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Purpose <p>Ultrasound transducers are essential diagnostic tools but are often linked to healthcare-associated infections due to inadequate reprocessing. Conventional chemical disinfectants, though effective, may damage probe surfaces, leave toxic residues, and pose occupational health risks. Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) has emerged as a promising non-thermal sterilization approach capable of inactivating diverse pathogens without chemical residues.</p> <p>To develop and evaluate a portable dielectric barrier discharge (DBD)-based CAP device for effective, safe, and biocompatible disinfection of ultrasound transducers.</p> Methods <p>A DBD-CAP device was designed to operate at 2&#xa0;kV, 144&#xa0;mA, and 26.7&#xa0;kHz. Optical emission spectroscopy characterized reactive species. Antimicrobial activity was assessed against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB), and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). Device integrity and cytocompatibility were evaluated through imaging performance tests and L929 fibroblast cytotoxicity assays.</p> Results <p>CAP exposure achieved approximately 99% bacterial reduction within 3–6&#xa0;min, effectively inactivating multidrug-resistant strains. The surface temperature remained below 50&#xa0;°C, confirming non-thermal operation. Repeated treatments did not affect probe structure, imaging quality, or cytocompatibility.</p> Conclusion <p>Cold atmospheric plasma provides a rapid, effective, and residue-free method for high-level disinfection of ultrasound transducers. Its portability, antimicrobial performance, and material safety make it a promising technology for clinical infection control and device reprocessing.</p>

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Cold Atmospheric Plasma as a Non-Thermal and Biocompatible Disinfection Strategy for Ultrasound Transducers

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年4月1日

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  • Ching-Yuan Lin,
  • Kuan-Yi Lee,
  • Dong-Jin Li,
  • Mohd Yaqub Khan,
  • Ming-Chen Wang

摘要

Purpose

Ultrasound transducers are essential diagnostic tools but are often linked to healthcare-associated infections due to inadequate reprocessing. Conventional chemical disinfectants, though effective, may damage probe surfaces, leave toxic residues, and pose occupational health risks. Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) has emerged as a promising non-thermal sterilization approach capable of inactivating diverse pathogens without chemical residues.

To develop and evaluate a portable dielectric barrier discharge (DBD)-based CAP device for effective, safe, and biocompatible disinfection of ultrasound transducers.

Methods

A DBD-CAP device was designed to operate at 2 kV, 144 mA, and 26.7 kHz. Optical emission spectroscopy characterized reactive species. Antimicrobial activity was assessed against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB), and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). Device integrity and cytocompatibility were evaluated through imaging performance tests and L929 fibroblast cytotoxicity assays.

Results

CAP exposure achieved approximately 99% bacterial reduction within 3–6 min, effectively inactivating multidrug-resistant strains. The surface temperature remained below 50 °C, confirming non-thermal operation. Repeated treatments did not affect probe structure, imaging quality, or cytocompatibility.

Conclusion

Cold atmospheric plasma provides a rapid, effective, and residue-free method for high-level disinfection of ultrasound transducers. Its portability, antimicrobial performance, and material safety make it a promising technology for clinical infection control and device reprocessing.