Vascular access device pathogenic status indication
A vascular access device for communicating with the vascular system of a patient may include a status indicator. The status indicator may detect and signal that a pathogen is in communication with the vascular access device.
1. A medical device, comprising:
a vascular access device for communicating with the vascular system of a patient, wherein the vascular access device comprises:
a body with a lumen;
a septum disposed within the lumen having a slit through which a device may introduce a substance into the lumen and
the body having a status indicator disposed within the lumen, wherein the status indicator detects the presence of a pathogen in communication with the vascular access device and signals the presence of the detected pathogen.
2. The medical device of claim 1 , further comprising:
a second vascular access device with a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end of the second vascular access device is introduced into the vascular system, and wherein the vascular access device is a connector affixed directly or indirectly to the proximal end of the second vascular access device.
3. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the status indicator provides an indication of the extent of pathogenic presence or absence.
4. The medical device of claim 3 , wherein the status indicator senses a pathogenic culture within a range of 100 to 100,000 colony-forming units.
5. The medical device of claim 4 , wherein the status indicator produces at least one of colorimetric, fluorescent, luminescent, chemiluminescent, and electrochemical signals.
6. The medical device of claim 4 , wherein the status indicator requires radiopharmaceutical visualization or fluorescent visualization.
7. The medical device of claim 3 , wherein the status indicator senses a pathogenic culture of less than about 100 colony-forming units.
8. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the status indicator includes a protein that detects pathogen secretion.
9. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the status indicator includes at least one of a bioreporter, an antigen, an antibody, a plasmid, and a polyamine.
10. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the status indicator includes a DNA array detection chip.
11. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the status indicator includes electric biosensor technology.
12. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the status indicator includes at least one of a perfume, a carbohydrate, and an analyte.
13. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the status indicator includes an impedance sensor.
14. A method of using a medical device, comprising:
attaching a status indicator to a vascular access device, the vascular access device comprising a body with a lumen and a septum disposed within the lumen having a slit through which a device may introduce a substance into the lumen, the status indicator being disposed within the lumen, the said status indicator being active during usage of the device;
detecting with the status indicator the presence of a pathogen; and
signaling with the status indicator the presence of the detected pathogen.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein signaling with the status indicator the presence of the detected pathogen includes signaling in response to a specific chemical or physical agent within the environment of the status indicator.
16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising:
transcribing a promoter gene when the pathogen is present in the environment of the status indicator;
transcribing a reporter gene during or after transcribing the promoter gene;
producing reporter proteins during or after transcribing the reporter gene; and
generating a detectable signal as a result of the production of reporter proteins.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein signaling with the status indicator the presence of the detected pathogen includes signaling through at least one of a colorimetric, fluorescent, luminescent, chemiluminescent, and electrochemical signal.
18. A medical device, comprising:
means for accessing the vascular system of a patient, said means including a vascular access device having a body with a lumen, a septum disposed within the lumen, the septum having a slit through which a device may introduce a substance into the lumen;
means for detecting a pathogen in communication with the means for accessing the vascular system of a patient; and
means for signaling a status change of the means for accessing the vascular system after or during detecting a pathogen in communication with the means for accessing the vascular system of a patient, the means for signaling a status change being disposed within the lumen of the vascular access device.
19. The medical device of claim 18 , wherein means for detecting a pathogen in communication with the means for accessing the vascular system of a patient and means for signaling a status change of the means for accessing the vascular system after or during detecting a pathogen in communication with the means for accessing the vascular system of a patient include the same structure.
20. The medical device of claim 19 , wherein means for detecting a pathogen in communication with the means for accessing the vascular system of a patient and means for signaling a status change of the means for accessing the vascular system after or during detecting a pathogen in communication with the means for accessing the vascular system of a patient include a pathogen staining solution.