Patent Publication Number: US-2020289689-A1

Title: Disinfecting Methods and Apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 16/012,182, filed Jun. 19, 2018. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to devices having disinfecting capabilities and to methods for disinfecting any of a host of devices or surfaces including, for example, devices used in the medical treatment of patients. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Unwanted and dangerous bacteria growth can occur on or in devices that are commonly used to treat patients. These devices may include tracheal intubation devices that are susceptible to bacteria growth at the intubation tube and ventilator tubing set connection location, and externally on the external surface of the intubation tube, bite block and ventilator tube holder. Hospital acquired infections account for a substantial yearly expense to hospitals and insurance companies, and are a major cause of extending hospital stays for patients. 
     Unwanted and dangerous bacteria growth can occur on or in devices outside the medical field. Examples of non-medical devices include equipment or components of water processing plants, food processing plants, dairies, livestock habitation facilities, etc. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     According to some implementations disclosed herein are devices and assemblies associated with intubation tubes wherein at least some of the components of the assemblies possess optical fibers adapted to deliver bacterial disinfecting light for the purpose of disinfecting said components and areas in close proximity thereto. 
     According to some implementations the assemblies include a bite block through which the intubation tube is configured to pass when in use. According to some implementations the bite block has embedded therein one or more radially emitting fibers that are each connectable to a bacterial disinfecting light source, such as a laser. The light may be any wavelength of light that is capable of killing bacteria, such as, for example, ultra violet (UV) light and blue light. 
     According to some implementations the assemblies include a lip guard through which a bite block passes. The inner face of the lip guard is configured to face the mouth region of the patient. According to some implementations the lip guard has embedded therein one or more radially emitting fibers that are connectable to a bacterial disinfecting light source. 
     According to some implementations the proximal end of the intubation tube is provided with a male connector that is coupled to a female connector associated with a ventilator tube set. Bacterial growth in areas of stagnation within and around the connectors can occur. For this reason, according to some implementations one or both of the male and female connectors have embedded therein one or more optical fibers that are configured to direct bacterial disinfecting light internal to the connectors. According to some implementations the one or more optical fibers are radially emitting fibers, whereas according to other implementations the one or more optical fibers are side firing optical fibers and/or end emitting fibers. 
     According to some implementations, internal disinfection of the male and female connectors is accomplished through the use of a collar having embedded therein one or more optical fibers that fully, or at least partially, surround said connectors. According to some implementations the one or more optical fibers are radially emitting fibers, whereas according to other implementations the one or more optical fibers are side firing optical fibers and/or end emitting fibers. 
     The light emitted by the various optical fibers disclosed herein may be any wavelength of light that is capable of killing bacteria, such as, for example, ultra violet (UV) light and blue light. An advantage of using light to kill bacteria is that it is not susceptible to the danger of antimicrobial resistance that can occur with the use of pharmacologic or chemical agents. Another advantage is that there are severe side effects associated with many pharmacologic or chemical agents are avoided. 
     It is important to note that although the forthcoming disclosure is directed primarily to tracheal intubation devices, it is in no way limited to such devices. For example, the apparatus and methods disclosed herein related to killing bacteria with light are applicable to other types of medical devices and non-medical devices. The use of embedded optical fibers in connectors and/or collars that surround them can also be applied to other medical and non-medical devices in which connectors are used. Examples of non-medical devices include equipment or components of water processing plants, food processing plants, dairies, livestock habitation facilities, etc. 
     According to some implementations a flexible bacterial disinfecting apparatus is provided that is configured to bacterially disinfect surfaces of different shapes, the apparatus comprising: 
     a flexible body capable of assuming different shapes, the flexible body being made of a material that is transparent to light and having formed therein a channel/recess; 
     a radially emitting fiber having a length and being disposed in the channel/recess, the radially emitting fiber having a longitudinal axis and configured to radially emit bacterial disinfecting light, at least a portion of the radially emitting fiber having an axial and/or radial freedom of movement inside the channel/recess when the flexible body changes shape, the axial and/or radial freedom of movement reducing the amount of tensile stress applied along the length of the radially emitting fiber when the flexible body transitions between the planar and non-planar states as compared to an amount of tensile stress that would otherwise be applied to the radially emitting fiber in an absence of the axial and/or radial freedom of movement of the radially emitting fiber inside the channel/recess. 
     According to some implementations a method of making an apparatus for bacterially disinfecting a surface is provided that comprises: 
     obtaining a light transparent body that has a front face and a back face with there being a channel/recess formed in the front face; 
     applying to the back face of the body a light reflecting element that is configured to reflect light in a direction toward the front face of the body; 
     inserting a radially emitting fiber into the channel/recess to form a subassembly that includes the light transparent body, the light reflecting element and the radially emitting fiber, the radially emitting fiber being configured to radially emit bacterial disinfecting light; and 
     injection molding a light transparent liner over at least the front face of the light transparent body. 
     According to some implementations a method for making an apparatus for bacterially disinfecting a surface is provided that comprises: 
     obtaining a light transparent body that has a front face and a back face with there being a channel/recess formed in the front face; 
     applying to the back face of the body a light reflecting element that is configured to reflect light in a direction toward the front face of the body, the light reflecting element having a back face and a front face that faces the back face of the body; 
     inserting a radially emitting fiber that is configured to radially emit bacterial disinfecting light into the channel/recess; 
     applying an optical diffuser element over the front face of the body and the radially emitting fiber to form a subassembly that includes the light transparent body, the light reflecting element, the radially emitting fiber and the optical diffuser element. 
     injection molding a light transparent liner over at least the front face of the optical diffuser. 
     According to some implementations a method for making an apparatus for bacterially disinfecting a surface is provided that comprises: 
     obtaining a light transparent body that has a front face and a back face with there being a channel/recess formed in the front face; 
     applying to the back face of the light transparent body a light reflecting element that is configured to reflect light in a direction toward the front face of the light transparent body, the light reflecting element having a back face and a front face that faces the back face of the light transparent body; 
     inserting a radially emitting fiber into the channel/recess to form a first subassembly that includes the light transparent body, the light reflecting element and the radially emitting fiber, the radially emitting fiber being configured to radially emit bacterial disinfecting light; 
     injection molding a light transparent first liner over the first subassembly, the first liner including a first portion that lies over the front face of the light transparent body and a second portion that lies over the back face of the light reflecting element, 
     applying an optical diffuser element over the first portion of the first liner to form a second subassembly that includes the light transparent body, the light reflecting element, the radially emitting fiber, the first liner and the optical diffuser; and 
     injection molding a light transparent second liner over the second subassembly. 
     According to some implementations an apparatus for bacterially disinfecting a surface is provided that comprises: 
     a tube-like body having a length and including an inner face, an outer face and a through opening, the through opening extending along the length of the tube-like body, the tube-like body being made of a material that is transparent to light and having formed in the outer face a channel/recess; 
     a radially emitting fiber having a longitudinal axis that is disposed in the channel/recess of the tube-like body, the radially emitting fiber having a length and configured to radially emit a bacterial disinfecting light along a majority of the length of the radially emitting fiber, the radially emitting fiber having an inner side that faces the toward the through opening and an outer side that faces away from the through opening; and 
     a light reflecting element disposed over the outer face of the tube-like surface and the outer side of the radially emitting fiber, the light reflecting element configured to reflect the bacterial disinfecting light emitted from the outer side of the radially emitting fiber in a direction toward the through opening of the tube-like body. 
     According to some implementations an apparatus for bacterially disinfecting a surface is provided that comprises: 
     a tube-like body having a length and including an inner face, an outer face and a through opening, the through opening extending along the length of the tube-like body, the tube-like body being made of a material that is transparent to light and having formed in the outer face a channel/recess; 
     a radially emitting fiber having a longitudinal axis that is disposed in the channel/recess of the tube-like body, the radially emitting fiber having a length and configured to radially emit a bacterial disinfecting light along a majority of the length of the radially emitting fiber, the radially emitting fiber having an inner side that faces the toward the through opening and an outer side that faces away from the through opening; and 
     a light reflecting element disposed over the outer face of the tube-like surface and the outer side of the radially emitting fiber, the light reflecting element configured to reflect the bacterial disinfecting light emitted from the outer side of the radially emitting fiber in a direction toward the through opening of the tube-like body. 
     These and other advantages and features will become evident in view of the drawings and detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1A and 1B  respectively show a side view and cross-section view of a radially emitting optical fiber according to one implementation. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an end emitting optical fiber according to one implementations. 
         FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of an endotracheal tube assembly. 
         FIG. 3B  illustrates the endotracheal tube assembly of  FIG. 3A  having a light disinfecting element disposed about a connector that connects a ventilator tube set to an intubation tube. 
         FIG. 3C  is an exploded perspective view of the endotracheal tube assembly shown in  FIG. 3B . 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  show perspective views of an endotracheal tube support assembly according to one implementation. 
         FIG. 5A  shows an exploded perspective view of an endotracheal tube support assembly according to one implementation. 
         FIG. 5B  shows an assembled perspective view of the endotracheal tube support assembly shown in  FIG. 5A . 
         FIG. 6A  shows an exploded perspective view of a lip guard according to one implementation. 
         FIG. 6B  shows an assembled front perspective view of the lip guard shown in  FIG. 6A . 
         FIG. 7A  shows a top view of a lip guard substrate having formed therein a recess of uniform cross-section. 
         FIG. 7B  shows a top view of a lip guard substrate having formed therein a recess of varying cross-section. 
         FIGS. 8A-D  show cross-sectional views of a recesses formed in a substrate of a lip guard, the recesses being configured to house at least partially encompass a radially emitting fiber. 
         FIGS. 9A-C  show top views of lip guard substrates having housed in recesses formed therein a radially emitting fiber. 
         FIGS. 10A-D  show cross-sectional views of lip guards according to various implementations. 
         FIG. 11  is an exploded perspective view of a lip guard according to another implementation. 
         FIGS. 12A and 12B  show cross-sectional views of the lip guard of  FIG. 11  assembled according to some implementations. 
         FIG. 13  is an exploded perspective view of a lip guard according to yet another implementation. 
         FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view of the lip guard of  FIG. 13  assembled according to one implementation. 
         FIG. 15A  is an exploded perspective view of a lip guard according to another implementation. 
         FIG. 15B  shows in detail some of the clip connectors of the lip guard of  FIG. 15A . 
         FIG. 15C  shows the radially emitting fiber of  FIG. 15A  attached to the flexible substrate by use of the clip connectors. 
         FIG. 16A  is a perspective view of an assembled light disinfecting collar according to one implementation. 
         FIG. 16B  is an exploded perspective view of the light disinfecting collar of  FIG. 16A . 
         FIG. 17  is an enlarged perspective view of an inner member of the light disinfecting collar shown in  FIG. 16A . 
         FIG. 18A  is a perspective view of a light disinfecting collar according to another implementation. 
         FIG. 18B  is an exploded perspective view of the light disinfecting collar of  FIG. 18A . 
         FIGS. 19A-C  show various perspective views of a first part of the light disinfecting collar of  FIG. 18B . 
         FIG. 20A  is a partial cross-sectional top view of the first part shown in  FIG. 19B  with a side firing fiber located inside an air filled cavity. 
         FIG. 20B  shows the side firing fiber of  FIG. 20A  emitting a bacterial disinfecting light beam inward toward the through opening of the first part of the light disinfecting collar. 
         FIG. 21  is a cross-sectional top view of the first part shown in  FIG. 19B  with each of the optical fibers emitting a light beam inward toward the central through opening of the first part of the light disinfecting collar. 
         FIG. 22  shows the second part of the light disinfecting collar of  FIG. 18B   
         FIG. 23  shows a perspective view of the light disinfecting collar of  FIG. 18A  disposed about a portion of a connector that connects an end of the connector to the proximal end of an intubation tube. 
         FIG. 24A  is a perspective view of an assembled bite block according to one implementation. 
         FIG. 24B  is an exploded perspective view of a bite block according to one implementation. 
         FIG. 24C  is an exploded perspective view of a bite block according to another implementation. 
         FIG. 24D  is an exploded perspective view of a bite block according to another implementation. 
         FIG. 24E  is an exploded perspective view of a bite block according to another implementation. 
         FIG. 25  shows a cross-sectional view of the assembled bite block of  FIG. 24C . 
         FIG. 26A  is an exploded perspective view of a bite block according to another implementation. 
         FIG. 26B  is an exploded perspective view of a bite block according to another implementation. 
         FIG. 26C  is an exploded perspective view of a bite block according to another implementation. 
         FIG. 27  shows a cross-sectional view of the assembled bite block of  FIG. 26A . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1A  is a schematic side view of a radially emitting fiber with a plurality of voids in the core of the radially emitting optical fiber  12  having a central axis  16 .  FIG. 1B  is a schematic cross-section of a radially emitting optical fiber  12  as viewed along the direction  1 B- 1 B in  FIG. 1A . Radially emitting fiber  12  can be, for example, an optical fiber with a nano-structured fiber region having periodic or non-periodic nano-sized structures  32  (for example voids). In an example implementation, fiber  12  includes a core  20  divided into three sections or regions. These core regions are: a solid central portion  22 , a nano-structured ring portion (inner annular core region)  26 , and outer, solid portion  28  surrounding the inner annular core region  26 . A cladding region  40  surrounds the annular core  20  and has an outer surface. The cladding  40  may have low refractive index to provide a high numerical aperture. The cladding  40  can be, for example, a low index polymer such as UV or thermally curable fluoroacrylate or silicone. 
     An optional coating  44  surrounds the cladding  40 . Coating  44  may include a low modulus primary coating layer and a high modulus secondary coating layer. In at least some implementations, coating layer  44  comprises a polymer coating such as an acrylate-based or silicone based polymer. In at least some implementations, the coating has a constant diameter along the length of the fiber. 
     In other exemplary implementations, coating  44  is designed to enhance the distribution and/or the nature of radiated light that passes from core  20  through cladding  40 . The outer surface of the cladding  40  or the of the outer of optional coating  44  represents the sides  48  of fiber  12  through which light traveling in the fiber is made to exit via scattering, as described herein. 
     A protective jacket (not shown) optionally covers the cladding  40 . 
     In some implementations, the core region  26  of radially emitting fiber  12  comprises a glass matrix  31  with a plurality of non-periodically disposed nano-sized structures (e.g., voids)  32  situated therein, such as the example voids shown in detail in the magnified inset of  FIG. 1B . In another example implementation, voids  32  may be periodically disposed, such as in a photonic crystal optical fiber, wherein the voids may have diameters between about 1×10-6 m and 1×10-5 m. Voids  32  may also be non-periodically or randomly disposed. In some exemplary implementations, glass  31  in region  26  is fluorine-doped silica, while in other implementations the glass may be an undoped pure silica. 
     The nano-sized structures  32  scatter the light away from the core  20  and toward the outer surface of the fiber. The scattered light is then diffused through the outer surface of the fiber  12  to provide the desired illumination. That is, most of the light is diffused (via scattering) through the sides of the fiber  12  and along the fiber length without the need to remove any portion of the cladding  40 . 
     According to some implementations the nano-sized structures  32  are formed in the cladding  40  of the fiber in lieu of or in conjunction with providing nano-sized structures in the core  12 . 
     According to some implementations the core  20  has a diameter in the range of 125-300 μm and the overall diameter of the fiber system, including the protective jacket, is in the range of 700 to 1200 μm. According to some implementation, the outer diameter of the fiber  12  without a jacket is in the range of 200-350 μm. 
     A detailed description of exemplary radially emitting optical fibers may be found in Reissue Pat. No. RE46,098 whose content is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     An example of a radially emitting optical fiber is the Fibrance® Light Diffusing Fiber manufactured by Corning® Incorporated located in Corning, N.Y. The Fibrance® Light Diffusing Fiber has many of the attributes of the radially emitting fiber  12  described above. An advantage of the Fibrance® Light Diffusing Fiber is that it emits light essentially along its entire length and has a small functional bend radius of around 5 millimeters which allows it be easily bent to assume a host of shapes. Breakage of the fiber typically occurs when it is bent to a bend radius of less than about 2 millimeters. 
     Radially emitting fibers like those disclosed in Reissue Pat. No. RE46,908 do not require the removal of a light reflective component or light reflective element to enable the emission of light radially from the optical fiber. 
     An end emitting optical fiber is an optical fiber that emits light from a terminal end of the fiber. Such emitted light is referred to herein as “end emitted light”. A multimode optical fiber  50 , like that shown in  FIG. 2 , is one example of an end emitting optical fiber wherein light is guided down the center of the fiber through the core  51  and out the end thereof. The fiber  50  includes a core  51  surrounded by a cladding  52 . The cladding  52  has a lower index of refraction than the core  51  and traps the light in the core using an optical technique called “total internal reflection.” The fiber  50  itself may include a coated “buffer” to protect the fiber from moisture and physical damage. The core  51  and cladding  52  are usually made of ultra-pure glass, although some fibers are all plastic or a glass core and plastic cladding. According to some implementations the core  51  has a diameter in the range of 50-250 μm and the diameter of the cladding  52  is typically around 100-500 μm. The overall diameter of the fiber system, including the buffer coating  53 , is typically around 150-750 μm. Breakage of the fiber typically occurs when it is bent to a bend radius of less than about 2 millimeters. 
     A “transport fiber” as used herein, refers to an optical fiber that transports light longitudinally through its core to an end of the fiber with little loss. That is, the vast majority (e.g., ≥90%) of the light fed into a proximal end of the transport fiber is delivered to the terminal end of the fiber. As explained in more detail below, transport fibers are used in a variety of the implementations disclosed and contemplated herein to couple a light source (e.g., a laser) to a radially emitting optical fiber and/or end emitting fiber. According to some implementations, the transport fibers disclosed herein are multimode optical fibers. 
