Apparatus and method for inactivating infectious organisms in human body

Abstract

An apparatus and method for inactivating infectious organisms in human body are provided. The apparatus comprises a body having an elongated balloon shape with an open end; a disinfectant containing chlorine dioxide accepted in the body; and an activation module coupled to the body, the activation module includes a case having an opening capable of accommodating the body, an energy supply unit for supplying energy to the disinfectant to activate the chlorine dioxide and a controller for controlling the energy supply unit. The method comprises the steps of inserting the device into a vagina and controlling a degree of activation of the chlorine dioxide so as to inactive infectious organisms in the vagina by adjusting an intensity of the energy.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for inactivating infectious organisms in human body, comprising:
 a body having an elongated balloon shape and a circular cross-section with a distal end that is closer to a cervix and a proximal end that is closer to a vaginal opening;   a disinfectant containing chlorine dioxide, the disinfectant is in the body; and   a withdrawal string attached to the proximal end of the body,   wherein the body is made of a gas-permeable material so that the chlorine dioxide penetrates and diffuses through the body as a gas, and is inserted into a vagina   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the disinfectant includes a mixture of sodium chlorite and an acidic substance. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the disinfectant is made of a carrier adsorbed with the chlorine dioxide. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a cover surrounding the body and a lubricant between the body and the cover.   
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the cover is made of a material that is more flexible than the material of the body, and the distal end of the cover has a plurality of pleats that are radially open. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus for inactivating infectious organisms in human body, comprising:
 a body having an elongated balloon shape with an open end;   a disinfectant containing chlorine dioxide, the disinfectant is in the body; and   an activation module coupled to the body,   wherein the activation module includes a case having an opening capable of accommodating the body, an energy supply unit for supplying energy to the disinfectant to activate the chlorine dioxide and a controller for controlling the energy supply unit.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the activation module further includes a communication unit capable of communicating with user's remote device, and the energy supply unit is operated under a control of the controller based on a signal transmitted from the remote device. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the energy comprises at least one of light energy and heat energy. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the energy supply unit includes a light source unit disposed inside the opening of the case, and the controller controls a degree of activation of the chlorine dioxide by adjusting an intensity of light emitted from the light source unit. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the light source unit includes a substrate, a light source disposed on the substrate, and a diffuser for surrounding the light source and for diffusing light emitted from the light source toward the body. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the energy supply unit includes a heat source unit disposed inside the opening of the case, and the controller controls a degree of activation of the chlorine dioxide by adjusting an intensity of heat emitted from the heat source unit. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the heat source unit includes a substrate, a heat source disposed on the substrate and protruding from the substrate into the body, and a housing surrounding the heat source. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the energy supply unit continuously supplies energy to the disinfectant for a predetermined period of time or supplies energy to the disinfectant at intervals of time. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the disinfectant is made of a carrier adsorbed with the chlorine dioxide. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a withdrawal string attached to one side of the case.   
     
     
         16 . A method for inactivating infectious organisms in human body comprising the steps of:
 inserting a device comprising a body accommodating a disinfectant that contains chlorine dioxide therein and an activation module including an energy supply unit that supplies energy to the disinfectant to activate the chlorine dioxide into a vagina; and   controlling a degree of activation of the chlorine dioxide so as to inactive infectious organisms in the vagina by adjusting an intensity of the energy.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the energy comprises at least one of light energy and heat energy. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the energy supply unit continuously supplies energy to the disinfectant for a predetermined period of time or supplies energy to the disinfectant at intervals of time. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the disinfectant is made of a carrier adsorbed with the chlorine dioxide.