A low-temperature plasma joint cavity puncture jet device

Abstract

The present invention provides a low-temperature plasma joint cavity puncture jet device. It utilizes a parallel plate structure discharge device to generate atmospheric pressure plasma. The discharge region is located in the electrode gap, which is typically small, ranging from millimeters to centimeters. The thickness and volume of the treated object are limited by the discharge gap. When the treated object is placed in the discharge gap, it acts like adding a dielectric layer between the electrodes, potentially affecting the discharge characteristics. The plasma jet does not generate plasma within the gap, but rather utilizes airflow and electric fields to transport high-energy particles and active ingredients from the discharge region to the sample surface. The device is simple and easy to disassemble, produces a plasma jet with a high number of active particles, and is safe to use, facilitating its application.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of low-temperature plasma technology, in particular to a low-temperature plasma joint cavity puncture jet device. Background Art

[0002] Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common autoimmune joint disease with a high disability rate and severe harm, which has a lasting impact on patients' lives and work. The most common manifestations of RA in the human body are synovial hyperplasia, local inflammation, and destruction of adjacent bone and cartilage. Currently, the main treatment method for local symptoms of RA joints is drug therapy, which mainly relies on glucocorticoids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Although drug treatment measures can relieve patients' symptoms, the effects are short-lived, the side effects are significant, and patients are prone to dependence on the drugs, especially in the target joints, where the effects are minimal.

[0003] Plasma, a form of matter primarily composed of free electrons and charged ions, is widespread in the universe and is often considered the fourth state of matter. Plasma can be categorized as low-temperature plasma or high-temperature plasma. These two types are primarily mixed states, consisting of a large number of electrons, ions, and bound neutral particles. With the continuous advancement of science and technology, low-temperature atmospheric plasma, as a new biomedical technology, has achieved rapid development in the biomedical field. Currently, low-temperature plasma (LTP) has been widely studied for applications in disinfection, wound healing, blood coagulation, and dental treatment. Compared to high-temperature plasma, low-temperature plasma exhibits nonequilibrium properties. It generates reactive free radicals and ions through collisions with neutral gas molecules, while maintaining a temperature near room temperature, thus avoiding tissue damage. However, current LTP equipment is limited by the plasma's limited penetration distance, limiting intervention to superficial diseases. The development of LTP joint cavity puncture holds promise as a new physical therapy for synovial hyperplasia in RA, in addition to medication and surgery.

[0004] Current plasma devices are mostly used in industrial applications. The design of their various parts and the size of the plasma space they produce are large, making them unsuitable for medical research. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The technology of the present invention solves the problem: In view of the shortcomings of the existing technology, a joint cavity puncture jet device is provided that is easy to adjust and generates low-temperature plasma. The ejected jet is cylindrical and has a relatively thin diameter (about 1 mm), which solves the problem of the lack of effective physical factor treatment methods for joint synovial damage targets.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention is implemented through the following technical solutions:

[0007] A low-temperature plasma joint cavity puncture jet device of the present invention comprises a gas delivery device and a plasma generator; the plasma generator comprises a handle, a high-voltage electrode, a metal needle-shaped housing, and a high-voltage power supply; the gas delivery device comprises a gas cylinder, a gas valve, and a gas flow meter (a flow meter, a barometer, or a pressure gauge, etc.); the gas delivery device and the plasma generator are connected to each other via an air guide tube, and the connection is sealed to ensure that there is no gas leakage during the delivery process; the air guide tube is located at one end of the metal housing and is used to receive gas into the metal housing; one end of the high-voltage electrode is located on the axis of the air guide tube and is connected to the high-voltage power supply; the other end of the high-voltage electrode is located in the metal needle-shaped housing; one end of the metal needle-shaped housing is pinhole-shaped and connected to a ground wire, and the other end of the metal needle-shaped housing is connected to the handle; the gas cylinder is connected to the valve via the air guide tube, and the valve is connected to the gas flow meter and is also connected to the metal needle-shaped housing via the air guide tube; plasma is ejected from the front end of the metal needle-shaped housing to form a plasma jet.

[0008] The gas supply device adjusts the gas type, flow rate, and pressure parameters according to different application scenarios and transports the gas to the plasma generator; the plasma generator uses arc discharge to discharge and break down the gas supplied by the gas cylinder, fully ionizing it. The pressure difference inside the metal needle-shaped shell forms a plasma jet, which is ejected from the front end of the metal needle-shaped shell.

[0009] The metal needle-shaped housing is made of stainless steel and features a barrel-shaped, pointed tip with an angle of 9°-30°. The barrel is divided into two ends, one for the front end and the other for the back end. The tip is extremely thin at 1mm. Because the tip is smaller than the diameter of the metal housing, the plasma gas flow can achieve a higher velocity.

[0010] The metal needle-shaped shell has an axial length of 10-20 cm and a diameter of 1-1.5 mm, which is convenient for application in relevant scenarios.