     It is important to note that a radially emitting optical fiber, like the examples discussed above, may also emit light from the core  20  at a terminal end of the radially emitting optical fiber  12 . Thus, according to some implementations a disinfecting of a device may occur as a result of bacterial disinfecting light being emitted from both the circumference and the end of a radially emitting fiber. An optical fiber designated for this use is referred to herein as a “dual emitting fiber”. 
     Blue light and ultra-violet light have been shown to kill or curtail the growth of certain types of unwanted bacteria that is hazardous and potentially fatal to mammalian life. Examples of such bacteria are  Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Bacillus atrophaeus, Escherichia coli , Coagulase-negative staphylococci etc. In treatments involving a mammal, blue light is preferred over ultra-violet light due to detrimental effects of ultra-violet light on mammalian cells and possible damage to host tissue. In accordance with some implementations disclosed herein blue light at a wavelength of between 400-495 nm and an exposure of between 100-1,000 Joules/cm 2  is employed to kill the unwanted bacteria. According to other implementations, ultra-violet light at a wavelength of 10-400 nm and exposure up to 6 J/cm 2  is employed to kill unwanted bacteria. 
     It is important to note that the present disclosure is in no way limited to the use of blue light and ultra-violet light to kill unwanted bacteria. As briefly explained above, the present disclosure contemplates the use of any type of light that is susceptible to killing unwanted bacteria. 
       FIGS. 3A-C  depict perspective views of an endotracheal tube assembly (ETA)  100  according to one implementation. The ETA includes an intubation tube  101  that is connected to a ventilator tube set  102  via a connector  103 . The intubation tube has a proximal end portion  101   a  for connection to the connector  103  and a distal end portion  101   b  that is configured for placement in the trachea of a patient. According to one implementation, the connector  103  is L-shaped and includes first and second ends  103   a  and  103   b , each in the form of a female part. In such an implementation, an end  102   a  of the ventilator tube set  102  resides inside the first end  103   a  of the connector and the proximal end portion of  101   a  of the intubation tube  100  resides inside the second end  103   b  of the connector  103   b . It is appreciated that any of a variety of connection schemes may be employed to facilitate a fluid/air connection of the proximal end of the intubation tube  101  to the ventilator tube set  102 . 
     According to one aspect, one or more light disinfecting features are integrated in the connector  103  or are disposed about the connector  103  to effectuate a disinfecting of one or both of the connection locations of the intubation tube  101  with the connector  103  and the ventilator tube set  102  with the connector  103 . According to one implementation, as shown in  FIGS. 3B and 3C , the light disinfecting feature includes a light disinfecting collar  111  disposed about an area of the connector  103  where the proximal end portion  101   a  of the intubation tube  101  is connected to the second end  103   b  of the connector. The light disinfecting collar  111  includes one or more lighting features disposed therein that are configured to deliver bacterial disinfecting light inward toward the connection location of the proximal end of the intubation tube  101  with the connector  103 . According to one implementation bacterial disinfecting light is delivered to the light disinfecting collar  111  from a light source via an optical fiber set  112  that includes one or more optical fibers located inside a jacket  112   a  and connected to an optical connector  112   b . According to one implementation the optical connector  112   b  is an MPO connector that is configured for attachment to a laser light source. Other types of connectors, such as LC connectors, may also be used. As noted above, according to some implementations the one or more light disinfecting features may alternatively be disposed on or in the connector  103  itself obviating the need for a separate collar. That is, one or more light features, such as radially emitting fibers, end emitting fibers and side firing fibers may be disposed about an outer surface of the connector  103  (e.g. about one or both of the first and second end parts  103   a  and  103   b ) and/or integrated/embedded inside the connector  103 . 
       FIGS. 4A and 4B  show perspective views of the ETA  100  of  FIG. 3B  coupled with an endotracheal tube support assembly  120  according to one implementation. In the example shown, the support assembly  120  includes an adjustable headband  121  configured for placement about the head of a patient. According to some implementations face pads  122  are secured to the headband  121  to assist in stabilizing the support assembly on the patient. The support assembly  120  also includes a bite block  123  through which a proximal portion of the intubation tube  101  passes and is supported. According to some implementations a lip guard  124  is also provided to protect and disinfect the mouth region of the patient during intubation. As will be discussed in more detail below, one or both of the bite block  123  and lip guard  124  may be equipped with one or more bacterial disinfecting light features that are disposed on and/or integrated therein for the purpose of impeding bacterial growth on the devices during intubation. According to one implementation when both the bite block  123  and lip guard  124  are equipped with disinfecting light features, a dual optical fiber set  126  having a duplex LC connector  126   a  may be used to connect the respective disinfecting light elements to a bacterial disinfecting light source. 
     According to one implementation, a tube holder  125  configured to support the bite block  123  is attached to the headband  121 . According to one implementation the tube holder  125  includes a frame  125   a  attached to and slideable on the headband  121  and an adjustable flexible band  125   b  coupled with the frame  125   a . In use, the bite block  123  is passed through the flexible band  125   b  with the flexible band being tightened about the outer surface of the bite block. The flexible band  125   b  may thereafter be loosened to facilitate a removal of the bite block  123  from the tube holder  125 . 
       FIGS. 5A and 5B  respectively show an exploded perspective view and a perspective view of the endotracheal tube support assembly  120  according to one implementation. 
     As discussed above, according to some implementations the lip guard  124  is equipped with one or more light disinfecting features (e.g. one or more radially emitting fibers) that are configured to emit light to bacterially disinfect the mouth region of a patient during an intubation.  FIG. 6A  illustrates an exploded perspective view of a lip guard according to one implementation. The lip guard  124  is comprised of a radially emitting fiber  127  sandwiched between a flexible substrate  128  and a liner  129 . The radially emitting fiber  127  is connected to a transport fiber  130  that is coupleable to a bacterial disinfecting light source. The flexible substrate  128  has a front face  128   a  and a back face  128   b . Likewise, the liner  129  has a front face  129   a  and a back face  129   b . According to some implementations the flexible substrate  128  is made of a polymer (e.g. rubber) or a flexible sheet of metal. The liner  129  is also composed of a flexible material and is transparent to light at least in the visible spectrum. The lip guard includes an opening  144  to accommodate a passage of a bite block that is discussed in more detail below. According to other implementations one or both of the substrate  128  and liner  129  are not flexible. 
     The parts of the lip guard  124  may be made and assembled in a variety of ways. According to one implementation the front face  128   a  of the flexible substrate  128  and the back face  129   b  of the liner  129  are adhesively attached to one another with each pressing against a meandering radially emitting fiber  127  disposed between them. According to some implementations, recesses  128   c  are formed in the inner face  128   a  of the flexible substrate  128  for housing the radially emitting fiber  27 .  FIG. 8A  shows a U-shaped recess  128   c  that is configured to receive and house a radially emitting fiber  127 . According to some implementations the recesses  128   c  are structured to hold the meandering radially emitting fiber  127  to the flexible substrate  128  prior to an attachment of the liner  129  to the flexible substrate  128 . An example of such recesses is discussed below in conjunction with  FIGS. 8B and 8C . According to other implementations the radially emitting fiber  127  is secured to the flexible substrate  128  by the use of an optically transparent adhesive prior to the liner  129  being attached to the flexible substrate  128 . According to one such implementations, the radially emitting fiber  127  is adhered to the front face  128   a  in a meandering pattern without the use of recesses formed in the front face to house the fiber. According to another such implementation, the flexible substrate  128  is provided with a meandering recess  128   c , like for example the U-shaped recess shown in  FIG. 8A , with the radially emitting fiber being adhered to the flexible substrate inside the recess. 
     According to some implementations an injection molding process is used to form the flexible substrate  128  in a manner that produces recesses  128   c  arranged in a meandering pattern in the front face  128   a  of the flexible substrate. Upon the flexible substrate  128  being formed as shown in  FIG. 6A , the radially emitting fiber  127  is positioned within the recesses  128   c  to form a subassembly. Thereafter, the liner  129  is injection molded over portions of or the entirety of the subassembly such that the flexible substrate  128  containing the radially emitting fiber  127  is partially or fully enveloped by the liner  129  like that shown in the examples of  FIGS. 10A-10C . As noted above, the liner  129  comprises a material, such as a polymer, that is transparent to light at least in the visible spectrum. According to some implementations, the material from which the flexible substrate  128  is made is also transparent to light at least in the visible spectrum. 
     As noted above, according to some implementations the recesses  128   c  in the flexible substrate  128  are structured to hold the radially emitting fiber  127  to the flexible substrate  128  without the need of an adhesive.  FIG. 8B  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portion of the flexible substrate  128  that shows a configuration of a recess  128   c  that is capable by itself to hold the radially emitting fiber  127  inside the front face  128   a  of the flexible substrate  128  prior to the liner  129  being formed over the substrate  128 . In the implementation of  FIG. 8B , the recess  128   c  comprises a semi-circular wall  145  that spans greater than 180 degrees and less than 360 degrees so that the recess opening  167  at the inner face  128   a  has a width W that is smaller than the diameter of the radially emitting fiber  127 . As shown in  FIG. 8B , such a construction results in the formation of flexible lips  131  located on both sides of the opening. 
     According to some implementations the flexible substrate  128  is formed of a material that enables the lip portions  131  of the wall that form the recesses  128   c  to flex inward sufficiently to allow passage of the radially emitting fiber  127  into the recess when a force is applied along a length of the fiber. The recess  128   c  is configured such that upon the radially emitting fiber  127  being positioned inside the recess, the lips  131  flex outward as shown in  FIG. 10B  to lock the fiber inside the recess without the need of an adhesive or other fixation means. According to such an implementation the radially emitting fiber  127  can therefore be considered to be snapped into the recess  128   c . According to some implementations the height dimension H of the recess  128   c  is less than or equal to the diameter of the radially emitting fiber  127 . According to such an implementation the flexible substrate  128  is preferably made of a material that is transparent to the bacterial disinfecting light emitted by the radially emitting fiber  127  so that the disinfecting light may pass through the lip regions  131 . According to one implementation the diameter D of the circular portion of the recess  128   c  and the depth A of the recess are each sufficiently greater than the diameter of the radially emitting fiber  127  to enable an axial freedom of movement of the fiber inside the recess to enable it to be threaded through the recess by a pushing or pulling of the fiber through the recess. According to implementations wherein the radially emitting fiber  127  is threaded into the meandering recess  128   c , the recess opening  167  at the inner face  128   a  of the substrate  128  provides visualization and access to the fiber to facilitate an easy and proper placement of the fiber along the length of the recess. 
     It is important to note that the cross-sectional shape of the recess  128   c  need not be semi-circular. For example, as shown in  FIG. 8C  the recess may comprise an inner cavity  147  having a rectangular shape that has a width W 1  and depth A that are each equal to or greater than the diameter dimension of the radially emitting fiber  127 . A through opening  149  extends from the front face  128   a  of the substrate  128  into the cavity  147  and is delimited by the side walls of lips  148  that are configured to hold the radially emitting fiber  127  inside the cavity  147 . The opening  149  has a width W 2  dimension that is less than the diameter dimension of the radially emitting fiber  127 . As with the lips  131  of the implementation of  FIG. 8B , the lips  148  may be endowed with the ability to flex inward and then outward to facilitate a side loading of the radially emitting fiber  127  into the cavity  147 . 
     According to some implementations the radially emitting fiber  127  and the recesses  128   c  are arranged in a meandering pattern in a manner that protects the radially emitting fiber from being overstressed to the point of breaking when the lip guard is flexed. According to some implementations, the flexible substrate  128  and/or liner  129  is sufficiently rigid to prevent a flexing of the lip guard  124  beyond an amount that would result in a breakage of the radially emitting fiber  127 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 8D , according to some implementations the substrate  128  comprises an internal channel  162  that is configured to receive and house the radially emitting fiber  127 . According to one implementation, the diameter D of the channel  162  is sufficiently greater than the diameter of the radially emitting fiber  127  such that the fiber possesses axial and/or radially freedom of movement inside the channel. By being fully surrounded by the walls of the channel  162 , freedom of movement of the radially emitting fiber  127  is not affected when the liner  129  is injection molded over the substrate  128 . The freedom of movement of the radially emitting fiber  127  protects against its breakage when the lip guard is flexed or otherwise bent during use. 
     In use, the lip guard may periodically be manipulated by a clinician. This manipulation can result in a bending of the lip guard and of the radially emitting fiber  127  disposed therein. This bending may induce bending and tensile stresses in the optical fiber particularly when the radially emitting fiber  127  is fixed inside the lip guard  124  without axial and/or radial freedom of movement. According to some implementations the lip guard  124  is constructed to limit or prevent a bending of the radially emitting fiber  127  beyond a minimum bending radius of the radially emitting fiber  127 . The minimum bending radius may be that established by a manufacturer of the fiber  127 . The minimum bending radius may be associated with a function limit or a breaking limit of the optical fiber. A functional minimum bending radius may be specified by the manufacturer of the optical fiber to denote a bending radius of the optical fiber beyond which the optical fiber is unable to properly function. A breakage minimum bending radius may be specified by the manufacturer of the optical fiber to denote a bending radius beyond which a breaking of the core and/or cladding occurs. Alternatively, the functional minimum bending radius may simply be considered to be an actual bending radius of the radially emitting fiber  127  beyond which the optical fiber is unable to properly function and the breakage minimum bending radius may be considered the actual bending radius of the radially emitting fiber  127  beyond which a breaking of the core and/or cladding occurs. The term “minimum bending radius” as used herein refers to any one of the aforestated definitions. In conjunction with or independent from the material selection, the thickness and geometry of the various components of the lip guard  124  may be selected to achieve, or assist in achieving a rigidity of the lip guard sufficient to inhibit a bending of the radially emitting fiber  127  beyond its minimum bending radius. 
     According to some implementations the lip guard  124  is 1) constructed so that the radially emitting fiber  127  is able to slide within the recesses  128   c  or channels  162 , and/or 2) constructed to limit or prevent the radially emitting fiber  127  from bending beyond its minimum bending radius. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B , according to some implementations the recesses  128  formed in the inner face  128   a  of the substrate  128  include both straight sections  165  and bend sections  166 . As shown in  FIG. 7A , according to some implementations the width dimension W 1  of the straight sections  165  and the width dimension W 2  of the bend sections are the same, or substantially the same. As shown in  FIG. 7B , according to some implementations the widest width dimension W 1  of the straight sections  165  is less than the width dimension W 2  of the bend sections. According to some implementations the recesses  128   c  in the straight sections  165  differ from those on the bend sections  166 . For example, according to one implementation the recesses in the straight sections have a configuration like that of  FIG. 8B  or  FIG. 8C  while the recesses of the bend sections  166  have a configuration like that of  FIG. 8A . 
       FIGS. 9A-C  show implementations of lip guard subassemblies comprising a radially emitting fiber  127  positioned within a meandering recess  128   c  formed in the inner face  128   a  of the substrate  128 . In the implementation of  FIG. 9A , the radially emitting fiber  127  occupies the entirety, or substantially the entirety, of a recess  128  with the recess having substantially the same width along its length. According to some implementations the wall(s) of the recess and/or the outer surface of the radially emitting fiber  127  is provided with a lubricous coating that enables the fiber to slide within the recess. To facilitate such a sliding, the distal end  127   b  of the fiber  127  is positioned a distal “d” away from the distal end  168  of the recess. In the implementation of  FIG. 9B  the radially emitting fiber  127  occupies less than the entirety of the recess  128  with the recess having substantially the same width along its length. According to the implementation of  FIG. 9B , the radially emitting fiber  127  has at least an axial freedom of movement that allows a sliding of the fiber inside the recess when the lip guard is flexed. To facilitate such a sliding, the distal end  127   b  of the fiber  127  is positioned a distal “d” away from the distal end  168  of the recess. In the implementation of  FIG. 9C  the bend sections  166  of the recess have a width W 2  that is greater than the width W 1  of the straight sections of the recess. As shown in  FIG. 9C , according to one implementation the diameter of the radially emitting fiber  127  is less than the width W 2  and is substantially equal to the width W 1 . Moreover, the portions of the radially emitting fiber located inside the bend sections  166  of the recess  128  are provided with slack. That is, the portions of the radially emitting fiber located inside the bends  166  are not held taut inside the bends. Because flexing of the substrate  128  will generally occur in the directions F shown in  FIG. 9C , a bending of the radially emitting fiber  127  will predominately occur in the bend regions of the fiber. The provision of slack in the fiber inside the bend regions  166  of the recess  128  safeguards against undue tensile and/or bending stresses being applied to the fiber when the lip guard is bent as a result of slack being taken up during the bending. In each of the implementations of  FIGS. 9A-C  a proximal end  127   a  of the radially emitting fiber is connected to a distal end of a transport fiber  130  inside a strain relief member  138 . Thus, according to some implementations the proximal end  127   a  of the radially emitting fiber  127  is fixed with respect to the flexible substrate  128  while the distal end  127   b  of the fiber is free to move in the gap existing between it and the distal end  168  of the recess  128 . 
       FIGS. 10A-D  respectively show the flexible substrate configurations of  FIGS. 8A-D  with the radially emitting fiber  127  residing in the respective recesses or channel and with the liner  129  formed over the front face  128   a  and back face  128   b  of the flexible substrate  128 . 
