Device for the treatment of herniated discs using cold atmospheric plasma

Description

Background of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a device for treating intervertebral disc herniation, particularly in veterinary medicine, preferably in dogs and cats. It utilizes a device for generating cold atmospheric plasma, which comprises an electrode and a plate-shaped dielectric material at least partially surrounding the electrode. The invention also relates to cold atmospheric plasma in the context of a further medical indication.

[0002] Intervertebral disc herniations frequently occur due to various degenerative processes in the body. In older animal patients, particularly dogs, they can often be attributed to physical changes resulting from normal age-related remodeling and / or breed-specific predisposition. However, degenerative processes that can lead to an intervertebral disc herniation are also observed in younger animal patients, especially dogs. In these younger patients, an underlying disc disease or injury may be present. Known degenerative processes that can lead to intervertebral disc herniations in dogs can be divided into chondroid and fibroid degenerative processes.The treatment method pursued using the invention is aimed primarily, but not exclusively, at the treatment of chronic intervertebral disc herniations resulting from fibroid degeneration, particularly in dogs. Previously established methods for this purpose either utilize a conservative treatment approach consisting of pain control, anti-inflammatory therapy, and physiotherapy, or require surgical intervention.

[0003] Plasma is defined as an ionized gas or gas mixture. In addition to neutral gas particles, it contains ions, excited atoms or molecules, and free electrons. Visible light and / or ultraviolet radiation can be emitted by the excited particles through spontaneous emission.

[0004] Cold atmospheric plasma for medical applications is typically generated from air at atmospheric pressure using electrical energy. The properties of the plasma are influenced by factors such as the ambient temperature, the strength of the applied electric field, and the discharge geometry. The primary medical indication for cold atmospheric plasma stems from its ability, when used correctly, to kill bacteria, viruses, and fungi without causing significant damage to the treated body surface. Furthermore, plasma application has the potential to promote microcirculation within skin tissue, which in turn contributes to improved tissue oxygen saturation. This, in turn, increases collagen synthesis, optimizes cell migration, and promotes the proliferation of cells involved in tissue repair.In this context, cold atmospheric plasma has so far been used successfully primarily for the treatment of skin diseases or impaired wound healing, both in human and veterinary medicine. The mechanisms of action described also allow for purely cosmetic applications.

[0005] Devices for generating cold atmospheric plasma can be operated on the principle of dielectrically hindered discharge (also called dielectric barrier discharge). An electrode is separated from a gas chamber, in which the plasma is to be generated, by an electrically insulating material, the dielectric. An electric field is generated across the electrode using high-frequency electrical oscillations. Subsequently, limited discharge processes can occur in the gas chamber between the dielectric and the treated body to generate plasma. These discharges are limited by the accumulation of charge carriers on the surface of the dielectric, creating an opposing electric field. This process preferably results in the formation of several plasma filaments with limited lifetimes.

[0006] Devices of this type typically feature a control unit, which includes a resonant converter for the efficient generation of high-frequency electrical oscillations from a standard electrical power supply. Furthermore, the electrode and its associated dielectric are often housed in a handpiece to allow for convenient and practical plasma application. The strength of the applied electric field can be adjusted within certain limits at the control unit.

[0007] The dielectric material is in the form of a flat plate or disc. The material and wall thickness of the dielectric are generally adapted to prevent uncontrolled discharges and to generate a plasma with properties suitable for treating the skin surface and, if necessary, shallow subcutaneous layers.

[0008] WO 2018 / 230 789 A1 describes a device for generating cold atmospheric plasma using an electrode with a plate-shaped dielectric. The device, or the plasma generated by the device, is particularly suitable for skin treatment.

[0009] US 2023 / 0292413 A1 describes, among other things, a method for plasma generation using a dielectric coated with a metallic film. Furthermore, it describes the possibility of injecting polyethylene glycol, particularly as a carrier substance for other pharmaceutically active substances or energy modulating substances, to support treatment methods for the human or animal body.

