title: Preventing microbial biofilms on catheter tubes using ultrasonic guided waves.
abstract: Biofilms on indwelling tubes and medical prosthetic devices are among the leading causes of antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. In this work, a new anti-biofilm catheter prototype was proposed. By combining an endotracheal tube (ET) with a group of ultrasonic guided wave (UGW) transducers, the general idea was to prevent bacteria aggregation with UGW vibrations. Based on quantitative analysis of UGW propagation, detailed approach was achieved through (a) selection of ultrasonic frequency, wave modes and vibration amplitude; and (b) adoption of wave coupling and 45° wave incidence technique. Performance of the proposed UGW-ET prototype was demonstrated via in vitro experiments, during which it deterred deposition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) biofilms successfully. With current configuration, UGW amplitudes ranged from 0.05-5 nm could be optimal to achieve biofilm prevention. This work sheds a light in the underlying mechanism of ultrasound-mediated biofilm prevention, and will inspire the development of new catheters of better antibacterial capability.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Modern Acoustics (MOE), Department of Physics, Collaborative Innovation Centre of Advanced Microstructure, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China.|Department of Applied Engineering, Zhejiang Business College, Hangzhou, 310053, China.
authors.forename: Huanlei
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine, TCM of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing, 210012, China.
authors.forename: Fengmeng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Teng
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Modern Acoustics (MOE), Department of Physics, Collaborative Innovation Centre of Advanced Microstructure, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China.
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Modern Acoustics (MOE), Department of Physics, Collaborative Innovation Centre of Advanced Microstructure, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China. guoxs@nju.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Xiasheng
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Modern Acoustics (MOE), Department of Physics, Collaborative Innovation Centre of Advanced Microstructure, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China.
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tu
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine, TCM of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing, 210012, China.
authors.forename: Chunbing
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Modern Acoustics (MOE), Department of Physics, Collaborative Innovation Centre of Advanced Microstructure, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China. dzhang@nju.edu.cn.|The State Key Laboratory of Acoustics, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing, 10080, China. dzhang@nju.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Dong
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000254:growth & development / Q000528:radiation effects; D018441:Biofilms / Q000528:radiation effects*; D057785:Catheters / Q000382:microbiology*; D004203:Disinfection / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D000069453:Ultrasonic Waves