Self-sterilising Urinary Catheter with Integrated Light Generator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Urinary catheters often cause catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) due to pathogen growth on their surfaces, leading to inconvenient and costly frequent changes, and existing sterilization methods using fibre optics are inefficient and cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A urinary catheter with integrated light generators emitting sterilizing blue or violet light within the spectral range of 390 to 500 nm, positioned to irradiate both the fluid port and the external surface, reducing pathogen growth and improving energy efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an external light source with fibre optic is used to sterilize the catheter, then pathogens can be inactivated, but the device becomes heavy and cumbersome requiring frequent battery changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the light generation function from an external device and integrates it directly into the catheter body. The light generator is positioned within the catheter to emit sterilizing light at the fluid port, eliminating the need for heavy external batteries and fibre optics while maintaining sterilization effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an optical element (lens or reflector) as an intermediary to direct and concentrate the light from the generator onto the fluid port surface. This intermediary optimizes light distribution to ensure effective sterilization while allowing the use of a smaller, lighter light generator.
2Reliability
If an external light source is used to sterilize the entire catheter surface, then pathogen growth is inhibited, but the power consumption becomes too high for practical portable use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies sterilization locally rather than globally. The light generator is positioned to emit light specifically at the fluid port where pathogens are most likely to adhere and form biofilms. This localized approach significantly reduces power consumption compared to illuminating the entire catheter surface while maintaining effective sterilization at the critical area.
3Reliability
If frequent catheter changes are performed to prevent infections, then CAUTI risk is reduced, but patient convenience and healthcare costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary sterilization by continuously emitting light at the fluid port to prevent pathogen accumulation and biofilm formation before infections can develop. This proactive approach allows catheters to remain in place longer without infection risk, reducing the frequency of changes needed and improving patient convenience.
4Reliability
If antibiotics are used to treat CAUTIs, then infections can be managed, but antibiotic resistance develops making treatments ineffective
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by using light sterilization to prevent pathogen adhesion and multiplication on the catheter surface before infections can establish. This preventive sterilization approach eliminates the need for antibiotic intervention, thereby preventing the development of antibiotic resistance while maintaining effective infection control.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The catheter effectively inhibits pathogen growth and biofilm formation, reducing the risk of CAUTIs while enhancing mobility and reducing the need for frequent battery changes with improved energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
at least one light generator provided within the distal portion of the elongate body so as to emit light, wherein said light comprises sterilising light... said light comprises radiation within a spectral range of 390 to 500 nm
Implementation Method 2
The radiation is a non-ultraviolet light, particularly having a wavelength between 380 nm and 900 nm at a high intensity sufficient to inactivate certain pathogens... inactivating pathogens adhered to the catheter
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to urinary catheters, in particular indwelling urinary catheters, with self-sterilising capabilities. There is disclosed a catheter for insertion into the bladder of a patient, the catheter comprising an elongate body having a distal portion configured to reside in the patient's body, and a proximal portion configured to be left outside of the body of the patient. The catheter may further comprise at least one light generator provided within the distal portion of the elongate body so as to emit light, wherein said light comprises sterilising light.