Ultrasonic-Combined Plasma Bubbling for Adherent Bacteria Disinfection on Medical Equipment

Atmospheric low-temperature plasma has received attention for application in disinfection methods. In this study, we develop a plasma bubbling method as a disinfection method. In the plasma bubbling method, the bactericidal effect can be introduced into the water by bubbling with carbon dioxide plasma. The plasma bubbling method is effective for the treatment of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, Serratia marcescens, and Fusarium solani, which pose problems in the field of ophthalmology. In addition, we develop ultrasonic-combined plasma bubbling, in which plasma bubbling imposes a bactericidal effect, whereas ultrasonic exerts a detachment effect as a disinfection method for adherent bacteria on medical equipment. Ultrasonic-combined plasma bubbling demonstrates a prominent bactericidal effect on P. aeruginosa adherent bacteria on stainless steel plates and can be used to the measuring prism (MP) of applanation tonometers. In observation the MP treated with plasma bubbling and ultrasonic-combined plasma bubbling for 11 h, no damage to the MPs was observed.

Automated summary

In this study, a plasma bubbling method and ultrasonic-combined plasma bubbling method were developed as effective disinfection methods for specific pathogens in ophthalmology. These methods demonstrated prominent bactericidal effects and removal effects on adherent bacteria on medical equipment, without causing damage to the measuring prism.