title: Effective prevention of microbial biofilm formation on medical devices by low-energy surface acoustic waves.
abstract: Low-energy surface acoustic waves generated from electrically activated piezo elements are shown to effectively prevent microbial biofilm formation on indwelling medical devices. The development of biofilms by four different bacteria and Candida species is prevented when such elastic waves with amplitudes in the nanometer range are applied. Acoustic-wave-activated Foley catheters have all their surfaces vibrating with longitudinal and transversal dispersion vectors homogeneously surrounding the catheter surfaces. The acoustic waves at the surface are repulsive to bacteria and interfere with the docking and attachment of planktonic microorganisms to solid surfaces that constitute the initial phases of microbial biofilm development. FimH-mediated adhesion of uropathogenic Escherichia coli to guinea pig erythrocytes was prevented at power densities below thresholds that activate bacterial force sensor mechanisms. Elevated power densities dramatically enhanced red blood cell aggregation. We inserted Foley urinary catheters attached with elastic-wave-generating actuators into the urinary tracts of male rabbits. The treatment with the elastic acoustic waves maintained urine sterility for up to 9 days compared to 2 days in control catheterized animals. Scanning electron microscopy and bioburden analyses revealed diminished biofilm development on these catheters. The ability to prevent biofilm formation on indwelling devices and catheters can benefit the implanted medical device industry.
authors.affiliation: Nanovibronix Corporation, Nesher, Israel.
authors.forename: Zadik
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Hazan
authors.forename: Jona
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zumeris
authors.forename: Harold
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jacob
authors.forename: Hanan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Raskin
authors.forename: Gera
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kratysh
authors.forename: Moshe
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vishnia
authors.forename: Naama
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Dror
authors.forename: Tilda
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Barliya
authors.forename: Mathilda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mandel
authors.forename: Gad
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lavie
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000502:physiology; D018441:Biofilms; D002175:Candida / Q000502:physiology*; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000382:microbiology*; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D013293:Enterococcus faecalis / Q000502:physiology; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000502:physiology; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D011513:Proteus mirabilis / Q000502:physiology; D011817:Rabbits; D013016:Sound / Q000009:adverse effects; D014546:Urinary Catheterization; D014732:Vibration / Q000009:adverse effects