Therapeutic illumination assemblies and methods of illuminating medical devices and biological material using the same

A therapeutic illumination assembly includes a catheter and a point source treatment fiber. The catheter comprises a catheter wall encircling a luminal fluid pathway. The point source treatment fiber is positioned within the luminal fluid pathway of the catheter. Further, the point source treatment fiber comprises a plurality of light emitting point sources intermittently positioned along a treatment length of the point source treatment fiber such that the plurality of light emitting point sources irradiate the catheter when the plurality of light emitting point sources emit light.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to therapeutic illumination assemblies. More specifically, the present disclosure introduces technology for therapeutic illumination assemblies having one or more light emitting point sources.

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to the subject matter of the present disclosure, a therapeutic illumination assembly includes a catheter and a point source treatment fiber. The catheter includes a catheter wall encircling a luminal fluid pathway. The point source treatment fiber is positioned within the luminal fluid pathway of the catheter. Further, the point source treatment fiber includes a plurality of light emitting point sources intermittently positioned along a treatment length of the point source treatment fiber such that the plurality of light emitting point sources irradiate the catheter when the plurality of light emitting point sources emit light.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of irradiating a catheter includes inserting an internal length of a catheter into a patient. The catheter includes a catheter wall encircling a luminal fluid pathway. The catheter includes an external length fluidly coupled to the internal length at an insertion region of the catheter. The method further includes inserting a point source treatment fiber includes a plurality of light emitting point sources intermittently positioned along a treatment length of the point source treatment fiber into the luminal fluid pathway of the catheter and irradiating the catheter using the plurality of light emitting point sources.

Although the concepts of the present disclosure are described herein with primary reference to some specific therapeutic illumination assembly configurations, it is contemplated that the concepts will enjoy applicability to therapeutic illumination assemblies having any configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1is a schematic illustration of a therapeutic illumination assembly100. The therapeutic illumination assembly100comprises a catheter110and a point source treatment fiber140. The catheter110comprises a catheter wall112encircling a luminal fluid pathway120. The catheter wall112comprises a fluid facing surface114that confines the luminal fluid pathway120and an outer facing surface116opposite the fluid facing surface114. The luminal fluid pathway120is configured to provide a pathway for fluid flowing through the catheter110, for example, treatment fluids, biological fluids, or the like. Further, the catheter110may comprise any catheter, for example, a percutaneous catheter, an indwelling catheter, a peripherally inserted central catheter, a permanent catheter (permacath), or the like.

The point source treatment fiber140is positioned within the luminal fluid pathway120of the catheter110. At least a portion of the point source treatment fiber140may contact the fluid facing surface114, for example, coupled to the fluid facing surface114of the catheter wall112. Further, at least a portion of the point source treatment fiber140may be positioned within the luminal fluid pathway120without contacting the fluid facing surface114of the catheter wall112. The point source treatment fiber140comprises a plurality of light emitting point sources150intermittently positioned along a treatment length142of the point source treatment fiber140such that the plurality of light emitting point sources150irradiate the catheter110when the plurality of light emitting point sources150emit light. The treatment length142comprises the length of the point source treatment fiber140along which the plurality of light emitting point sources150are positioned, for example, a total length of the point source treatment fiber140or a partial length of the point source treatment fiber140.

The plurality of light emitting point sources150may comprise a plurality of diodes positioned along the treatment length142of the point source treatment fiber140, for example, one or more laser diodes, one or more light emitting diodes (LED), or a combination thereof. The point source treatment fiber140may comprise a guide wire and the plurality of diodes may be intermittently positioned along the guide wire, for example, intermittently coupled to the guide wire. Further, the plurality of light emitting point sources150may comprise an end of a transmissive optical fiber, a filament, a gaseous based illumination device, such as an incandescent bulb, an arc lamp, or the like. Further, the one or more light emitting point sources150may emit light comprising a wavelength of between about 200 nm and about 2000 nm for example, 350 nm, 405 nm, 500 nm, 650 nm, 860 nm, 870 nm, 880 nm, or the like. The one or more light emitting point sources150may be configured to both generate and output light. Alternatively, the one or more light emitting point sources150may be optically coupled to a therapeutic light source160configured to generate light such that the one or more light emitting point sources150may output light when the therapeutic light source160generates light.

