Device, system and method for killing viruses in blood through electrode wires
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12023490-B2
Publication Date
2024-07-02
Expiration Date
Abstract
A device for killing blood-borne pathogens, and a method of using the device to effectively remove the blood-borne pathogens from a body of a human or an animal is claimed. The device comprises a wire that is inserted into a bloodstream of a patient, which releases metallic ions which effectively kill the pathogens. There are several embodiments, each of which has a combination of covered and uncovered portions of the wire. The wire is electrically connected to both a source of power and a power supply with a printed circuit board or a controller/software, which controls an intensity and a duration of a treatment.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a device for treating a blood-borne pathogen within a bloodstream by using an iontophoretic wire and an electrode inserted into a patient's vein. The iontophoretic wire comprises two or more metals including a combination of copper and a second metal, and it generates and releases medicant ions directly within the patient's vein from a vein portion of the electrode. The electrode includes a vein portion and an exterior portion, where the exterior portion is insulated so that no ions are released from anywhere other than an intended release point located inside the patient's vein.
The device further includes a transformer in electrical connection with a power supply, where the transformer comprises a plurality of resistors and a transducer. The construction imposes quantitative constraints on output current and ion production, including an output current range of 1.25 to 6 microamps and production of a medicant directly within the patient's vein that is greater than 2 billion ions per second. The electrode structure defines placement and exposed surface geometry, including the vein portion being at least 1/2 inch beyond a tip of an introducer needle and an introducer catheter, a vein portion length between 0.2 and 1.0 inches, and a vein portion surface area between 0.005 square inches and 0.70 square inches.
Insulation localization is emphasized by specifying the exterior insulation is an FDA-approved material selected from synthetics and plastic material, with an exterior insulation thickness between 0.005 and 0.025 inches and a durometer flexible enough to place the vein portion safely within a venous system without causing an amount of irritation. Embodiments include an electrode configuration with an intended release point protected by a skived window or a domed-end protection, and alternative distal exposed-wire forms and geometries for the iontophoretic wire electrode.
A dual therapy catheter embodiment is also described that combines simultaneous ion release with IV antibiotic administration using a catheter having a metallic wire integrated into a catheter and a side-port flow path sized relative to catheter ID and electrode OD. Additional embodiments include a two-part electrode with a copper conductive pin held in a Luer lock and tightened via a tightening device, and alternative metal combinations including gold and silver, as well as a bare silver wire.
Claims Coverage
The document includes two independent claims, each defining a device for treating a blood-borne pathogen in a patient's bloodstream using an iontophoretic wire with transformer/power circuitry and an electrode inserted into a patient vein. The independent claims collectively specify several inventive features, including insulated electrode construction that localizes ion release to an intended release point inside the vein and quantitative constraints tied to electrode placement, geometry, output current, and medicant ion production.
Insulated ion-release electrode with intended release point in vein
The iontophoretic electrode includes a vein portion inserted into a patient's vein and an exterior portion located outside the patient's vein, where the exterior portion is insulated such that no ions are released from anywhere other than an intended release point inside the patient's vein.
Copper combination iontophoretic wire with transformer-driven power delivery
The iontophoretic wire comprises two or more metals including a combination of copper and a second metal, and the device includes a transformer that comprises a plurality of resistors and a transducer electrically connected with a power supply.
Quantitative electrode placement and vein geometry constraints
The vein portion is at least 1/2 inch beyond a tip of an introducer needle and an introducer catheter, the exterior insulation has a thickness of between 0.005 and 0.025 inches, the vein portion length is between 0.2 and 1.0 inches, and the vein portion surface area is between 0.005 square inches and 0.70 square inches.
Quantitative output current and medicant ion production in the vein
The device outputs an output current in a range of 1.25 to 6 microamps and produces a medicant directly within the patient's vein at a rate greater than 2 billion ions per second.
FDA-approved flexible exterior insulation
The exterior portion insulation is a FDA-approved material selected from synthetics and plastic material, and the insulation has a durometer flexible enough so that the vein portion is placed safely within a venous system of the patient without causing an amount of irritation.
Transformer and power circuitry releasing metal ions into bloodstream
The device includes an iontophoretic wire comprising one or more metals and a transformer that comprises a plurality of resistors and a transducer in electrical contact with a power supply, where the iontophoretic wire is inserted into a vein and the device releases ions of the one or more metals into the bloodstream.
Across the two independent claims, the core inventive coverage centers on an iontophoretic wire electrode inserted into a patient's vein with an insulated exterior portion that localizes ion release to an intended release point in the vein, powered via a transformer and power supply arrangement. Claim coverage further includes quantitative constraints on electrode placement, insulation and vein geometry, output current, and medicant ion production, and includes embodiments specifying FDA-approved insulation materials and flexible durometer properties.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
Treating a blood-borne pathogen within a bloodstream of a patient using an iontophoretic wire that releases ions of metals into the bloodstream.
Simultaneous ion release with IV antibiotic administration using a dual therapy catheter.
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