System and method for biofilm remediation
AssigneeCovidien LP
InventorsARLEN K. WARD, JOE D. SARTOR
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for removing biofilm from a lumen of a medical implant is disclosed. The method includes the steps of inserting a plasma applicator into a lumen defined in a medical implant, the lumen having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion having an opening therein, positioning the plasma applicator adjacent a biofilm formation, generating a selectively reactive plasma effluent at the plasma applicator and directing the selectively reactive plasma effluent at the biofilm formation.
Claims20
A method for eliminating biofilm from a lumen of a medical implant, the method comprising the steps of:
- inserting a plasma applicator into a lumen defined in a medical implant, the lumen having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion having an opening defined therein;
- positioning the plasma applicator adjacent a biofilm formation;
- generating a selectively reactive plasma effluent at the plasma applicator;
- and
- directing the selectively reactive plasma effluent at the biofilm formation.
A method for removing biofilm from a lumen of an endotracheal tube, the method comprising the steps of:
- inserting a plasma applicator into a lumen of an endotracheal tube;
- positioning the plasma applicator within the lumen, the plasma applicator including:
- a shaft having a proximal portion and a deflectable distal portion and a lumen defined therein terminating in an opening at a distal end of the distal portion, the lumen being in fluid communication with an ionizable media source;
- and
- at least one electrode disposed at the distal portion and coupled to a power source;
- generating a selectively reactive plasma effluent at the plasma applicator;
- and
- moving the plasma applicator along at least a portion of the lumen to apply the selectively reactive plasma effluent at at least one biofilm formation within the lumen and inactivate dispersed biofilm forming bacteria.
A method for removing biofilm from a lumen of an endotracheal tube, the method comprising the steps of:
- inserting a seal at a distal end portion of an endotracheal tube;
- inserting a plasma applicator into a lumen of an endotracheal tube;
- positioning the plasma applicator adjacent a biofilm formation;
- supplying ionizable media and the at least one precursor feedstock to the plasma applicator;
- igniting the ionizable media and the at least one precursor feedstock at the plasma applicator to form a selectively reactive plasma effluent;
- and
- directing the selectively reactive plasma effluent at the biofilm formation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.