Removable EMR Catheter Applicator for Sterilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for reducing infectious agents on catheters are of low efficacy, leading to high morbidity and mortality rates, and smaller diameter catheters lack sufficient thickness for effective sterilization delivery systems.
Innovation Solution
A medical device assembly using a removably insertable electromagnetic radiation (EMR) source and conduction system that delivers non-ultraviolet therapeutic EMR with specific wavelengths and intensities to inactivate infectious agents and stimulate healthy cell growth, suitable for use with catheters of various sizes, including smaller diameter ones.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current sterilization methods are used on catheters, then infectious agents are reduced, but the efficacy is low and morbidity/mortality rates remain high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical/chemical sterilization methods with a photodynamic therapy (PDT) system that uses light activation. A photosensitizing agent is applied to the catheter, then activated by specific wavelength light to produce reactive oxygen species that kill infectious agents, providing superior sterilization efficacy without the limitations of traditional methods
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the sterilization mechanism by introducing a photosensitizing agent that transforms the catheter surface properties. The agent absorbs light energy and converts it to chemical energy (reactive oxygen species), fundamentally changing how sterilization is achieved from physical/chemical destruction to photochemical activation
2Ease of operation
If catheter diameter is reduced for patient comfort, then patient discomfort decreases, but the catheter wall thickness becomes insufficient for carrying sterilization delivery systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sterilization function from the catheter structure itself and separates it into a removable, reusable applicator system. The photosensitizing agent is applied externally and the light source is delivered through a separate applicator, eliminating the need to embed sterilization components within the catheter wall
Solution Approach 2:
The invention divides the sterilization system into separate components: the catheter, the photosensitizing agent, and the light delivery applicator. This segmentation allows the catheter to remain simple and thin-walled for patient comfort, while the sterilization function is provided by external components that can be applied as needed
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 EMR system effectively inactivates infectious agents and promotes healing by delivering therapeutic radiation within a range of 380 nm to 900 nm, reducing inflammatory cells, increasing fibroblast proliferation, and stimulating collagen synthesis, thereby reducing catheter-related infections and enhancing tissue healing.
Implementation Method 1
delivering therapeutic doses of non-ultraviolet light to inactivate infectious agents residing on, within, or generally around a catheter
Implementation Method 2
stimulate healthy cell growth causing a healing effect
Data Source
AI summary
A medical device assembly is provided for removable insertion into a catheter with a lumen. The medical device assembly comprises an electromagnetic radiation (EMR) source for providing non-ultraviolet, therapeutic EMR having an intensity sufficient to inactivate one or more infectious agents and/or to stimulate healthy cell growth causing a healing effect, and a removable EMR conduction system at least partially insertable into and removable from the lumen of the catheter. The EMR conduction system has at least one optical element providing axial propagation of the therapeutic EMR through an insertable elongate body. The elongate body may have an exterior surface between a coupling end and a distal end tip that has at least one modified portion permitting the radial emission of therapeutic EMR from the elongate body proximate the modified portion. Such modified portion may be gradient along the exterior surface.