[0011] The high-voltage electrode is made into a metal filament with a diameter of 0.5-0.8 mm and a length of 8-15 cm; the high voltage refers to 4000-6000 V, which is suitable for discharge to generate plasma.

[0012] The power density of the plasma is 3-4 J / cm 2 The power density is suitable for generating low temperature (less than 50°) plasma.

[0013] The advantages of the present invention compared with the prior art are:

[0014] (1) The present invention solves the problem of lack of effective physical factor treatment methods for joint synovial injury targets through a low-temperature (below 50°) plasma jet device. At the same time, the device has a simple structure, is easy to assemble and disassemble, has low dependence on the environment, and can be used in an air environment. The plasma jet generated has many active particles, which is conducive to its application and processing.

[0015] (2) The present invention solves the problem of high plasma temperature (low power density), improves the safety of use, enhances the accuracy and flexibility of operation, and meets the technical requirements of plasma treatment.

[0016] (3) The present invention generates a variety of plasma types, and the gas type can be adjusted. That is, the plasma types are diverse, the properties are easily adjustable, and can be changed according to different situations, and can also be used in a variety of application scenarios. Existing devices for generating plasma are not suitable for medical applications. The present invention combines the advantages of joint puncture needles and plasma generating devices, overcomes the shortcomings of existing technologies, and is suitable for relevant scenarios. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the working equipment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the working principle of the plasma jet of the present invention.

[0019] Among them: gas cylinder 1, gas valve 2, flow meter 3, gas guide tube 4, handle 5, rear end 6, high-voltage electrode 7, metal needle-shaped shell 8, pointed mouth 9, high-voltage power supply 10. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0021] like Figure 1 As shown, the plasma piercing jet device of the present invention comprises a gas delivery device and a plasma generator. The plasma generator includes a handle 5, a high-voltage electrode 7, a metal needle-shaped housing 8, and a high-voltage power supply 10. The gas delivery device includes a gas cylinder 1, a gas valve 2, and a flowmeter 3. The gas delivery device and the plasma generator are connected by a gas conduit 4, and the connection interface is sealed to ensure that there is no gas leakage during the delivery process. The gas conduit passes through the handle 5 and delivers the gas into the metal needle-shaped housing 8.

[0022] The metal needle-shaped housing 8 has an axial length of 10-20 cm and a diameter of 1-1.5 mm. One end is pinhole-shaped, and the other end is connected to a handle 5. Gas originates from the gas cylinder 1, passes through the gas valve 2, flowmeter 3, and handle 5, and reaches the plasma generator. Discharge occurs between the high-voltage electrode 7 and the metal housing 8, forming plasma. Due to the gas pressure gradient within the metal needle-shaped housing 8, the resulting plasma is ejected from the pointed tip 9 of the metal needle-shaped housing 8, forming a plasma jet.

[0023] like Figure 2 As shown, in the plasma generator, the high-voltage electrode 8 is made of copper metal, in the form of a filament with a diameter of 0.5-0.8 mm and a length of 8-15 cm, and is connected to a high-voltage power supply 10. The metal needle-shaped housing 8 is made of stainless steel and is connected to the ground wire. The metal needle-shaped housing 8 adopts a barrel-shaped pointed tip design, with the pointed tip 9 at an angle of 9°-30°. The barrel is divided into two ends, one end of the pointed tip 9 is the front end, and the other end is the rear end 6. Gas enters the plasma generator from the rear end 6. During operation, an electric potential difference is formed between the high-voltage electrode 7 and the metal needle-shaped housing 8. According to the principle of gas discharge, gas discharge is generated in this case, and the discharge phenomenon ionizes the air, forming a high-density (10 15 -10 16 / cm -3 After the plasma is formed, since the gas pressure inside the device is greater than the external atmospheric pressure, the plasma will be ejected from the tip 9 of the metal needle-shaped shell 8 to form a plasma jet.

[0024] The gas supply device in the present invention can adjust parameters such as gas type, flow rate, pressure, etc. according to different application scenarios to deliver the gas to the plasma generating device.

[0025] The control circuit adjusts the high voltage of the plasma generator based on actual conditions. The plasma generator uses arc discharge to break down the gas supplied by the cylinder, fully ionizing it. The pressure difference within the device forms a plasma jet, which flows from the front end of the metal needle-shaped housing. This allows for flexible control of the plasma jet device to produce an appropriate plasma jet, thereby enhancing the therapeutic effect. When treatment is complete, plasma generation is manually stopped. After analysis and processing by the control circuit, a command is issued to adjust the plasma generator through the voltage control circuit to stop generating the plasma jet.

[0026] When necessary, the gas cylinder can be replaced with different types of gas, and the gas pressure and flow rate can be controlled to meet the needs of different scenarios.

