Sterilization devices for dialysis machines

Abstract

This disclosure relates to a sterilization device (200) for sterilizing a fluid connector (300) for use with a dialysis machine. The sterilization device (200) comprises a housing (210) for holding the fluid connector (300), an adapter (220) for connecting the fluid connector (300) to enable fluid communication between the fluid connector (300) and the dialysis machine while the fluid connector (300) remains within the housing (210), and a broadband ultraviolet chip unit (400) disposed within the housing (210), wherein the broadband ultraviolet chip unit (400) is configured to irradiate broadband ultraviolet radiation toward the adapter (220) within the housing (210). The adapter (220) is permeable to broadband ultraviolet radiation so that the broadband ultraviolet radiation can sterilize the external and internal surfaces of the adapter (220) and enable sterilization of the fluid connector (300) connected to the adapter (220).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross - reference to Related Applications This disclosure claims the benefit of UK Patent Application No. 2306512.1, filed on May 3, 2023, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0002] This disclosure generally relates to a sterilization device for a dialysis apparatus.

Background Art

[0003] Millions of people worldwide suffer from kidney - related problems such as chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end - stage renal disease (ESRD), and may require dialysis such as peritoneal dialysis or hemodialysis, or transplantation to sustain life. Hemodialysis is a procedure in which a dialysis apparatus substitutes for the functions of the kidneys. In peritoneal dialysis, the peritoneum in the patient's abdomen functions as a natural filtration membrane. A common type of peritoneal dialysis is continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), in which the patient uses a patient transfer set to attach to an APD cycler device via a patient line. Fresh dialysate is pumped into the patient's abdominal cavity via the patient transfer set and a catheter implanted intra - abdominally. The dialysate in the abdominal cavity absorbs waste products from the patient's body, and the used dialysate is drained from the abdominal cavity.

[0004] Peritoneal dialysis offers greater flexibility to patients, enabling them to perform dialysis at home. The patient transfer set has a fluid connector 100, as shown in Figure 1. The fluid connector 100 is protected by a disposable cap when not in use, and the fluid connector 100 must be handled carefully by the patient so as not to come into contact with any surface. This is to prevent contamination of the fluid connector 100, which has a high exposure to dialysate and could cause infection in the patient. However, a slight risk of contamination still exists because the fluid connector 100 tends to be touched by the fingers of the patient handling it. To mitigate this risk, an iodine shield 110 is used for handling the fluid connector 100, thereby preventing direct contact between the patient's fingers and the fluid connector 100, particularly at the part where the fluid connector 100 connects to the patient line. The iodine shield 110 contains a sponge 120 impregnated with iodine to kill any bacteria that may be present on the fluid connector 100.

[0005] However, iodine may not reach certain areas of the fluid connector 100, such as the internal bore, potentially allowing bacteria to remain in the internal bore through which the dialysate flows. Furthermore, the iodine shield 110 must be removed before connecting the fluid connector 100 to the patient line. This could lead to accidental mishandling by the patient when connecting the fluid connector 100 to the patient line, potentially causing contamination that could lead to patient infection.

[0006] Therefore, in order to address or mitigate at least one of the aforementioned problems and / or drawbacks, it is necessary to provide an improved sterilization device for dialysis machines. [Overview of the Initiative]

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there exists a sterilization device for sterilizing a fluid connector for use with a dialysis machine. The sterilization device comprises a housing for holding a fluid connector within the housing, the fluid connector being connectable to a patient for supplying dialysate to the patient; an adapter that can be fixed within the housing, configured to connect the fluid connector into the adapter to enable fluid communication between the fluid connector and the dialysis machine while the adapter and the fluid connector remain within the housing; and a set of broadband ultraviolet chip units disposed within the housing, the broadband ultraviolet chip units being configured to irradiate the adapter within the housing with broadband ultraviolet radiation. The adapter is permeable to broadband ultraviolet radiation so that the broadband ultraviolet radiation can sterilize the external and internal surfaces of the adapter and enable sterilization of the fluid connector connected to the adapter.

