Intravascular Electrode Wire for Direct Metallic Ion Pathogen Killing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for killing blood-borne pathogens, such as HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, and antibiotic-resistant bacteria, are invasive, require complex machinery, and are not effective in minimizing treatment duration or reducing complications.
Innovation Solution
A minimally invasive device using a metallic iontophoretic wire, made from silver, gold, or copper, is inserted into a patient's vein to release ions directly into the bloodstream, controlled by a proprietary system to target and destroy pathogens efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If blood is removed from the patient and routed to a holding bladder for treatment, then pathogens can be treated with metallic ions, but the treatment becomes complex and requires extensive machinery
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts only the essential function of pathogen treatment by placing a metallic ion-releasing wire directly into the bloodstream, eliminating the need for blood removal and complex holding bladder systems. The wire is inserted via a catheter into a vein or artery, allowing metallic ions to be released directly where pathogens exist.
Solution Approach 2:
The metallic wire acts as an intermediary carrier that releases metallic ions into the bloodstream. This wire serves as the mediating element between the treatment source and the pathogens, simplifying the overall system by eliminating the need for complex blood routing machinery.
2Reliability
If a silver probe is inserted directly into the bloodstream through the subclavian vein or superior vena cava, then silver iontophoresis can kill pathogens, but the procedure is invasive and close to the heart
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by releasing metallic ions specifically at the site where blood flow occurs, rather than requiring direct insertion into the heart area. The wire is inserted through a vein or artery and positioned in the bloodstream, allowing localized ion release away from the heart while maintaining treatment effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical insertion of a silver probe directly into the bloodstream with a less invasive catheter-based wire insertion. The wire is coated with metallic material that releases ions through electrochemical processes rather than requiring direct mechanical placement into the heart-proximal vessels.
3Reliability
If blood is removed and re-inserted through a device using silver ionized nanoparticles, then viruses can be killed, but the patient must remain hooked up to large machines for extended periods
Solution Approach 1:
The invention enables continuous metallic ion release directly into the bloodstream through the implanted wire, eliminating the need for intermittent blood removal and re-insertion cycles. The wire continuously releases ions as blood flows past it, providing uninterrupted treatment without requiring extended patient confinement to large machines.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the essential treatment function and implements it directly in the bloodstream through a simple wire, eliminating the need for complex extracorporeal blood processing systems and extended machine dependency.
4Quantity of substance
If metallic ions are released to destroy pathogens, then proper concentration is needed for efficacy, but complex machinery is required to control ion release
Solution Approach 1:
The metallic-coated wire performs self-service by passively releasing metallic ions into the bloodstream through electrochemical processes driven by the natural blood environment. The wire structure and coating material work together to regulate ion release without requiring complex external control systems, maintaining proper concentration through the wire's inherent properties.
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 method significantly reduces treatment duration and complications by ensuring proper ion concentration and release directly in the bloodstream, effectively killing pathogens like HIV, Hepatitis C, and antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Implementation Method 1
An iontophoretic insert destroys blood-borne pathogens using metallic ions resulting from a silver, gold, copper or other type of metallic wire
Implementation Method 2
A small electrical current is then applied to the wire in the prescribed amount to release the proper amount of silver nanoparticles, which have a slightly positive charge, to bond to viruses, which has a slightly negative charge
Data Source
AI summary
A device for killing blood-borne pathogens, and a method of using the device to effectively remove the blood-borne pathogens from a body of a human or an animal is claimed. The device comprises a wire that is inserted into a bloodstream of a patient, which releases metallic ions which effectively kill the pathogens. There are several embodiments, each of which has a combination of covered and uncovered portions of the wire. The wire is electrically connected to both a source of power and a power supply with printed circuit board or controller/software, which controls the intensity and duration of the treatment.