Novel Uses and Potential Applications

Abstract

A few methodologies and developments of potential medical and biomedical applications are described in this chapter, showing how shock wave research has extended. Some sections may encourage students and scientists to enroll in novel research topics. Shock wave-mediated drug delivery, needleless injection, thrombus ablation, pain release, and enhancement of bone fusion to treat skull bone defects are described in the first sections. This is followed by reporting promising studies dealing with gene transfection, i.e., the delivery of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) into cells, as well as with the enhancement of cytotoxic effects of drugs to treat oncological diseases. Genetic transformation of bacteria and fungi are other interesting topics that were included. Filamentous fungi play a crucial role in the food, chemical and pharmaceutical industry by producing amino acids, antibiotics, insulin, anticoagulants, vaccines, pesticides, biofuels, food preservatives, and acidulants; however, more efficient methodologies for delivering exogenous nucleic acid to fungi are still needed. As described in this chapter, a promising approach is the use of underwater shock waves. The final sections of the chapter deal with the bactericidal action of shock waves including their potential to disrupt dental biofilm, enhancing the efficiency of antibiotics. Other research topics in dentistry are shock wave-induced bone regeneration and reduction of tooth mobility after active orthodontic treatment.