[0008] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there exists a sterilization device for sterilizing a fluid connector for use with a dialysis machine. The sterilization device comprises a housing for holding a fluid connector within the housing, the fluid connector being connectable to a patient for supplying dialysate to the patient; a fluid connector that can be fixed within the housing and is configured to connect to a dialysis machine to enable fluid communication between the fluid connector and the dialysis machine while the fluid connector remains within the housing; and a set of broadband ultraviolet chip units disposed within the housing, the broadband ultraviolet chip units being configured to irradiate the fluid connector within the housing with broadband ultraviolet radiation. The fluid connector is permeable to broadband ultraviolet radiation so that the broadband ultraviolet radiation can sterilize the external and internal surfaces of the fluid connector.

[0009] Accordingly, a sterilization device for a dialysis machine according to the present disclosure is disclosed herein. Various features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments of the present disclosure, which are not limiting examples, along with the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a diagram illustrating the sterilization of a fluid connector using an iodine shield. [Figure 2A] This figure shows a sterilization device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2B] This figure shows a sterilization device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3A-C] This figure shows a sterilization device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4A] This diagram shows how to connect a fluid connector to the adapter of a sterilization device. [Figure 4B] This diagram shows how to connect a fluid connector to the adapter of a sterilization device. [Figure 5A-E] This figure shows a broadband ultraviolet chip unit of a sterilization device and the broadband ultraviolet radiation emitted from the broadband ultraviolet chip unit. [Figure 6A-C] This figure shows the results of studies conducted on various bacterial species using sterilization devices. [Figure 7A] This figure shows the wavelength spectra from various ultraviolet sources. [Figure 7B] This figure shows the wavelength spectra from various ultraviolet sources. [Figure 8A-D] This figure shows the broadband ultraviolet transmittance through different materials. [Figure 9] This is a diagram showing an adapter for a sterilization device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] For the sake of brevity and clarity, the description of embodiments in this disclosure focuses on sterilization devices for dialysis machines, as shown in the drawings. While the aspects of this disclosure are described in relation to the embodiments provided herein, it should be understood that this disclosure is not intended to limit itself to these embodiments. On the contrary, this disclosure is intended to cover alternative forms, variations, and equivalents of the embodiments described herein, which are included within the scope of this disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, the following detailed description includes specific details to provide a full understanding of the invention. However, it should be recognized by those skilled in the art that this disclosure may be implemented without specific details and / or with a number of details arising from combinations of aspects of particular embodiments. In some examples, well-known systems, or methods, procedures, and components are not described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0012] In embodiments of this disclosure, the depiction of a given element in a particular figure, or the consideration or use of a particular element number, or a reference thereto in the corresponding explanatory material, may encompass the same element, equivalent element, or similar element or element number identified in another figure or related explanatory material.

[0013] References to "one embodiment / example," "another embodiment / example," "several embodiments / examples," or "several other embodiments / examples" indicate that the embodiments / examples described in this way may include certain features, structures, characteristics, properties, elements, or limitations, but not all embodiments / examples necessarily include those specific features, structures, characteristics, properties, elements, or limitations. Furthermore, repeated use of phrases such as "in one embodiment / example" or "in another embodiment / example" does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment / example.

[0014] Terms such as "comprising," "including," and "having" do not preclude the existence of features / elements / steps other than those enumerated in the embodiments. The description of specific features / elements / steps in different embodiments does not indicate that combinations of these features / elements / steps cannot be used in the embodiments.

[0015] As used herein, the terms "a" and "an" are defined as one or more. The use of " / " in figures or related text is understood to mean "and / or" unless otherwise specified. The term "set" is defined, according to known mathematical definitions, as a non-empty finite organization of elements that mathematically exhibit a cardinal number of at least 1 (for example, sets as defined herein may correspond to units, singlets, single-element sets, or multi-element sets).

[0016] A representative or exemplary embodiment of this disclosure describes a sterilization device 200 for sterilizing a fluid connector 300 for use with a dialysis machine. The dialysis machine may be a peritoneal dialysis machine or a hemodialysis machine. Figures 2A and 2B show one embodiment of the sterilization device 200, and Figures 3A to 3C show another embodiment of the sterilization device 200.