[0010] Kolesov, SV and Kurpyakov, AP describe a nucleoplasty procedure for treating patients with herniated or degenerative disc disease in "Cold Plasma Nucleoplasty for Intervertebral Disc Herniation" (Russian Journal of Spine Surgery (Khirurgiya Pozvonochnika). 2007;(3):053-058). This procedure uses cold plasma to selectively remove tissue from the interior of an intervertebral disc, thereby reducing pressure on surrounding nerves. In contrast to the invention described here, this is an invasive procedure.

[0011] Other devices for plasma generation and / or methods of plasma use in medical or cosmetic treatments are described, for example, in US 2015 / 0 094 647 A1, KR 10 14 22 823 B1, US 2013 / 0 072 859 A1, US 2019 / 0 327 823 A1, WO 2023 / 078 913 A1, US 2023 / 0 142 077 A1 and US 2016 / 0 331 439 A1. Object of the invention

[0012] In contrast, the invention is based on the objective of creating a device and a substance for the treatment of intervertebral disc herniation, in particular intervertebral disc herniation in dogs and cats. Description of the invention

[0013] This problem is solved according to the invention by a device according to claim 1, which comprises a device for generating cold atmospheric plasma with an electrode and a plate-shaped dielectric at least partially surrounding the electrode, wherein the dielectric has a wall thickness t of at least 1.2 mm and at most 1.73 mm and wherein the dielectric has an engagement area with a height (or depth) in the range of at least 0.1 mm and at most 0.4 mm. Preferred embodiments of the device are described in the dependent claims.

[0014] Existing devices for the medical and veterinary application of cold atmospheric plasma are designed to achieve treatment success in connection with skin diseases and wound healing disorders by limiting the applicable electric field in conjunction with the material and selected wall thickness of the dielectric. By changing the wall thickness of the dielectric, in particular by reducing it to the appropriate degree, the invention makes it possible to induce a targeted deep effect in the spinal region of a treated body and thereby achieve an improvement or at least a temporary recovery from a herniated disc.By selecting the wall thickness of the dielectric plate according to the specific material and the applied electrical energy level, the resulting electric field and the properties of the resulting cold atmospheric plasma can be designed to achieve the desired deep-penetrating effect. The treatment successes are particularly well-documented through empirical studies.

[0015] For hygienic reasons, dielectric plates are usually arranged in a removable manner on plasma-generating devices. It is therefore a particular advantage of the invention that the dielectric plates according to the invention can generally be easily exchanged for the standard dielectric plates on existing devices and, if necessary, exchanged back again.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the dielectric plate comprises plastic, in particular an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer. Advantages of a plastic-based dielectric include its cost-effective production and recyclability. The desired wall thickness can be precisely maintained during manufacturing. In particular, efficient additive manufacturing processes are also possible.

[0017] In one embodiment of the invention, the dielectric comprises a ceramic material. The electrically insulating properties of certain ceramic materials can be used analogously to those of plastics for the production of a dielectric. The wall thickness of the ceramic-based dielectric may need to be adjusted slightly compared to the wall thickness of a corresponding plastic-based dielectric.

[0018] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the dielectric plate is in the form of a flat disc, the disc preferably having a diameter between 14 mm and 51 mm. Dielectric discs of this type can be used in particular in plasma-generating devices designed for cosmetic applications (often referred to as plasma pens).

[0019] The engagement area can be used to secure the dielectric disk against displacement in conjunction with a spring or projection on a handpiece of the plasma-generating device. It is conceivable to design the spring or projection in such a way that it functions as part of the electrode. Furthermore, it is possible to adapt the dielectric disk to a specific electrode during manufacturing by incorporating a metallic component into the engagement area.

