Controlling bacterial growth and inactivation using thin film-based surface acoustic waves.

Formation of bacterial films on structural surfaces often leads to severe contamination of medical devices, hospital equipment, implant materials, , and antimicrobial resistance of microorganisms has indeed become a global health issue. Therefore, effective therapies for controlling infectious and pathogenic bacteria are urgently needed. Being a promising active method for this purpose, surface acoustic waves (SAWs) have merits such as nanoscale earthquake-like vibration/agitation/radiation, acoustic streaming induced circulations, and localised acoustic heating effect in liquids.

Flexible surface acoustic wave technology for enhancing transdermal drug delivery.

Transdermal drug delivery provides therapeutic benefits over enteric or injection delivery because its transdermal routes provide more consistent concentrations of drug and avoid issues of drugs affecting kidneys and liver functions. Many technologies have been evaluated to enhance drug delivery through the relatively impervious epidermal layer of the skin. However, precise delivery of large hydrophilic molecules is still a great challenge even though microneedles or other energized (such as electrical, thermal, or ultrasonic) patches have been used, which are often difficult to be integrated into small wearable devices.

Acoustofluidic patterning in glass capillaries using travelling acoustic waves based on thin film flexible platform.

Surface acoustic wave (SAW) technology has been widely used to manipulate microparticles and biological species, based on acoustic radiation force (ARF) and drag force induced by acoustic streaming, either by standing SAWs (SSAWs) or travelling SAWs (TSAWs). These acoustofluidic patterning functions can be achieved within a polymer chamber or a glass capillary with various cross-sections positioned along the wave propagating paths. In this paper, we demonstrated that microparticles can be aligned, patterned, and concentrated within both circular and rectangular glass capillaries using TSAWs based on a piezoelectric thin film acoustic wave platform.

Impact of regional multi-disciplinary team on the management of complex urogynaecology conditions.

Introduction And Hypothesis: Following the publication of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines on the management of pelvic floor dysfunction, articles speculating on the benefits and costs of local and regional multi-disciplinary teams (MDTs) have been in circulation. To date, there has been no formal assessment of the impact of a regional MDT on the management of women with complex urogynaecological conditions.

Methods: Throughout the existence of the West of Scotland (WoS) Regional Urogynaecology MDT, from May 2010 to December 2015, 60 patients with complex Urogynaecology conditions were discussed.

Development, validation and initial evaluation of patient-decision aid (SUI-PDA©) for women considering stress urinary incontinence surgery.

Introduction And Hypothesis: Following the design, face validation and publication of a novel PDA for women considering SUI surgery, the main objective of the study is to evaluate the usefulness of SUI-PDA© by using a validated tool to obtain patient feedback.

Methods: From July 2018 to March 2019, the PDA, already incorporated into the patient care pathway, was objectively evaluated using the Decisional Conflict Scale (DCS) to determine patients' views. Patients recorded their values and reasons for requests and declines of treatment.