초록 ▼

An antimicrobial device which is adaptably affixable to a large variety of commercially available catheters. Preferably, the device employs a pair of metal ion emitting electrodes which are at least partially disposed within an insertion site of the catheter and which are pulsed with alternating pot

An antimicrobial device which is adaptably affixable to a large variety of commercially available catheters. Preferably, the device employs a pair of metal ion emitting electrodes which are at least partially disposed within an insertion site of the catheter and which are pulsed with alternating potentials to electrolytically elute ions into surrounding tissue to build an antiseptic zone about the insertion site. The device comprises an insertion sleeve and associated jacket which is slidably affixable to the indwelling catheter and a self-contained battery power source and electronics unit. The unit supplies power for the electrolytic action and for electronics which time the period and width of potential signals for the electrolysis. Through alternate elution and deposition of ions back and forth between the electrodes, long term indwelling catheter efficacy is assured. Period activation also increases length of battery life. The electronic unit also has easily seen indicators which signal state of battery power. While this device is usable in most catheter procedures, its use is particularly applicable for long term indwelling catheter applications.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:] [1.] An antimicrobial device which is affixed to an indwelling catheter, said device comprising:a sleeve and jacket assembly comprising an elongated sleeve part with a jacket part securely affixed thereto;said sleeve part comprising

[ What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:] [1.] An antimicrobial device which is affixed to an indwelling catheter, said device comprising:a sleeve and jacket assembly comprising an elongated sleeve part with a jacket part securely affixed thereto;said sleeve part comprising a pair of spatially separated electrodes disposed in a predetermined pattern such that, when said sleeve part is at least partially disposed within an electrically conductive medium, ions eluted by electrolysis from one of said electrodes and attracted to the other of said electrodes creates an effective antimicrobial zone of influence within said medium about said electrodes;said jacket part and said sleeve parts of said jacket and sleeve assembly cooperatively comprising a pathway through which the indwelling catheter is slidably disposed;said jacket part further comprising extensions of each of said electrodes and a first electrical connector for communicating electrical power signals with a second electrical connector; anda locking cap assembly comprising a primary power source and a control circuit for applying power in a predetermined sequence and polarity to said electrodes;said locking cap assembly further comprising a fitting, which releasibly but securely affixes said locking cap assembly to said sleeve and jacket assembly and further compressively affixes said sleeve and jacket assembly to the indwelling catheter disposed in said pathway thereby obviating displacement of the indwelling catheter relative to the sleeve and jacket assembly, and the second electrical connector which completes an electrical circuit to said electrodes through said first connector when the locking cap assembly is affixed to said sleeve and jacket assembly.