IP Library Patent Application 12931928
Patent Application
App. No. 12/931,928

Systems, devices, and methods including implantable devices with anti-microbial properties

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US None
App. No.
12/931,928
Abstract

Systems, devices, methods, and compositions are described for providing an actively controllable implant configured to, for example, monitor, treat, or prevent microbial growth or adherence to the implant.

Claims (50)

1 . An insertable device, comprising:

a body structure having an outer surface and an inner surface defining one or more fluid-flow passageways, the body structure having a plurality of actuatable anti-microbial regions that are selectively actuatable between at least a first actuatable state and a second actuatable state;

one or more sensors configured to detect at least one microbial component in a biological sample proximate at least one of the outer surface or the inner surface of the body structure.

2 .- 14 . (canceled)

15 . The insertable device of claim 1 , further comprising at least one light source.

16 .- 25 . (canceled)

26 . The insertable device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one anti-microbial property includes at least one of nano-scale or micro-scale roughness.

27 .- 53 . (canceled)

54 . The insertable device of claim 1 , wherein the body structure further includes at least one porous material.

55 . The insertable device of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of anti-microbial regions includes at least one porous material.

56 . The insertable device of claim 55 , wherein the at least one porous material is configured to capture at least one microorganism proximate to at least one of the inner surface or the outer surface of the body structure.

57 . The insertable device of claim 56 , wherein the at least one porous material is further configured to retain the captured microorganism.

58 .- 67 . (canceled)

68 . The insertable device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor is operably associated with at least one of the plurality of anti-microbial regions.

69 .- 75 . (canceled)

76 . The insertable device of claim 1 , further comprising a power source.

77 .- 80 . (canceled)

81 . The insertable device of claim 76 , wherein the power source is configured to wirelessly receive power from a remote power supply.

82 . The insertable device of claim 1 , further comprising at least one of a battery, capacitor, or a mechanical energy store.

83 . The insertable device of claim 1 , further comprising a power receiver configured to receive power from an ex vivo power source.

84 . A fluid management system, comprising:

a catheter assembly having a body structure including at least an outer surface and an inner surface defining one or more fluid-flow passageways; and

a plurality of selectively actuatable anti-microbial regions configured to deliver at least one anti-microbial agent to at least a portion of one or more of the outer surface, the inner surface, or embedded in the internal body structure.

85 .- 95 . (canceled)

96 . An insertable device, comprising:

a body structure having an outer surface and an inner surface defining one or more fluid-flow passageways;

at least one anti-microbial region configured to deliver at least one anti-microbial agent to one or more areas of at least one of the outer surface, the inner surface, or embedded in the internal body structure;

a sensor configured to detect at least one microbial component proximate at least one of the outer surface or the inner surface of the body structure; and

one or more computer-readable memory media having microbial marker information configured as a data structure, the data structure including a characteristic information section having characteristic microbial information representative of the presence of at least one microorganism proximate at least one of the outer surface or the inner surface of the body structure, or the interior of the fluid-flow passageway.

97 .- 103 . (canceled)

104 . The insertable device of claim 96 , further comprising: a controller operably coupled to the sensor.

105 .- 114 . (canceled)

115 . The insertable device of claim 96 , further comprising: circuitry configured for obtaining information.

116 .- 117 . (canceled)

118 . The insertable device of claim 96 , further comprising: circuitry configured for providing information.

119 .- 121 . (canceled)

122 . The insertable device of claim 96 , further comprising: at least one receiver configured to acquire information based at least in part on a detected microbial component.

123 .- 125 . (canceled)

126 . The insertable device of claim 96 , further comprising: at least one transmitter configured to send information based at least in part on detection of at least one microbial component proximate to at least one of the outer surface or inner surface of the body structure.

127 . The insertable device of claim 96 , further comprising: at least one transmitter configured to send information based at least in part on historical action taken with regard to at least one anti-microbial region.

128 .- 129 . (canceled)

130 . The insertable device of claim 96 , further comprising: circuitry configured for obtaining information; and circuitry configured for storing the obtained information.

131 . The insertable device of claim 96 , further comprising: a cryptographic logic component.

132 .- 140 . (canceled)

141 . A method, comprising:

automatically comparing one or more characteristics communicated from an inserted insertable device to stored reference data, the one or more characteristics including at least one of information associated with microbial marker information; and information associated with at least one microbial component detected proximate to at least one of an outer surface or inner surface of the inserted insertable device, or information associated with a fluid received within one or more fluid-flow passageways of the inserted insertable device; and initiating a treatment protocol based at least in part on the comparison.

142 . The method of claim 141 , wherein automatically comparing the one or more characteristics communicated from the inserted insertable device to stored reference data includes comparing, via circuitry forming part of the insertable device, one or more characteristics communicated from the inserted insertable device to stored reference data.

143 .- 146 . (canceled)

147 . The method of claim 141 , further comprising generating at least one output to a user.

148 .- 158 . (canceled)

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 15, 2016
From: SEARETE LLC
To: GEARBOX, LLC
Reel/Frame 037535/0477 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 1, 2011
From: GOODALL, ELEANOR V.; HYDE, RODERICK A.; SWEENEY, ELIZABETH A.; WOOD, LOWELL L., JR.
To: SEARETE LLC
Reel/Frame 027156/0298 →