Functionalization of endotracheal tubes to enable photodisinfection and prevent pneumonia

An estimated 50 million patients are intubated with endotracheal tubes (ETTs) for breathing assistance worldwide each year. Bacteria biofilms establish along the ETT’s indwelling route and find their way to the lungs originating ventilator-associated pneumonia in ∼10% of ventilated patients. We functionalized endotracheal tubes with covalently linked curcumin. Tubes Illumination using an optical fiber coupled to a laser on one side with a diffusor on the opposite side, at regular time intervals, allows for the electronic excitation of the curcumin molecule and triggers antimicrobial PDT. A synthetic procedure to functionalize ETTs was developed and optimized through SN2 substitution reaction. A laser system was designed and developed for illumination via optical fibers. Tests with pigs intubated for 24h and illuminated 4x through the ETTs show significant reduction of bacteria in the tubes. aPDT of curcumin-functionalized tubes, illuminated every 6 hours, may prevent colonization of the tubes and ventilator-associated pneumonia.