     According to some implementations all or a portion of the inner face  128   a  of the flexible substrate  128  is provided with a light reflective coating or film, the coating or film being configured to direct light emitted by the radially emitting fiber  127  in a direction toward the front face  129   a  of the liner  129 . A light reflective coating may be, for example, a light reflective paint interposed between the radially emitting fiber  127  and the flexible substrate  128 . A light reflective film may be, for example, in the form of a light reflective metallic foil interposed between the radially emitting fiber  127  and the flexible substrate  128 . According to some implementations, only all or a portion of the inner wall of the recesses  128   c  occupied by the radially emitting fiber  127  are provided with the light reflective coating or film. 
       FIG. 11  is an exploded perspective view of a lip guard  124  according to another implementation. The lip guard is similar in construction to that depicted in  FIG. 6A  and further includes a light reflector  134  abutting or applied to the back face  128   b  of the flexible substrate  128 , and an optical diffuser  135  interposed between the radially emitting fiber  127  and the liner  129 . According to another implementation the lip guard  124  includes the light reflector  134  and not the optical diffuser  135 . According to another implementation the lip guard  124  includes the optical diffuser  135  and not the light reflector  134 . In accordance with the latter, all or a portion (e.g. inner wall of recesses  128   c ) of the front face  128  may be provided with a light reflective coating or light reflective film as discussed above. 
     In the implementation of  FIG. 11  the flexible substrate  128  is made of a material that is transparent to light at least in the visible spectrum. This enables light emitted by the radially emitting fiber  127  to pass through the back face  128   b  of the substrate  128  to impinge upon the front face  134   a  of the light reflector  134 . The parts of the lip guard may be assembled by the use of adhesives and/or by injection molding processes like discussed above. In implementations wherein the front face  128   a  of the flexible substrate  128  comprises recesses  128   c  for housing the radially emitting fiber  127 , the recesses  128   c  may take any of a variety of forms include the examples discussed above in conjunction with  FIGS. 8A-D . 
     According to one implementation the light reflector  134  comprises a light reflective coating such as a light reflective paint or other reflective substance that is applied to the back face of the flexible substrate  128 . The light reflector  134  may also comprise a light reflective foil, such as, for example, a metallic foil. The light reflector  134  may also comprise a metal sheet having a light reflective inner face  134   a  abutting the back face  128   b  of the substrate  128 . According to some implementations the light reflector  134  is selectively applied to or shaped to cover or abut the back face  128   b  of the substrate  128  only in the vicinity located behind the meandering radially emitting fiber  127 . 
     The lip guard of  FIG. 11  may be assembled, for example, by the following methods. After a placement of the light reflector  134  (e.g. reflective foil, metal sheet, etc.) inside a mold, the material used to form the flexible substrate  128  is injection molded to envelope both the front face  134   a  and back face  134   b  of the light reflector  134 . During this injection molding step the recesses  128   c  are also formed in the front face  128   a  of the flexible substrate  128 . According to one implementation, the recesses  128   c  are constructed as described above to permit the radially emitting fiber  127  to be snapped into the recesses. According to such an implementation, after the flexible substrate  128  is formed the radially emitting fiber  127  is secured to the flexible substrate by being snapped into the recesses  128   c . According to the other implementations the radially emitting fiber  127  is adhesively secured to the front face  128   a  of the substrate  128 . According to such implementations the radially emitting fiber  127  may or may not be adhesively fixed inside a recess formed in the front face  128   a  of the substrate  128  In any event, upon the radially emitting fiber  127  being secured to the flexible substrate  128 , a subassembly comprising the light reflector  134  enveloped in the flexible substrate  128  and the radially emitting fiber  127  secured to the front face  128   a  of the flexible substrate is produced. In implementations that do not incorporate the optical diffuser  135 , the material from which the liner  129  is made is injection molded to envelop or substantially envelop the aforestated subassembly. In implementations that do incorporate the optical diffuser  135 , the back face  135   b  of the optical diffuser is positioned over the radially emitting fiber  127  and the material from which the liner  129  is made is injection molded around the subassembly and front face  135   a  of the optical diffuser  135 . An advantage of using the optical diffuser  135  is that it more uniformly distributes the light emitted by the radially emitting fiber  127  into that part of the liner  129  that is adapted to face the mouth area of the patient. 
     According to other implementations, the lip guard of  FIG. 11  may be assembled by applying a light reflecting coating (e.g. light reflecting paint) or a light reflecting film (e.g. a light reflecting foil) to the back face  128   b  of the flexible substrate  128  after the formation of the flexible substrate. In implementations that do not incorporate the optical diffuser  135 , upon the radially emitting fiber  127  being secured to or within the front face  128   a , the subassembly including the substrate  128 , light reflective coating or film and the radially emitting fiber  127  are placed in a mold and the material used to produce the liner  129  is injection molded to envelope or substantially envelope the subassembly. In implementations that do incorporate an optical diffuser  135 , the back face  135   b  of the optical diffuser is positioned over the radially emitting fiber  127  and the material from which the liner  129  is made is injection molded over the subassembly and front face  135   a  of the optical diffuser  135 . 
       FIGS. 12A and 12B  are cross-sectional views of lip guard portions according to some implementations. In the implementation of  FIG. 12A , a U-shaped recess  128   c  is formed in the front face  128   a  of the flexible substrate  128  and has disposed therein a radially emitting fiber  127 . The radially emitting fiber  127  has a diameter that is less than the diameter of the U-shaped recess  128   c  so that a space exists between the radially emitting fiber and the front face  128   a  of the substrate when the fiber is assembled in the recess. After the radially emitting fiber  127  is positioned in the recess  128   c , the light diffuser  135  is positioned on the front face of the substrate  128  to form a closed housing wherein the radially emitting fiber  127  is housed. The configuration of the closed housing is such that the radially emitting fiber has freedom of movement in the axial direction of the fiber and/or in the radial direction of the fiber. In the implementation of  FIG. 12A  the back face  128   b  of the substrate  128  contains a light reflective coating or film  134  and the liner  129  covers both the front face  135   a  of the light diffuser  135  and the back face of the reflective coating or film  135 . 
     The implementation of  FIG. 12B  has a similar construction to that of  FIG. 12A  with the exception that the recess  128   c  formed in the front face  128   a  of the substrate  128  has a form consistent with that of  FIG. 8B . Like the implementation of  FIG. 12A , the light diffuser  125  is positioned on the front face  128   a  of the substrate  128  so that a closed housing wherein the radially emitting fiber  127  is housed. The configuration of the closed housing is such that the radially emitting fiber has freedom of movement in the axial direction of the fiber and/or in the radial direction of the fiber. In the implementation of  FIG. 12B  the back face  128   b  of the substrate  128  contains a light reflective coating or film  134  and the liner  129  covers both the front face  135   a  of the light diffuser  135  and the back face of the reflective coating or film  135 . 
     As explained above, providing a freedom of movement of the radially emitting fiber  127  inside the recess  128  prevents against breakage of the fiber when the lip guard is bent or otherwise deformed. 
     In regard to the implementations of  FIGS. 11, 12A and 12B , it is important to note that the optical diffuser  135  may be substituted with a light transparent member that is not a light diffuser. In such an implementation the function of the light transparent member is to lie over the front face  128   a  of the substrate  128  to cause a closing of the recess  128   c . The closing of the recess prevents the material that forms the liner  129  from entering the recess wherein resides the radially emitting fiber  127 . As such, a freedom of movement of the fiber inside the recess is maintained after the injection molding of the liner. 
     In regard to each of the recesses disclosed or contemplated herein that house a radially emitting fiber, an index matching gel may be interposed between the radially emitting fiber and the inner wall of the recess to facilitate a coupling of light from the fiber into the material from which the lip guard is made. According to some implementations the index matching gel also allows the radially emitting fiber to more easily slide within the recess in comparison to the fiber&#39;s ability to slide in the recess absent the index matching gel. According to some implementations the radially emitting fiber comprises a core that is surrounded by a cladding with the cladding having a first refractive index and the inner wall of the recess comprising a material having a second refractive index, the index matching gel having a third refractive index that is between the first refractive index and the second refractive index. 
     In implementations in which a light reflector  134  is utilized, the substrate  128  is endowed with a thickness that provides a separation distance between the backside of the radially emitting fiber  127  and the front face  134   a  of the light reflector  134 . According to one implementation the separation distance is between 1 to 5 times the diameter dimension of the radially emitting fiber. Maintaining such a separation distance between the backside of the radially emitting fiber  127  and the light reflector  134  results in a greater amount of light emitted from the backside of the radially emitting fiber being reflected in a forward direction toward the front face  129   a  of the liner  129 . 
       FIG. 13  is an exploded perspective view of a lip guard  124  according to another implementation. The lip guard of  FIG. 13  is similar to the construction of the lip guard of  FIG. 11  and also includes a flexible tubular member  160  configured to house the radially emitting fiber  127 . The tubular member  160  is made of a flexible material that is transparent to light at least in the visible spectrum. The tubular member  160  and the radially emitting fiber  127  are sized to permit axial and/or radial movement of the fiber inside the tubular member. To this end, one or both of the length and inside diameter of the tubular member  160  is respectively greater than the length and outer diameter of the radially emitting fiber  127 . The implementation of  FIG. 13  differs from the implementation of  FIG. 11  in that the flexible tubular member  160  itself resides inside the recesses  128   c  of the substrate  128  with the radially emitting fiber  127  residing inside the tubular member.  FIG. 14  illustrates a lip guard cross-section similar to that of  FIG. 12B . However, in the implementations of  FIG. 14 , the radially emitting fiber  127  resides inside a tubular member  160  that is snap fit into the recess  128   c . According to some implementations one or both of the inner wall  160   a  of the tubular member  160  and the outer wall of the radially emitting fiber  127  is provided with a light transparent lubricious coating to facilitate a sliding of the fiber inside the tubular member  160 . According to some implementations a gap between the outer surface of the radially emitting fiber  127  and the inner wall  160   a  of the tubular member  160  is filled with an index matching gel that facilitates a coupling of light between the fiber and the wall of the tubular member. According to some implementations the index matching gel also allows the radially emitting fiber  127  to more easily slide within the lumen of the tubular member  160  in comparison to the fiber&#39;s ability to slide in the lumen absent the index matching gel. According to one implementation the radially emitting fiber comprises a core that is surrounded by a cladding with the cladding having a first refractive index and the tubular member  160  comprising a material having a second refractive index, the index matching gel having a third refractive index that is between the first refractive index and the second refractive index. 
       FIG. 15A  is an exploded perspective view of a lip guard  124  according to another implementation. The lip guard includes a flexible substrate  128  in the form of a metal sheet that is fabricated to include protruding clip connectors  136  extending outward from the front face  128 a of the metal sheet. Each of the clip connectors  136  is configured to receive therein a portion of the radially emitting fiber  127 . According to one implementation each of the clip connectors  136  comprises a tab  136   a  having formed therein a slot  136   b . According to one implementation, the slot  136   b  has a shape similar to that of the recesses  128   c  discussed above in conjunction with the description of  FIG. 7A . That is, it comprises a semi-circular cavity having an inner wall that spans greater than 180 degrees but less than 360 degrees such that a transvers opening  136   c  of the slot has a width dimension that is less than the diameter of the semi-circular cavity. According to one implementation lips similar to the lips  137  of  FIG. 7A  are formed at the transverse opening  136   c  that are capable of flexing inward and then outward to receive and then retain the radially emitting fiber  127  inside the slot  136 . In lieu of or in conjunction with the aforestated lip flexing feature, the walls  136   d  and  136   e  on each side of the slot  136  may be made to flex outward in the direction M as shown in  FIG. 15B  upon the radially emitting fiber  127  being pressed into the transverse opening  136   c . According to one implementation the tab  136  and the slot  137  are formed by one or more stamping procedures. According to one example the slots  137  are made by a first stamping step to form a plurality of through holes that pass from the back face  128   b  of the metal sheet to the front face  128   a  of the metal sheet. After the slots  137  are made in the metal sheet, the tabs are cut via a second stamping operation and then bent to protrude from the front face  128   a  as most clearly shown in  FIG. 15B . 
     As shown in  FIG. 15C , according to some implementations the clip connectors  136  are arranged to facilitate a meandering placement of the radially emitting fiber  127  on the metal sheet  128 . 
     As with each of the lip guard assemblies disclosed and contemplated herein, the radially emitting fiber  127  may be connectable to a bacterial disinfecting light source via a transport fiber  130 . According to some implementations a strain relief member  138  is provided at or adjacent the juncture of the transport fiber  130  and the radially emitting fiber  127 . As shown in  FIG. 15B , the metal sheet  127  may possess a strain relief support structure that includes an opening  140  bound on two sides by tabs  141  having formed therein notches  142 . As with the clip connectors  136 , the tabs, opening and notches may be formed by one or more stamping procedures and thereafter bent to protrude from the front face  128  of the metal sheet as shown in  FIG. 9B . According to one implementation the distal end portion of the strain relief  138  includes an annular part  138   a  that is configured for placement inside the notches  142  of the strain relief support structure. 
     After the radially emitting fiber  127  is attached to the metal sheet  127 , the liner  129  is injection molded over the radially emitting fiber/metal sheet subassembly to partially or totally envelop the subassembly. As explained above, the liner  129  is made of a material that is transparent to light at least in the visible spectrum. 
     In the foregoing disclosure the substrate  128  and liner  129  are disclosed as being flexible such that when the lip guard  124  is fully assembled it has a degree of flexibility to enable it to at least partially conform to different sizes and shapes of the mouth regions of patients. However, according to other implementations one or both of the substrate  128  and liner  129  may be composed of a rigid material. 
     With continued reference to  FIGS. 15A-C , according to some implementations the front face  128   a  of the metal sheet  128  is light reflective. According to other implementations all or portions of the front face  128   a  are provided with a light reflective coating or film. According to one implementation only portions of the front face underlying the radially emitting fiber  127  are provided with the light reflective coating or film. According to one implementation the width of the light reflective coating or film is 1 to 10 times the diameter of the radially emitting fiber  127 . 
     According to some implementations the tabs  136  are constructed such that the radially emitting fiber  127  is suspended above the front face  128   a  of the metal sheet  128  when the radially emitting fiber is supported in the slots  136   c . This advantageously spaces the backside of the radially emitting fiber  127  from the light reflective surface of the metal sheet  128  or of the light reflective coating or film disposed on the front face  128  of the metal sheet. As explained above, maintaining a separation distance between the backside of the radially emitting fiber  127  and the light reflective surface results in a greater amount of light emitted from the backside of the radially emitting fiber being reflected in a forward direction toward the front face  129   a  of the liner  129 . According to some implementations, the separation distance is between 1 to 5 times the diameter dimension of the radially emitting fiber  127 . 
     According to other implementations the radially emitting fiber  127  is not attached to the clip connectors  136  but resides inside a flexible tubular member  160  like that discussed above in conjunction with  FIGS. 13 and 14 . According to such implementations the tubular member  160  is itself attached to the clip connectors  136 . An advantage of such a construction is that allows the radially emitting fiber  127  to be supported on the substrate  128  inside the tubular member with a freedom of movement in the axial direction and/or radial direction of the fiber. According to this latter implementation, the liner  129  is injection molded to envelop the substrate  128  and the tubular member  160  attached thereto. 
       FIG. 16A  shows a light disinfecting collar  111  adapted for disinfecting an area of connection between the proximal end portion  101   a  of the intubation tube  101  and the connector  103  that connects the intubation tube to the ventilator tube set  102 .  FIG. 16B  shows an exploded perspective view of the light disinfecting collar of  FIG. 16A . 
     As explained above, according to one implementation bacterial disinfecting light is delivered to the light disinfecting collar  111  from a light source via an optical fiber set  112  that includes one or more transport fibers  112   a  connected to an MPO connector  112   b . According to one implementation the optical fiber tube set  112  includes a single transport fiber that is coupled at its distal end (the end opposite the connector  112   b ) to a single radially emitting fiber. The radially emitting fiber is supported on an inner member  111   a  that may or may not contain grooves that at least partially house the radially emitting fiber. According to one implementation the radially emitting fiber extends along the entire circumference of the inner member  111   a  in a coil-like or meandering configuration. In the implementation of  FIG. 16B , the disinfecting light assembly  111   b  includes four transport fibers (located inside a common jacket  194 ) to which four radially emitting fibers  191   a ,  191   b ,  191   c  and  191   c  are connected inside a strain relief member  192 . In the implementation of  FIG. 16B  the inner member  111   a  comprises four grooves  193   a ,  193   b ,  193   c  and  193   d  that are configured to respectively receive radially emitting fibers  191   a ,  191   b ,  191   c  and  191   d .  FIG. 17  shows an enlarged view of the inner member  111   a . According to the implementation of  FIG. 16B , each of the radially emitting fibers extends along the entire circumference or substantially the entire circumference of the inner member  111   a . According to some implementations the inner member  111   a  is formed with a protruding tray  197  having a recess  197   a  that is configured to support the distal end of the strain relief  192 . The protruding tray  197  is also equipped with a set of four diverging channels  197   b  that provide pathways for the four radially emitting fibers  191   a - d  into their respective grooves  193   a - d . It is important to note that the assembly may include less than or more than four radially emitting fibers. The inner member  111   a  includes a through opening  196  in which the proximal end portion  101   a  of the intubation tube  101  and the distal end portion  103   b  of connector  102  reside when the collar  111  is integrated into the intubation tube system as shown in  FIG. 3B . 
     According to one implementation, a light disinfecting collar subassembly is made by assembling the disinfecting light assembly  111   b  onto the disinfecting collar  111  such that the distal end of the strain relief  192  is supported in the recess  197   a  and the radially emitting fibers  191   a - d  respectively reside in grooves  193   a - d . According to some implementations the strain relief  192  and the radially emitting fibers  191   a - d  are retained on the inner member  111   a  by use of an adhesive. The inner member  111   a  is made of a material that is transparent to light at least in the visual spectrum. The material may be, for example, polycarbonate. 
