# US 2019/0168023 A1 · Method, system, and devices of safe, antimicrobial light-emitting catheters, tubes, and instruments

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 2019/0168023 A1
- Document ID: US20190168023A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 15/832,242
- Filed: 2017-12-05
- Published: 2019-06-06
- Earliest claimed: 2017-12-05
- Assignees: Lumen Catheters, LLC
- Applicants: Lumen Catheters, LLC
- Inventors: Adam E. M. Eltorai
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190168023A1

## CPC

- A61N 5/0624: {for eliminating microbes, germs, bacteria on or in the body}
- A61M 1/3661: {for haemodialysis}
- A61N 5/0601: {Apparatus for use inside the body}
- A61M 5/14: Infusion devices, e.g. infusing by gravity; Blood infusion; Accessories therefor
- A61M 25/0043: {characterised by structural features}
- A61M 25/0097: {characterised by the hub (tube connectors or tube couplings A61M39/10)}
- A61M 25/10: Balloon catheters ({A61M25/0125 takes precedence; embolectomy A61B17/22032; retractors A61B17/02;} inflatable balloons for placing stents or stent-grafts A61F2/958 {; stomach balloons for treatment of obesity A61F5/0003; oesophagal tubes A61J15/00})
- A61M 2205/051: with radiation therapy
- A61M 2205/587: Lighting arrangements
- A61N 5/067: using laser light
- A61N 2005/0602: {for treatment of blood vessels}
- A61N 2005/0604: {Lungs and/or airways}
- A61N 2005/061: {Bladder and/or urethra}
- A61N 2005/063: {comprising light transmitting means, e.g. optical fibres}
- A61N 2005/0661: {ultraviolet}
- A61N 2005/0663: {Coloured light}
- A61N: ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B)
- 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)}

## Abstract

A light-emitting, antimicrobial tuber, instrument or catheter includes a thin, flexible tube having an optically transparent wall; and a light transmitter configured and arranged to emit light through the tube, which may be ultraviolet C (UVC) irradiation, photodynamic therapy (PDT), violet-blue light therapy, and other light-based therapies. In one embodiment, violet-blue light from 400-500 nm in wavelength, such as 405 nm, for instance, is used. The device is used on a patient and a therapeutic amount of light is administered to the patient, thereby reducing the risk of infections being transmitted from the instrument, tube or catheter to the patient, generally. The device may be configured for use in the urinary tract or as intravascular, and may be indwelling or temporary. Light may be administered for the duration of use or another time period effective to halt, inhibit, or reduce microbial or fungal growth.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A catheter, tube, or instrument comprising:
a tube having an optically transparent wall with a first portion configured for insertion into a body of a patient and a second portion configured for securing to an exterior portion of a patient; and
a light transmitter configured and arranged to emit light through the first portion and the second portion of the tube.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The catheter, tube, or instrument of claim 1, where the light transmitter is configured to emit light to treat sources of infection intraluminally and on an outer surface of a patient, simultaneously.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The catheter, tube, or instrument of claim 1, further comprising a hub connected to the tube, the hub having an optically transparent wall configured to transmit light emitted through the light transmitter.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The catheter, tube, or instrument of claim 1, further comprising an optical fiber embedded in the wall of the tube.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The catheter, tube, or instrument of claim 4, wherein the optical fiber is side-emitting.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The catheter, tube, or instrument of claim 4, wherein the optical fiber is solid core optical fiber.

### Claim 7 (depends on 4)

The catheter, tube, or instrument of claim 4, wherein the optical fiber is a monofilament.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The catheter, tube, or instrument of claim 1, wherein the light transmitter emits light selected from the group consisting of: antimicrobial light, visible spectrum violet-blue light that is not harmful to the patient.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The catheter, tube, or instrument of claim 1, wherein the light transmitter emits light in wavelengths from about 400 to about 500 nm.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The catheter, tube, or instrument of claim 9, wherein the light transmitter emits light at wavelengths of about 405 nm.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The catheter, tube, or instrument of claim 1, wherein the light transmitter comprises a laser.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The catheter, tube, or instrument of claim 1, further comprising a power supply electrically connected to the light transmitter.

### Claim 13

A method, comprising the steps of:
providing a catheter, tube, or instrument, comprising,
a tube having an optically transparent wall with a first portion configured for insertion into a body of a patient and a second portion configured for securing to an exterior portion of a patient; and
a light transmitter configured and arranged to emit light through the first portion and the second portion of the tube;
catheterizing a patient with the catheter; and
administering a therapeutic amount of light with the light transmitter.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The method of claim 13, wherein the step of administering a therapeutic amount of light comprises administering light selected from the group consisting of: antimicrobial, visible spectrum violet-blue light.

### Claim 15 (depends on 13)

The method of claim 13, wherein the step of administering a therapeutic amount of light comprises administering light in wavelengths from about 400 to about 500 nm.

### Claim 16 (depends on 13)

The method of claim 13, wherein the step of administering a therapeutic amount of light comprises administering light at a wavelength of about 405 nm.

### Claim 17 (depends on 13)

The method of claim 13, where in the step includes the inserting the catheter, tube, or instrument in the patient.

### Claim 18 (depends on 13)

The method of claim 13, wherein the step of administering a therapeutic amount of light comprises adjusting a parameter of the light emitter.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The method of claim 18, wherein the parameter selected from the group consisting of: intensity, radiant exposure, dwell time, wavelength, and pulse frequency.