Catheter Sterilization System Using LED UV Emitter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current UVGI systems are not effectively used to sterilize the interior of medical devices like catheters, which are at risk of contamination and can cause secondary infections in patients.
Innovation Solution
A UV radiation sterilization system that includes a linearly extending connector with a sterilization head equipped with semiconductor LED emitters, positioned between UV blocking caps, to direct UV radiation towards the inner sidewalls of catheters, ensuring effective sterilization without exposing patients to harmful radiation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current UVGI systems use large emitting area lamps to sterilize surfaces, then sterilization effectiveness is improved, but the systems cannot be used to sterilize the interior of medical devices like catheters without proper light coupling and blocking mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is divided into discrete sterilizable segments by inserting a sterilization adapter that creates isolated chambers. The adapter segments the internal lumen into treatable zones, allowing UV irradiation to effectively reach all surfaces without requiring complex light coupling mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
A sterilization adapter serves as an intermediary device inserted into the catheter to facilitate UV irradiation. This mediator provides the necessary light coupling and blocking functions internally, eliminating the need for complex external light coupling and blocking mechanisms while maintaining sterilization effectiveness.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If catheters are changed periodically to prevent contamination, then patient safety is improved, but the sterilization process becomes more frequent and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary sterilization by irradiating the catheter interior with UV light at scheduled intervals during patient use. This preventive action extends the catheter's safe service life by actively disinfecting it in situ, reducing the frequency of complete catheter replacements while maintaining patient safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter sterilization system enables self-service sterilization by allowing in situ UV irradiation of the catheter interior through the adapter. The catheter can be sterilized while remaining in place, eliminating the need for removal and replacement, thus reducing time loss and procedural burden.
3Ease of operation
If UV radiation is used to sterilize catheters in situ, then the sterilization process becomes more convenient, but patient safety may be compromised by UV exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful UV radiation is extracted and confined to the catheter interior by using an adapter that blocks UV transmission to surrounding tissues. The adapter absorbs or reflects UV light outwardly, preventing patient exposure while allowing effective sterilization of the catheter lumen.
Solution Approach 2:
UV irradiation is applied locally only to the catheter interior where sterilization is needed, rather than exposing the entire treatment area. The adapter creates localized UV containment, providing effective sterilization while protecting surrounding patient tissues from harmful exposure.
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 system provides a convenient and effective method for sterilizing catheters, reducing the need for frequent changes and minimizing the risk of secondary infections, while ensuring safety by controlling UV exposure to the patient.
Implementation Method 1
at least one semiconductor LED emitter of UV radiation arranged to direct UV radiation toward the inner sidewalls
Implementation Method 2
Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) is a disinfection method that uses short-wavelength ultraviolet (UV-c) light to kill or inactivate microorganisms by destroying nucleic acids and disrupting their DNA
Implementation Method 3
positioned between forward and rear UV blocking caps
Data Source
AI summary
The invention generally relates to a catheter sterilization system using semiconductor light emitting devices (LEDs) to sterilize the lumen of a catheter. The sterilization system may include a sterilization head with attached semiconductor LEDs sized for insertion into the catheter. The sterilization head is connected to the linearly extending connector allowing an operator to move the sterilization head through the catheter. The sterilization system may alternatively include microLEDs attached to the inner sidewalls of the catheter to sterilize the lumen of the catheter.