     The light disinfecting collar  111  may include an outer member  111   c  that is disposed about the aforementioned subassembly. According to one implementation the outer member  111   c  is injection molded over the subassembly so that the radially emitting fibers (or fiber) are encased inside the collar  111  as shown in  FIG. 16A . According to one implementation a light reflective material or element is interposed between the radially emitting fibers  191   a - d  and the inside wall  199  of the outer member  111   c  so that the light emitted by the radially emitting fibers is directed inward toward the through opening  196  of the inner member  111   a . According to one implementation the collar  111  is constructed by covering the radially emitting fibers  191   a - d  with a light reflecting member before the outer member  111   c  is injection molded over the aforementioned subassembly. According to other implementations a light reflecting member or light reflecting coating may be provided on an outer surface of the outer member  111   c . According to such an implementation, the outer member  111   c  is made of a material that is transparent to light at least in the visual spectrum. 
       FIG. 18A  shows a light disinfecting collar  111  according to another implementation wherein one or more side firing fibers and/or one or more end emitting fibers are used to direct bacterial disinfecting light at a connection location between an intubation tube  101  and an intubation tube set  102 . In the following example one end emitting fiber  206  and five side firing fibers  207   a - e  are utilized. It is appreciated, however, that the disclosure is not limited to such a make-up and may include any of a number of end emitting fibers and side firing fibers.  FIG. 18B  is an exploded perspective view of the light disinfecting collar assembly of  FIG. 18A . 
     In the context of the embodiment of  FIGS. 18A and 18B , a side firing fiber is an optical fiber provided with an angled end face that is oriented to totally internally reflect a light beam out of the side surface of the fiber in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis thereof. Examples of side firing optical fibers are found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,740,047 and 5,772,657. 
     According to one implementation bacterial disinfecting light is delivered to the light disinfecting collar  111  from a light source via an optical fiber set  201  that includes six optical fibers  206  and  207   a - e  whose proximal end portions are housed in a common jacket  201 . According to one implementation the proximal ends of the six optical fibers are optically coupled to a six port optical connector  201   b . The optical connector  201   b  is in turn connectable to a bacterial disinfecting light source, such as a laser. The collar assembly  111  includes a first part  202  on which the fibers  206  and  207   a - e  are supported in a manner that results in light emitted by each of the fibers being directed inward toward a through opening  202   a  located therein like that shown in  FIG. 21 . According to one implementation each of the end emitting fiber  206  and side firing fibers  207   a - e  pass through a strain relief member  205  at their entry point into the first part  202 . 
     According to one implementation the first part  202  includes a base  210  from which extends a multi-face structure  211 . The multi-face structure  211  includes six major internal faces  209   a - f  and respective external faces  213   a - f . The internal faces  209   a - f  and the external faces  213   a - f  are separated by a respective wall  214   a - f  that is made of a material that is transparent to light at least in the visual spectrum. According to some implementations the thickness t of the walls  214   a - f  is between about 3 millimeters and about 6 millimeters According to one implementation the first part  202  is made of polycarbonate and formed via injection molding. Each of the side firing fibers  207   a - e  is respectively housed inside an air filled cavity  208   a - e  located adjacent external faces  213   a - e . Trenches  215  located in the base  210  of the first part  202  facilitate a passage of the side firing optical fibers  207   a - e  about the perimeter of the multi-face structure  211  and lead to inlet openings  217  to the air filled cavities  208   a - e  as shown in  FIG. 19C . 
       FIG. 20A  shows an enlarged view of the side firing fiber  207   e  housed in the air filled cavity  208   e . The side firing fiber  207   e  has an angled distal end  220   e  that is oriented to totally internally reflect a light beam passing through the fiber inward toward the central through opening  202   a  of the first part  202  as shown in  FIG. 20B . The light beam  221   e  propagates through wall  214   e  and refracts at the internal face  209   e  due to the difference in the refractive indexes of the material that forms the wall  214   e  and of the air residing inside the through opening  202   a . As noted above, according to some implementations the walls  214   a - f  are made of a plastic material such as polycarbonate. 
     The end emitting fiber  206  is structured and oriented in a manner that results in the fiber core at the distal end of the fiber being butted against the external face  213   f . According to one implementation the end of the fiber is attached to the external face  213   f  by use of an index matching adhesive that has a refractive index similar to that of the fiber core. According to such an implementation the distal end of the end emitting fiber may be spaced a short distance from the external face  213   a  with the gap separating the end of the fiber  206  and the external face being occupied by the index matching adhesive. As shown in  FIG. 21 , the light beam  221   f  emitted by the end emitting fiber  206  propagates through wall  214   f  and refracts at the internal face  209   f  due to the difference in the refractive indexes of the material that forms the wall  214   f  and of the air residing inside the through opening  202   a .  FIG. 21  also shows the light beams  221   a - e  respectively associated with side firing fibers  207   a - e.    
       FIGS. 18B and 22  illustrate a second part  204  of the collar  111  shown in  FIG. 18A . The second part  204  has a though opening  204   a  that is concentric to the through opening  202   a  of the first part  202  when the first and second parts are assembled together. The second part  204  includes a cavity  231  defined by wall portions  233  that mimic the external shape of the multi-face structure  211  of the first part  202 . According to one implementation the collar  111  is assembled by fitting the second part  204  over the first part  202  so that the multi-face structure  211  of the first part fits inside the cavity  231  of the second part. According to such an implementation, an inner face  232  of the second part rest on the base  210  of the first part  201  and resides over the trenches  215  through which the optical fibers  207   a - e  pass. According to some implementations the first and second parts are fitted with cooperating features that snap-fit the parts to one another in the assembled state. According to other implementations the second part is injection molded over the multi-face structure  211  of the first part  201 . According to yet other implementations the first and second parts  201  and  204  are attached together by use of an adhesive. 
       FIG. 23  shows the collar  11  of  FIG. 18A  fitted over at least a portion of the connector  103  that couples the intubation tube  101  to the ventilator tube set  102 . 
       FIG. 24A  is a perspective view of a fully assembled self-disinfecting bite block  123  according to one implementation.  FIG. 24A  is an exploded perspective view of a first implementation of the bite block  123  of  FIG. 24A . The bite block in this first implementation includes an inner member  302 , an outer member  304  and a meandering radially emitting fiber  306 . According to some implementations the inner and outer members  302  and  304  are C-shaped as shown in  FIG. 24B . According to other implementations the inner and outer members  302  and  304  comprise a cylindrical shape. When assembled, the radially emitting fiber  306  is disposed between the inner surface of the  304   a  of the outer member  304  and the outer surface  304   b  of the inner member  302 . According to some implementations the inner member  302  includes a recess  302   c  for housing at least a portion of the radially emitting fiber  306 . The cross-sectional profile of the recess  302   c  may be similar in construction to any one of the recesses  128   c  shown in  FIGS. 8A-C . In addition, the length of the radially emitting fiber  306  may be shorter than the length of the recess  302   c  to facilitate an axial movement of the fiber in the event the bite block is flexed or otherwise deformed during use by, for example, a biting down on the bite block  123  by the patient. 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 24B , according to one implementation the bite block  123  is made by injection molding the inner member  302  from a material that is transparent to light at least in the visual spectrum. In the injection molding process the recess  302   c  is formed along with a projecting platform  302   d . The projecting platform  302   d  comprises features for receiving a distal end portion of a strain relief member  310  from which the proximal end of the radially emitting fiber  306  projects. Upon the inner member  302  being formed, the radially emitting fiber  306  is fitted into the recess  302   c  and may be held therein by the structure of the recess itself (as described above in conjunction with  FIGS. 8B and 8C ) or by use of an adhesive that is transparent to light at least in the visual spectrum. When the subassembly comprising the inner member  302  and radially emitting fiber  306  is complete, the outer member  304  is injection molded over the inner member  302  to cover at least the outer surface  302   b  of the inner member and the radially emitting fiber  306 . According to some implementations the outer member  304  is injection molded over the subassembly to envelop the entirety of the inner member  302 . According to such an implementation, the outer member  304  is produced to form a cap  304   c  that is formed over the projecting platform  302   d  of the inner member  302 . In implementations where the outer member  304  covers the inner surface  302   a  of the inner member  302 , the outer member is made of a material that is transparent to light at least in the visible spectrum. In such implementations, a light reflecting member, such as, for example, a light reflecting coating (e.g. light reflecting paint) or light reflecting film (e.g. a light reflecting metallic foil) may be disposed about the outer surface  304   b  of the outer member  304  to reflect light emitted by the radially emitting fiber in the direction of the outer surface  304   b  inward toward the axial through opening  312  of the bite block  123 . 
     According to some implementations the outer member  304  is made of a light transparent material, at least in the visual spectrum, and no light reflective member is disposed about the outer surface  304   b  such that light emitted by the radially emitting fiber  306  is directed both inward toward the axial opening  312  of the bite block  123  and outward in a direction toward the mouth of the patient in which the bite block resides. 
     According to other implementations the light reflecting member is positioned within the bite block assembly to direct light outward in a direction toward the mouth of the patient in which the bite block resides. 
     Although not shown in the figures, the radially emitting fiber  306  to a bacterial disinfecting light source, such as a laser. 
       FIG. 24C  is an exploded view of a bite block  123  according to another implementation. The bite block is similar in construction to that of  FIG. 24B  and further includes a light reflecting member  307  interposed between the outer surface  302   b  of the inner member  302  and the inner surface  304   a  of the outer member  304 . The bite block also includes an optical diffuser  308  that abuts the inner surface  302   a  of the inner member  302  and acts to more evenly distribute the light emitted by the radially emitting fiber into the axial through opening  312  of the bite block. 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 24C , according to one implementation the bite block  123  is made by injection molding the inner member  302  over the optical diffuser  308  from a material that is transparent to light at least in the visual spectrum. In the injection molding process the recess  302   c  is formed along with a projecting platform  302   d . The projecting platform  302   d  comprises features for receiving a distal end portion of a strain relief member  310  from which the proximal end of the radially emitting fiber  306  projects. Upon the inner member  302  being formed, the radially emitting fiber  306  is fitted into the recess  302   c  and may be held therein by the structure of the recess itself (as described above in conjunction with  FIGS. 8B and 8C ) or by use of an adhesive that is transparent to light at least in the visual spectrum. When a first subassembly comprising the inner member  302 , optical diffuser  308  and radially emitting fiber  306  is complete, the first subassembly is placed into a mold along with the light reflecting member  307 , the light reflecting member  307  being disposed about the outer surface  302   b  of the inner member  302  to lie over the radially emitting fiber  306 . The mold therefore holds therein a second subassembly that comprises the first subassembly and the light reflecting member  307 . The outer member  304 , which is made of a material transparent to light at least in the visual spectrum, is then injection molded to envelop portions of or the entirety of the second subassembly. According to some implementations, the outer member  304  is produced to form a cap  304   c  that is formed over the projecting platform  302   d  of the inner member  302 . 
     According to some implementations the recess  302   a  has a construction similar to that of either  FIG. 12A or 12B  that results in the radially emitting fiber residing entirely inside the recess with a freedom of movement in both the radial direction and axial direction of the fiber. According to such an implementation, the light reflecting member  307  is sufficiently rigid to lie over the opening of the recess  302   c  (in a like manner to that of the optical diffuser  135  in  FIGS. 12A and 12B ) to prevent the material from which the outer member  304  is made from entering the recess during the injection molding of the outer member. As shown in  FIG. 25 , this construction results in an air gap  330  inside the recess  302   c . According to some implementations the length of the radially emitting fiber  306  is also shorter than the length of the recess  302   c  to facilitate an axial movement of the fiber inside the recess when the bite block is flexed or otherwise deformed during use. 
       FIG. 25  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the bite block  123  of  FIG. 24C  in a fully assembled state. 
       FIG. 24D  is an exploded perspective view of a bite block according to another implementation. The bite block is similar to the bite block of  FIG. 24C  absent the optical diffuser  308 . According to one implementation the bite block  123  is made by injection molding the inner member  302  from a material that is transparent to light at least in the visual spectrum. In the injection molding process the recess  302   c  is formed along with a projecting platform  302   d . The projecting platform  302   d  comprises features for receiving a distal end portion of a strain relief member  310  from which the proximal end of the radially emitting fiber  306  projects. Upon the inner member  302  being formed, the radially emitting fiber  306  is fitted into the recess  302   c  and may be held therein by the structure of the recess itself (as described above in conjunction with  FIGS. 8B and 8C ) or by use of an adhesive that is transparent to light at least in the visual spectrum. When a first subassembly comprising the inner member  302  and radially emitting fiber  306  is complete, the first subassembly is placed into a mold along with the light reflecting member  307 , the light reflecting member  307  being disposed about the outer surface  302   b  of the inner member  302  to lie over the radially emitting fiber  306 . The mold therefore holds therein a second subassembly that comprises the first subassembly and the light reflecting member  307 . The outer member  304 , which is made of a material transparent to light at least in the visual spectrum, is then injection molded to envelop portions of or the entirety of the second subassembly. According to some implementations, the outer member  304  is produced to form a cap  304   c  that is formed over the projecting platform  302   d  of the inner member  302 . 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 24D , according to some implementations the recess  302   a  has a construction similar to that of either  FIG. 12A or 12B  that results in the radially emitting fiber residing entirely inside the recess with a freedom of movement in both the radial direction and axial direction of the fiber. According to such an implementation, the light reflecting member  307  is sufficiently rigid to lie over the opening of the recess  302   c  (in a like manner to that of the optical diffuser  135  in  FIGS. 12A and 12B ) to prevent the material from which the outer member  304  is made from entering the recess during the injection molding of the outer member. According to some implementations the length of the radially emitting fiber  306  is also shorter than the length of the recess  302   c  to facilitate an axial movement of the fiber inside the recess when the bite block is flexed or otherwise deformed during use. 
       FIG. 24E  is an exploded perspective view of a bite block according to another implementation. The bite block is similar to the bite block of  FIG. 24C  absent the light reflecting member  307 . According to one implementation the bite block  123  is made by injection molding the inner member  302  over the optical diffuser  308  from a material that is transparent to light at least in the visual spectrum. In the injection molding process the recess  302   c  is formed along with a projecting platform  302   d . The projecting platform  302   d  comprises features for receiving a distal end portion of a strain relief member  310  from which the proximal end of the radially emitting fiber  306  projects. Upon the inner member  302  being formed, the radially emitting fiber  306  is fitted into the recess  302   c  and may be held therein by the structure of the recess itself (as described above in conjunction with  FIGS. 8B and 8C ) or by use of an adhesive that is transparent to light at least in the visual spectrum. When a subassembly comprising the inner member  302 , optical diffuser  308  and radially emitting fiber  306  is complete, the subassembly is placed into a mold and the outer member  304 , which is made of a material transparent to light at least in the visual spectrum, is then injection molded to envelop portions of or the entirety of the subassembly. According to some implementations, the outer member  304  is produced to form a cap  304   c  that is formed over the projecting platform  302   d  of the inner member  302 . 
       FIG. 26A  illustrates an exploded perspective view of a bite block according to another implementation.  FIG. 27  shows a cross-sectional view of the parts of the bite block in an assembled state. According to one implementation the bite block  123  is made by injection molding the inner member  302  over the light reflecting member  307  from a material that is transparent to light at least in the visual spectrum. In the injection molding process the recess  302   c  is formed along with a projecting platform  302   d . The projecting platform  302   d  comprises features for receiving a distal end portion of a strain relief member  310  from which the proximal end of the radially emitting fiber  306  projects. Upon the inner member  302  being formed the radially emitting fiber  306  is fitted into the recess  302   c  and may be held therein by the structure of the recess itself (as described above in conjunction with  FIGS. 8B and 8C ) or by use of an adhesive that is transparent to light at least in the visual spectrum. When a first subassembly comprising the inner member  302 , light reflecting member  307  and radially emitting fiber  306  is complete, the first subassembly is placed into a mold along with the optical diffuser  307 , the optical diffuser  308  being disposed about the outer surface  302   b  of the inner member  302  to lie over the radially emitting fiber  306 . The mold therefore holds therein a second subassembly that comprises the first subassembly and the optical diffuser  308 . The outer member  304 , which is made of a material transparent to light at least in the visual spectrum, is then injection molded to envelop portions of or the entirety of the second subassembly. According to some implementations, the outer member  304  is produced to form a cap  304   c  that is formed over the projecting platform  302   d  of the inner member  302 . 
     According to some implementations the recess  302   a  has a construction similar to that of either  FIG. 12A or 12B  that results in the radially emitting fiber residing entirely inside the recess with a freedom of movement in both the radial direction and axial direction of the fiber. According to such an implementation, the light reflecting member  307  is sufficiently rigid to lie over the opening of the recess  302   c  (in a like manner to that of the optical diffuser  135  in  FIGS. 12A and 12B ) to prevent the material from which the outer member  304  is made from entering the recess during the injection molding of the outer member. As shown in  FIG. 25 , this construction results in an air gap  330  inside the recess  302   c . According to some implementations the length of the radially emitting fiber  306  is also shorter than the length of the recess  302   c  to facilitate an axial movement of the fiber inside the recess when the bite block is flexed or otherwise deformed during use. 
       FIG. 27  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the bite block  123  of  FIG. 26A  in a fully assembled state. 
