Abstract: Methods and apparatus for indicating a successful sterilization or disinfection of an object are disclosed. According to one embodiment of the invention, an object to be sterilized or disinfected by an ultraviolet sterilization/disinfection device comprises material responsive to ultraviolet light to indicate successful sterilization or disinfection of the object through exposure to ultraviolet light.

Abstract: Methods of sterilizing or disinfecting an object are disclosed. According to one embodiment of the invention, a method comprises introducing at least a first portion of an object into a sterilizer/disinfector, sealing light within the sterilizer/disinfector using at least a second portion of the object to form a light seal, and automatically, upon detection of completion of the light seal to a certain degree, flashing ultraviolet light onto the at least first portion of the object within the sterilizer/disinfector.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for sterilizing or disinfecting a region through a bandage. One embodiment of the invention is directed to a method, comprising acts of determining the transmissivity of at least a portion of a bandage to ultraviolet light, and selecting an intensity of ultraviolet light to be applied through at least a portion of the bandage. Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a method of sterilizing or disinfecting a region underneath a bandage on a patient. A further embodiment of the invention is directed to an apparatus for sterilizing or disinfecting a region of tissue of a patient. The apparatus comprises an ultraviolet light-emitting lamp and a bandage adapted to transmit at least some of the ultraviolet light emitted by the lamp. Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a bandage, comprising an ultraviolet light-transmissive film, and a color-changing material coupled to the film to indicate an exposure of the film to ultraviolet light.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for sterilizing or disinfecting a region through a bandage. One embodiment of the invention is directed to a method, comprising acts of determining the transmissivity of at least a portion of a bandage to ultraviolet light, and selecting an intensity of ultraviolet light to be applied through at least a portion of the bandage. Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a method of sterilizing or disinfecting a region underneath a bandage on a patient. A further embodiment of the invention is directed to an apparatus for sterilizing or disinfecting a region of tissue of a patient. The apparatus comprises an ultraviolet light-emitting lamp and a bandage adapted to transmit at least some of the ultraviolet light emitted by the lamp. Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a bandage, comprising an ultraviolet light-transmissive film, and a color-changing material coupled to the film to indicate an exposure of the film to ultraviolet light.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for sterilizing or disinfecting a region through a bandage. One embodiment of the invention is directed to a method, comprising acts of determining the transmissivity of at least a portion of a bandage to ultraviolet light, and selecting an intensity of ultraviolet light to be applied through at least a portion of the bandage. Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a method of sterilizing or disinfecting a region underneath a bandage on a patient. A further embodiment of the invention is directed to an apparatus for sterilizing or disinfecting a region of tissue of a patient. The apparatus comprises an ultraviolet light-emitting lamp and a bandage adapted to transmit at least some of the ultraviolet light emitted by the lamp. Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a bandage, comprising an ultraviolet light-transmissive film, and a color-changing material coupled to the film to indicate an exposure of the film to ultraviolet light.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for sterilizing or disinfecting using ultraviolet light. One embodiment of the invention is directed to a method for sterilizing or disinfecting at least a portion of an interior surface of a catheter, the interior surface being defined by a wall. The method comprises acts of identifying a stagnation zone in the catheter, and transmitting ultraviolet light through the wall at the stagnation zone. Another embodiment of the invention is directed to an ultraviolet light-transmissive catheter. The catheter comprises a wall defining an interior of the catheter, and a region of the wall adapted to transmit ultraviolet light.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention is directed to a method including an act of applying ultraviolet light to a region of tissue on a patient and/or to a catheter inserted into the patient to sterilize or disinfect the region. Another embodiment of the invention is directed to an apparatus for performing the method. The apparatus comprises a housing and an ultraviolet light-emitting lamp disposed within the housing. The housing includes a light seal to substantially prevent light from traveling beyond the housing and the region of tissue during sterilization or disinfection. A further embodiment of the invention is directed to a device for use with a catheter and an ultraviolet light-emitting lamp. The device comprises a reflective surface adapted to be coupled to a catheter to direct light emitted by the ultraviolet light-emitting lamp to a portion of the catheter near an entrance site of the catheter.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for sterilizing small objects. A small object is inserted into a chamber formed in the sterilizer. A portion of the small object mates with a lockout device to disable the lockout device. After the lockout device is disabled, the sterilizer produces at least one flash of high intensity ultraviolet light produced by an ultraviolet light source. The ultraviolet light flash kills microorganisms on the surface of the small object. The chamber of the sterilizer may be lined with a reflective coating to disperse the ultraviolet light around the chamber so that most, if not all, of the small object within the sterilizer is exposed to the ultraviolet light.