[0017] The sterilization device 200 includes a housing 210 for holding a fluid connector 300 within the housing 210, and includes an adapter 220 that can be fixed within the housing 210. For example, the housing 210 includes a support member 212 within the housing 210, and the adapter 220 can be coupled to the support member 212 to fix the adapter 220 within the housing 210. The adapter 220 is configured to connect the fluid connector 300 within the adapter 220 to enable fluid communication between the fluid connector 300 and a dialysis device while the adapter 220 and the fluid connector 300 remain within the housing 210. For example, the dialysis device is a peritoneal dialysis device, the fluid connector 300 is part of a patient transfer set connected to a patient's implanted catheter, and the fluid connector 300 can be connected to a patient line of the peritoneal dialysis device via the adapter 220 to flow dialysate with respect to the patient. Fluid communication via the adapter 220 enables the dialysate to flow between the patient transfer set and the patient line.

[0018] The sterilization device 200 further includes a set of broadband ultraviolet chip units 400 disposed within the housing 210. The broadband ultraviolet chip unit 400 is configured to irradiate broadband ultraviolet radiation toward the adapter 220 within the housing 210. More specifically, the adapter 220 is permeable to the broadband ultraviolet radiation such that the broadband ultraviolet radiation enables sterilization of the outer and inner surfaces of the adapter 220 and also enables sterilization of the fluid connector 300 connected to the adapter 220. For example, the broadband ultraviolet radiation destroys most of the bacteria and endotoxins present on the fluid connector 300.

[0019] Before using the sterilization device 200, the patient connects the fluid connector 300 of the patient transfer set into the adapter 220. For example, the adapter 220 has an internal orifice for receiving the fluid connector 300, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. The patient can omit the iodine shield 110 and connect the fluid connector 300 directly into the adapter 220. Next, the patient places the adapter 220, together with the connected fluid connector 300, into the housing 210 such that the broadband ultraviolet chip unit 400 sterilizes the fluid connector 300, for example, by coupling the adapter 220 to the support member 212. The other end of the adapter 220 is connected to the patient line 310 of the peritoneal dialysis device.

[0020] The UV transmissive adapter 220 allows broadband ultraviolet radiation to pass through it and targets the sterilization of the external and internal surfaces of the adapter 220 that the dialysis fluid contacts during peritoneal dialysis. The broadband ultraviolet radiation also sterilizes hard-to-access areas of the fluid connector 300, such as the fastening screw portion and the internal bore, which cannot be reached by conventional methods using iodine. Thus, the broadband ultraviolet radiation can sterilize all areas, external and internal, of the adapter 220 and the fluid connector 300.

[0021] In some embodiments, the sterilization device 200 includes a set of reflector units disposed within the housing 210 to uniformly distribute broadband ultraviolet radiation around the adapter 220. For example, the broadband ultraviolet chip unit 400 may be disposed on one side of the adapter 220, but the reflector units within the housing 210 enable the broadband ultraviolet radiation emitted from the broadband ultraviolet chip unit 400 to be uniformly distributed around the adapter 220, whereby the adapter 220 can receive broadband ultraviolet radiation of equal intensity over its entire circumference. The reflector units can be made of an ultraviolet reflective material such as expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) or aluminum.

[0022] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 2A and 3C, the broadband ultraviolet chip units 400 are arranged within the housing 210 so as to be evenly distributed around the adapter 220. For example, as further shown in Figure 5A, the sterilization device 200 includes three broadband ultraviolet chip units 400 evenly distributed around the adapter 220, i.e., arranged at 120° intervals. This arrangement of broadband ultraviolet chip units 400 ensures uniform distribution of broadband ultraviolet radiation, allowing all areas of the fluid connector 300 to be effectively sterilized. Figure 5B shows a simulation of the broadband ultraviolet radiation received by the adapter 220. The average intensity across all areas of the adapter 220 is 1.57 mW / cm². 2 It can receive broadband ultraviolet radiation, 3.5 mW / cm² 2 There are no areas with an intensity below this level. This indicates that broadband ultraviolet radiation can effectively reach the fluid connector 300 connected to the adapter 220 and sterilize it.

