Abstract: A self-disinfecting system can include a cladding having a flexible body that conforms to a substrate. The system can further include a disinfection means for disinfecting an exterior surface of the cladding. The disinfection means can be selected from a germicidal irradiation means, a photocatalytic disinfection means, or a chemical disinfection means for disinfecting the exterior surface of the cladding. The germicidal irradiation means can employ germicidal radiation from one or more locations within the body or the substrate to disinfect the cladding. The photocatalytic disinfection means can employ excitation radiation to produce reactive oxygen species using a photosensitizer incorporated into one or more polymeric layers of the body or a coating thereover to disinfect the cladding. The chemical disinfection means can employ a chemical disinfectant incorporated into the one-or-more polymeric layers of the body to disinfect the cladding.

Abstract: A thrombo-resistant catheter includes a hydrogel coating containing a thrombolytic agent. The thrombolytic agent may be a lyophilized tissue plasminogen activator. The catheter has an intraluminal surface and an extraluminal surface, and the hydrogel coating is disposed on the intraluminal surface and/or the extraluminal surface. The hydrogel coating may have a thickness in the range of about 50 nm to about 150 nm. The hydrogel coating may contain from about 0.1 wt. % to about 1 wt. % tissue plasminogen activator. The hydrogel coating may be made of a synthetic hydrogel or a natural hydrogel. Presently preferred synthetic hydrogels include polyacrylamide-based hydrogels. Presently preferred natural hydrogels include hyaluronic acid-based hydrogels. The hydrogel coating reacts in the presence of a physiological fluid to absorb water and elute the thrombolytic agent. The hydrogel controls elution of the thrombolytic agent. Examples of physiological fluid include interstitial fluid and blood.

Abstract: Ultraviolet light disinfection systems expose medical devices, surfaces, patients and healthcare clinicians to UV light having wavelengths consist with killing microorganisms. UV light systems may use logic to govern the operation of UV light sources so as to apply a disinfecting dose of the UV light. UV detectors measure UV light exposure. Enclosures contain medical devices and flood the medical devices with the UV light. Some enclosures accommodate a person. Some UV systems project UV light onto high-touch surfaces of a healthcare environment. Some systems may be deployed within a patient transport vehicle. Some UV systems may be incorporated into medical devices.

Abstract: An infusion system for in-line disinfection of a prepared infusate with UV light can include a vascular access device (“VAD”) and a UV light ring. The VAD can include an intracorporeal conduit, one or more extracorporeal conduits fluidly connected to the intracorporeal conduit, a hub between a proximal portion of the intracorporeal conduit and one or more respective distal portions of the one-or-more extracorporeal conduits, and one or more respective connectors of the one-or-more extracorporeal conduits. The intracorporeal conduit is configured to be percutaneously inserted into a patient, and the extracorporeal conduit is configured to remain outside a body of the patient. The UV light ring can be configured to encircle a portion of an infusion lumen of the VAD and irradiate the prepared infusate within the infusion lumen with the UV light for infusing a disinfected infusate into the patient during an infusion of the patient.

Abstract: A disinfection device for disinfecting a hub of a medical device includes a housing having a first end and a second end, a power source, an ultraviolet light source, and a connection mechanism located at the first end of the housing, wherein connection of the hub of the medical device to the disinfection device initiates a disinfection process configured to disinfect the hub. the ultraviolet source may be a light emitting diode with a peak of wavelength within the range of 100-400 nm (specific implementations being 225-264 nm) and the connection mechanism includes one or more of a screw thread, a channel, ridge, a friction fit connector, a magnet, or a ferromagnetic material. The disinfection device may include a port located on the second end, wherein the one or more port is configured for coupling to an external device and receiving a charge or power supply from the external device.

Abstract: A disinfecting device having a housing and an ultraviolet source located in the housing. The disinfecting device may include a tube that includes a first end connected to the housing and a second end free of the housing. An end cap may be located at the second end of the tube. In use, ultraviolet light may be emitted from the ultraviolet source and propagated to the end cap in order to disinfect a portion of a medical device.

Abstract: A disinfection system can include a console and an operably connected disinfection unit. The console can have electronic circuitry including memory with executable instructions configured to cause the console to perform various processes when executed by one or more processors of the console. The various processes can include characterizing with medical-device characterization logic characteristics of at least an elongate portion of a medical device for establishing or maintaining vascular access in a patient. The various processes can also include determining with disinfection logic a disinfection profile for disinfecting at least the elongate portion of the medical device with ultraviolet (“UV”) light. The disinfection unit can include a disinfection compartment suitably sized to enclose the medical device therein.

Abstract: A system for treating infections in patients that includes an elongate probe configured for insertion into the patient body and a system module coupled with the probe. Sensors are disposed along the probe that detect infectious substances or physiological symptoms of the patient. The probe also includes light disseminating devices configured to expose the infectious substances to a light capable of disrupting the infectious substances, such as light within the ultraviolet spectrum. System logic may activate the light disseminating devices in response to sensor signals. A wireless connection enables clinician interaction with the system via external computing devices. The sensors may be disposed on external surfaces or internal luminal surfaces of the probe. The light disseminating devices may project the light away from the external surfaces or within a lumen of the probe. The light disseminating devices may include optical fibers.

Abstract: A system and method for disinfecting medical devices includes a covering for a medical cart that exposes medical devices disposed on the cart to a disinfecting ultraviolet light. The covering includes a light emitting system that includes a number of UV light sources, such as LEDs, configured to define an ultraviolet light environment beneath the covering. The light emitting system may include one or more light pipes and/or optical fibers. systems and methods. An opaque layer of the covering contains the ultraviolet light environment beneath the covering. Portions of the light emitting system suspend from the covering so as to emit UV light between adjacent medical devices on the cart.

Abstract: System and methods for disinfecting ultrasound probes including a disinfection module operably and physically coupled with an ultrasound-imaging system including an ultrasound probe. The disinfection module is configured to expose the external surface of the ultrasound probe to UV light to define a high-level disinfection process. Sensors determine when the ultrasound probe is disposed within a disinfecting cavity of the disinfection module and logic governs the operation of UV light sources. Logic determines a contamination level of the probe and defines an appropriate disinfection level. Exposing the probe to hydrogen peroxide is an alternative to the UV light. Logic may activate the high-level disinfection process upon placement of the probe within the cavity.