Internal UV Therapy Device for Ventilator Infection Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for infectious diseases and inflammatory conditions within the human body are suboptimal, particularly in patients on ventilators who are at high risk of acquiring respiratory infections due to the ventilation system, necessitating a more effective method to reduce infection rates within respiratory and somatic systems.
Innovation Solution
A UV light delivery system is introduced, featuring a delivery tube with UV light sources emitting wavelengths between 335 nm and 350 nm, configured to be positioned inside endotracheal or nasopharyngeal devices, emitting UV-A or UV-B light to treat infections within the respiratory tract and other internal cavities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional treatments (antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs) are used to treat infections and inflammatory conditions, then infection rates may be reduced, but the treatments are suboptimal and may contribute to antibiotic resistance and side effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical treatments (antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs) with a physical treatment method using UV light therapy. The UV light delivery system delivers therapeutic doses of UV light (wavelengths 200-400 nm, preferably 254 nm) directly to the treatment site through catheters or endoscopes, eliminating the need for chemical substances and thereby avoiding antibiotic resistance and drug side effects while maintaining effective infection and inflammation treatment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces UV light as an intermediary agent to treat infections and inflammatory conditions. The UV light delivery system uses transparent or translucent catheters/endoscopes as intermediaries to transmit UV light to the target site, allowing the therapeutic effect to be delivered without direct contact between the light source and the treatment site, thereby enabling safe and effective internal organ treatment
2Reliability
If UV light sources are positioned inside endotracheal or nasopharyngeal devices to treat respiratory infections, then infection rates in ventilated patients are reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested structure where the UV light delivery system is positioned inside existing endotracheal tubes or nasopharyngeal airways. The UV light source, power supply, and control mechanisms are contained within the lumen of these standard respiratory devices, allowing the UV therapy function to be integrated without requiring separate external equipment or complex additional components
Solution Approach 2:
The UV light delivery system is designed to be compatible with multiple types of respiratory devices (endotracheal tubes, nasopharyngeal airways, bronchoscopes), allowing a single system design to serve multiple functions and applications. This universality reduces the need for device-specific customization and simplifies the overall system complexity
3Reliability
If therapeutic doses of UV light are emitted directly into internal canals, then microbial growth is significantly reduced, but the risk of tissue damage from UV exposure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent carefully controls UV light parameters including wavelength (200-400 nm, preferably 254 nm), intensity (therapeutic doses), and exposure duration to achieve effective microbial elimination while minimizing tissue damage. The system delivers UV light at controlled doses that are sufficient to kill pathogens but below thresholds that would cause significant cellular damage to human tissues
Solution Approach 2:
The UV light delivery system targets specific localized areas within the respiratory tract or other body cavities where infections or inflammatory conditions are present. By concentrating UV energy only at the treatment site and using transparent/translucent delivery devices that allow controlled penetration, the system maximizes therapeutic effect at the target while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues
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 effectively reduces bacterial, viral, and fungal infections by emitting therapeutic doses of UV light directly into the respiratory and other internal canals, providing a safe alternative to antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs, as demonstrated by significant reductions in microbial growth and infection rates in experimental data.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one UV light source may be a string of LED light sources
Implementation Method 2
emitting therapeutic doses of UV light directly into the respiratory and other internal canals, providing a safe alternative to antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs, as demonstrated by significant reductions in microbial growth and infection rates in experimental data
Data Source
AI summary
A UV light delivery device for performing intra-corporeal ultraviolet therapy is provided. The device includes an elongated body separated by a proximal end and a distal end. The device also includes a UV light source configured to be received at the receiving space. In some examples, the UV light source is configured to emit light with wavelengths with significant intensity between 320 nm and 410 nm and is utilized in conjunction with an endotracheal tube or a nasopharyngeal airway.