[0023] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 5C to 5E, the sterilization device 200 includes a set of lenses 410 corresponding to broadband ultraviolet chip units 400. For example, the lenses 410 are mounted on the broadband ultraviolet chip units 400. For example, the lenses 410 are arranged around the adapter 220. Each lens 410 is configured to focus the broadband ultraviolet radiation from its respective broadband ultraviolet chip unit 400 into the adapter 220. More specifically, the lenses 410 enable beam focusing for higher intensity broadband ultraviolet radiation into the adapter 220, thereby improving the sterilization rate of bacteria. For example, the adapter 220 includes three lenses 410 corresponding to three broadband ultraviolet chip units 400 evenly distributed around the adapter 220. Notably, the lenses 410 are also spaced 120° apart from each other. The support members 212 of the housing 210 are preferably configured to support the adapter 220 in a fixed direction that aligns the lenses 410 with the broadband ultraviolet chip units 400.

[0024] In some embodiments, the sterilization device 200 further includes a controller configured to control the intensity and / or duration of broadband ultraviolet radiation. For example, the controller controls the maximum intensity of broadband ultraviolet radiation emitted from the broadband ultraviolet chip unit 400. For example, the controller controls the time that the adapter 220 and fluid connector 300 are exposed to broadband ultraviolet radiation, such as 90 seconds or 2 minutes. The exposure duration may depend on the level of contamination of the fluid connector 300, such as based on an estimate of bacteria / endotoxins.

[0025] The sterilization device 200 may include a sensor configured to measure the intensity of broadband ultraviolet radiation. The controller may be configured to receive feedback from the sensor and adjust the intensity and / or duration based on the feedback. For example, if the sensor detects that the broadband ultraviolet radiation is low and failure to change it would reduce the sterilization efficiency of the fluid connector 300, the controller may increase the intensity of the broadband ultraviolet radiation and / or extend its duration.

[0026] The controller may be configured to iteratively adjust the intensity and / or duration based on a microbial log reduction model. The microbial log reduction model receives an initial input of a microbial estimate that estimates the number of bacteria on the fluid connector 300. For example, the number of bacteria can be estimated using a bacterial growth strip immersed in a target surface of the fluid connector 300. The bacterial growth strip changes color when it reacts with bacteria on the target surface, and the number of bacteria can be estimated by comparing this color change to a color chart.

[0027] The microbial log reduction model can achieve at least 5 log reduction, meaning that bacteria are reduced by at least 99.999%. Preferably, the microbial log reduction model can achieve 6 log reduction. In this case, the microbial log reduction model calculates the minimum duration required to kill at least 99.9999% of bacteria, based on the initial microbial estimate and the initial intensity of broadband ultraviolet radiation, i.e., a sterilization rate of at least 6 logs, leaving 1 cell per million. The intensity is continuously measured by a sensor and fed back to the microbial log reduction model to iteratively adjust the exposure duration. The exposure duration is the time required to achieve a sterilization rate of 6 logs, for example, 35 mJ / cm². 2 At this intensity, it takes at least 22 seconds to achieve a 6-log sterilization rate. For example, 46.7 mJ / cm². 2 At this intensity, at least 30 seconds are required to achieve an 8-log sterilization rate.

[0028] Several studies were conducted on a microbial log reduction model to compare exposure duration and bacterial kill rates for various bacterial species. As shown in Figure 6A, Study 1 was conducted to determine the kill rate of Staphylococcus aureus at exposure durations of 30 and 90 seconds. It was found that the kill rate was below the desired 6-log kill rate at 90 seconds of exposure. As shown in Figure 6B, Study 2 was conducted to determine the kill rate of Staphylococcus aureus at exposure durations of 90 and 120 seconds. It was found that the kill rate exceeded the desired 6-log kill rate at 120 seconds of exposure. As shown in Figure 6C, Study 3 was conducted to determine the kill rate of Pseudomonas aeruginosa at exposure durations of 90 and 120 seconds. It was found that the kill rate exceeded the desired 6-log kill rate at 120 seconds of exposure.

