# US 2019/0314532 A1 · System and method for disinfecting a conduit > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0314532 A1 - Document ID: US20190314532A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/378,644 - Filed: 2019-04-09 - Published: 2019-10-17 - Earliest claimed: 2018-04-13 - Assignees: 3B Medical, Inc. - Applicants: 3B Medical, Inc. - Inventors: Albert A. Lucio - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190314532A1 ## CPC - A61L 2/10: Ultraviolet [UV] radiation - A61M 16/0003: {Accessories therefor, e.g. sensors, vibrators, negative pressure} - A61M 16/0066: {Blowers or centrifugal pumps} - A61L 2/24: Apparatus using programmed or automatic operation - A61L 2103/05: Living organisms or biological materials - 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 2202/14: Means for controlling sterilisation processes, data processing, presentation and storage means, e.g. sensors, controllers, programs - A61M 16/06: Respiratory or anaesthetic masks - A61M 16/0875: {Connecting tubes} - A61M 2025/0019: {Cleaning catheters or the like, e.g. for reuse of the device, for avoiding replacement} - A61M 2202/203: Bacteria - A61M 2202/206: Viruses - A61M 2205/053: ultraviolet - A61M 2205/50: with microprocessors or computers - A61M 2205/8206: battery-operated - A61M 2209/04: Tools for specific apparatus - A61M 2209/10: Equipment for cleaning - 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) - 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 This disclosure relates to a system and method for disinfecting a conduit, such as a conduit for use in a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) system. An example system according to this disclosure includes a sheath a probe magnetically suspended within the sheath. The probe includes an ultraviolet light source configured to emit ultraviolet light. Further, the probe is spaced-apart from an inner dimension of the sheath to allow a conduit to pass between the probe and the sheath. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system, comprising: a sheath; and a probe magnetically suspended within the sheath, the probe including an ultraviolet light source configured to emit ultraviolet light, the probe arranged relative to the sheath such that a conduit may pass between the probe and the sheath. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of the sheath and the probe includes a magnet configured to magnetically suspend the probe within the sheath. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The system as recited in claim 2, wherein: the sheath includes a magnetic ring, and the probe includes one of a magnetic ring and a ring made of a ferromagnetic material attracted to the magnetic ring of the sheath. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The system as recited in claim 3, wherein the magnetic ring of the sheath is a permanent magnet. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the probe includes a controller configured to selectively activate the ultraviolet light source. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The system as recited in claim 5, wherein: the probe further includes an activation button, and the controller is configured to activate the ultraviolet light source only when the activation button has been depressed and when the probe is within the sheath. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The system as recited in claim 5, wherein: the probe includes a power source, and the controller is configured to selectively direct power from the power source to the ultraviolet light source to activate the ultraviolet light source. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system as recited in claim 1, wherein: the sheath is made of an opaque material over a majority of a length of the sheath, and the sheath includes a tinted lens along a portion of the length of the sheath. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the ultraviolet light source is configured to emit UV-C light. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system as recited in claim 1, wherein an inner diameter of the sheath is variable along a length of the sheath. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The system as recited in claim 10, wherein the inner diameter of the sheath includes a plurality of spaced-apart ridges projecting radially inward from the remainder of the inner diameter of the sheath. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the sheath and the probe are substantially cylindrical. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the conduit is configured for use with a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) system. ### Claim 14 A method, comprising: disinfecting a conduit by passing the conduit within a sheath and over a probe emitting ultraviolet light, the probe suspended magnetically within the sheath. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method as recited in claim 14, wherein the sheath includes a magnetic ring and the probe includes one of a magnetic ring and a ring made of a ferromagnetic material attracted to the magnetic ring of the sheath. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The method as recited in claim 14, wherein the probe emits ultraviolet light only when the probe is within the sheath. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method as recited in claim 16, wherein the probe further includes an activation button, and wherein the probe only emits ultraviolet light when the activation button has been depressed and when the probe is within the sheath. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The method as recited in claim 14, wherein: the sheath is made of an opaque material over a majority of a length of the sheath, and the sheath includes a tinted lens along a portion of the length of the sheath. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) The method as recited in claim 14, wherein the probe emits UV-C light. ### Claim 20 (depends on 14) The method as recited in claim 14, wherein an inner diameter of the sheath is variable along a length of the sheath.