Device and method for sterilization of instruments and surfaces

Abstract

A device for decontaminating a medical device, the device including a compartment adapted to contain a medical device and a solution, the solution comprising a photoactivatable substance; and a light system providing 360 degrees of exposure to the compartment. Also, a method for decontaminating a medical device, the method including placing a medical device in a compartment with a solution, the solution comprising a photoactivatable substance; incubating the medical device in the solution to allow the photoactivatable substance to attach to pathogens; and exposing the compartment to 360 degrees of light exposure to activate the photoactivatable substance.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for decontaminating a medical device, the device comprising:
 a compartment adapted to contain an entire medical device and a solution, the solution comprising a photoactivatable substance; and   a light system providing 360 degrees of exposure to the compartment.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the compartment includes multiple light sources. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein essentially the entire interior surface of the compartment is reflective. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device further comprises a container, the container being selected from a bag system or a cup system, the container adapted to be placed in the compartment. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the bag system includes a bag adapted to contain the medical device and solution, wherein the bag comprises a seal and an input device for inputting and/or drainage of the solution. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the seal is resealable. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the input device includes a valve to control when the input device is open or closed. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the light system provides UV light. 
     
     
         9 . A method for decontaminating a medical device, the method comprising:
 placing a medical device in a compartment with a solution, the solution comprising a photoactivatable substance;   incubating the medical device in the solution to allow the photoactivatable substance to attach to pathogens; and   exposing the compartment to 360 degrees of light exposure to activate the photoactivatable substance.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the method further comprises placing the medical device and solution in a container, and placing the container in the compartment. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the light is UV light. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the photoactivatable substance is riboflavin. 
     
     
         13 . A device for decontaminating a surface, the device comprising:
 a concave piece adapted to surround a surface; and   a light system providing about 180 degrees of exposure to the surface.   
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein essentially the entire surface-surrounding side of the concave piece has a reflective coating. 
     
     
         15 . A method for decontaminating a surface, the method comprising:
 applying a solution with a photoactivatable substance the surface;   exposing the surface to about 180 degrees of light exposure to activate the photoactivatable substance.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the light exposure is with a concave piece. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the light exposure is a single source of direct light. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the surface is skin. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the skin comprises a current or planned wound. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the skin comprises a proposed surgical incision site. 
     
     
         21 . A device for introducing light into a body cavity, the device comprising:
 a handle containing a power source;   a light source; and   an arm connecting the handle and the light source, the light source providing 360 degrees of UV light.   
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the device is adapted to introduce light into a body cavity by penetration of the device into the body cavity, wherein the body cavity is selected from the nose or eye. 
     
     
         23 . A method for disinfecting a body cavity, the method comprising:
 applying a solution to a body cavity, the solution comprising a photoactivatable substance;   exposing the nasal passage to a light source providing 360 degrees of UV light to activate the photoactivatable substance.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the body cavity is a nasal passage.