# US 11,298,436 B2 · Methods and systems for sterilizing surgical drains > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,298,436 B2 - Document ID: US11298436B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/475,855 - Filed: 2018-01-03 - Published: 2019-11-14 - Granted: 2022-04-12 - Earliest claimed: 2017-01-03 - Assignees: Duke University - Applicants: Duke University - Inventors: Charlotte Lynne Sawyer; Yitaek Azariah Hwang; Michaela Jane Walker; Vaibhav Bajaj; Scott Thomas Hollenbeck - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11298436B2 ## CPC - A61M 27/00: Drainage appliance for wounds or the like {, i.e. wound drains, implanted drains} ({negative pressure wound therapy devices A61M1/90;} implements for holding wound open A61B17/02 {; middle ear drainage A61F11/202}) - A61L 2/10: Ultraviolet [UV] radiation - A61L 2/24: Apparatus using programmed or automatic operation - A61M 1/67: {Containers incorporating a piston-type member to create suction, e.g. syringes (cupping glasses A61M1/08; with a flexible member creating suction A61M1/68)} - A61M 1/682: {bulb-type, e.g. nasal mucus aspirators} - A61L 2103/15: Laboratory, medical or dentistry appliances, e.g. catheters or sharps - A61L 2202/11: Apparatus for generating biocidal substances, e.g. vaporisers, UV lamps - A61L 2202/121: Sealings, e.g. doors, covers, valves, sluices - A61L 2202/122: Chambers for sterilisation - A61L 2202/14: Means for controlling sterilisation processes, data processing, presentation and storage means, e.g. sensors, controllers, programs - A61M 2209/10: Equipment for cleaning - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} - A61L: METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES (preservation of bodies or disinfecting characterised by the agents employed A01N; preserving, e.g. sterilising, food or foodstuffs A23; preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes A61K) ## Abstract Systems and methods for decontaminating a surgical drain and its reservoir are provided. An apparatus is provided in the form of a container having an interior chamber and an expansible opening to the interior chamber for insertion of a surgical drain therethrough. Ultraviolet light emitters are disposed within the interior chamber to emit beams of ultraviolet radiation at the surgical drain and/or its reservoir, thereby killing or neutralizing bacteria and fungus on the drain. Walls forming the expansible opening are collapsible to abut a portion of the inserted drain when inserted into the apparatus, and a fluid tight seal is formed between the drain and the apparatus. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for decontaminating a surgical drain comprising: a body having one or more sidewalls and a bottom that define an interior; an expansible opening to the interior for insertion of a surgical drain therethrough, the surgical drain comprising a compression bulb and a tube, wherein the interior is operable to receive the compression bulb at a portion of the tube when the surgical drain is inserted in a patient; and one or more ultraviolet light emitters disposed within the interior; wherein an interior surface of the apparatus collapses to abut a portion of the tube of the inserted surgical drain, forming a fluid tight seal between the interior surface of the apparatus and the tube of the inserted surgical drain, wherein the apparatus is operable to emit ultraviolet light from the one or more ultraviolet light emitters while the surgical drain remains inserted in the patient. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more ultraviolet light emitters is affixed to the interior surface. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a power source to provide power for activation of the one or more ultraviolet light emitters. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ultraviolet light emitters emit UVC rays. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more ultraviolet light emitters comprise flexible strips of material having ultraviolet light sources affixed thereto. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the interior is sized to receive the surgical drain therein with the surgical drain being spaced apart from the one or more sidewalls. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a UV impenetrable material. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claims 1, further comprising a locking mechanism to secure the fluid tight seal. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a sensor to determine whether the apparatus is sealed to the portion of the surgical drain prior to activation of the ultraviolet light emitters. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the ultraviolet light emitters are prevented from activating until receiving a signal from the sensor that a complete seal is formed around the portion of the surgical drain.