The point source treatment fiber140may comprise a therapeutic optical fiber optically coupled to the therapeutic light source160and the plurality of light emitting point sources150may comprise one or more fiber defect regions intermittently positioned along the treatment length142of the therapeutic optical fiber, one or more fiber gratings intermittently positioned along the treatment length142of the therapeutic optical fiber, or combinations thereof. Further, the therapeutic optical fiber may comprise a light diffusing optical fiber intermittently coated with an opaque coating such that uncoated portions of the light diffusing optical fiber comprise the plurality of light emitting point sources150.

Still referring toFIG. 1, the plurality of light emitting point sources150may be equally spaced along the treatment length142of the point source treatment fiber140. Further, the plurality of light emitting point sources150may be spaced such that when the plurality of light emitting point sources150emit light, locations along the catheter wall112aligned with a midpoint M between each individual light emitting point source150receive an amount of irradiation between about 50% and about 95% of the amount of irradiation received by locations along the catheter wall112aligned with each individual light emitting point sources150of the plurality of light emitting point sources150, for example, about 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, or the like. Further, the plurality of light emitting point sources150may comprise any spacing relationship along the treatment length142of the point source treatment fiber140.

As depicted inFIG. 1, the point source treatment fiber140may be coupled to a motion actuator170at an actuator coupling location172of the point source treatment fiber140. In operation, the motion actuator170may translate the point source treatment fiber140within the luminal fluid pathway120of the catheter110, for example, linearly, radially, circumferentially, or the like. The motion actuator170may comprise any actuating device, for example, an electric actuator (e.g., an electric motor), a mechanical actuator, a hydraulic actuator, a pneumatic actuator, or the like. Moreover, the plurality of light emitting point sources150may operate as a boundary condition by stopping bacteria from traversing down the catheter110, for example, by removing the bacteria.

Referring still toFIG. 1, a method of irradiating the catheter110is contemplated. The method may comprise inserting an internal length124of the catheter110into a patient at an insertion location of the patient. The catheter110may further comprise an external length122fluidly coupled to the internal length124at an insertion region126of the catheter110. When the internal length124of the catheter110is inserted into the patient, the internal length124is positioned in the patient, the insertion region126is substantially co-located with the insertion location of the patient, and the external length122is positioned outside the patient.

Next, the method may comprise inserting the point source treatment fiber140comprising the plurality of light emitting point sources150intermittently positioned along the treatment length142of the point source treatment fiber140into the luminal fluid pathway120of the catheter110. The point source treatment fiber140may comprise any of the point source treatment fibers140described above. The point source treatment fiber140may extend within the luminal fluid pathway120of the catheter110along at least a portion of the external length122of the catheter110and/or at least a portion of the internal length124of the catheter110. Further, the point source treatment fiber140may extend within the luminal fluid pathway120along at least a portion both the internal length124and the external length122such that at least a portion of the point source treatment fiber140is positioned at the insertion region126of the catheter110. Moreover, at least a portion of the point source treatment fiber140may be coupled to the fluid facing surface114of the catheter wall112, for example, at the insertion region126of the catheter110. Next, the method comprises irradiating the catheter110using the plurality of light emitting point sources150. By irradiating the catheter110, the light emitting point sources150may irradiate the tissue surrounding the internal length124of the catheter110and irradiate fluid traversing the luminal fluid pathway120, and/or a percutaneous lesion near the catheter110, for example, to disinfect the catheter110, fluid traversing the catheter110, and/or tissue surrounding the catheter110.

