Efficient endoscope inner channel surface disinfection using a two-step treatment

Northage, Naomi ORCID: 0000-0002-5892-0331, Simon, Stephane ORCID: 0000-0002-6496-2570, Shvalya, Vasyl, Modic, Martina, Juergens, Thorsten, Eschborn, Sascha, Horsburgh, Malcolm J and Walsh, James L ORCID: 0000-0002-6318-0892 (2023) Efficient endoscope inner channel surface disinfection using a two-step treatment. APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE, 623. p. 156936.

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apsusc.2023.156936

Abstract

Flexible endoscopes are ubiquitously used in modern medicine to diagnose and treat a variety of gastrointestinal ailments; however, the inner channels of these complex devices provide an ideal environment for biofilm development. Incomplete or ineffective endoscope reprocessing introduces the potential for cross-contamination between patients, highlighting the need for a new approach to disinfection. In this study, the antibiofilm potential of a two-step disinfection process using cold atmospheric pressure plasma and plasma activated water is considered. It was revealed that the combined approach achieved a 5.72 log reduction of clinically relevant mixed species biofilms from the narrow lumens found within a typical endoscope. To investigate potential surface damage resulting from the decontamination process, the surface composition and morphology were examined using XPS, FTIR and AFM. Following multiple disinfection cycles, few changes to the surface composition or morphology were detected and the corresponding ability of bacteria to adhere on the surface was not enhanced.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Cold atmospheric plasma, Plasma activated water, Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, Endoscope reprocessing, Surface damage
Divisions:	Faculty of Science and Engineering > School of Electrical Engineering, Electronics and Computer Science
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	31 Mar 2023 10:28
Last Modified:	19 Apr 2023 15:05
DOI:	10.1016/j.apsusc.2023.156936
Open Access URL:	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsusc.2023.156936
Related URLs:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3169388