For most tissue engineering applications, surface modification and sterilization of polymers are critical aspects determining the implant success. The first part of this study is thus dedicated to modifying polycaprolactone (PCL) surfaces via plasma treatment using a medium pressure dielectric barrier discharge, while the second part focuses on the sterilization of plasma-modified PCL. Chemical...

In the framework of the PLAS’STER project, a prototype based on a RF plasma confined inside sterilization pouches for the treatment of medical devices has been developed. In this work, optical emission spectroscopy was used to study the plasma emission from VUV/UV to IR wavelengths range. The results showed the production of strong UV radiation, radicals and atomic species depending on the proc...

Copper NiTi wires were introduced by Sachdeva R and Miyasaki S in 1994. This latest innovation in the evolutionary scale gives us the opportunity of choosing the force level by choosing the temperature at which the wires will deliver its optimum force level. With so many advantages and their ability to return to their original form coupled with the high cost of copper NiTi many clinicians start...

Introduction: Staphylococcus aureus is a source of nosocomial infections and one of the significant concerns in patients with indwelling devices. Lysostaphin is a bacterially produced endopeptidase with a unique activity on S. aureus. Plasma, the fourth state of the material, consists of charged ions, free electrons, and activated neutral species. Biomedical applications of cold plasma are rapi...

OBJECTIVE A direct-current, cold atmospheric-pressure air plasma microjet (PMJ) was performed to inactivate Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) in air. The process of sterilization and morphology of bacteria was observed. We wish to know the possible inactivation mechanisms of PMJ and explore a potential application in dental and other temperature sensitive...

Physical cold atmospheric surface microdischarge (SMD) plasma operating in ambient air has promising properties for the sterilization of sensitive medical devices where conventional methods are not applicable. Furthermore, SMD plasma could revolutionize the field of disinfection at health care facilities. The antimicrobial effects on Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria of clinical relevanc...