The method may further comprise actuating the motion actuator170to linearly, radially, and/or circumferentially translate the point source treatment fiber140. For example, the motion actuator170may linearly reciprocate the point source treatment fiber140along a stroke length LSof the point source treatment fiber140. For example, the stroke length LSmay be equal to one-half a spacing distance DSbetween adjacent light emitting point sources150. Alternatively or additionally, the method may further comprise actuating the motion actuator170to radially reciprocate the point source treatment fiber140with respect to the catheter wall112of the catheter110, for example, radially reciprocate the point source treatment fiber140between a cross-sectional center point of the catheter110and one or more locations along the catheter wall112or between the cross sectional center point and the catheter wall112. Alternatively or additionally, the method may further comprise actuating the motion actuator170to translate the point source treatment fiber140circumferentially along to the catheter wall112of the catheter110.

Referring now toFIG. 2, the therapeutic illumination assembly100is depicted comprising the catheter110and one or more light emitting point sources150. The one or more light emitting point sources150may be intermittently positioned on the outer facing surface116, for example, coupled to the outer facing surface116of the catheter wall112. The one or more light emitting point sources150may comprise a plurality of diodes coupled to the outer facing surface116of the catheter wall112, for example, one or more laser diodes, one or more light emitting diodes (LED), or a combination thereof. The one or more light emitting point sources150may be intermittently positioned along a treatment length142of a point source treatment fiber140, which may comprise a guide wire, a therapeutic optical fiber optically coupled to a therapeutic light source160, or the like. Further, the point source treatment fiber140may be optically coupled to the therapeutic light source160using a transmission fiber162. Moreover, the one or more light emitting point sources150may comprise any of the light emitting point sources150described above.

As depicted inFIG. 2, at least a portion of the treatment length142of the point source treatment fiber140may be coupled to the outer facing surface116of the catheter110at the insertion region126of the catheter110and least a portion of the treatment length142of point source treatment fiber140may encircle the catheter wall112of the catheter110at the insertion region126of the catheter110. Further, when the internal length124of the catheter110is positioned within the patient, the one or more light emitting point sources150may be positioned on the outer facing surface116of the catheter wall112at the insertion region126of the catheter110such that the plurality of light emitting point sources150irradiate the insertion region126of the catheter110when the plurality of light emitting point sources150emit light. Further, the plurality of light emitting point sources150intermittently positioned on the outer facing surface116may be used to irradiate a percutaneous lesion near the catheter110.

Referring now toFIG. 3, the therapeutic illumination assembly100is depicted comprising the catheter110and one or more light emitting point sources150positioned at a location spaced apart from the catheter110, external to the catheter110, for example, positioned at a location spaced apart from the outer facing surface116of the catheter wall112. In operation, the one or more light emitting point sources150may be positioned and oriented such that when the one or more light emitting point sources150emit light, the emitted light may illuminate the insertion region126of the catheter110when the internal length124of the catheter110is positioned within the patient. The one or more light emitting point sources150may comprise any of the light emitting point sources150described above. Further, the one or more light emitting point sources150may comprise an end of a transmission optical fiber.

Referring now toFIGS. 4-5, the therapeutic illumination assembly100may comprise a therapeutic illumination patch180and one or more light emitting point sources150. The therapeutic illumination patch180may comprise a wound facing surface182and one or more outer facing surfaces184and may comprise an optically transmissive material. Further, the one or more light emitting point sources150are each optically coupled to the therapeutic illumination patch180such that the plurality of light emitting point sources150irradiate the therapeutic illumination patch180when the plurality of light emitting point sources150output light. For example, the plurality of light emitting point sources150may be affixed to one or more of the outer facing surfaces184of the therapeutic illumination patch180. Moreover, the therapeutic illumination patch180may comprise an adhesive material disposed on the wound facing surface182. The adhesive material may comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive, an acrylic adhesive, or a combination thereof.

As depicted inFIG. 4, the optically transmissive material of the therapeutic illumination patch180may be optically diffusive such that when the plurality of light emitting point sources150irradiate the therapeutic illumination patch180, at least a portion of light emitted from the plurality of light emitting point sources150traverses from the optically transmissive material of the therapeutic illumination patch180through the wound facing surface182of the therapeutic illumination patch180. Further, when the wound facing surface182of the therapeutic illumination patch180is positioned adjacent to a patient, for example, coupled to the patient, light that traverses through the wound facing surface182may irradiate tissue and/or skin of the patient, for example, a wound of the patient.

