Self-cleaning and sterilizing medical tube

A self-cleaning and sterilizing medical tube, comprising:

• an elongate tube formed of flexible nano-composite polymer material having an upper portion and a lower portion, the tube defining a lumen, the lower portion being adapted for insertion into a patient's body in order to maintain patentcy of the passageway;
• and
• means for rendering the tube self-cleaning and sterilizing in order to prevent narrowing of the lumen and buildup of mucous and bacteria in the lumen, wherein the means for rendering the tube self-cleaning and sterilizing comprises:
• i) a light source mounted on said tube;
• ii) a fiberoptic bundle having fibers extending into the lumen;
• and
• iii) a photocatalyst coated on the inner surface defining the lumen of the tube.

A self-cleaning and sterilizing medical tube, comprising:

• an elongate tube formed of flexible nano-composite polymer material, the elongate tube including a photocatalytic material having antimicrobial properties incorporated into the tube, the tube having an upper portion and a lower portion, the tube defining a lumen, the lower portion being adapted for insertion into a patient's body in order to maintain patentcy of the passageway;
• a light source mounted on the tube;
• a fiberoptic bundle having fibers extending into the lumen,
• whereby the tube is self-cleaning and sterilizing when exposed to the light source thereby inhibiting the narrowing of the lumen and buildup of mucous and bacteria in the lumen.