Publication Date

8-1-2024

Date of Final Oral Examination (Defense)

4-9-2024

Type of Culminating Activity

Dissertation

Degree Title

Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Engineering

Department

Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering

Supervisory Committee Chair

Jim Browning, Ph.D.

Supervisory Committee Member

Ken Cornell, Ph.D.

Supervisory Committee Member

Don Plumlee, Ph.D.

Supervisory Committee Member

Nirmala Kandadai, Ph.D.

Supervisory Committee Member

Elisa Barney Smith, Ph.D.

Abstract

This dissertation explores the use of cold atmospheric pressure plasma (CAP) technology in eradicating bacterial biofilms from tissue surfaces, using Ps. fluorescens on chicken tissue to model human chronic wounds. It introduces a novel image-guided technique for precise biofilm removal, employing trypan blue staining coupled with advanced computer vision analysis, enhancing the CAP treatment's precision and efficacy. The study demonstrates the CAP device's ability to effectively disrupt biofilms through a non-thermal mechanism, based on its electrical characteristics and operational parameters. The success of the treatment is evident in the significant reduction of biofilm thickness of 49 -185 µm, with the biofilms on chicken tissue serving as a relevant model for mammalian tissue structures. Post-treatment analyses of treatment configurations, including fluorescent imaging and CFU analysis, reveal a 93-99% reduction in biofilms. Additionally, 3D microscopic imaging shows effective biofilm removal with an etch rate of 2.2–5.8µm/s, further validating the treatment's success. In summary, this research highlights the potential of CAP technology in addressing bacterial biofilm infections, marking a significant advancement in healthcare, particularly in wound care and infection control.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.18122/td.2424.boisestate

Download

Share

COinS