Inactivation and sensitization of middle ear infection related bacteria and biofilm by microplasma jet array

A middle ear infection is a prevalent inflammatory disease during childhood, often caused by bacterial pathogens. A portable and replaceable microplasma jet array was developed to investigate the feasibility of inactivating Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a common bacterial strain associated with middle ear infections. Reactive species generated by the non-thermal microplasma jet array inactivated planktonic bacteria and biofilm. A middle ear phantom was developed using the rat eardrum to study the antimicrobial effects on bacteria located behind the eardrum. Lastly, 3D volumetric OCT imaging and histology were performed on the rat eardrum to examine the potential structural changes due to the plasma.