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Laser-Generated Shockwave for Clearing Medical Device Biofilms

Laser-Generated Shockwave for Clearing Medical Device Biofilms
Laser-Generated Shockwave for Clearing Medical Device Biofilms
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate a laser method of biofilm interruption from the surface of various common medical devices and from surgically removed sinus tissue with adherent biofilms in a timely manner.

Background: Biofilm has emerged as a new threat not amenable to most antibiotic treatments. Biofilms, as opposed to planktonic bacteria, develop an extracellular polymeric slime matrix to facilitate adherence to host tissue or a prosthetic surface and to form a protective shield. A laser-induced biofilms disruption concept was previously described.

Materials and Methods: Biofilms were grown in the laboratory on metallic and plastic medical device surfaces such as stents. Attempts to remove the biofilms with a laser were undertaken three times for each device. Q-switched Nd:YAG laser-generated shockwaves affecting Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms expressing yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) biofilm coating were applied with biologically safe parameters utilizing a fiber delivery system and a special probe. A confocal microscope was used to identify the biofilm structure prior to, during, and after laser application. The amount of biofilm removed from the medical devices in time was measured by quantifying green fluorescence.

Results: The biofilm fluctuated and eventually broke off the surface as shock waves neared the target. The time to remove 97.9±0.4% (mean±1SD, n=3) the biofilm from the surface of a Nitinol (NiTi) stent ranged from 4 to 10s. The detached biofilm was observed floating in fluid media in various microscopic size particles. Conclusions: A new treatment modality using laser-generated shockwaves in the warfare against biofilms growing on surgical devices was demonstrated. Q-switched laser pulses stripped biofilm from the surface it adhered to, changing the bacteria to their planktonic form, making them amenable to conventional treatment. This therapeutic modality appears to be rapid, effective, and safe on metallic and plastic medical device surfaces.
1549-5418
277-282
Kizhner, Victor
3c8a783a-d608-45bc-85b0-1a2d049633f2
Krespi, Yosef P.
e3c5d817-98d0-4de4-8af7-11402421b8a0
Hall-Stoodley, Luanne
94ebdc00-b549-4488-b15f-5310fb965f5b
Stoodley, Paul
08614665-92a9-4466-806e-20c6daeb483f
Kizhner, Victor
3c8a783a-d608-45bc-85b0-1a2d049633f2
Krespi, Yosef P.
e3c5d817-98d0-4de4-8af7-11402421b8a0
Hall-Stoodley, Luanne
94ebdc00-b549-4488-b15f-5310fb965f5b
Stoodley, Paul
08614665-92a9-4466-806e-20c6daeb483f

Kizhner, Victor, Krespi, Yosef P., Hall-Stoodley, Luanne and Stoodley, Paul (2011) Laser-Generated Shockwave for Clearing Medical Device Biofilms. Photomedicine and Laser Surgery, 29 (4), 277-282. (doi:10.1089/pho.2010.2788). (PMID:21182450)

Record type: Article

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate a laser method of biofilm interruption from the surface of various common medical devices and from surgically removed sinus tissue with adherent biofilms in a timely manner.

Background: Biofilm has emerged as a new threat not amenable to most antibiotic treatments. Biofilms, as opposed to planktonic bacteria, develop an extracellular polymeric slime matrix to facilitate adherence to host tissue or a prosthetic surface and to form a protective shield. A laser-induced biofilms disruption concept was previously described.

Materials and Methods: Biofilms were grown in the laboratory on metallic and plastic medical device surfaces such as stents. Attempts to remove the biofilms with a laser were undertaken three times for each device. Q-switched Nd:YAG laser-generated shockwaves affecting Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms expressing yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) biofilm coating were applied with biologically safe parameters utilizing a fiber delivery system and a special probe. A confocal microscope was used to identify the biofilm structure prior to, during, and after laser application. The amount of biofilm removed from the medical devices in time was measured by quantifying green fluorescence.

Results: The biofilm fluctuated and eventually broke off the surface as shock waves neared the target. The time to remove 97.9±0.4% (mean±1SD, n=3) the biofilm from the surface of a Nitinol (NiTi) stent ranged from 4 to 10s. The detached biofilm was observed floating in fluid media in various microscopic size particles. Conclusions: A new treatment modality using laser-generated shockwaves in the warfare against biofilms growing on surgical devices was demonstrated. Q-switched laser pulses stripped biofilm from the surface it adhered to, changing the bacteria to their planktonic form, making them amenable to conventional treatment. This therapeutic modality appears to be rapid, effective, and safe on metallic and plastic medical device surfaces.

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More information

Published date: March 2011
Organisations: Engineering Mats & Surface Engineerg Gp

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 170073
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/170073
ISSN: 1549-5418
PURE UUID: 09df3c4e-8d86-4ebb-b6d3-0bc27f6849ec
ORCID for Paul Stoodley: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0001-6069-273X

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 04 Jan 2011 12:03
Last modified: 14 Mar 2024 02:55

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Contributors

Author: Victor Kizhner
Author: Yosef P. Krespi
Author: Luanne Hall-Stoodley
Author: Paul Stoodley ORCID iD

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