photosensitizers have been effectively used in fighting cancer and undesired cell proliferation , as well as in the destruction of bacteria . once the chosen photosensitizer is irradiated by light of a suitable wavelength it acts as a catalyst for the generation of singlet oxygen . singlet oxygen is a very reactive molecule that rapidly oxidizes the cellular components surrounding it . the use of singlet oxygen is effective in the destruction of bacteria as well as effective for its prior use in cancer treatments . since medical device surfaces are susceptible to bacterial growth and adherence while in vivo , it is advantageous if photosensitizers are utilized on those surfaces . catheters and medical taps are particularly prone to infection . semi permanent implants such as artificial teeth are also prone to bacterial infection because they create ideal pockets for bacteria to grow in . catheters for example must be removed and replaced periodically to prevent bacteria from harming the patient . if the bacterial growth on and adherence to the catheter could be minimized , the catheter could remain inside the body for much longer periods of time with a reduced risk of infection and complications . a medical device surface is manufactured with a photosensitizer coating . a specifically chosen photosensitizing compound , on the surface of the device , is a catalyst for singlet oxygen . instead of using light energy to directly kill the bacteria , the appropriate wavelength of light activates the coating . the singlet oxygen rapidly oxidizes the cellular components surrounding it and therefore kills the bacteria . the present invention targets the bacteria and keeps it from adhering to and growing on the device surface while minimizing the risk of damage to surrounding tissue . several preferred method embodiments are possible . in the first , a suitable photosensitizer is immobilized on a device &# 39 ; s surface and the area prone to microbial attack is periodically irradiated . alternatively , a suitable photosensitizer is released in a controlled manner from the device &# 39 ; s surface or from / through its surface layer . the photosensitizer is then in close proximity to or in contact with the bacteria when the area is subsequently irradiated . finally , a suitable photosensitizing compound can be introduced from an outside source . the medical device is designed so that either the photosensitizing compound can be introduced directly to the medical device surface , or that the introduced photosensitizing compound will permeate or leach through to the medical device &# 39 ; s surface . some medical devices are intended to remain in contact with the body for a long and undetermined amount of time . for example an artificial tooth implant is screwed into a patient &# 39 ; s palate and potentially left in the mouth for years . one problem is that the oral cavity has more bacteria present than skin surfaces . the artificial tooth creates difficult to reach pockets that could promote bacterial growth . one embodiment of the present invention is an artificial tooth implant manufactured with optical light guides inside the tooth . these light guides direct applied light from an outer accessible surface of the tooth to the bacterial growth area . since a photosensitizing coating would not necessarily last long enough in the oral cavity , the artificial tooth alternatively also incorporates means for applying the photosensitizer . a modified artificial tooth includes pores or channels that allow the photosensitizer to pass from a surface portion of the tooth to the bacterial growth areas . the photosensitizer is subsequently photo - activated to destroy the bacteria in the pocket of bacterial growth . in another embodiment of the present invention , it is possible to initiate the periodic release of the photosensitizer from or through the device &# 39 ; s surface by suitable means such as light exposure with a suitable first wavelength . this initial exposure brings the photosensitizer from some dormant state , to a state that can be activated . alternatively this initial exposure triggers the release of the photosensitizer . this initial exposure and release of photosensitizer would be followed by exposure of the site with a second wavelength , which is appropriate to activate the photosensitizer and generate to singlet oxygen . this second exposure would take place after a suitable time interval has elapsed from the first irradiation , either to allow the optimum take up of the photosensitizer by the target bacteria or the optimum contact and proximity by the photosensitizer to the target bacteria . generally , embodiments of the current invention will make use of either a photosensitizer in the form of a coating on a medical device , or a photosensitizer that can be released from or through the surface and then remain in the vicinity of surface of the medical device . a preferred embodiment of the current invention is depicted in fig1 . a catheter is inserted through the urinary tract to enable urine drainage . catheter 17 is manufactured with the photosensitive substance immobilized on its cylindrical outer surface 12 . the coating is immobilized on any distal surface that will remain in contact with the body . surface 12 is in contact with the body when catheter 17 is inserted into the body . inner surface 15 of lumen 19 can also be coated when advantageous . in situations where there is some likelihood of back flow through lumen 19 , a coating on inner surface 15 will reduce bacterial contamination into the body from lumen area 19 . a suitable fiber can then be inserted and withdrawn through one or more lumen 19 a and 19 b . the proximal end of the fiber is connected to a medical laser of suitable wavelength and output set at some predetermined rate . the fiber is then withdrawn at some predetermined rate to irradiate an extended section of the catheter . the dosage that is consequently applied per square unit surface area on the catheter &# 39 ; s inner and outer surface is chosen to be sufficient to kill bacteria that have grown on and attached to those surfaces . the material used to manufacture the catheter is essentially transparent or sufficiently translucent to the wavelength required for photosensitizer activation . before insertion into the body , the catheter is contained in an envelope that is either light tight to prevent premature bleaching of the photosensitizer from its exposure to daylight or artificial light or the envelope