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Characterization and Optimization of Non-thermal Plasma for Biofilm Sterilization

Gupta, Tripti Thapa
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo152547566313079

Abstract Details

2018, Doctor of Philosophy, University of Toledo, Biomedical Engineering.
Adherence of bacteria to implanted medical devices or damaged tissues lead to biomaterial-associated infections (BAIs) often resulting in life threatening disease and implant failures. BAIs are mostly associated to the ability of bacteria to encase and protect themselves in a matrix composed of polysaccharide and protein known as biofilm. Initial bacterial colonization on an implanted biomaterial usually occurs by either direct inoculation, or hematogenous spread. Later, when the organisms change into the biofilm state, antibiotics treatment nor immediate surgical debridement are effective in removing them from surfaces. Instead of direct debridement, removal of the medical device or internal prosthesis is the primary surgical treatment for such BAIs. However, such removal is associated with increased patient morbidity and mortality which further elevates the healthcare costs because of repeated surgeries, extended hospitalization, rehabilitation, and antibiotic therapy. The use of conventional sterilization techniques such as high heat (autoclave) and chemical treatments are not the desired options for biofilm sterilization as these methods eventually degrade the surface of the treated material. Moreover, chemical usage could be toxic and lead to environmental pollution. Therefore, a technique known as non-thermal plasma that generates antimicrobial byproducts such as reactive species (reactive oxygen and nitrogen species), charged particles, radicals, UV radiation, and electromagnetic fields can be a potential solution for the removal or sterilization of biofilm from the contaminated surfaces. Since there are no known side effects to the patients, and the medical devices and implants, this technique has been used by many researchers to deactivate, sterilize, and kill planktonic bacteria, biofilm, and cancer cells, however, very few studies have been conducted to determine the antimicrobial efficacy of non-thermal plasma over biofilm grown on titanium surfaces in in vivo conditions in a bioreactor which is employed in this study. Thus, in this study we have studied the antimicrobial effect of plasma alone as well as the effects when it is used in conjunction of commonly used biocide known as chlorhexidine (CHX) digluconate at clinically safe doses. The results demonstrate the decontamination of the biofilm and sterilization of the planktonic bacteria when treated with plasma alone using the regular dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) or the jet plasma. Furthermore, we implemented a novel concept of combining two techniques namely plasma treatment and the use of CHX at clinically safe doses for the complete sterilization of the biofilm. The combinatorial treatment of jet plasma and CHX proved to be effective in fulfilling the required objective of completely sterilizing the contaminated surfaces. Additionally, a mathematical model was developed to better understand the engineering behind the complete sterilization when utilizing the combinatorial approach. It was found that the plasma was able to make the biofilm porous and decontaminate it to some extent resulting to a higher diffusivity of CHX making it possible to completely sterilize the biofilm. As a conclusion, we propose that the implementation of this combinatorial technology would lead to a cost-effective antimicrobial device that can be used in nosocomial settings for decontamination or sterilization purposes in future.
Halim Ayan, PhD (Committee Chair)
Arunan Nadarajah, PhD (Committee Member)
Daniel Gehling, PhD (Committee Member)
Jyl Matson, PhD (Committee Member)
Ronald Fournier, PhD (Committee Member)
128 p.
Biomedical Engineering; Biomedical Research; Microbiology

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Citations

  • Gupta, T. T. (2018). Characterization and Optimization of Non-thermal Plasma for Biofilm Sterilization [Doctoral dissertation, University of Toledo]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo152547566313079

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Gupta, Tripti. Characterization and Optimization of Non-thermal Plasma for Biofilm Sterilization. 2018. University of Toledo, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo152547566313079.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Gupta, Tripti. "Characterization and Optimization of Non-thermal Plasma for Biofilm Sterilization." Doctoral dissertation, University of Toledo, 2018. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo152547566313079

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

toledo152547566313079
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This open access ETD is published by University of Toledo and OhioLINK.