As depicted inFIG. 5, the therapeutic illumination patch180may comprise a waveguide structurally and compositionally configured such that at least a portion of the light emitted from the plurality of light emitting point sources150is subject to internal reflection at the wound facing surface182of the therapeutic illumination patch180and is subject to at least partial refraction at an optical interface formed by a patient surface and at least a portion of the wound facing surface182of the therapeutic illumination patch180. In operation, when the wound facing surface182of the therapeutic illumination patch180is in contact with a patient, for example, positioned on tissue and/or skin of the patient, such as a wound of the patient, light traversing the therapeutic illumination patch may subject to at least partial refraction at the optical interface formed by contact with the patient such that at least a portion of light traversing the therapeutic illumination patch180irradiates the tissue and/or the skin of the patient, for example, a wound of the patient.

As depicted inFIGS. 6A-6C and 7A-7B, example therapeutic assemblies200may comprise one or more light emitting devices250optically and/or physically coupled to one or more surgical devices210. As depicted inFIG. 6A, the one or more light emitting devices250comprise one or more light diffusing optical fibers coupled to a surgical device210, for example, a surgical retractor. As depicted inFIGS. 6B and 6C, the one or more light emitting devices250may comprise one or more light emitting point sources, for example, any of the light emitting point sources150described above with respect toFIGS. 1-5, and the surgical device210may comprise a surgical retractor. For example,FIG. 6Bdepicts a plurality of light emitting point sources positioned along a length of the surgical retractor, for example, along a blade of the surgical retractor. Further,FIG. 6Cdepicts a single light emitting point source positioned at a blade end of the surgical device such that the single light emitting point source is oriented to emit light in direction away from the blade end. As depicted inFIG. 7A, the one or more light emitting devices250may be coupled to a surgical device210comprising a trocar. As depicted inFIG. 7B, the one or more light emitting devices250may be coupled to a surgical device210comprising a cannula. As depicted in bothFIGS. 7A and 7B, the one or more light emitting devices250may wrap around, extend through, or otherwise attach to the trocar and the cannula. Further, the one or more light emitting devices250ofFIGS. 7A and 7Bmay comprise one or more light diffusing optical fibers and/or one or more light emitting point sources, for example, any of the light emitting point sources150described above with respect toFIGS. 1-5.

Referring now toFIGS. 8A and 8B, the one or more light emitting devices250comprising light diffusing optical fiber and/or one or more light emitting point sources may be positioned within one or more surgical cavities of a patient, for example, positioned between a liver and a stomach, as depicted inFIG. 8A, positioned within the thoracic and abdominal cavities, as depicted inFIG. 8B, or positioned within any surgical cavity. In operation, the one or more light emitting devices250may emit light into the surgical cavity and irradiate tissue surrounding the surgical cavity, fluid located within the surgical cavity, and/or one or more surgical tools positioned within the surgical cavity, for example, at wavelengths that may disinfect each of the same, for example, wavelengths between 200 nm and 2000 nm, for example 405 nm. Referring now toFIG. 9, the one or more light emitting devices250may be positioned apart from a patient and a surgical cavity of a patient, for example, coupled to a movable surgical lamp such that the one or more light emitting devices250may emit light to irradiate and disinfect the surgical cavity and areas of the patients surrounding the surgical cavity.

Referring now toFIGS. 10A and 10B, example therapeutic illumination assemblies300are depicted that comprise one or more light emitting devices350optically and/or physically coupled to a tissue housing device310such that the one or more light emitting devices350may irradiate liquid and/or soft tissues housed within the tissue housing device310. For example, the one or more light emitting devices350may be coupled to one or more interior surfaces of the tissue housing device310and/or one or more exterior surfaces of the tissue housing device310, for example, when the tissue housing device310comprises an optically transmissive material. As depicted inFIG. 10C, the tissue housing device310may comprise a tissue transplant housing device for housing one or more organs, tissues, or the like, for transport between locations. Further, the one or more light emitting devices350may be coupled to an interior surface of the tissue transplant housing device to irradiate the one or more organs, tissues, or the like, housed within the tissue transplant housing device.

