Self-limiting Optical Disinfecting Catheter
OwnerLuiz Barroca Da Silva, Donald M Coheninventors
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Abstract
The present invention relates to an implanted catheter that reduces infection by heating a portion of the catheter wall. Light absorption within the wall is used to heat the surface. A thermochromic layer can be used to limit temperatures and accurately control the temperature distribution.
Claims20
A disinfecting catheter system apparatus comprising:
- a control unit with a light source that emits a light;
- a catheter with a wall;
- a coupler to couple a portion of the light into the catheter wall;
- wherein material is incorporated into a portion of the catheter wall to interact with the light to cause heating of the catheter wall.
The apparatus of claim Error! Reference source not found. in which the material is chosen for an optical property chosen from the list containing:
- high scattering and high absorption.
A self-limiting thermal disinfecting catheter system apparatus comprising:
- a catheter with a wall;
- a control unit with an energy source that transfers energy into the catheter wall;
- wherein the heating is self-limiting in a local region without halting heating at other locations.
A method for reducing catheter borne infections comprising applying light to heat a catheter wall sufficient to cause lethal damage to micro-organisms on the catheter wall, in which the catheter wall has structure that interacts with the light to limit excessive local heating.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.