[0029] As described above, the broadband ultraviolet chip unit 400 is configured to emit broadband ultraviolet radiation. Preferably, the broadband ultraviolet radiation is in the wavelength range of 230 nm to 340 nm. The broad spectrum of ultraviolet radiation targets a wider range of bacteria and improves the sterilization rate of bacteria. The broadband ultraviolet chip unit 400 may include a CL chip, such as a cathodoluminescence (CL) based deep ultraviolet (DUV) chip. The broadband ultraviolet chip unit 400 may be selected to have a specific peak wavelength in order to optimize the sterilization of the fluid connector 300.

[0030] Figures 7A and 7B show the wavelength ranges of different ultraviolet sources in the broadband ultraviolet chip unit 400, namely CL-based DUV chips and ultraviolet light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Notably, the CL-based DUV chip has a broader wavelength range of approximately 230 nm to 340 nm with a peak wavelength of approximately 260 nm, while the UVC LED has a wavelength range of approximately 250 nm to 290 nm with a peak wavelength of approximately 265 nm. Furthermore, the wavelength profile of the UVC LED is much sharper than that of the CL-based DUV chip. This means that the UVC LED efficiently emits ultraviolet radiation only in a narrow wavelength range, while the CL-based DUV chip is efficient in a broader wavelength range. Notably, at least 50% of the broadband ultraviolet radiation from the CL-based DUV chip is in the wavelength range of approximately 250 nm to 280 nm, whereas for the UVC LED, the 50% threshold corresponds to a narrower wavelength range of approximately 260 nm to 270 nm.

[0031] Various UV-transmitting materials can be used for adapter 220. For example, adapter 220 is made from fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP). FEP has high transmittance and stability to ultraviolet radiation and undergoes minimal degradation due to exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Other suitable materials with high transmittance and stability to ultraviolet radiation include, but are not limited to, cyclic olefin copolymers (COCs), cyclic block copolymers (CBCs), and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA).

[0032] Since the broadband ultraviolet radiation from the broadband ultraviolet chip unit 400 has a broad spectral range, the adapter 220 should be made of a UV-transmitting material that allows substantially all broadband ultraviolet radiation to pass through. Preferably, the adapter 220 is made of a cyclic block copolymer (CBC). CBC is a type of thermoplastic with excellent optical transparency and chemical resistance, and has high transmittance and high stability to broadband ultraviolet radiation.

[0033] CBCs can be formed from any suitable block copolymer. For example, a CBC may be formed from a styrene-conjugated diene copolymer. Examples of suitable CBCs include, but are not limited to, ViviOn(CBC) from USI Corporation. ViviOn(CBC) is a group of CBCs formed from styrene-butadiene copolymers formed from poly(cyclohexylethylene) (PCHE) and ethylene-1-butene copolymer (EB). While we do not wish to be bound by theory, the properties of ViviOn(CBC) can be modified by adjusting the ratio of PCHE to EB.

[0034] Different samples of FEP, PMMA, COC, and CBC with thicknesses of 1 mm, 2 mm, and 3 mm were tested for their ultraviolet transmission properties. The results are shown in Figures 8A to 8D. The CBC material was found to have higher transmittance to broadband ultraviolet radiation over a wider wavelength range. For example, referring to the 3 mm sample in Figure 8C, at a wavelength of 240 nm of broadband ultraviolet radiation, 18% of the ultraviolet radiation passes through the FEP material, 0% passes through the PMMA material, less than 0.1% passes through the COC material, and 20% passes through the CBC material. At a wavelength of 250 nm of broadband ultraviolet radiation, 20% of the ultraviolet radiation passes through the FEP material, 0% passes through the PMMA material, less than 0.1% passes through the COC material, and 30% passes through the CBC material. Therefore, in terms of broadband ultraviolet radiation transmittance, the CBC material is superior to the FEP, PMMA, and COC materials.