[0027] Unionized gas enters the metal casing through the gas duct, filling the space between the high-voltage electrode and the metal casing. The high-voltage electrode has a high potential, while the metal casing is grounded at zero potential. The potential difference between the high-voltage electrode and the metal casing creates an electric field, which breaks down the gas to form an arc. The gas arc discharges and forms a high-density plasma. After the plasma flow is generated, it enters the front end of the metal needle-shaped casing. Because the front end is smaller than the diameter of the metal casing, the plasma flow can achieve a higher speed and is ejected from the front end of the metal needle-shaped casing of the plasma puncture jet device, acting on the joint cavity.

[0028] Atmospheric pressure plasma is generated by discharge using a parallel plate discharge device. The discharge region is within the electrode gap, which is typically small, ranging from millimeters to centimeters. The thickness and volume of the treated object are limited by the discharge gap. When the treated object is placed in the discharge gap, it is equivalent to adding a dielectric layer between the electrodes, which may affect the discharge characteristics. The plasma jet does not generate plasma within the gap. Instead, it uses the effects of airflow and electric field to transport high-energy particles and active components in the discharge region to the sample surface, so that the plasma is generated outside the discharge region. This achieves separation between the discharge region and the treated sample region. The plasma jet has the properties of low-temperature plasma, such as high concentrations of ions and metastable molecules, high electron temperature, and low macroscopic gas temperature. It is very suitable for application in temperature-sensitive materials, such as biomaterials and surface treatment of complex-shaped objects. The specific jet device is a plasma jet device using a syringe needle as a hollow single electrode. It generates an atmospheric pressure glow-like long plasma jet in heat-resistant glass and polytetrafluoroethylene hose, and this jet is used in scenarios such as medical research.

[0029] Preferably, the jet can use an electrode structure of a single electrode, a double electrode, an inner electrode, or an outer electrode. The double electrode structure can be coaxial, needle-ring, and ring-ring. The single electrode can use a single needle or single ring structure. The design, size, working gas, working voltage, and frequency of these jets are different, but the basic principle is the same. Plasma is generated in a metal needle-shaped shell through airflow.

[0030] The operator adjusts the high voltage of the plasma generator through the control circuit according to the actual situation. The plasma generator uses arc discharge to discharge and break down the gas supplied by the gas cylinder, fully ionizing it. The pressure difference in the device forms a plasma jet, which is ejected from the front end of the metal needle-shaped shell, achieving the purpose of flexibly controlling the plasma jet device and generating a suitable plasma jet.

[0031] While embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions, and variations may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, and that the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A low-temperature plasma joint cavity puncture jet device, characterized by: The gas delivery device comprises a gas delivery device and a plasma generating device; the plasma generating device comprises a handle, a high-voltage electrode, a metal needle-shaped shell and a high-voltage power supply; the gas delivery device comprises a gas cylinder, a gas valve and a gas flow meter; the gas delivery device and the plasma generating device are connected to each other using an air guide tube, and the connection is sealed to ensure that there is no gas leakage during the delivery process; the air guide tube is located at one end of the metal shell and is used to receive gas into the metal shell; one end of the high-voltage electrode is located on the axis of the air guide tube and is connected to the high-voltage power supply; the other end of the high-voltage electrode is located in the metal needle-shaped shell; one end of the metal needle-shaped shell is pinhole-shaped and connected to the ground wire, and the other end of the metal needle-shaped shell is connected to the handle; the gas cylinder and the valve are connected through the air guide tube, the valve is connected to the gas flow meter, and at the same time is connected to the metal needle-shaped shell through the air guide tube; plasma will be ejected from the front end of the metal needle-shaped shell to form a plasma jet; the metal needle-shaped shell adopts a barrel-shaped pointed mouth design with a pointed mouth angle of 9°-30°; The power density of the plasma is 3-4 J / cm 2 ; The gas delivery device adjusts the gas type, flow rate, and pressure parameters according to different application scenarios and delivers the gas to the plasma generator; the plasma generator uses arc discharge to discharge and break down the gas supplied by the gas cylinder, fully ionizing it. The pressure difference in the metal needle-shaped shell forms a plasma jet, which is ejected from the front end of the metal needle-shaped shell. The ejected jet is cylindrical and has a thin diameter.

2. A low-temperature plasma joint cavity puncture jet device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The material of the metal needle-shaped shell is stainless steel, and the barrel is divided into two ends, one end of the pointed mouth is the front end, and the other end is the rear end, and the front end pointed mouth is extremely thin.

3. A low-temperature plasma joint cavity puncture jet device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The metal needle-shaped shell has an axial length of 10-20 cm and a diameter of 1-1.5 mm.

4. The low-temperature plasma joint cavity puncture jet device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The high-voltage electrode is made into a metal filament with a diameter of 0.5-0.8 mm and a length of 8-15 cm; the high voltage refers to 4000-6000V.

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