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Autofluorescence-guided Removal of Bacterial Biofilms from Tissues Using Cold Atmospheric Pressure Plasma (CAP)
Michael O Okebiorun1, Cody Oberbeck2, Cameron Waite3
1department of Biomedical Engineering PhD Program, Boise State University.
IEEE Transactions on Radiation and Plasma Medical Sciences
|November 8, 2024
Summary
Cold atmospheric pressure plasma (CAP) effectively removes bacterial biofilms from soft tissues. This novel image-guided approach utilizes biofilm autofluorescence for precise and efficient decontamination.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Microbiology
- Plasma Physics
Background:
- Bacterial biofilms pose significant challenges in healthcare settings, often resisting conventional removal methods.
- Cold atmospheric pressure plasma (CAP) shows promise for surface decontamination due to its non-thermal properties.
- Autofluorescence of biofilms can potentially be used for targeted treatment strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of cold atmospheric pressure plasma (CAP) for removing bacterial biofilms from soft tissue.
- To develop and evaluate an image-guided CAP system utilizing biofilm autofluorescence.
- To assess the bacterial reduction achieved by this novel treatment method.
Main Methods:
- Pseudomonas fluorescens biofilms were cultured on chicken tissue samples.
- A cold atmospheric pressure plasma (CAP) device with an Argon/Water mixture was employed.
- Treatment was guided by the green autofluorescence emitted by biofilms under UV light, using a motorized X-Y stage for precise sample positioning.
Main Results:
- Fluorescent imaging analysis indicated 97% biofilm removal from the treated tissue surfaces.
- Colony Forming Unit (CFU) analysis confirmed a significant reduction in bacterial load, with up to 99.98% of bacteria eliminated.
- The study demonstrated the feasibility of image-guided CAP for biofilm removal on soft tissue.
Conclusions:
- Cold atmospheric pressure plasma (CAP) is a highly effective tool for removing bacterial biofilms from soft tissues.
- Image-guided CAP treatment, leveraging biofilm autofluorescence, offers a precise and efficient method for decontamination.
- This study presents the first application of CAP for biofilm removal on soft tissues and its use in an image-guided procedure.
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