[0020] The engagement area of ​​a dielectric disk is preferably also circular and has a significantly smaller diameter dE than the disk itself. The diameter dE of the engagement area can preferably be between 2 mm and 3 mm.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the necessary electrical energy is obtained via a standard household electrical connection, which provides an alternating voltage of 100 V - 240 V at a frequency of 50 Hz or 60 Hz. High-frequency electrical oscillations in the kHz range, often used to generate the cold atmospheric plasma, are preferably generated efficiently via a resonant transducer.

[0022] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the device includes an injection device for injecting polyethylene glycol. In particular, the injection device can be designed as a syringe. The injection device can be a separate component of the device. Polyethylene glycol can optionally be present in solution with any number of other substances or as a suspension with any number of other substances.

[0023] Preferably, the injection device contains an injection fluid, wherein the injection fluid contains polyethylene glycol. Polyethylene glycol can improve the effectiveness of treatment with the device.

[0024] As an example, but not claimed as such, cold atmospheric plasma is revealed as a medical substance within the context of another medical indication, namely its use in a procedure for treating intervertebral disc herniation. The primary focus here is on the treatment of chronic intervertebral disc herniation in the lumbar and coccygeal vertebrae of dogs due to fibroid degeneration. However, successful treatments in cats have also been documented, and it can be assumed that the still-nascent research in this field may, in the future, also yield indications for use in other animal species and in human medicine.

[0025] By way of example, but not claimed as such, polyethylene glycol is also disclosed for use in the treatment of herniated discs, particularly with the additional application of cold atmospheric plasma. In particular, the invention relates to an injection fluid containing polyethylene glycol for use in the treatment of herniated discs.

[0026] Further advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description and the drawing. Likewise, the features mentioned above and those described in more detail below can each be used individually or in any combination according to the invention. The embodiments shown and described are not to be understood as an exhaustive list, but rather serve as examples for illustrating the invention. Brief description of the drawings

[0027] They show: Fig. 1 is an isometric view of a device for treating herniated discs by generating cold atmospheric plasma, and an exemplary, non-scale patient; Fig. 2a is an isometric exploded view of a handpiece of the device for treating herniated discs; Fig. 2b the exploded view from Fig. 2a in a side view; Fig. 3a an isometric view of a dielectric disk; Fig. 3 a section of the dielectric disk as well as a cutaway side view of the dielectric disk. Detailed description of the invention and drawing

[0028] Fig. 1 shows an isometric view of a device 10 For the treatment of intervertebral disc herniation, especially chronic intervertebral disc herniation in dogs. 12 and cats. The depicted dog 12 serves to better illustrate the Fig. 1 and is shown not to scale. The device has a handpiece.14 up, at the end of which cold atmospheric plasma 16 is generated.

[0029] The handpiece 14 is used by a treatment expert, in particular a veterinarian, to inject the plasma 16 into a spinal area. 18 to apply the plasma 16 to the dog, particularly in the region of the lumbar and coccygeal vertebrae. As an adjunct, an injection fluid containing polyethylene glycol can be injected into the area surrounding the spinal column 18, particularly at the site of the intervertebral disc herniation, before, during, and / or after the application of the plasma 16 (not shown in detail). An injection device of the apparatus 10 can be used for this purpose.

[0030] The end of the handpiece 14 is placed externally on the skin of the dog 12. The handpiece 14 is connected via a cable. 20 at a control unit 22 connected, in which a resonant transducer 24is installed. Control unit 22 is connected via another cable. 26 with a home network connection 28 connected. The resonance converter 24 generates high-frequency electrical oscillations using electrical energy from the mains connection 28, which in turn are used to generate the plasma 16.

[0031] Fig. 2a Figure 1 shows an isometric view of the handpiece 14, with the components at the plasma-generating end of the handpiece 14 depicted in an exploded view. A retaining ring, preferably made of plastic, is shown. 30 used for inserting a dielectric disc 32. The dielectric disk 32 is held in place by a spring. 34 on a headpiece 36The handpiece 14 is clamped between the retaining ring 30 and the headpiece 36. The retaining ring 30 can preferably be attached to the headpiece 36 via a screw connection (not shown here for clarity). When assembling the components, the spring 34 can be inserted into a preferably circular engagement area. 38 engage the dielectric disk 32.