       FIG. 26B  is an exploded perspective view of a bite block according to another implementation. The bite block is similar to the bite block of  FIG. 26A  absent the optical diffuser  308 . According to one implementation the bite block  123  is made by injection molding the inner member  302  from a material that is transparent to light at least in the visual spectrum. In the injection molding process the recess  302   c  is formed along with a projecting platform  302   d . The projecting platform  302   d  comprises features for receiving a distal end portion of a strain relief member  310  from which the proximal end of the radially emitting fiber  306  projects. Upon the inner member  302  being formed, the radially emitting fiber  306  is fitted into the recess  302   c  and may be held therein by the structure of the recess itself (as described above in conjunction with  FIGS. 8B and 8C ) or by use of an adhesive that is transparent to light at least in the visual spectrum. When a first subassembly comprising the inner member  302  and radially emitting fiber  306  is complete, the first subassembly is placed into a mold along with the light reflecting member  7 , the light reflecting member  307  being disposed about the inner surface  302   a  of the inner member  302 . The mold therefore holds therein a second subassembly that comprises the first subassembly and the light reflecting member  307 . The outer member  304 , which is made of a material transparent to light at least in the visual spectrum, is then injection molded to envelop portions of or the entirety of the second subassembly. According to some implementations, the outer member  304  is produced to form a cap  304   c  that is formed over the projecting platform  302   d  of the inner member  302 . 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 26B  according to some implementations the recess  302   a  has a construction similar to that of either  FIG. 12A or 12B  that results in the radially emitting fiber residing entirely inside the recess with a freedom of movement in both the radial direction and axial direction of the fiber. According to such an implementation, the light reflecting member  307  is sufficiently rigid to lie over the opening of the recess  302   c  (in a like manner to that of the optical diffuser  135  in  FIGS. 12A and 12B ) to prevent the material from which the outer member  304  is made from entering the recess during the injection molding of the outer member. According to some implementations the length of the radially emitting fiber  306  is also shorter than the length of the recess  302   c  to facilitate an axial movement of the fiber inside the recess when the bite block is flexed or otherwise deformed during use. 
       FIG. 26C  is an exploded perspective view of a bite block according to another implementation. The bite block is similar to the bite block of  FIG. 24C  absent the light reflecting member  307 . According to one implementation the bite block  123  is made by injection molding the inner member  302  from a material that is transparent to light at least in the visual spectrum. In the injection molding process the recess  302   c  is formed along with a projecting platform  302   d . The projecting platform  302   d  comprises features for receiving a distal end portion of a strain relief member  310  from which the proximal end of the radially emitting fiber  306  projects. Upon the inner member  302  being formed, the radially emitting fiber  306  is fitted into the recess  302   c  and may be held therein by the structure of the recess itself (as described above in conjunction with  FIGS. 8B and 8C ) or by use of an adhesive that is transparent to light at least in the visual spectrum. When a subassembly comprising the inner member  302  and radially emitting fiber  306  is complete, the subassembly is placed into a mold with an optical diffuser  308  lying over the radially emitting fiber  306 . The outer member  304 , which is made of a material transparent to light at least in the visual spectrum, is then injection molded to envelop portions of or the entirety of the subassembly. According to some implementations, the outer member  304  is produced to form a cap  304   c  that is formed over the projecting platform  302   d  of the inner member  302 . 
     While specific implementations and applications have been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the precise configuration and components disclosed herein. Various modifications, changes, and variations which will be apparent to those skilled in the art may be made in the arrangement, operation, and details of the methods and systems of the present invention disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     For example, the disclosure describes in detail various implementations of light disinfecting systems and of their individual components. It is appreciated, however, that the disclosed features are applicable to a host of other types of devices inside and outside the medical field. As mentioned above, the apparatus and methods disclosed herein can also be applied to equipment or components of water processing plants, food processing plants, dairies, livestock habitation facilities, etc. For example, the lip guard  128  disclosed herein may comprise a stand-alone device that may be applied over a wound or puncture site of a patient, or over any other surface or component in need of bacterial disinfection. Likewise, the collar  111  and bite block  123  configurations disclosed herein can each be stand-alone devices that may be fitted around an extremity of a patient, a fluid pipe in a food processing plant, etc. 
     The following clauses disclose in an unlimited way additional implementations, with each clause representing an implementation. Additional implementations are represented by one or more of the implementations of one group or groups of clauses with one or more implementations of another group or groups of clauses. Group A through J clauses are provided. 
     Group A clauses: 
     Clause 1. An apparatus for bacterially disinfecting a planar surface and a non-planar surface, the apparatus comprising: 
     a flexible body capable of assuming a planar state and a non-planar state, the flexible body being made of a material that is transparent to light and having formed therein a channel; 
     a radially emitting fiber having a length and being disposed in the channel, the radially emitting fiber having a longitudinal axis and configured to radially emit bacterial disinfecting light, at least a portion of the radially emitting fiber having an axial and/or radial freedom of movement inside the channel when the flexible body transitions between the planar and non-planar states, the axial and/or radial freedom of movement reducing the amount of tensile stress applied along the length of the radially emitting fiber when the flexible body transitions between the planar and non-planar states as compared to an amount of tensile stress that would otherwise be applied to the radially emitting fiber in an absence of the axial and/or radial freedom of movement of the radially emitting fiber inside the channel. 
     Clause 2. The apparatus according to clause 1, wherein the radially emitting fiber has a proximal end and a distal end and the channel has an end wall, the distal end of the radially emitting fiber being spaced a distance from the end wall of the channel. 
     Clause 3. The apparatus according to clause 2, wherein the proximal end of the radially emitting fiber is fixed relative to the flexible body and the distal end of the radially emitting fiber is not fixed to the flexible body. 
     Clause 4. The apparatus according to clause 2, wherein the distance between the distal end of the radially emitting fiber and the end wall of the channel changes when the flexible body transitions between the planar and non-planar states. 
     Clause 5. The apparatus according to anyone of clauses 1 to 4, wherein the radially emitting fiber has an outer diameter and a corresponding cross-sectional area and the channel has a cross-sectional area, the cross-sectional area of the radially emitting fiber being less that the cross-sectional area of the channel. 
     Clause 6. The apparatus according to anyone of clauses 1 to 4, wherein the channel includes one or more straight sections and one or more curved sections, the one or more straight sections having a first cross-sectional area and the one or more curved sections having a second cross-sectional area that is greater than the first cross-sectional area. 
     Clause 7. The apparatus according to anyone of clauses 1 to 4, wherein the channel includes at least one straight section and at least one curved section, the curved section being defined by one or more walls, at least a portion of the radially emitting fiber residing in the curved section being spaced apart from the one or more walls. 
     Clause 8. The apparatus according to anyone of clauses 1 to 7, wherein the channel is located internal to the flexible body. 
     Clause 9. The apparatus according to anyone of clauses 1 to 8, wherein the radially emitting fiber has a minimum bending radius, the flexible body being sufficiently rigid to prevent a bending of the radially emitting fiber beyond the minimum bending radius. 
     Clause 10. The apparatus according to any one of clauses 1 to 9, wherein the flexible body has a front face and a back face, the channel being formed in the front face, the back face of the flexible body comprising a light reflecting coating that is configured to reflect the bacterial disinfecting light emitted from a backside of the radially emitting fiber in a direction toward the front face of the flexible body. 
     Clause 11. The apparatus according to anyone of clauses 1 to 9, wherein the flexible body has a front face and a back face, the channel being formed in the front face, the apparatus further comprising a light reflecting element disposed over the back face of the flexible body, the light reflecting element having a front face that faces the back face of the flexible body and a back face opposite the front face, the front face of the light reflecting element being configured to reflect the bacterial disinfecting light emitted from a backside of the radially emitting fiber in a direction toward the front face of the flexible body. 
     Clause 12. The apparatus according to clause 11, wherein the light reflecting element is a metallic foil. 
     Clause 13. The apparatus according to clause 11, wherein the light reflecting element is a metal sheet. 
     Clause 14. The apparatus according to anyone of clauses 1 to 13, further comprising a flexible liner that is transparent to light, the flexible liner enveloping the flexible body. 
     Clause 15. The apparatus according to anyone of clauses 1 to 13, further comprising a flexible liner that lies over the front face of the flexible body and the back face of the light reflecting element, the flexible liner being transparent to light. 
     Clause 16. The apparatus according to clause 14, further comprising an optical diffuser disposed between the front face of the flexible body and the flexible liner. 
     Clause 17. The apparatus according to clause 15, further comprising an optical diffuser disposed between the front face of the flexible body and the flexible liner. 
     Clause 18. The apparatus according to clause 1, further comprising an optical diffuser having a front face and a back face, the back face of the optical diffuser being disposed over the front face of the flexible body. 
     Clause 19. The apparatus according to clause 18, further comprising a flexible liner transparent to light that lies over the front face of the optical diffuser and the back face of the flexible body. 
     Clause 20. The apparatus according to clause 19, wherein a light reflecting coating or element is disposed between the back face of the flexible body and the flexible liner. 
     Clause 21. The apparatus according to clause 10, wherein the radially emitting fiber has a diameter dimension, the channel has a bottom surface, the bottom surface of the channel and the back face of the flexible body being separated by a wall having a thickness dimension that is greater than the diameter dimension of the radially emitting fiber. 
     Clause 22. The apparatus according to clause 11, wherein the radially emitting fiber has a diameter dimension, the channel has a bottom surface, the bottom surface of the channel and the front face of the light reflecting element being separated by a distance that is greater than or equal to the diameter dimension of the radially emitting fiber. 
     Clause 23. The apparatus according to clause 10, wherein the radially emitting fiber has a diameter dimension, the channel has a bottom surface, the bottom surface of the channel and the back face of the flexible body being separated by a wall having a thickness dimension that is greater than  2  to  5  times the diameter dimension of the radially emitting fiber. 
     Clause 24. The apparatus according to clause 11, wherein the radially emitting fiber has a diameter dimension, the channel has a bottom surface, the bottom surface of the channel and the front face of the light reflecting element being separated by a distance that is greater than 2 to 5 times the diameter dimension of the radially emitting fiber. 
     Clause 25. The apparatus according to clause 1, further comprising an elongate tubular member in which the radially emitting fiber resides, the elongate tubular member residing in the channel, the radially emitting fiber having a first diameter and the elongate tubular member having a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter, the elongate tubular member being made of a material that is transparent to light. 
     Clause 26. The apparatus according to clause 25, wherein the elongate tubular member is fixed inside the channel. 
     Clause 27. The apparatus according to clause 26, wherein the elongate tubular member is fixed inside the channel by use of a light transparent adhesive. 
     Clause 28. The apparatus according to clause 25, wherein the elongate tubular member is flexible. 
     Clause 29. The apparatus according to clause 25, wherein the elongate tubular member has a length that is greater than the length of the radially emitting fiber. 
     Clause 30. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a gap exists between an outer surface of the radially emitting fiber and an inner wall of the channel, the gap being occupied by an index matching gel that facilitates a coupling of light between the outer surface of the radially emitting fiber and the inner wall of the channel. 
     Clause 31. The apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the index matching gel allows the radially emitting fiber to more easily slide within the channel in comparison to the fiber&#39;s ability to slide in the channel absent the index matching gel. 
     Clause 32. The apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the radially emitting fiber comprises a core that is surrounded by a cladding, the cladding having a first refractive index, the inner wall of the channel comprising a material having a second refractive index, the index matching gel having a third refractive index that is between the first refractive index and the second refractive index. 
     Group B clauses: 
     Clause 1. A lip guard for an endotracheal tube support assembly that comprises a bite block, the lip guard comprising: 
     a flexible body made of a material that is transparent to light and having formed therein a channel, the flexible body having an as-manufactured state and a flexed state that occurs when the flexible body is bent away from its as-manufactured state; 
     a radially emitting fiber having a length and configured to radially emit bacterial disinfecting light, the radially emitting fiber having a longitudinal axis that is disposed in the channel, at least a portion of the radially emitting fiber having an axial and/or radial freedom of movement inside the channel when the flexible body transitions between the as-manufactured state and the flexed state, the axial and or radial freedom of movement reducing the amount of tensile stress applied along the length of the radially emitting fiber when the flexible body is bent as compared to an amount of tensile stress that would otherwise be applied to the radially emitting fiber in an absence of the axial and/or radial freedom of movement of the radially emitting fiber inside the channel. 
     Clause 2. The lip guard according to clause 1, wherein the radially emitting fiber has a proximal end and a distal end and the channel has an end wall, the distal end of the radially emitting fiber being spaced a distance from the end wall of the channel. 
     Clause 3. The lip guard according to anyone of clauses 1 to 2, wherein the proximal end of the radially emitting fiber is fixed relative to the flexible body and the distal end of the radially emitting fiber is not fixed to the flexible body. 
     Clause 4. The lip guard according to clause 2, wherein the distance between the distal end of the radially emitting fiber and the end wall of the channel changes when the flexible body transitions between the as-manufactured and flexed states. 
     Clause 5. The lip guard according to anyone of clauses 1 to 4, wherein the radially emitting fiber has an outer diameter and a corresponding cross-sectional area and the channel has a cross-sectional area, the cross-sectional area of the radially emitting fiber being less that the cross-sectional area of the channel. 
     Clause 6. The lip guard according to anyone of clauses 1 to 5, wherein the channel includes one or more straight sections and one or more curved sections, the one or more straight sections having a first cross-sectional area and the one or more curved sections having a second cross-sectional area that is greater than the first cross-sectional area. 
     Clause 7. The lip guard according to clause 1, wherein the channel includes at least one straight section and at least one curved section, the curved section being defined by one or more walls, at least a portion of the radially emitting fiber residing in the curved section being spaced apart from the one or more walls. 
     Clause 8. The lip guard according to anyone of clauses 1 to 7, wherein the channel is located internal to the flexible body. 
     Clause 9. The lip guard according to anyone of clauses 1 to 8, wherein the radially emitting fiber has a minimum bending radius, the flexible body being sufficiently rigid to prevent a flexing of the flexible body inside the channel that would result in a bending of the radially emitting fiber beyond the minimum bending radius. 
     Clause 10. The lip guard according to clause 1, wherein the radially emitting fiber has a minimum bending radius, the lip guard being sufficiently rigid to prevent a bending of the radially emitting fiber beyond the minimum bending radius. 
     Clause 11. The lip guard according to any of clauses 1-10, wherein the flexible body has a front face and a back face, the channel being formed in the front face, the back face of the flexible body comprising a light reflecting coating that is configured to reflect a bacterial disinfecting light emitted from a backside of the radially emitting fiber in a direction toward the front face of the flexible body. 
     Clause 12. The lip guard according to anyone of clauses 1 to 10, wherein the flexible body has a front face and a back face, the channel being formed in the front face, the lip guard further comprising a light reflecting element disposed over the back face of the flexible body, the light reflecting element having a front face that faces the back face of the flexible body and a back face opposite the front face, the front face of the light reflecting element being configured to reflect a bacterial disinfecting light emitted from a backside of the radially emitting fiber in a direction toward the front face of the flexible body. 
     Clause 13. The lip guard according to clause 12, wherein the light reflecting element is a metallic foil. 
     Clause 14. The lip guard according to clause 12, wherein the light reflecting element is a metal sheet. 
     Clause 15. The lip guard according to clause 11, further comprising a flexible liner that is transparent to light, the flexible liner enveloping the flexible body. 
     Clause 16. The lip guard according to clause 12, further comprising a flexible liner that lies over the front face of the flexible body and the back face of the light reflecting element, the flexible liner being transparent to light. 
     Clause 17. The lip guard according to clause 15, further comprising an optical diffuser disposed between the front face of the flexible body and the flexible liner. 
     Clause 18. The lip guard according to clause 16, further comprising an optical diffuser disposed between the front face of the flexible body and the flexible liner. 
     Clause 19. The lip guard according to clause 1, further comprising an optical diffuser having a front face and a back face, the back face of the optical diffuser being disposed over the front face of the flexible body. 
     Clause 20. The lip guard according to clause 19, further comprising a liner that lies over the front face of the optical diffuser and the back face of the flexible body. 
     Clause 21. The lip guard according to clause 20, further comprising a light reflecting coating or light reflecting element that is disposed between the back face of the flexible body and the liner. 
     Clause 22. The lip guard according to clause 11, wherein the radially emitting fiber has a diameter dimension, the channel has a bottom surface, the bottom surface of the channel and the back face of the flexible body being separated by a wall having a thickness dimension that is greater than the diameter dimension of the radially emitting fiber. 
     Clause 23. The lip guard according to clause 12, wherein the radially emitting fiber has a diameter dimension, the channel has a bottom surface, the bottom surface of the channel and the front face of the light reflecting element being separated by a distance that is greater than or equal to the diameter dimension of the radially emitting fiber. 
     Clause 24. The lip guard according to clause 11, wherein the radially emitting fiber has a diameter dimension, the channel has a bottom surface, the bottom surface of the channel and the back face of the flexible body being separated by a wall having a thickness dimension that is greater than 2 to 5 times the diameter dimension of the radially emitting fiber. 
     Clause 25. The lip guard according to clause 12, wherein the radially emitting fiber has a diameter dimension, the channel has a bottom surface, the bottom surface of the channel and the front face of the light reflecting element being separated by a distance that is greater than 2 to 5 times the diameter dimension of the radially emitting fiber. 
     Clause 26. The lip guard according to clause 1, further comprising an elongate tubular member in which the radially emitting fiber resides, the elongate tubular member residing in the channel, the radially emitting fiber having a first diameter and the elongate tubular member having a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter, the elongate tubular member being made of a material that is transparent to light. 
     Clause 27. The lip guard according to clause 26, wherein the elongate tubular member is fixed inside the channel. 
     Clause 28. The lip guard according to clause 27, wherein the elongate tubular member is fixed inside the channel by use of a light transparent adhesive. 
     Clause 29. The lip guard according to clause 25, wherein the elongate tubular member is flexible. 
     Clause 30. The lip guard according to clause 25, wherein the elongate tubular member has a length that is greater than the length of the radially emitting fiber. 
