Inactivation of Bacteria in Biofilms by Shock Waves

The processes of destruction of biofilms and inactivation of bacteria under the influence of shock acoustic waves and photodynamic treatment were studied. Shock waves were generated by locally heating the medium with nanosecond pulses of focused laser radiation. The radiation energy was converted into heat in the process of nonradiative relaxation of the excited states of organic dye molecules dissolved in the medium. The processes of biofilm removal and destruction of the extracellular matrix by shock waves are discussed. The low efficiency of inactivation of bacteria in biofilms by shock acoustic waves with peak pressure commensurate with the threshold of tensile strength of the cell wall material has been experimentally proven.