[0032] Fig. 2b The handpiece 14 shows Fig. 2a in a side view. The headpiece 36 of the handpiece 14 encloses an electrode. 40 or at least part of the electrode 40. The electrode 40 is supplied with high-frequency electrical energy via the cable 20. The headpiece 36 consists of an electrically insulating material, preferably plastic.

[0033] Fig. 3a Figure 32 shows the dielectric disk, with the circular engagement area 38 visible. The engagement area 38 is located on the back side.42 the dielectric disk 32, i.e., on the side facing the headpiece 36. The dielectric disk 32 has a diameter d between 14 mm and 51 mm.

[0034] Fig. 3b Figure 1 shows a section of the dielectric disk 32 as well as a cut-away side view of the dielectric disk 32 along the cut edge AA. The engagement area 38 has a diameter d E between 2 mm and 3 mm. Additionally, the engagement area 38 has a height h of at least 0.1 mm and at most 0.4 mm. The wall thickness t of the dielectric disk 32 is between a minimum of 1.2 mm and a maximum of 1.73 mm.

[0035] In summary, the invention relates to a device 10 for the treatment of intervertebral disc herniation, particularly in veterinary medicine, preferably in dogs 12 and cats. A device for generating cold atmospheric plasma 16 with an electrode 40 and a plate-shaped dielectric 32 at least partially surrounding the electrode 40 is used. The invention is characterized in that the dielectric 32 is designed to achieve a deep effect in the spinal region 18 of a treated body. For this purpose, the dielectric 32 has a wall thickness t of at least 1.2 mm and a maximum of 1.73 mm. The invention further relates to cold atmospheric plasma 16 for use in a method for treating intervertebral disc herniation. Reference symbol list

[0036] 10 Device for treating herniated discs 12 Dog 14 Handpiece 16 Cold atmospheric plasma 18 Spinal area 20 Cable 22 Control unit 24 Resonance transducer 26 Additional cable 28 Mains connection 30 Retaining ring 32 Dielectric disc 34 Spring 36 Headpiece 38 Treatment area 40 Electrode 42 Back

Claims

1. An apparatus (10) for treating intervertebral disc incidents, in particular in veterinary medicine, preferably in dogs (12) and cats, the apparatus (10) comprising a device for generating cold atmospheric plasma (16) with an electrode (40) and a plate-shaped dielectric (32) at least partially surrounding the electrode (40), the dielectric (32) having a wall thickness t of at least 1.2 mm and at most 1.73 mm so as to achieve a depth effect in the spinal region of a treated body, characterized in that the dielectric (32) has an engagement region (38) with a height h of at least 0.1 mm and at most 0.4 mm.

2. The apparatus (10) according to claim 1, wherein the dielectric (32) comprises plastics material, in particular an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer.

3. The apparatus (10) according to claim 1, wherein the dielectric (32) comprises a ceramic material.

4. The apparatus (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the dielectric (32) is in the form of a flat disc, which in particular has a diameter d between 14 mm and 51 mm.

5. The apparatus (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the engagement region (38) of the dielectric (32) is circular, preferably having a diameter dE between 2 mm and 3 mm.

6. The apparatus (10) according to any of the preceding claims, which has a resonant converter (24) so as to provide the electrical high frequency or high voltage energy necessary for plasma generation via a household electrical mains connection (28).

7. The apparatus (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus (10) comprises an injection device for injecting polyethylene glycol, in particular wherein the injection device is designed as a syringe.

8. The apparatus (10) according to claim 7, wherein the injection device contains an injection fluid, wherein the injection fluid contains polyethylene glycol.