Sterile docking using microwave heating

Peritonitis is the single most limiting factor for patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), a treatment associated with end stage renal failure (ESRD). A device which destroys microorganisms that are recognized to be the most problematic in causing peritonitis has been developed. The microwave heating technique showed efficient intraluminal disinfection of CAPD connector pairs. Moist heat has proven to be the most effective technique for disinfecting the inner lumen of commercially available medical connectors. Moist heat using microwave heating has proven to be the most effective and rapid technique. A 10/sup 6/ population reduction of various organisms which are the most prevalent and problematic in causing peritonitis was accomplished with a very short heating cycle. This process is effective due to the rapid heating of the solution contained within the connectors. Since plastic is transparent to microwave heating, the external surface of the plastic connector remains lukewarm during the process. >