effectiveness of the waves on the surfaces of the medical device and obtaining feedback of the sensing at a distance remote from the sensor to adjust the properties of the waves.

25. The apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the waves have selected vibrational energies to encourage growth of beneficial bacteria relative to bacteria forming detrimental biofilm.

26. The apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the medical device comprises a hub or connector and the piezo resonator is attached to the hub or connector.