Referring now toFIG. 11, an example therapeutic illumination assembly300is depicted comprising one or more light emitting devices350optically and/or physically coupled to a tissue disinfecting device320such that the one or more light emitting devices350may irradiate liquid, gases, and/or soft tissues traversing the tissue disinfecting device320. In operation, soft tissues, biological fluids, treatment fluids, gases, or the like, may traverse the tissue disinfecting device320to disinfect these tissues and/or fluids. Further, the one or more light emitting devices350ofFIGS. 10A-10C and 11may comprise one or more light diffusing optical fibers and/or one or more light emitting point sources, for example, any of the light emitting point sources150described above with respect toFIGS. 1-5.

Referring now toFIG. 12, the one or more light emitting devices350may be positioned within one or more cavities or lumens within an organ or tissue, for example, a heart or other organ. Further, the one or more light emitting devices350may be positioned around and/or on an organ or tissue, for example, wrapped around the organ or tissue. For example, the one or more light emitting devices350may be positioned within the luminal organ or tissue before and/or during transport of the luminal organ or tissue, for example, before a transplant procedure such that the one or more light emitting devices350may emit light to irradiate the cavities of the luminal organ or tissue, for example, to disinfect the luminal organ or tissue. Further, the one or more light emitting devices350may be positioned within an organ or tissue as depicted inFIG. 12while the organ or tissue traverses the tissue disinfecting device320ofFIG. 11.

Referring now toFIGS. 13A-15B, a method of irradiating, in situ, biological fluids flowing through luminal regions (e.g., blood vessels) using a therapeutic illumination assembly400is contemplated. The therapeutic illumination assembly400may comprise a fiber housing vessel410and one or more light emitting devices450, which may each be positioned within luminal regions of a patient. The fiber housing vessel410comprises one or more housing vessel fluid pathways420and the one or more light emitting devices450may be positioned within the one or more housing vessel fluid pathways420. Further, the housing vessel fluid pathways420may be cross-sectionally spaced such that the one or more light emitting devices450positioned within the housing vessel fluid pathways420are cross-sectionally spaced apart.

The one or more light emitting devices450may comprise one or more light diffusing optical fibers and/or one or more light emitting point sources, for example, any of the light emitting point sources150described above with respect toFIGS. 1-5, such as an optical fiber comprising glass, polymer, or other transparent material, a light emitting diode, a light emitting metallic element, or the like. When the one or more light emitting devices450comprise fibers such as light diffusing optical fibers, point source treatment fibers, therapeutic optical fibers, or the like, the fibers may extend within the housing vessel fluid pathways420. Further, optical fibers, for example, light diffusing optical fibers, may be thin, flexible, and durable and thus are advantageous for insertion into a living and moving organism, for example, into the aorta of the inferior vena cava, and/or into an insertion region of a leg, neck, arm, or the like. Further, the one or more light emitting devices450may be optically coupled to at least one therapeutic light source configured to emit light.

In operation, biological fluid flowing through the one or more luminal regions of the patient may be irradiated using light output by the one or more light emitting devices450, disinfecting the biological fluid without the bacteria becoming resistant to the irradiation treatment. Further, once light irradiates the biological fluid, the light may be absorbed and/or scattered by the biological fluid. In operation, the light emitting devices450may emit light at a wavelength between about 200 nm and about 2000 nm, for example, about 405 nm, to irradiate the biological fluid and irradiate any microorganisms present in the biological fluid. Any biological fluids are contemplated, for example, blood or whole blood, which may comprise of a variety of chemicals, biological markers, human cells, or the like. Further, the method of irradiating biological fluids flowing through one or more luminal regions may be may be used to treat sepsis in the patient.