     Clause 31. The lip guard according to clause 1, wherein the flexible body comprises a through opening configured to receive therein the bite block. 
     Group C clauses: 
     Clause 1. A method for making an apparatus for bacterially disinfecting a surface, the method comprising: 
     obtaining a light transparent body that has a front face and a back face with there being a channel formed in the front face; 
     applying to the back face of the body a light reflecting element that is configured to reflect light in a direction toward the front face of the body; 
     inserting a radially emitting fiber into the channel to form a subassembly that includes the light transparent body, the light reflecting element and the radially emitting fiber, the radially emitting fiber being configured to radially emit bacterial disinfecting light; and 
     injection molding a light transparent liner over at least the front face of the light transparent body. 
     Clause 2. The method according to clause 1, wherein the liner is injection molded to envelop the subassembly. 
     Clause 3. The method according to clause 1, wherein each of the light transparent body and light transparent liner is flexible that results in the apparatus being flexible when the apparatus is fully assembled. 
     Clause 4. The method according to anyone of clauses 1 to 3, wherein the light transparent body and the light transparent liner are made of a same material. 
     Clause 5. The method according to anyone of clauses 1 to 3, wherein the light transparent body is made of a first material and the light transparent liner is made of a second material different than the first material. 
     Clause 6. The method according to anyone of clauses 1 to 5, wherein the process of applying to the back face of the light transparent body a light reflecting element comprises coating the back face with a light reflecting paint. 
     Clause 7. The method according to anyone of clauses 1 to 5, wherein the process of applying to the back face of the light transparent body a light reflecting element comprises applying a foil to the back face of the light transparent body, the foil having a light reflecting front face and a back face, the front face of the foil lying over the back face of the light transparent body. 
     Clause 8. The method according to clause 7, further comprising injection molding the light transparent liner over the back face of the foil. 
     Clause 9. The method according to anyone of clauses 1 to 5, wherein the process of applying to the back face of the light transparent body a light reflecting element comprises applying a metal sheet to the back face of the light transparent body, the metal sheet having a light reflecting front face and a back face, the front face of the metal sheet lying over the back face of the light transparent body. 
     Clause 10. The method according to clause 9, further comprising injection molding the light transparent liner over the back face of the metal sheet. 
     Clause 11. The method according to anyone of clauses 1 to 10, wherein obtaining a light transparent body that has a front face and a back face with there being a channel formed in the front face includes injection molding a polymeric material to form the light transparent body, the channel being formed in front face of the light transparent body during the injection molding. 
     Clause 12. The method according to anyone of clauses 1 to 11, wherein each of the light transparent body, light reflecting element and light transparent liner is made of a flexible material that results in the apparatus being flexible with an ability to transition between flat and curved configurations to respectively bacterially disinfect a flat surface and a curved surface. 
     Group D clauses: 
     Clause 1. A method for making an apparatus for bacterially disinfecting a surface, the method comprising: 
     obtaining a light transparent body that has a front face and a back face with there being a channel formed in the front face; 
     applying to the back face of the body a light reflecting element that is configured to reflect light in a direction toward the front face of the body, the light reflecting element having a back face and a front face that faces the back face of the body; 
     inserting a radially emitting fiber that is configured to radially emit bacterial disinfecting light into the channel; 
     applying an optical diffuser element over the front face of the body and the radially emitting fiber to form a subassembly that includes the light transparent body, the light reflecting element, the radially emitting fiber and the optical diffuser element. 
     injection molding a light transparent liner over at least the front face of the optical diffuser. 
     Clause 2. The method according to clause 1, wherein the light transparent liner is injection molded to envelop the subassembly. 
     Clause 3. The method according to anyone of clauses 1 to 2, wherein the light transparent body, optical diffuser and light transparent liner are made of flexible materials that results in the apparatus being flexible when fully assembled. 
     Clause 4. The method according to clause 3, wherein the light transparent body and light transparent liner are made of the same flexible material. 
     Clause 5. The method according to clause 3, wherein the light transparent body is made of a first flexible material and the light transparent liner is made of a second material different than the first flexible material. 
     Clause 6. The method according to anyone of clauses 1 to 5, wherein the process of applying to the back face of the light transparent body a light reflecting element comprises coating the back face with a light reflecting paint. 
     Clause 7. The method according to anyone of clauses 1 to 5, wherein the process of applying to the back face of the light transparent body a light reflecting element comprises applying a foil to the back face of the light transparent body, the foil having a light reflecting front face and a back face, the front face of the foil lying over the back face of the light transparent body. 
     Clause 8. The method according to clause 7, further comprising injection molding the light transparent liner over the back face of the foil. 
     Clause 9. The method according to anyone of clauses 1 to 5, wherein the process of applying to the back face of the light transparent body a light reflecting element comprises applying a metal sheet to the back face of the light transparent body, the metal sheet having a light reflecting front face and a back face, the front face of the metal sheet lying over the back face of the light transparent body. 
     Clause 10. The method according to clause 9, further comprising injection molding the light transparent liner over the back face of the metal sheet. 
     Clause 11. The method according to anyone of clauses 1 to 10, wherein obtaining the light transparent body that has a front face and a back face with there being a channel formed in the front face includes injection molding a polymeric material to form the light transparent body, the channel being formed in front face of the light transparent body during the injection molding. 
     Clause 12. The method according to anyone of clauses 1 to 11, wherein the light transparent body, light reflecting element, optical diffuser and light transparent liner are made of flexible materials that results in the apparatus being flexible with an ability to transition between flat and curved configurations to respectively bacterially disinfect a flat surface and a curved surface. 
     Group E clauses: 
     Clause 1. A method for making an apparatus for bacterially disinfecting a surface, the method comprising: 
     obtaining a light transparent body that has a front face and a back face with there being a channel formed in the front face; 
     applying to the back face of the light transparent body a light reflecting element that is configured to reflect light in a direction toward the front face of the light transparent body, the light reflecting element having a back face and a front face that faces the back face of the light transparent body; 
     inserting a radially emitting fiber into the channel to form a first subassembly that includes the light transparent body, the light reflecting element and the radially emitting fiber, the radially emitting fiber being configured to radially emit bacterial disinfecting light; 
     injection molding a light transparent first liner over the first subassembly, the first liner including a first portion that lies over the front face of the light transparent body and a second portion that lies over the back face of the light reflecting element, 
     applying an optical diffuser element over the first portion of the first liner to form a second subassembly that includes the light transparent body, the light reflecting element, the radially emitting fiber, the first liner and the optical diffuser; and 
     injection molding a light transparent second liner over the second subassembly. 
     Clause 2. The method according to clause 1, wherein the first liner is injection molded to envelop the first subassembly. 
     Clause 3. The method according to clause 1, wherein the second liner is injection molded to envelop the second subassembly. 
     Clause 4. The method according to clause 2, wherein the second liner is injection molded to envelop the second subassembly. 
     Clause 5. The method according to anyone of clauses 1 to 4, wherein the light transparent body, light reflecting element, first liner, second liner and optical diffuser are made of a flexible material that results in the apparatus being flexible when fully assembled. 
     Clause 6. The method according to clause 5, wherein the light transparent body, first liner and second liner are made of the same flexible material. 
     Clause 7. The method according to clause 5, wherein the light transparent body is made of a first flexible material and the first and second liners are made of a second material different than the first flexible material. 
     Clause 8. The method according to anyone of clauses 1 to 7, wherein the process of applying to the back face of the light transparent body a light reflecting element comprises coating the back face with a light reflecting paint. 
     Clause 9. The method according to anyone of clauses 1 to 7, wherein the process of applying to the back face of the light transparent body a light reflecting element comprises applying a foil to the back face of the light transparent body, the foil having a light reflecting front face and a back face, the front face of the foil lying over the back face of the light transparent body. 
     Clause 10. The method according to anyone of clauses 1 to 7, wherein the process of applying to the back face of the light transparent body a light reflecting element comprises applying a metal sheet to the back face of the light transparent body, the metal sheet having a light reflecting front face and a back face, the front face of the metal sheet lying over the back face of the light transparent body. 
     Clause 11. The method according to anyone of clauses 1 to 10, wherein obtaining the light transparent body that has a front face and a back face with there being a channel formed in the front face includes injection molding a polymeric material to form the light transparent body, the channel being formed in front face of the light transparent body during the injection molding. 
     Clause 12. The method according to anyone of clauses 1 to 11, wherein the light transparent body, light reflecting element, optical diffuser, first liner and second liner are made of flexible materials that results in the apparatus being flexible with an ability to transition between flat and curved configurations to respectively bacterially disinfect a flat surface and a curved surface. 
     Group F clauses: 
     Clause 1. An apparatus for bacterially disinfecting a surface, the apparatus comprising: 
     a tube-like body having a length and including an inner face, an outer face and a through opening, the through opening extending along the length of the tube-like body, the tube-like body being made of a material that is transparent to light and having formed in the outer face a channel; 
     a radially emitting fiber having a longitudinal axis that is disposed in the channel of the tube-like body, the radially emitting fiber having a length and configured to radially emit a bacterial disinfecting light along a majority of the length of the radially emitting fiber, the radially emitting fiber having an inner side that faces the toward the through opening and an outer side that faces away from the through opening; and 
     a light reflecting element disposed over the outer face of the tube-like surface and the outer side of the radially emitting fiber, the light reflecting element configured to reflect the bacterial disinfecting light emitted from the outer side of the radially emitting fiber in a direction toward the through opening of the tube-like body. 
     Clause 2. The apparatus according to clause 1, wherein at least one or more portions of the radially emitting fiber has an axial and/or radial freedom of movement inside the channel. 
     Clause 3. The apparatus according to clause 1, wherein the tube-like body is elastically deformable so that the apparatus is transitional between non-deformed and deformed states, at least one or more portions of the radially emitting fiber having an axial and/or radial freedom of movement inside the channel when the apparatus transitions between the non-deformed and deformed states, the axial and/or radial freedom of movement reducing the amount of tensile stress applied along the length of the radially emitting fiber when the apparatus transitions between the non-deformed and deformed states as compared to an amount of tensile stress that would otherwise be applied to the radially emitting fiber in an absence of the axial and/or radial freedom of movement of the radially emitting fiber inside the channel. 
     Clause 4. The apparatus according to clause 2, wherein the radially emitting fiber has a proximal end and a distal end and the channel has a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the radially emitting fiber being spaced a distance from the distal end of the channel. 
     Clause 5. The apparatus according to clause 3, wherein the radially emitting fiber has a proximal end and a distal end and the channel has a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the radially emitting fiber being spaced a distance from the distal end of the channel. 
     Clause 6. The apparatus according to clause 2, wherein the proximal end of the radially emitting fiber is fixed relative to the tube-like body and the distal end of the radially emitting fiber is not fixed to the tube-like body. 
     Clause 7. The apparatus according to clause 3, wherein the proximal end of the radially emitting fiber is fixed relative to the tube-like body and the distal end of the radially emitting fiber is not fixed to the tube-like body. 
     Clause 8. The apparatus according to clause 2, wherein the distance between the distal end of the radially emitting fiber and the distal end of the channel changes when the tube-like body transitions between the non-deformed and deformed states. 
     Clause 9. The apparatus according to clause 3, wherein the distance between the distal end of the radially emitting fiber and the distal end of the channel changes when the tube-like body transitions between the non-deformed and deformed states. 
     Clause 10. The apparatus according to clause 1, wherein the radially emitting fiber has an outer diameter and a corresponding cross-sectional area and the channel has a cross-sectional area, the cross-sectional area of the radially emitting fiber being less that the cross-sectional area of the channel. 
     Clause 11. The apparatus according to clause 1, wherein the channel includes one or more straight sections and one or more curved sections, the one or more straight sections having a first cross-sectional area and the one or more curved sections having a second cross-sectional area that is greater than the first cross-sectional area. 
     Clause 12. The apparatus according to clause 1, wherein the channel includes at least one straight section and at least one curved section, the curved section being defined by one or more walls, at least a portion of the radially emitting fiber residing in the curved section being spaced apart from the one or more walls. 
     Clause 13. The apparatus according to clause 1, wherein the radially emitting fiber has a minimum bending radius, the tube-like body being sufficiently rigid to prevent a deformation of the tube-like body that would result in a bending of the radially emitting fiber beyond the minimum bending radius. 
     Clause 14. The apparatus according to clause 1, wherein the radially emitting fiber has a minimum bending radius, the apparatus being sufficiently rigid to prevent a bending of the radially emitting fiber beyond the minimum bending radius. 
     Clause 15. The apparatus according to clause 1, wherein the light reflecting element is a metallic foil. 
     Clause 16. The apparatus according to clause 1, wherein the light reflecting element is a metal sheet. 
     Clause 17. The apparatus according to clause 1, wherein the tube-like body, radially emitting fiber and light reflecting element comprise a subassembly, the apparatus further comprising a light transparent liner that envelopes the subassembly. 
     Clause 18. The apparatus according to clause 1, wherein the light reflecting element comprises a back face and a front face opposite the back face that faces the outer face of the tube-like body, the apparatus further comprising a liner that lies over the back face of the light reflecting element. 
     Clause 19. The apparatus according to clause 1, further comprising an optical diffuser having a front face and an opposite back face that lies over the front face of the tube-like body. 
     Clause 20. The apparatus according to clause 19, further comprising a light transparent liner that lies over the front face of the optical diffuser and the back face of the light reflecting element. 
     Clause 21. The apparatus according to clause 1, wherein the radially emitting fiber has a diameter dimension, the channel has a bottom surface, the bottom surface of the channel and the front face of the tube-line body being separated by a wall having a thickness dimension that is greater than the diameter dimension of the radially emitting fiber. 
     Clause 22. The apparatus according to clause 1, wherein the radially emitting fiber has a diameter dimension, the channel has a bottom surface, the bottom surface of the channel and the front face of the tube-like body being separated by a wall having a thickness dimension that is greater than 2 times the diameter dimension of the radially emitting fiber. 
     Clause 23. The apparatus according to clause 1, further comprising an elongate tubular member in which the radially emitting fiber resides, the elongate tubular member residing in the channel, the radially emitting fiber having a first diameter and the elongate tubular member having a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter, the elongate tubular member being made of a material that is transparent to light. 
     Clause 24. The apparatus according to clause 23, wherein the elongate tubular member is fixed inside the channel. 
     Clause 25. The apparatus according to clause 24, wherein the elongate tubular member is fixed inside the channel by use of a light transparent adhesive. 
     Clause 26. The apparatus according to clause 1, wherein the tube-like body has a C-shaped cross-section. 
     Clause 27. The apparatus according to clause 1, wherein the tube-like body has a circular-shaped cross-section. 
     Clause 28. The apparatus according to clause 1, wherein the tube-like body has a semicircular-shaped cross-section. 
     Clause 29. The apparatus according to clause 1, wherein the tube-like body has a rectangular-shaped cross-section. 
     Clause 30. The apparatus according to clause 1, wherein the tube-like body has a semi-rectangular-shaped cross-section. 
     Group G clauses: 
     Clause 1. An apparatus for bacterially disinfecting a surface, the apparatus comprising: 
     a light transparent tube-like body having a length and including an outer surface, an inner surface and a through opening, the through opening extending along the length of the tube-like body and being bound by the inner surface; 
     a side firing fiber disposed adjacent a first part of the outer surface of the tube-like body, the side firing fiber having a longitudinal axis and an angled end face that is oriented to totally internally reflect a bacterially disinfecting light beam out of a side surface of the side firing fiber in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis in a direction toward the through opening of the tube-like body. 
     Clause 2. The apparatus according to clause 1, wherein the through opening has a central axis, the side firing fiber being oriented to totally internally reflect a bacterially disinfecting light beam out of a side surface of the side firing fiber in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis in a direction toward the central axis of the through opening. 
     Clause 3. The apparatus according to clause 1 including a plurality of side firing fibers that each has a longitudinal axis and an angled end face that is oriented to totally internally reflect a bacterially disinfecting light beam out of a side surface of the side firing fiber in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis in a direction toward the through opening of the tube-like body, each of the side firing fibers being located adjacent different parts of the outer surface of the tube-like body than of the other side firing fibers. 
     Clause 4. The apparatus according to clause 3, wherein the through opening of the tube-like body has a central axis and each of the plurality side firing fibers being configured to emit a bacterial disinfecting light beam directed toward the central axis of through opening. 
     Clause 5. The apparatus according to clause 3, wherein the plurality of side firing fibers are disposed equidistantly about the outer surface of the tube-like body. 
     Clause 6. The apparatus according to clause 1, wherein the side firing fiber resides in an air-filled cavity. 
     Clause 7. The apparatus according to clause 3, wherein each of the side firing fibers resides in an air-filled cavity. 
     Clause 8. The apparatus according to clause 1, further comprising an end emitting fiber that is configured to end emit a bacterial disinfecting light beam from a distal end of the end emitting fiber, the distal end of the end emitting fiber abutting a second part of the surface of the tube-like body and oriented to direct the bacterial disinfecting light beam in a direction toward the through opening of the tube-like body. 
     Clause 9. The apparatus according to clause 1, further comprising an end emitting fiber that is configured to end emit a bacterial disinfecting beam from a distal end of the end emitting fiber, the distal end of the end emitting fiber being attached to a second part of the outer surface of the tube-like body by use of an index matching adhesive and oriented to direct the bacterial disinfecting light beam in a direction toward the through opening of the tube-like body. 
     Clause 10. The apparatus according to clause 9, wherein the end emitting fiber has a core having a first index of refraction and the tube-like body is composed of a material that has a second index of refraction, the index matching adhesive have an index of refraction that is greater than or equal to the first index of refraction and less than or equal to the second index of refraction. 