can be impenetrable to those wavelengths resulting in bleaching of the photosensitizer . in another embodiment of the present invention , a catheter , as depicted in fig2 is described that allows fibers to be inserted and pushed up to the distal end through single or multiple ports on the catheters &# 39 ; proximal end . the use of these ports allows the catheter lumen to be used strictly for medical purposes without any interruption by an optical fiber . catheter 20 is manufactured with the photosensitive substance immobilized on its cylindrical outer surface 22 . the coating is immobilized on any distal surface that will remain in contact with the body . outer surface 22 is in contact with the body when catheter 20 is inserted into the body . inner surface 23 of lumen 29 can also be coated when advantageous . for example , in situations where there is some likelihood of back flow through lumen 29 , a coating on inner surface 23 will reduce bacterial contamination into the body from lumen area 29 . single or multiple lumen 29 allow for drainage from the body , however one or more separate ports 25 and 27 in the catheter wall 20 allow for the insertion of a suitable fiber . a suitable fiber can then be inserted and withdrawn through one or more ports 25 and 27 . the proximal end of the fiber is connected to a medical laser of suitable wavelength and output set at some predetermined rate . the fiber is then withdrawn at some predetermined rate to irradiate an extended section of the catheter . the dosage that is consequently applied per square unit surface area on the catheter &# 39 ; s inner and outer surface is chosen to be sufficient to kill bacteria that have grown on and attached to those surfaces . alternatively , the fiber has a scattering coating over its entire length . the material used to manufacture the catheter is essentially transparent or sufficiently translucent to the wavelength required for photosensitizer activation . before insertion into the body , the catheter is contained in an envelope that is either light tight to prevent premature bleaching of the photosensitizer from its exposure to daylight or artificial light or the envelope can be impenetrable to those wavelengths resulting in bleaching of the photosensitizer . in another preferred embodiment of the present invention , an implanted device ( such as a catheter needle ) is sitting close below the body &# 39 ; s outer surface as depicted in fig3 . in this instance , radiation 36 of a suitable wavelength and intensity passes through skin 30 and tissue 31 from an external source ( not shown ). this method avoids using an internal space altogether , while other embodiments of the present invention need some existing lumen or port to deliver radiation . the device itself does not need to be disturbed or moved in order to illuminate it . an advantage to this method is that the medical device can be made to a minimal size , since no additional space is needed for an optical fiber . another reason this method could be preferable is that either there isn &# 39 ; t an existing lumen or that it is critical to have an uninterrupted flow through the lumen . inserting a fiber through an existing lumen could interrupt or stop the flow of medication being delivered through that lumen . the proximal end of the lumen may be inaccessible or the lumen walls may be thin and easily damaged . this method also avoids the risk of external contamination from the optical fiber itself into the body . in this method , external radiation 36 activates photosensitizing coating 32 of medical device 34 . since photosensitizing coating 32 is on the surface of the device , singlet oxygen is generated at or near medical device 34 to destroy existing bacteria without any significant effect on surrounding tissue . in most embodiments of the present invention either the medical device can be modified to apply radiation to the desired site , or the medical device surface can be irradiated through a shallow area of skin and tissue . it is possible however , that a highly specialized device prone to bacterial infection may not be readily adaptable to the incorporation of an optical fiber , and that the device may be too deeply situated to be irradiated through the skin without damage to the skin and underlying tissue . in this instance as before , the device is manufactured with the photosensitizing coating on or secreted from its appropriate surfaces . the photosensitizing coating is applied to the medical device surfaces where bacteria are likely to attach and grow . an optical fiber as depicted in fig4 is then inserted using a needle through the tissue to get close enough to irradiate the medical device surfaces susceptible to bacterial attachment and growth . needle 46 is inserted through skin surface 49 and surrounding tissue 44 to be in proximity with medical device surface 40 . the proximal end of optical fiber 48 is connected to a suitable medical laser . the distal end of optical fiber 48 is then inserted through needle 46 . coating 42 is then activated by irradiation 43 from fiber 48 . while this method is certainly more invasive than the previous examples , it is still minimally invasive compared to the removal and replacement of the device due to bacterial encrustation and inflammation . this method is not directed to most medical procedures , but it is a good alternative when entry through an existing lumen isn &# 39 ; t possible , no lumen exists or the device isn &# 39 ; t shallow enough to be irradiated through the skin and tissue . having described preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings , it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments , and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein by skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims .
a novel approach to fight bacterial growth on and attachment to medical devices / implants is described . this approach reduces the necessity of the painful and complicated replacement of the medical devices that frequently need to remain in the body for periods of time longer than is recommended using a traditionally sterilized device . several methods are described to kill bacteria that have attached to the surface of medical devices . long term use is then possible with those medical devices . furthermore a medical device is described under this method that has a photosensitizing compound affixed to or near the device surface with means to periodically activate the compound by suitable illumination .