As stated above, the one or more light emitting devices450may comprise light diffusing optical fibers, for example Corning™ Fibrance™ light diffusing optical fibers. In operation, light diffusing optical fiber may be advantageous because light diffusing optical fiber is configured to emit continual illumination, allowing the light diffusing optical fiber to continually disinfect of blood flowing through the luminal regions of the patient. Further, one or more light diffusing optical fibers, for example Corning™ Fibrance™ light diffusing optical fiber may comprise glass and may emit light at a high transmission rate.

Referring now toFIGS. 13A and 13B, the one or more luminal regions of the patient may comprise a variety of sizes and shapes and may comprise different tissue properties and capacities (e.g., biological fluid volume capacities). Luminal region composition and placement may be considered when designing the components of the therapeutic illumination assembly400. In operation, the luminal regions of the patient may confine the biological fluid to a passage narrow enough such that the one or more light emitting devices450may be positioned within the luminal regions and may irradiate the biological fluid as it traverses the light emitting devices450without use of the fiber housing vessel410.

Referring now toFIGS. 13C-13F, the fiber housing vessel410may be positioned within the luminal region of the patient to confine the biological fluid into a smaller channel, such that the light diffusing optical fiber or other emitting device450may effectively irradiate the biological fluid.FIGS. 13C-13Ddepict the fiber housing vessel410comprising a dual balloon system which confines the flowpath of biological fluid into a tube.FIGS. 13E-13Fdepict the fiber housing vessel410comprising a single balloon system in which the balloon blocks a portion (e.g., a majority) of the luminal region to confine the flow of biological fluid. Further, the fiber housing vessel410depicted inFIGS. 13C-13Fmay not need to be cross-sectionally centered within the luminal region. In operation, confining the biological fluid may ensure that enough light irradiates to the blood before the light is absorbed or scattered. Further, the fiber housing vessel410may comprise a stent, graft, or other expandable device to selectively and mechanically constrict the flow of biological fluid. Moreover, the fiber housing vessel410may be inserted into the patient and operated external to the patient, for example, an actuator located external to the patient may control the expansion of the fiber housing vessel410, such that the fiber housing vessel410may fit tightly within the luminal region of the patient.

Referring now toFIGS. 14A-14F, 15A, and 15B, the fiber housing vessel410may comprise multiple housing vessel fluid pathways420that provide discrete housing locations for multiple light diffusing optical fibers or other light emitting devices450and that each provide a fluid channel to facilitate biological fluid flow. As depicted inFIGS. 14A and 14B, by spacing multiple light emitting devices450within a luminal region, the light emitting devices450may irradiate some or all the luminal region of the patient. As depicted inFIGS. 14C and 14D, the fiber housing vessel410may comprises a plurality of transparent tubes which may be held in a cross sectionally spaced arrangement by a mounting device, which may be positioned external or internal the luminal region of the patient and may be external to the patient. As depicted inFIGS. 14E and 14F, the fiber housing vessel410may comprise a plurality of balloons to provide multiple channels. For example, a dual balloon system may be used to place a number of tubes within the luminal regions of the patient such that biological fluid may flow by the light emitting devices450which may irradiate the biological fluid.

As depicted inFIGS. 15A and 15B, the fiber housing vessel410may comprise multiple housing vessel fluid pathways420that allow blood to freely flow through luminal regions of the patient. The fiber housing vessel410may comprise variety of sizes to account for the different sized luminal regions of the patient. Further, the fiber housing vessel410may comprise a stent (e.g., a transparent stent), a wire, a graft, a balloon, or other medical device comprising a polymer, ceramic, glass, metal, or other material and may be configured such that the fiber housing vessel410may separate one or more light emitting devices450equally or unequally within the housing vessel fluid pathways420. Further, the fiber housing vessel410may be inserted into the patient and operated external to the patient, for example, an actuator located external to the patient may control the expansion of the fiber housing vessel410, such that the fiber housing vessel410may fit tightly within the luminal region of the patient.