     Clause 11. The apparatus according to clause 1, wherein the through opening of the tube-like body includes a central axis, the apparatus further comprising an end emitting fiber that is configured to end emit a bacterial disinfecting light beam from a distal end of the end emitting fiber, the distal end of the end emitting fiber abutting a second part of the surface of the tube-like body and oriented to direct the bacterial disinfecting light beam in a direction toward the central axis of the through opening of the tube-like body. 
     Clause 12. The apparatus according to clause 1, wherein the through opening of the tube-like body includes a central axis, the apparatus further comprising an end emitting fiber that is configured to end emit a bacterial disinfecting beam from a distal end of the end emitting fiber, the distal end of the end emitting fiber being attached to a second part of the outer surface of the tube-like body by use of an index matching adhesive and oriented to direct the bacterial disinfecting light beam in a direction toward the central axis of the through opening of the tube-like body. 
     Clause 13. The apparatus according to clause 3, further comprising an end emitting fiber that is configured to end emit a bacterial disinfecting beam from a distal end of the end emitting fiber, the distal end of the end emitting fiber abutting a portion of the outer surface of the tube-like body and oriented to direct the bacterial disinfecting light beam in a direction toward the through opening of the tube-like body. 
     Clause 14. The apparatus according to clause 3, further comprising an end emitting fiber that is configured to end emit a bacterial disinfecting beam from a distal end of the end emitting fiber, the distal end of the end emitting fiber being attached to a portion of the outer surface of the tube-like body by use of an index matching adhesive and oriented to direct the bacterial disinfecting light beam in a direction toward the through opening of the tube-like body. 
     Clause 15. The apparatus according to clause 3 wherein the different parts of the outer surface of the tube-like body are each arranged at different circumferential locations of the exterior surface, the plurality of side firing fibers being respectively disposed adjacent the plurality of planar surfaces. 
     Clause 16. An apparatus for bacterially disinfecting a surface, the apparatus comprising: 
     a light transparent tube-like body having a length and including an outer surface, an inner surface and a through opening, the through opening extending along the length of the tube-like body and being bound by the inner surface, the outer surface comprising a plurality of sides located at different circumferential locations; 
     a plurality of side firing fibers respectively disposed adjacent the plurality of sides of the outer surface of the tube-like body, each of the side firing fibers having a longitudinal axis and an angled end face that is oriented to totally internally reflect a bacterially disinfecting light beam out of a side surface of the side firing fiber in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis in a direction toward the through opening of the tube-like body. 
     Clause 17. The apparatus according to clause 16, wherein the outer surface comprises at least two sides and at least two side firing fibers. 
     Clause 18. The apparatus according to clause 16, wherein the outer surface comprises at least three sides and at least three side firing fibers. 
     Clause 19. The apparatus according to clause 16, wherein the outer surface comprises at least three sides and at least three side firing fibers. 
     Clause 20. The apparatus according to clause 16, wherein the outer surface comprises at least four sides and at least four side firing fibers. 
     Group H clauses: 
     Clause 1. An endotracheal tube support assembly comprising: 
     a headband configured for placement around the head of a patient; 
     a bite block supported on the headband, the bite block being configured to support at least a portion of an intubation tube; 
     a lip guard supported on the headband, the lip guard comprising: 
     a flexible body made of a material that is transparent to light and having formed therein a channel, the flexible body having an as-manufactured state and a flexed state that occurs when the flexible body is bent away from its as-manufactured state; 
     a radially emitting fiber having a length and configured to radially emit bacterial disinfecting light, the radially emitting fiber having a longitudinal axis that is disposed in the channel, at least a portion of the radially emitting fiber having an axial and/or radial freedom of movement inside the channel when the flexible body transitions between the as-manufactured state and the flexed state, the axial and or radial freedom of movement reducing the amount of tensile stress applied along the length of the radially emitting fiber when the flexible body is bent as compared to an amount of tensile stress that would otherwise be applied to the radially emitting fiber in an absence of the axial and/or radial freedom of movement of the radially emitting fiber inside the channel. 
     Clause 2. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 1, wherein the radially emitting fiber has a proximal end and a distal end and the channel has an end wall, the distal end of the radially emitting fiber being spaced a distance from the end wall of the channel. 
     Clause 3. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 2, wherein the proximal end of the radially emitting fiber is fixed relative to the flexible body and the distal end of the radially emitting fiber is not fixed to the flexible body. 
     Clause 4. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 2, wherein the distance between the distal end of the radially emitting fiber and the end wall of the channel changes when the flexible body transitions between the as-manufactured and flexed states. 
     Clause 5. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 1, wherein the radially emitting fiber has an outer diameter and a corresponding cross-sectional area and the channel has a cross-sectional area, the cross-sectional area of the radially emitting fiber being less that the cross-sectional area of the channel. 
     Clause 6. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 1, wherein the channel includes one or more straight sections and one or more curved sections, the one or more straight sections having a first cross-sectional area and the one or more curved sections having a second cross-sectional area that is greater than the first cross-sectional area. 
     Clause 7. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 1, wherein the channel includes at least one straight section and at least one curved section, the curved section being defined by one or more walls, at least a portion of the radially emitting fiber residing in the curved section being spaced apart from the one or more walls. 
     Clause 8. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 1, wherein the channel is located internal to the flexible body. 
     Clause 9. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 1, wherein the radially emitting fiber has a minimum bending radius, the flexible body being sufficiently rigid to prevent a flexing of the flexible body inside the channel that would result in a bending of the radially emitting fiber beyond the minimum bending radius. 
     Clause 10. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 1, wherein the radially emitting fiber has a minimum bending radius, the lip guard being sufficiently rigid to prevent a bending of the radially emitting fiber beyond the minimum bending radius. 
     Clause 11. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 1, wherein the flexible body has a front face and a back face, the channel being formed in the front face, the back face of the flexible body comprising a light reflecting coating that is configured to reflect a bacterial disinfecting light emitted from a backside of the radially emitting fiber in a direction toward the front face of the flexible body. 
     Clause 12. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 1, wherein the flexible body has a front face and a back face, the channel being formed in the front face, the lip guard further comprising a light reflecting element disposed over the back face of the flexible body, the light reflecting element having a front face that faces the back face of the flexible body and a back face opposite the front face, the front face of the light reflecting element being configured to reflect a bacterial disinfecting light emitted from a backside of the radially emitting fiber in a direction toward the front face of the flexible body. 
     Clause 13. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 12, wherein the light reflecting element is a metallic foil. 
     Clause 14. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 12, wherein the light reflecting element is a metal sheet. 
     Clause 15. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 11, further comprising a flexible liner that is transparent to light, the flexible liner enveloping the flexible body. 
     Clause 16. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 12, further comprising a flexible liner that lies over the front face of the flexible body and the back face of the light reflecting element, the flexible liner being transparent to light. 
     Clause 17. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 15, further comprising an optical diffuser disposed between the front face of the flexible body and the flexible liner. 
     Clause 18. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 16, further comprising an optical diffuser disposed between the front face of the flexible body and the flexible liner. 
     Clause 19. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 1, further comprising an optical diffuser having a front face and a back face, the back face of the optical diffuser being disposed over the front face of the flexible body. 
     Clause 20. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 19, further comprising a liner that lies over the front face of the optical diffuser and the back face of the flexible body. 
     Clause 21. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 20, further comprising a light reflecting coating or light reflecting element that is disposed between the back face of the flexible body and the liner. 
     Clause 22. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 11, wherein the radially emitting fiber has a diameter dimension, the channel has a bottom surface, the bottom surface of the channel and the back face of the flexible body being separated by a wall having a thickness dimension that is greater than the diameter dimension of the radially emitting fiber. 
     Clause 23. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 12, wherein the radially emitting fiber has a diameter dimension, the channel has a bottom surface, the bottom surface of the channel and the front face of the light reflecting element being separated by a distance that is greater than or equal to the diameter dimension of the radially emitting fiber. 
     Clause 24. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 11, wherein the radially emitting fiber has a diameter dimension, the channel has a bottom surface, the bottom surface of the channel and the back face of the flexible body being separated by a wall having a thickness dimension that is greater than 2 to 5 times the diameter dimension of the radially emitting fiber. 
     Clause 25. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 12, wherein the radially emitting fiber has a diameter dimension, the channel has a bottom surface, the bottom surface of the channel and the front face of the light reflecting element being separated by a distance that is greater than 2 to 5 times the diameter dimension of the radially emitting fiber. 
     Clause 26. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 1, further comprising an elongate tubular member in which the radially emitting fiber resides, the elongate tubular member residing in the channel, the radially emitting fiber having a first diameter and the elongate tubular member having a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter, the elongate tubular member being made of a material that is transparent to light. 
     Clause 27. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 26, wherein the elongate tubular member is fixed inside the channel. 
     Clause 28. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 27, wherein the elongate tubular member is fixed inside the channel by use of a light transparent adhesive. 
     Clause 29. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 25, wherein the elongate tubular member is flexible. 
     Clause 30. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 25, wherein the elongate tubular member has a length that is greater than the length of the radially emitting fiber. 
     Clause 31. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 1, wherein the flexible body comprises a through opening configured to receive therein the bite block. 
     Clause 32. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 1, wherein the bite block comprises: 
     a tube-like body having a length and including an inner face, an outer face and a through opening, the through opening extending along the length of the tube-like body, the tube-like body being made of a material that is transparent to light and having formed in the outer face a channel; 
     a radially emitting fiber having a longitudinal axis that is disposed in the channel of the tube-like body, the radially emitting fiber having a length and configured to radially emit a bacterial disinfecting light along a majority of the length of the radially emitting fiber, the radially emitting fiber having an inner side that faces the toward the through opening and an outer side that faces away from the through opening; and 
     a light reflecting element disposed over the outer face of the tube-like surface and the outer side of the radially emitting fiber, the light reflecting element configured to reflect the bacterial disinfecting light emitted from the outer side of the radially emitting fiber in a direction toward the through opening of the tube-like body. 
     Clause 33. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 32, wherein at least one or more portions of the radially emitting fiber has an axial and/or radial freedom of movement inside the channel. 
     Clause 34. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 32, wherein the tube-like body is elastically deformable so that the bite block is transitional between non-deformed and deformed states, at least one or more portions of the radially emitting fiber having an axial and/or radial freedom of movement inside the channel when the bite block transitions between the non-deformed and deformed states, the axial and/or radial freedom of movement reducing the amount of tensile stress applied along the length of the radially emitting fiber when the bite block transitions between the non-deformed and deformed states as compared to an amount of tensile stress that would otherwise be applied to the radially emitting fiber in an absence of the axial and/or radial freedom of movement of the radially emitting fiber inside the channel. 
     Clause 35. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 33, wherein the radially emitting fiber has a proximal end and a distal end and the channel has a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the radially emitting fiber being spaced a distance from the distal end of the channel. 
     Clause 36. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 34, wherein the radially emitting fiber has a proximal end and a distal end and the channel has a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the radially emitting fiber being spaced a distance from the distal end of the channel. 
     Clause 37. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 33, wherein the proximal end of the radially emitting fiber is fixed relative to the tube-like body and the distal end of the radially emitting fiber is not fixed to the tube-like body. 
     Clause 38. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 34, wherein the proximal end of the radially emitting fiber is fixed relative to the tube-like body and the distal end of the radially emitting fiber is not fixed to the tube-like body. 
     Clause 39. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 33, wherein the distance between the distal end of the radially emitting fiber and the distal end of the channel changes when the tube-like body transitions between the non-deformed and deformed states. 
     Clause 40. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 34, wherein the distance between the distal end of the radially emitting fiber and the distal end of the channel changes when the tube-like body transitions between the non-deformed and deformed states. 
     Clause 41. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 32, wherein the radially emitting fiber has an outer diameter and a corresponding cross-sectional area and the channel has a cross-sectional area, the cross-sectional area of the radially emitting fiber being less that the cross-sectional area of the channel. 
     Clause 42. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 32, wherein the channel includes one or more straight sections and one or more curved sections, the one or more straight sections having a first cross-sectional area and the one or more curved sections having a second cross-sectional area that is greater than the first cross-sectional area. 
     Clause 43. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 32, wherein the channel includes at least one straight section and at least one curved section, the curved section being defined by one or more walls, at least a portion of the radially emitting fiber residing in the curved section being spaced apart from the one or more walls. 
     Clause 44. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 32, wherein the radially emitting fiber has a minimum bending radius, the tube-like body being sufficiently rigid to prevent a deformation of the tube-like body that would result in a bending of the radially emitting fiber beyond the minimum bending radius. 
     Clause 45. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 32, wherein the radially emitting fiber has a minimum bending radius, the bite block being sufficiently rigid to prevent a bending of the radially emitting fiber beyond the minimum bending radius. 
     Clause 46. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 32, wherein the light reflecting element is a metallic foil. 
     Clause 47. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 32, wherein the light reflecting element is a metal sheet. 
     Clause 48. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 32, wherein the tube-like body, radially emitting fiber and light reflecting element comprise a subassembly, the bite block further comprising a light transparent liner that envelopes the subassembly. 
     Clause 49. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 32, wherein the light reflecting element comprises a back face and a front face opposite the back face that faces the outer face of the tube-like body, the bite block further comprising a liner that lies over the back face of the light reflecting element. 
     Clause 50. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 32, further comprising an optical diffuser having a front face and an opposite back face that lies over the front face of the tube-like body. 
     Clause 51. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 50, further comprising a light transparent liner that lies over the front face of the optical diffuser and the back face of the light reflecting element. 
     Clause 52. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 32, wherein the radially emitting fiber has a diameter dimension, the channel has a bottom surface, the bottom surface of the channel and the front face of the tube-line body being separated by a wall having a thickness dimension that is greater than the diameter dimension of the radially emitting fiber. 
     Clause 53. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 32, wherein the radially emitting fiber has a diameter dimension, the channel has a bottom surface, the bottom surface of the channel and the front face of the tube-like body being separated by a wall having a thickness dimension that is greater than 2 times the diameter dimension of the radially emitting fiber. 
     Clause 54. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 32, further comprising an elongate tubular member in which the radially emitting fiber resides, the elongate tubular member residing in the channel, the radially emitting fiber having a first diameter and the elongate tubular member having a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter, the elongate tubular member being made of a material that is transparent to light. 
     Clause 55. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 54, wherein the elongate tubular member is fixed inside the channel. 
     Clause 56. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 55, wherein the elongate tubular member is fixed inside the channel by use of a light transparent adhesive. 
     Clause 57. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 32, wherein the tube-like body has a C-shaped cross-section. 
     Clause 58. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 32, wherein the tube-like body has a circular-shaped cross-section. 
     Clause 59. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 32, wherein the tube-like body has a semicircular-shaped cross-section. 
     Clause 60. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 32, wherein the tube-like body has a rectangular-shaped cross-section. 
     Clause 61. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 32, wherein the tube-like body has a semi-rectangular-shaped cross-section. 
     Clause 62. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 1, wherein the lip guard comprises a though opening through which the bite block passes. 
     Group I clauses: 
     Clause 1. An endotracheal tube support assembly comprising: 
     a headband configured for placement around the head of a patient; 
     a bite block supported on the headband, the bite block being configured to support at least a portion of an intubation tube, the bite block comprising: 
     a tube-like body having a length and including an inner face, an outer face and a through opening, the through opening extending along the length of the tube-like body, the tube-like body being made of a material that is transparent to light and having formed in the outer face a channel; 
     a radially emitting fiber having a longitudinal axis that is disposed in the channel of the tube-like body, the radially emitting fiber having a length and configured to radially emit a bacterial disinfecting light along a majority of the length of the radially emitting fiber, the radially emitting fiber having an inner side that faces the toward the through opening and an outer side that faces away from the through opening; and 
     a light reflecting element disposed over the outer face of the tube-like surface and the outer side of the radially emitting fiber, the light reflecting element configured to reflect the bacterial disinfecting light emitted from the outer side of the radially emitting fiber in a direction towards the through opening of the tube-like body. 
     Clause 2. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 1, wherein at least one or more portions of the radially emitting fiber has an axial and/or radial freedom of movement inside the channel. 
     Clause 3. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 1, wherein the tube-like body is elastically deformable so that the bite block is transitional between non-deformed and deformed states, at least one or more portions of the radially emitting fiber having an axial and/or radial freedom of movement inside the channel when the bite block transitions between the non-deformed and deformed states, the axial and/or radial freedom of movement reducing the amount of tensile stress applied along the length of the radially emitting fiber when the bite block transitions between the non-deformed and deformed states as compared to an amount of tensile stress that would otherwise be applied to the radially emitting fiber in an absence of the axial and/or radial freedom of movement of the radially emitting fiber inside the channel. 
     Clause 4. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 2, wherein the radially emitting fiber has a proximal end and a distal end and the channel has a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the radially emitting fiber being spaced a distance from the distal end of the channel. 
     Clause 5. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 3, wherein the radially emitting fiber has a proximal end and a distal end and the channel has a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the radially emitting fiber being spaced a distance from the distal end of the channel. 
     Clause 6. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 2, wherein the proximal end of the radially emitting fiber is fixed relative to the tube-like body and the distal end of the radially emitting fiber is not fixed to the tube-like body. 
     Clause 7. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 3, wherein the proximal end of the radially emitting fiber is fixed relative to the tube-like body and the distal end of the radially emitting fiber is not fixed to the tube-like body. 
     Clause 8. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 2, wherein the distance between the distal end of the radially emitting fiber and the distal end of the channel changes when the tube-like body transitions between the non-deformed and deformed states. 
     Clause 9. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 3, wherein the distance between the distal end of the radially emitting fiber and the distal end of the channel changes when the tube-like body transitions between the non-deformed and deformed states. 
