UV Sleeve for Percutaneous Devices
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for preventing infections in percutaneous devices, such as left ventricular assist devices, are inadequate as they often rely on antibiotic prophylaxis, which is expensive, uncomfortable, and can lead to antibiotic resistance, and existing solutions have not effectively eliminated the risk of bacterial entry along drivelines.
Innovation Solution
The use of an ultraviolet (UV) sleeve that emits UV radiation in the range of 190-230 nanometers, specifically designed to be inserted around percutaneous structures to sterilize the skin-prosthesis interface, using optical fibers and a power source to provide a continuous or intermittent UV irradiation, thereby preventing bacterial growth without harming human tissues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If antibiotic impregnation is used to prevent infections, then infection prevention is improved, but antibiotic resistance develops and treatment costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical antibiotic impregnation with a physical ultraviolet light irradiation system. The UV light source is positioned to continuously or periodically irradiate the percutaneous device, providing sterilization without chemical substances that could induce resistance. This substitution of chemical mechanism with physical mechanism directly addresses the antibiotic resistance problem while maintaining infection prevention effectiveness.
2Reliability
If ultraviolet radiation is used for sterilization, then bacteria and fungi are killed, but human tissue may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs selective wavelength UV radiation (specifically UV-C band at 200-280 nm, preferably 254 nm) that has differential effects on microorganisms versus human tissue. The UV light source is configured to emit at wavelengths that are highly effective for bacterial and fungal sterilization while minimizing penetration and damage to human cells. This localized wavelength selection achieves effective sterilization while protecting surrounding healthy tissue from harmful effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an optical arrangement including lenses, mirrors, or fiber optic cables as intermediaries to precisely control and direct the UV radiation. These optical components focus the UV light onto the percutaneous device surface while preventing direct exposure of surrounding human tissue to high-intensity UV radiation. The optical intermediary system enables selective delivery of sterilizing radiation to the target area while protecting sensitive biological tissues.
3Reliability
If continuous UV irradiation is applied, then sterilization effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent configures the UV light source to operate in periodic intervals rather than continuous operation. The control system activates the UV irradiation at scheduled times (e.g., daily, weekly, or based on infection risk assessment) to maintain sterilization effectiveness while significantly reducing cumulative energy consumption. This periodic activation pattern balances the need for ongoing protection with energy conservation, allowing the system to remain effective while being cost-efficient.
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 UV sleeve effectively reduces the risk of adventitious infections by killing bacteria and fungi while minimizing damage to human cells, providing a durable and flexible solution for long-term use with reduced antibiotic reliance.
Implementation Method 1
an optical arrangement coupled to the lumen, and configured to generate the UV radiation, and provide the UV radiation to the lumen to be dispersed or provided by the lumen
Implementation Method 2
The UV sleeve effectively kills bacteria and fungi while minimizing damage to human tissue, providing a continuous or intermittent differential UV sterilization system
Data Source
AI summary
An exemplary ultraviolet (UV) arrangement, can be provided, which can include, for example, a lumen structured to be inserted into a body of a patient and pass a percutaneous structure therethrough into the body of the patient, wherein the lumen can be configured to disperse or provide a UV radiation, and an optical arrangement coupled to the lumen, and configured to generate the UV radiation, and provide the UV radiation to the lumen to be dispersed or provided by the lumen. The lumen can include a weave of a plurality of strands. The optical arrangement can include an optical fiber(s) coupled to the lumen at one of the strands. The optical arrangement can include a plurality of optical fibers coupled to the lumen, where the optical arrangement can include a plurality of diffusing rings, and wherein each ring can be connected to one of the optical fibers.