DEVICE AND METHOD TO CONTROL CATHETER-RELATED INFECTIONS

摘要

A disinfection device and method for controlling infections related to indwelling catheters, such as urinary catheters or peritoneal dialysis catheters, uses one or more wavelengths of light having antimicrobial activity. A first component delivers trans-catheter illumination with a first portion of antimicrobial light directed radially inward toward an indwelling catheter that is positioned within a lumen of the device. At least some of the first portion of antimicrobial light passes through the wall of the catheter to disinfect an internal surface of the catheter and any fluid within the lumen of the catheter. A second component delivers a second portion of antimicrobial light in a longitudinal direction exterior to the indwelling catheter to disinfect a surface of the patient's tissue surrounding the insertion site of the catheter. At least some of the antimicrobial light from the first and/or second component also serves to disinfect an external surface of the catheter.