Methods and apparatus to inactivate infectious agents on a drainage catheter residing in a body cavity
Inventors
Rhodes, Nathaniel L. R. • Bracken, Adam E. • de la Presa, Martin • Poursaid, Ahrash E. • Coil, Ryan R. • Barneck, Mitchell D. • Allen, James P.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10471277-B2
Publication Date
2019-11-12
Expiration Date
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for the inactivation of infectious agents in, on or around a catheter residing in a patient's body cavity. The method comprises a coupling adapter for facilitating the transmission of non-ultraviolet sterilizing electromagnetic radiation (EMR) substantially axially along an optical element into the catheter body. Through delivery of the sterilizing EMR to particular areas of highest infection, the present disclosure is able to inactivate the major sources of infection in catheters.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a medical device assembly for insertion into a cavity of a patient’s body and for drainage of a fluid from the patient’s body. The assembly includes an electromagnetic radiation source providing non-ultraviolet, sterilizing EMR with intensity sufficient to inactivate one or more infectious agents, and at least one coupling to connect the EMR source to the catheter body.
A catheter has an elongate catheter body with at least one internal lumen, a coupling end, and a distal end tip insertable into the cavity. The catheter body is configured to drain the fluid while directing the sterilizing EMR axially through the catheter body for radial or oblique delivery into the patient’s body along the catheter.
An optical element disposed within the catheter body is conducive to at least one of axial propagation, radial distribution, and oblique distribution of the sterilizing EMR through the catheter body. The disclosed approach addresses infectious agents in connection with indwelling drainage catheter use, including inactivation during drainage and biofilm inhibition via immediate post-insertion treatment.
Claims Coverage
Two independent claims are identified. Across these claims, the coverage centers on a sterilizing, non-ultraviolet EMR source with specified intensity, a catheter that drains while directing EMR axially for radial or oblique delivery, and an optical element disposed within the catheter to shape EMR propagation and distribution, with one claim further requiring a fiber optic filament.
Non-ultraviolet sterilizing EMR source coupled to a drainage catheter
An EMR source provides non-ultraviolet, sterilizing EMR having intensity sufficient to inactivate one or more infectious agents; at least one coupling connects the EMR source to the catheter body.
Catheter directing sterilizing EMR axially for radial or oblique delivery while draining fluid
A catheter includes an elongate catheter body with at least one internal lumen, a coupling end, and a distal end tip insertable into a cavity of the patient’s body; the catheter body drains the fluid from the patient’s body and directs the sterilizing EMR axially through the catheter body for radial or oblique delivery into the patient’s body along the catheter.
Optical element for propagation and distribution of sterilizing EMR within the catheter body
An optical element disposed within the catheter body is conducive to at least one of axial propagation, radial distribution, and oblique distribution of the sterilizing EMR through the catheter body.
Catheter propagation lumen and fiber optic filament optical element
At least one internal lumen comprises a propagation lumen for the axial propagation of the sterilizing EMR through the catheter body; the optical element disposed within the catheter body comprises a fiber optic filament.
The independent claim coverage requires a drainage catheter assembly that combines non-ultraviolet sterilizing EMR with axial EMR propagation and radial or oblique delivery into a patient’s body, shaped by an optical element disposed within the catheter. One independent claim specifies a propagation lumen and further requires the optical element to comprise a fiber optic filament.
Stated Advantages
Inactivates one or more infectious agents while draining patient fluid.
Enables sterilizing EMR delivery through the catheter for radial or oblique delivery into the patient’s body.
Documented Applications
Use in connection with an indwelling drainage catheter to inactivate infectious agents on/in/around the catheter.
Urinary catheter configurations for placement in urinary body cavities.
Hemodialysis catheter configurations using a triple lumen central line.
Body cavity contexts listed for catheter use: gastrointestinal, intravascular, cranial, spinal, and ophthalmic.
Biofilm inhibition via immediate post-insertion treatment.
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