Urethral indwelling catheter sterilization system with embedded optical fiber using UVC (222nm)

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K12782
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 90150:Medical assistive technology-related
• Research Institution: Hirosaki University
• Principal Investigator: SAITO Hiroyuki 弘前大学, 理工学研究科, 准教授 (70264091)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 尿道内殺菌 / 深紫外線 / 尿道カテーテル / エキシマランプ / 光ファイバ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we devised and developed a sterilization system that irradiates ultraviolet light with a wavelength of 222 nm into the urethral catheter tube and at the boundary between the urethral wall and the urinary catheter by incorporating an optical fiber into the urinary catheter. A 3-way type urinary catheter was used. Incorporating an optical fiber into this system was accomplished by passing the optical fiber through the 1mm diameter drug injection conduit out of the three conduits. On the other hand, since there is no ultraviolet light source with a wavelength of 222 nm that has a high irradiation intensity, we created a light condensing device using a commercially available excimer lamp module to improve the irradiation intensity. As a result, an irradiation intensity (3.570mW/cm^2) comparable to that of a high-power LED with a wavelength of 254 nm was obtained.

Free Research Field

計測工学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

人に影響の少ない波長222[nm]のUVCを光ファイバで尿道カテーテル内部に伝送することで，尿道カテーテル内管のみならず，これまで殺菌できなかった尿道壁と尿道カテーテルとのすき間，さらにはバイオフィルムの付着が多く観察されている尿道カテーテル先端部までも殺菌可能になる。殺菌システムの機器構成は簡単なので，操作性・安全性を高く保ちつつシステムを仕上げることができる。そのため，看護師や自宅療養中の患者自身も，毎日の衛生管理やバイタルチェックと同時に，尿道カテーテルを留置した状態で殺菌できる。本殺菌システムの実現により，尿路感染症の発症を抑えることのみならず，過剰な医療費も抑えることに繋がる。