Sterilizable indwelling catheters

Abstract

According to an aspect of the invention, an indwelling catheter is provided which comprises a catheter shaft. The catheter either comprises a light source or is adapted to receive light from a light source, and is configured such that light is transmitted from the light source into the catheter shaft. Moreover, the catheter shaft is formed of a polymeric material that transmits a quantity of light from the light source that is effective to inactivate microorganisms on a surface of the catheter shaft upon activation of the light source. For example, the light may inactivate the microorganisms directly or in conjunction with a photosensitizer. According to another aspect of the invention, a sterilization method is provided, which comprises activating the light source while the catheter is inserted in a subject.

1 - 31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . A catheter comprising:
 a hub;   a shaft projecting from the hub, the shaft formed of a light-transmitting material and facilitating fluid flow via the hub; and   a light emitting component, wherein the hub is configured to receive light from the light emitting component.   
     
     
         33 . The catheter of  claim 32 , wherein the light emitting component is couplable to the hub via an optical coupler. 
     
     
         34 . The catheter of  claim 32 , wherein the light emitting component comprises a light source. 
     
     
         35 . The catheter of  claim 34 , further comprising a light guide configured to transmit light from the light source into the shaft. 
     
     
         36 . The catheter of  claim 32 , further comprising a photosensitizer. 
     
     
         37 . The catheter of  claim 36 , wherein the photosensitizer comprises a dye. 
     
     
         38 . The catheter of  claim 32 , wherein the light-transmitting material comprises a thermoplastic or a thermoset polymer material. 
     
     
         39 . The catheter of  claim 32 , wherein the light-transmitting material is configured to transmit light from the light emitting component to an external surface along a length of the shaft. 
     
     
         40 . A catheter comprising:
 a hub, the hub comprising a fluid flow lumen and a port coupled to the fluid flow lumen;   a shaft formed of a light-transmitting material and comprising a lumen contiguous with the fluid flow lumen; and   a light emitting component, wherein the hub is configured to receive light from the light emitting component via the port.   
     
     
         41 . The catheter of  claim 40 , wherein the light emitting component is couplable to the hub via an optical coupler. 
     
     
         42 . The catheter of  claim 40 , wherein the light emitting component comprises a light source. 
     
     
         43 . The catheter of  claim 40 , further comprising a photosensitizer. 
     
     
         44 . The catheter of  claim 40 , wherein the light-transmitting material comprises a thermoplastic or a thermoset polymer material. 
     
     
         45 . The catheter of  claim 40 , wherein the light-transmitting material is configured to transmit light from the light emitting component to an external surface along a length of the shaft. 
     
     
         46 . A method of sterilizing a catheter, comprising:
 introducing a shaft into a patient,
 wherein the shaft projects from a hub, wherein the shaft is formed of a light-transmitting material and facilitates fluid flow along a lumen of the shaft via the hub, wherein the hub is configured to receive light from a light emitting component couplable to the hub; and 
   with the shaft within the patient, activating the light emitting component so that the light-transmitting material transmits light from the light emitting component to an external surface of the shaft along the length of the shaft.   
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the light emitting component is coupled to the hub via an optical coupler. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the light emitting component comprises a light source. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 46 , further comprising a photosensitizer. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 46 , further comprising introducing a photosensitizer to the patient prior to or concurrent with activating a light source. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the light-transmitting material comprises a thermoplastic or a thermoset polymer material.