Catheter Optical Element for Axial EMR Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for reducing infectious agents on catheters are inefficient, leading to high morbidity and mortality rates, and existing disinfection techniques, such as ultraviolet light, can damage living cells and fail to address biofilm formation, especially for catheters with small diameters.
Innovation Solution
A medical device assembly that uses non-ultraviolet visual therapeutic electromagnetic radiation (EMR) with specific wavelengths and intensities to inactivate infectious agents and promote healthy cell growth, delivered through a catheter with an integrated optical element for axial propagation, allowing for safe and effective disinfection and healing while the catheter is in place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ultraviolet light is used to disinfect catheters, then infectious agents are inactivated, but living cells are damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter of electromagnetic radiation from ultraviolet (below 380 nm) to visible light range (380-904 nm). This parameter change allows the light to maintain disinfection efficacy while eliminating the harmful cell damage associated with UV radiation, as the visible spectrum wavelengths are less energetic and do not cause the same level of cellular damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical/chemical disinfection methods (such as autoclaving, chemical sterilants, or UV irradiation) with a light-based optical system. This substitution allows for disinfection through optical energy delivery via optical fibers, which can be inserted through the catheter lumen, providing a non-contact, non-chemical method that preserves living tissues.
2Reliability
If catheters are removed when infections are suspected, then infectious agent growth is prevented, but patient discomfort and treatment cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary disinfection action by delivering antimicrobial light therapy through the catheter before infectious agents can establish significant growth or cause severe infection. This preventive approach allows the catheter to remain in place while continuously or periodically treating the luminal surface, preventing biofilm formation and infection without requiring removal or replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables the catheter to self-disinfect by delivering light through its own lumen structure. The optical fiber is inserted through the catheter's existing lumen, allowing the catheter to treat itself without external intervention or removal, thereby maintaining infection prevention while avoiding patient discomfort associated with repeated insertions and removals.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If smaller diameter catheters are used, then patient comfort is improved, but the ability to deliver therapeutic light is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the nesting principle by placing a thin optical fiber inside the catheter's existing lumen. The optical fiber is much smaller in diameter than the catheter itself, allowing it to be nested within the catheter structure without significantly increasing the outer diameter. This nested configuration enables light delivery through the catheter while maintaining the small catheter size for patient comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical fiber serves as an intermediary element that bridges the light source and the catheter interior. Instead of requiring the catheter itself to conduct light (which would require thicker walls or special materials), the optical fiber intermediary delivers light through the existing catheter lumen, enabling therapeutic light delivery in small-diameter catheters without compromising structural integrity or patient comfort.
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 solution effectively reduces or eliminates infectious agents and promotes healing, reducing the need for catheter replacement and associated costs, while minimizing harm to the patient, by using EMR in the range of 380-904 nm to inactivate pathogens and stimulate healthy tissue growth.
Implementation Method 1
EMR source for providing non-ultraviolet, therapeutic EMR having intensity sufficient to inactivate one or more infectious agents
Implementation Method 2
EMR source for providing non-ultraviolet, therapeutic EMR having intensity sufficient to enhance healthy cell growth
Implementation Method 3
an optical element disposed within a lumen of the catheter body and/or within the catheter body that acts conducive to the axial propagation of the therapeutic EMR
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus provide therapeutic electromagnetic radiation (EMR) for inactivating infectious agents in, on or around a catheter residing in a patient's body cavity and/or for enhancing healthy cell growth. The method comprises transmitting non-ultraviolet therapeutic EMR substantially axially along an optical element in a lumen of the catheter body and/or the catheter body. Through delivery of the therapeutic EMR to particular infected areas and/or areas requiring tissue healing. The methods and apparatus of the present disclosure inactivate the major sources of infection in, on, and around catheters and/or enhance healthy cell growth around catheters.