Uv light disinfection and cleaning of narrow tube lumens

An assembly for disinfection of tube lumens, comprising:

• a first polymer tube with a narrow lumen to be disinfected in a material with a low coefficient of friction;
• a second partly UV transparent polymer tube open in both ends and with a diameter smaller than the first polymer tube and a with a comparable low coefficient of friction as the first polymer tube which allows the second polymer tube to slide inside the narrow lumen of the first polymer tube and with a refractive index, NP, the second polymer tube is filled with a ionic solution with refractive index, NL, delivered from a fluid reservoir and where NL>NP, which allows fluid and light to propagate simultaneously in the second polymer tube and irradiate the lumen of first polymer tube;
• a UV light source in optical communication with the second polymer tube;
• and
• a fluid reservoir enabling fluid flow and light propagation comprising a first connector port joined to the light source, and a second connector port joined to the second polymer tube, the light source is in axial position to, and in optical communication with, the second polymer tube via the fluid chamber, the first connector port is fluid-tight and separates the light source from the fluid passing the fluid chamber with a transparent polymer window, and a third connector port open to the fluid chamber and in communication with the fluid reservoir;
• wherein light from the light source and liquid from the fluid reservoir propagates via the fluid reservoir and into the proximal end of the first polymer tube through the lumen and to the distal end of the first polymer tube, the first polymer tube is then inserted into the opening of and moved to the distal end of the second polymer tube simultaneously exposing with light and flushing with a liquid fluid the inner lumen of the second polymer tube, waste fluid is collected at the exit of the second tube.

An assembly for cleaning and disinfecting endoscope channels, the assembly comprising:

• an ultraviolet C light source with focusing optics and an optical window;
• a first fluoropolymer tube open in both ends and with refractive index NP less than 1.34 and diameter less than 3 mm;
• an endoscope channel accessible in both ends and with an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of first polymer tube;
• a fluid reservoir configured to contain a saline solution;
• and
• a fluid reservoir comprising a first connector port joined to the light source, and a second connector port joined to the first fluoropolymer tube, the light source is in an axial position to and in optical communication with the first fluoropolymer tube via the fluid reservoir, the first connector port is fluid-tight and separates the light source from the fluid reservoir with a transparent polymer window, and a third connector port open to the fluid reservoir and in communication with the fluid reservoir,
• wherein ultraviolet light from the light source and a saline solution from the fluid reservoir is configured to propagate, via the fluid reservoir, into the lumen of the first fluoropolymer tube when the first fluoropolymer tube is inserted into the opening of and moved to the distal end of the endoscope channel thereby simultaneously exposing and flushing with light and liquid fluid the inner lumen of the endoscope channel.

A method for disinfecting endoscopic channels, the method comprising:

• mounting a disinfection assembly to an endoscope channel to be exposed with UV light, wherein the assembly comprises a polymer tube in communication with a light source mounted on a first connector port of a fluid reservoir, wherein the polymer tube is composed of a low refractive index fluoropolymer material with a refractive index less than or equal to 1.34;
• filling the polymer tube, via the reservoir, with a UV transparent sodium chloride solution having a refractive index NF greater or equal to 1.34
• when filled, inserting and moving the polymer tube through an endoscope channel lumen and exposing inner surfaces of the endoscope channel to light, wherein the polymer tube is moved from a proximal end of the endoscope channel lumen toward a distal end of the endoscope channel lumen and then retracted,
• wherein during UV light exposure, a flow rate of the UV solution is controlled and can be chosen to be a steady flow,
• wherein the UV solution flushes the endoscope channel and is collected as waste at an exit portion of the endoscope channel.

A system for disinfecting a lumen of a catheter, the system comprising:

• a fluid chamber;
• a liquid light guide including an elongated tube having a proximal opening fluidly coupled to the fluid chamber and a distal opening, wherein at least a portion of the elongated tube is configured to be moveable positioned within parts of the catheter lumen, and wherein the portion of the elongated tube has an outer diameter that is less than the inner diameter of the lumen of the catheter;
• a fluid source coupled to the fluid chamber, wherein the fluid source is configured to deliver a fluid through the elongated tube and from the distal opening of the elongated tube;
• and
• a UV light source configured to direct UV light into the proximal opening of the elongated tube, wherein the fluid has a refractive index that is greater than a refractive index of the elongated tube so that the UV light propagates through the elongated tube and from the distal opening.