[0035] However, ViviOn® (CBC) is a brittle material and can easily crack when force is applied. For example, if a patient applies excessive force when connecting the fluid connector 300 to the adapter 220, the adapter 220 may crack or break. To mitigate this force, the adapter 220 may include an elastic material 230 in its internal orifice, such as an internal threaded portion that is fixed to the fluid connector 300. The elastic material 230 may include a soft polymer such as medical-grade SEBS (styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene) or TPE (thermoplastic elastomer). In addition to reducing the accumulation of stress within the adapter 220 that could cause cracking or breakage of the ViviOn® (CBC) material, the elastic material 230 improves the fluid seal between the fluid connector 300 and the adapter 220, thereby reducing the risk of fluid leakage.

[0036] Accordingly, as described in various embodiments herein, the sterilization device 200 provides a method for a patient to self-sterilize the fluid connector 300 of the patient transfer set. Unlike conventional methods using iodine, the fluid connector 300 can be sterilized after it has been connected to the adapter 220 and before peritoneal dialysis therapy is initiated. The sterilization device 200 reduces the risk of contamination of the fluid connector 300 and the risk of infection to the patient. A lower risk of infection reduces the likelihood of suffering from conditions such as bacterial inflammation of the peritoneum and peritonitis.

[0037] Various embodiments described herein describe a sterilization device 200 having an adapter 220 configured to connect to a fluid connector 300 for use with a dialysis machine. In other embodiments, the sterilization device 200 does not have an adapter 220. Instead, the sterilization device 200 includes a housing 210, a fluid connector 300, and a broadband ultraviolet tip unit 400. The fluid connector 300 can be connected directly to the dialysis machine without the adapter 220. For example, if the dialysis machine is a peritoneal dialysis machine, and the fluid connector 300 is part of a patient transfer set connected to the patient's implanted catheter, it can be connected directly to the patient line 310 of the peritoneal dialysis machine. The fluid connector 300 allows the dialysate to flow between the patient transfer set and the patient line 310.

[0038] More specifically, the fluid connector 300 is resectable within the housing 210 and is configured to connect to the dialysis machine to enable fluid communication between the fluid connector 300 and the dialysis machine while the fluid connector 300 remains within the housing 210. A broadband ultraviolet chip unit 400 is located within the housing 210 and is configured to irradiate the fluid connector 300 within the housing 210 with broadband ultraviolet radiation. The fluid connector 300 is permeable to broadband ultraviolet radiation so that the broadband ultraviolet radiation can sterilize the external and internal surfaces of the fluid connector 300.

[0039] The fluid connector 300 in these embodiments is UV-transparent, similar to the adapter 220 described further above. It will be understood that the various embodiments of the adapter 220 described herein are similarly or similarly applicable to the fluid connector 300 in these embodiments.

[0040] While various embodiments of this specification describe a sterilization device 200 for use with a peritoneal dialysis machine, it should be understood that the sterilization device 200 can also be used with other dialysis machines, such as hemodialysis machines. Various embodiments of the sterilization device 200 for peritoneal dialysis machines are similarly or analogously applicable to hemodialysis machines.

[0041] In the detailed description above, embodiments of the Disclosure relating to sterilization devices for dialysis machines are described with reference to the provided figures. The descriptions of various embodiments herein are not intended to invoke or limit only the inherent or specific expressions of the Disclosure, but merely to illustrate non-limiting examples of the Disclosure. The Disclosure serves to address at least one of the aforementioned problems and challenges relating to the prior art. Although only some embodiments of the Disclosure are disclosed herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and / or modifications can be made to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the scope of the Disclosure, in light of the content of the Disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of the Disclosure and the following claims are not limited to the embodiments described herein.