     Clause 10. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 1, wherein the radially emitting fiber has an outer diameter and a corresponding cross-sectional area and the channel has a cross-sectional area, the cross-sectional area of the radially emitting fiber being less that the cross-sectional area of the channel. 
     Clause 11. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 1, wherein the channel includes one or more straight sections and one or more curved sections, the one or more straight sections having a first cross-sectional area and the one or more curved sections having a second cross-sectional area that is greater than the first cross-sectional area. 
     Clause 12. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 1, wherein the channel includes at least one straight section and at least one curved section, the curved section being defined by one or more walls, at least a portion of the radially emitting fiber residing in the curved section being spaced apart from the one or more walls. 
     Clause 13. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 1, wherein the radially emitting fiber has a minimum bending radius, the tube-like body being sufficiently rigid to prevent a deformation of the tube-like body that would result in a bending of the radially emitting fiber beyond the minimum bending radius. 
     Clause 14. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 1, wherein the radially emitting fiber has a minimum bending radius, the bite block being sufficiently rigid to prevent a bending of the radially emitting fiber beyond the minimum bending radius. 
     Clause 15. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 1, wherein the light reflecting element is a metallic foil. 
     Clause 16. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 1, wherein the light reflecting element is a metal sheet. 
     Clause 17. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 1, wherein the tube-like body, radially emitting fiber and light reflecting element comprise a subassembly, the bite block further comprising a light transparent liner that envelopes the subassembly. 
     Clause 18. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 1, wherein the light reflecting element comprises a back face and a front face opposite the back face that faces the outer face of the tube-like body, the bite block further comprising a liner that lies over the back face of the light reflecting element. 
     Clause 19. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 1, further comprising an optical diffuser having a front face and an opposite back face that lies over the front face of the tube-like body. 
     Clause 20. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 19, further comprising a light transparent liner that lies over the front face of the optical diffuser and the back face of the light reflecting element. 
     Clause 21. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 1, wherein the radially emitting fiber has a diameter dimension, the channel has a bottom surface, the bottom surface of the channel and the front face of the tube-line body being separated by a wall having a thickness dimension that is greater than the diameter dimension of the radially emitting fiber. 
     Clause 22. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 1, wherein the radially emitting fiber has a diameter dimension, the channel has a bottom surface, the bottom surface of the channel and the front face of the tube-like body being separated by a wall having a thickness dimension that is greater than 2 times the diameter dimension of the radially emitting fiber. 
     Clause 23. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 1, further comprising an elongate tubular member in which the radially emitting fiber resides, the elongate tubular member residing in the channel, the radially emitting fiber having a first diameter and the elongate tubular member having a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter, the elongate tubular member being made of a material that is transparent to light. 
     Clause 24. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 23, wherein the elongate tubular member is fixed inside the channel. 
     Clause 25. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 24, wherein the elongate tubular member is fixed inside the channel by use of a light transparent adhesive. 
     Clause 26. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 1, wherein the tube-like body has a C-shaped cross-section. 
     Clause 27. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 1, wherein the tube-like body has a circular-shaped cross-section. 
     Clause 28. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 1, wherein the tube-like body has a semicircular-shaped cross-section. 
     Clause 29. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 1, wherein the tube-like body has a rectangular-shaped cross-section. 
     Clause 30. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 1, wherein the tube-like body has a semi-rectangular-shaped cross-section. 
     Clause 31. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 1, further comprising a lip guard supported on the headband, the lip guard comprising: 
     a flexible body made of a material that is transparent to light and having formed therein a channel, the flexible body having an as-manufactured state and a flexed state that occurs when the flexible body is bent away from its as-manufactured state; 
     a radially emitting fiber having a length and configured to radially emit bacterial disinfecting light, the radially emitting fiber having a longitudinal axis that is disposed in the channel, at least a portion of the radially emitting fiber having an axial and/or radial freedom of movement inside the channel when the flexible body transitions between the as-manufactured state and the flexed state, the axial and or radial freedom of movement reducing the amount of tensile stress applied along the length of the radially emitting fiber when the flexible body is bent as compared to an amount of tensile stress that would otherwise be applied to the radially emitting fiber in an absence of the axial and/or radial freedom of movement of the radially emitting fiber inside the channel. 
     Clause 32. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 31, wherein the radially emitting fiber has a proximal end and a distal end and the channel has an end wall, the distal end of the radially emitting fiber being spaced a distance from the end wall of the channel. 
     Clause 33. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 32, wherein the proximal end of the radially emitting fiber is fixed relative to the flexible body and the distal end of the radially emitting fiber is not fixed to the flexible body. 
     Clause 34. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 32, wherein the distance between the distal end of the radially emitting fiber and the end wall of the channel changes when the flexible body transitions between the as-manufactured and flexed states. 
     Clause 35. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 31, wherein the radially emitting fiber has an outer diameter and a corresponding cross-sectional area and the channel has a cross-sectional area, the cross-sectional area of the radially emitting fiber being less that the cross-sectional area of the channel. 
     Clause 36. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 31, wherein the channel includes one or more straight sections and one or more curved sections, the one or more straight sections having a first cross-sectional area and the one or more curved sections having a second cross-sectional area that is greater than the first cross-sectional area. 
     Clause 37. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 31, wherein the channel includes at least one straight section and at least one curved section, the curved section being defined by one or more walls, at least a portion of the radially emitting fiber residing in the curved section being spaced apart from the one or more walls. 
     Clause 38. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 31, wherein the channel is located internal to the flexible body. 
     Clause 39. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 31, wherein the radially emitting fiber has a minimum bending radius, the flexible body being sufficiently rigid to prevent a flexing of the flexible body inside the channel that would result in a bending of the radially emitting fiber beyond the minimum bending radius. 
     Clause 40. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 31, wherein the radially emitting fiber has a minimum bending radius, the lip guard being sufficiently rigid to prevent a bending of the radially emitting fiber beyond the minimum bending radius. 
     Clause 41. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 31, wherein the flexible body has a front face and a back face, the channel being formed in the front face, the back face of the flexible body comprising a light reflecting coating that is configured to reflect a bacterial disinfecting light emitted from a backside of the radially emitting fiber in a direction toward the front face of the flexible body. 
     Clause 42. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 31, wherein the flexible body has a front face and a back face, the channel being formed in the front face, the lip guard further comprising a light reflecting element disposed over the back face of the flexible body, the light reflecting element having a front face that faces the back face of the flexible body and a back face opposite the front face, the front face of the light reflecting element being configured to reflect a bacterial disinfecting light emitted from a backside of the radially emitting fiber in a direction toward the front face of the flexible body. 
     Clause 43. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 42, wherein the light reflecting element is a metallic foil. 
     Clause 44. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 42, wherein the light reflecting element is a metal sheet. 
     Clause 45. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 41, further comprising a flexible liner that is transparent to light, the flexible liner enveloping the flexible body. 
     Clause 46. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 42, further comprising a flexible liner that lies over the front face of the flexible body and the back face of the light reflecting element, the flexible liner being transparent to light. 
     Clause 47. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 45, further comprising an optical diffuser disposed between the front face of the flexible body and the flexible liner. 
     Clause 48. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 46, further comprising an optical diffuser disposed between the front face of the flexible body and the flexible liner. 
     Clause 49. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 31, further comprising an optical diffuser having a front face and a back face, the back face of the optical diffuser being disposed over the front face of the flexible body. 
     Clause 50. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 49, further comprising a liner that lies over the front face of the optical diffuser and the back face of the flexible body. 
     Clause 51. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 40, further comprising a light reflecting coating or light reflecting element that is disposed between the back face of the flexible body and the liner. 
     Clause 52. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 41, wherein the radially emitting fiber has a diameter dimension, the channel has a bottom surface, the bottom surface of the channel and the back face of the flexible body being separated by a wall having a thickness dimension that is greater than the diameter dimension of the radially emitting fiber. 
     Clause 53. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 42, wherein the radially emitting fiber has a diameter dimension, the channel has a bottom surface, the bottom surface of the channel and the front face of the light reflecting element being separated by a distance that is greater than or equal to the diameter dimension of the radially emitting fiber. 
     Clause 54. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 41, wherein the radially emitting fiber has a diameter dimension, the channel has a bottom surface, the bottom surface of the channel and the back face of the flexible body being separated by a wall having a thickness dimension that is greater than 2 to 5 times the diameter dimension of the radially emitting fiber. 
     Clause 55. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 32, wherein the radially emitting fiber has a diameter dimension, the channel has a bottom surface, the bottom surface of the channel and the front face of the light reflecting element being separated by a distance that is greater than 2 to 5 times the diameter dimension of the radially emitting fiber. 
     Clause 56. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 31, further comprising an elongate tubular member in which the radially emitting fiber resides, the elongate tubular member residing in the channel, the radially emitting fiber having a first diameter and the elongate tubular member having a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter, the elongate tubular member being made of a material that is transparent to light. 
     Clause 57. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 56, wherein the elongate tubular member is fixed inside the channel. 
     Clause 58. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 57, wherein the elongate tubular member is fixed inside the channel by use of a light transparent adhesive. 
     Clause 59. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 55, wherein the elongate tubular member is flexible. 
     Clause 60. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 55, wherein the elongate tubular member has a length that is greater than the length of the radially emitting fiber. 
     Clause 61. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 31, wherein the flexible body comprises a through opening configured to receive therein the bite block. 
     Clause 62. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 31, wherein the lip guard comprises a though opening through which the bite block passes. 
     Group J clauses: 
     Clause 1. An endotracheal tube assembly comprising: 
     an intubation tube having a proximal end and a distal end; 
     a ventilator tube; 
     a connector that fluidly connects the proximal end of the intubation tube with the ventilator tube, the connector having a first end and a second end the first end of the connector being coupled with the ventilator tube at a first connection location and the second end of the connector being coupled with the proximal end of the intubation tube at a second connection location; and 
     a bacterial disinfecting light apparatus disposed about one or both of the first and second connection locations, the bacterial light disinfecting apparatus comprising one or more optical fibers that are configured to emit bacterial disinfecting light toward one or both of the first and second connection locations. 
     Clause 2. The endotracheal tube assembly according to clause 1, wherein the one or more optical fibers include one or more radially emitting fibers. 
     Clause 3. The endotracheal tube assembly according to clause 1, wherein the one or more optical fibers include one or more side firing fibers. 
     Clause 4. The endotracheal tube assembly according to clause 1, wherein the one or more optical fibers include at least one side firing fiber and at least one end emitting fiber. 
     Clause 5. The endotracheal tube assembly according to clause 1, wherein the bacterial disinfecting light apparatus comprises: 
     a tube-like body having a length and including an inner face, an outer face and a through opening, the through opening extending along the length of the tube-like body, the tube-like body being made of a material that is transparent to light and having formed in the outer face a channel, at least a portion of the connector residing inside the through opening; 
     the one or more optical fibers including a radially emitting fiber having a longitudinal axis that is disposed in the channel of the tube-like body, the radially emitting fiber having a length and configured to radially emit a bacterial disinfecting light along a majority of the length of the radially emitting fiber, the radially emitting fiber having an inner side that faces towards the through opening and an outer side that faces away from the through opening; and 
     a light reflecting element disposed over the outer face of the tube-like surface and the outer side of the radially emitting fiber, the light reflecting element configured to reflect the bacterial disinfecting light emitted from the outer side of the radially emitting fiber in a direction towards the through opening of the tube-like body. 
     Clause 6. The endotracheal tube assembly according to clause 1, wherein the bacterial disinfecting light apparatus comprises: 
     a light transparent tube-like body having a length and including an outer surface, an inner surface and a through opening, the through opening extending along the length of the tube-like body and being bound by the inner surface, at least a portion of the connector residing in the through opening; 
     a side firing fiber disposed adjacent a first part of the outer surface of the tube-like body, the side firing fiber having a longitudinal axis and an angled end face that is oriented to totally internally reflect a bacterially disinfecting light beam out of a side surface of the side firing fiber in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis in a direction toward the through opening of the tube-like body. 
     Clause 7. The endotracheal tube assembly according to clause 6, wherein the through opening has a central axis, the side firing fiber being oriented to totally internally reflect a bacterially disinfecting light beam out of a side surface of the side firing fiber in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis in a direction toward the central axis of the through opening. 
     Clause 8. The endotracheal tube assembly according to clause 6 including a plurality of side firing fibers that each has a longitudinal axis and an angled end face that is oriented to totally internally reflect a bacterially disinfecting light beam out of a side surface of the side firing fiber in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis in a direction toward the through opening of the tube-like body, each of the side firing fibers being located adjacent different parts of the outer surface of the tube-like body than of the other side firing fibers. 
     Clause 9. The endotracheal tube assembly according to clause 8, wherein the through opening of the tube-like body has a central axis and each of the plurality side firing fibers being configured to emit a bacterial disinfecting light beam directed toward the central axis of through opening. 
     Clause 10. The endotracheal tube assembly according to clause 8, wherein the plurality of side firing fibers are disposed equidistantly about the outer surface of the tube-like body. 
     Clause 11. The endotracheal tube assembly according to clause 6, wherein the side firing fiber resides in an air-filled cavity. 
     Clause 12. The endotracheal tube assembly according to clause 8, wherein each of the side firing fibers resides in an air-filled cavity. 
     Clause 13. The endotracheal tube assembly according to clause 6, further comprising an end emitting fiber that is configured to end emit a bacterial disinfecting light beam from a distal end of the end emitting fiber, the distal end of the end emitting fiber abutting a second part of the surface of the tube-like body and oriented to direct the bacterial disinfecting light beam in a direction toward the through opening of the tube-like body. 
     Clause 14. The endotracheal tube assembly according to clause 6, further comprising an end emitting fiber that is configured to end emit a bacterial disinfecting beam from a distal end of the end emitting fiber, the distal end of the end emitting fiber being attached to a second part of the outer surface of the tube-like body by use of an index matching adhesive and oriented to direct the bacterial disinfecting light beam in a direction toward the through opening of the tube-like body. 
     Clause 15. The endotracheal tube assembly according to clause 14, wherein the end emitting fiber has a core having a first index of refraction and the tube-like body is composed of a material that has a second index of refraction, the index matching adhesive have an index of refraction that is greater than or equal to the first index of refraction and less than or equal to the second index of refraction. 
     Clause 16. The endotracheal tube assembly according to clause 6, wherein the through opening of the tube-like body includes a central axis, the bacterial disinfecting light apparatus further comprising an end emitting fiber that is configured to end emit a bacterial disinfecting light beam from a distal end of the end emitting fiber, the distal end of the end emitting fiber abutting a second part of the surface of the tube-like body and oriented to direct the bacterial disinfecting light beam in a direction toward the central axis of the through opening of the tube-like body. 
     Clause 17. The endotracheal tube assembly according to clause 6, wherein the through opening of the tube-like body includes a central axis, the bacterial disinfecting light apparatus further comprising an end emitting fiber that is configured to end emit a bacterial disinfecting beam from a distal end of the end emitting fiber, the distal end of the end emitting fiber being attached to a second part of the outer surface of the tube-like body by use of an index matching adhesive and oriented to direct the bacterial disinfecting light beam in a direction toward the central axis of the through opening of the tube-like body. 
     Clause 18. The endotracheal tube assembly according to clause 8, further comprising an end emitting fiber that is configured to end emit a bacterial disinfecting beam from a distal end of the end emitting fiber, the distal end of the end emitting fiber abutting a portion of the outer surface of the tube-like body and oriented to direct the bacterial disinfecting light beam in a direction toward the through opening of the tube-like body. 
     Clause 19. The endotracheal tube assembly according to clause 8, further comprising an end emitting fiber that is configured to end emit a bacterial disinfecting beam from a distal end of the end emitting fiber, the distal end of the end emitting fiber being attached to a portion of the outer surface of the tube-like body by use of an index matching adhesive and oriented to direct the bacterial disinfecting light beam in a direction toward the through opening of the tube-like body. 
     Clause 20. The endotracheal tube assembly according to clause 8 wherein the different parts of the outer surface of the tube-like body are each arranged at different circumferential locations of the exterior surface, the plurality of side firing fibers being respectively disposed adjacent the plurality of planar surfaces. 
     Clause 21. The endotracheal tube assembly of clause 1, wherein the bacterial disinfecting light apparatus comprises: 
     a light transparent tube-like body having a length and including an outer surface, an inner surface and a through opening, the through opening extending along the length of the tube-like body and being bound by the inner surface, the outer surface comprising a plurality of sides located at different circumferential locations; 
     a plurality of side firing fibers respectively disposed adjacent the plurality of sides of the outer surface of the tube-like body, each of the side firing fibers having a longitudinal axis and an angled end face that is oriented to totally internally reflect a bacterially disinfecting light beam out of a side surface of the side firing fiber in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis in a direction toward the through opening of the tube-like body. 
     Clause 22. The endotracheal tube assembly according to clause 21, wherein the outer surface comprises at least two sides and at least two side firing fibers. 
     Clause 23. The endotracheal tube assembly according to clause 21, wherein the outer surface comprises at least three sides and at least three side firing fibers. 
     Clause 24. The endotracheal tube assembly according to clause 21, wherein the outer surface comprises at least three sides and at least three side firing fibers. 
     Clause 25. The endotracheal tube assembly according to clause 21, wherein the outer surface comprises at least four sides and at least four side firing fibers. 
     In the context of the present application the term “axial freedom of movement” refers to an object&#39;s ability to move in a direction corresponding to a longitudinal axis of the body inside a channel or other housing in which the object is disposed. The term “radial freedom of movement” refers to an object&#39;s ability to move in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the body inside a channel or other housing in which the object is disposed.