Claims

1. A sterilization device for sterilizing fluid connectors for use with dialysis machines, A housing for holding the fluid connector within the housing, wherein the fluid connector is connectable to the patient in order to supply dialysis fluid to the patient, An adapter that can be fixed within the housing, wherein the fluid connector is configured to be connected within the adapter in order to enable fluid communication between the fluid connector and the dialysis machine while the adapter and the fluid connector remain within the housing, A set of broadband ultraviolet chip units disposed within the housing, wherein the broadband ultraviolet chip units are configured to irradiate broadband ultraviolet radiation toward the adapter within the housing, The adapter is permeable to broadband ultraviolet radiation so that the broadband ultraviolet radiation can sterilize the external and internal surfaces of the adapter and the fluid connector connected to the adapter. Sterilization device.

2. The sterilization device according to claim 1, wherein the broadband ultraviolet chip unit includes a cathode doluminescence chip.

3. The sterilization device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the broadband ultraviolet radiation includes a wavelength range of 230 nm to 340 nm.

4. The sterilization device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least 50% of the broadband ultraviolet radiation includes a wavelength range of 250 nm to 280 nm.

5. The sterilization device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the adapter is made from a cyclic block copolymer.

6. The sterilization device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a set of reflector units disposed within the housing to uniformly distribute the ultraviolet radiation around the adapter.

7. The sterilization device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the ultraviolet unit is arranged within the housing such that the ultraviolet unit is evenly distributed around the adapter.

8. The sterilization device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a set of lenses corresponding to the ultraviolet units, each lens configured to focus the ultraviolet radiation from each of the ultraviolet units into the adapter.

9. The sterilization device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a controller configured to control the intensity and / or duration of the ultraviolet radiation.

10. The sterilization device according to claim 9, further comprising a sensor configured to measure the intensity of the ultraviolet radiation.

11. The sterilization device according to claim 10, wherein the controller is further configured to receive feedback from the sensor and adjust the intensity and / or duration based on the feedback.

12. The sterilization device according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the controller is further configured to iteratively adjust the intensity and / or duration based on a microbial log reduction model of at least five log reductions.

13. A sterilization device for sterilizing fluid connectors for use with dialysis machines, A housing for holding the fluid connector within the housing, wherein the fluid connector is connectable to the patient in order to supply dialysis fluid to the patient, A fluid connector that can be fixed within the housing, and is configured to connect to the dialysis machine in order to enable fluid communication between the fluid connector and the dialysis machine while the fluid connector remains within the housing, A set of broadband ultraviolet chip units disposed within the housing, wherein the broadband ultraviolet chip units are configured to irradiate broadband ultraviolet radiation toward the fluid connector within the housing, The fluid connector is permeable to broadband ultraviolet radiation so that the broadband ultraviolet radiation can sterilize the external and internal surfaces of the fluid connector. Sterilization device.

14. The sterilization device according to claim 13, wherein the broadband ultraviolet chip unit includes a cathodoluminescence chip.

15. The sterilization device according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the broadband ultraviolet radiation includes a wavelength range of 230 nm to 340 nm.

16. The sterilization device according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein at least 50% of the broadband ultraviolet radiation includes a wavelength range of 250 nm to 280 nm.

17. The sterilization device according to any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the adapter is made from a cyclic block copolymer.

18. The sterilization device according to any one of claims 13 to 17, further comprising a set of reflector units disposed within the housing to uniformly distribute the ultraviolet radiation around the fluid connector.

19. The sterilization device according to any one of claims 13 to 18, wherein the ultraviolet units are arranged within the housing such that they are evenly distributed around the fluid connector.

20. The sterilization device according to any one of claims 13 to 19, further comprising a set of lenses corresponding to the ultraviolet units, each lens configured to focus the ultraviolet radiation from each of the ultraviolet units into the fluid connector.

21. The sterilization device according to any one of claims 13 to 20, further comprising a controller configured to control the intensity and / or duration of the ultraviolet radiation.

22. The sterilization device according to claim 21, further comprising a sensor configured to measure the intensity of the ultraviolet radiation.

23. The sterilization device according to claim 22, wherein the controller is further configured to receive feedback from the sensor and adjust the intensity and / or duration based on the feedback.

24. The sterilization device according to any one of claims 21 to 23, wherein the controller is further configured to iteratively adjust the intensity and / or duration based on a microbial log reduction model of at least five log reductions.

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