Hand-held system for treating surfaces by means of plasma and method for treating surfaces by means of plasma using the hand-held system

Abstract

The invention relates to a system (100) for treating surfaces using plasma, comprising: - a plasma device (20) which is operable with a process gas, - an energy source (30) for supplying energy to the plasma device (20), and - a support structure on or in which the plasma device (20) and the energy source (30) are arranged, wherein the system (100) is configured to firmly connect a gas cartridge (4) designed to receive the process gas to the support structure and to guide the process gas from the gas cartridge (4) to the plasma device (20). The invention further relates to a method for treating surfaces using plasma with the handheld system (100).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a handheld system for treating surfaces using plasma and to a method for treating surfaces using plasma using the handheld system.

[0002] The application of plasma jets, i.e. atmospheric pressure plasma at room temperature, has proven particularly effective in wound treatment in practice and has thus created a greater need for devices of this type.

[0003] Systems for plasma treatment of surfaces are known from the prior art.

[0004] For example, patent DE202017101912U1 discloses a portable, tool-free assembled plasma treatment system. This system essentially comprises a pressurized gas cylinder, a handheld device with a plasma nozzle for plasma application, and a control unit for regulating the gas flow and electrode voltage within the handheld device to generate the plasma. A disadvantage, however, is that the plasma treatment system always requires an external power supply. Furthermore, the system is rather unwieldy due to its bulky control unit, relatively large pressurized gas cylinder, and the other components mounted on a cumbersome frame. Consequently, the application range of this plasma treatment system is limited.

[0005] WO2009074546A1 discloses a device for treating surfaces with a plasma generated at atmospheric pressure, which can be designed as a portable handheld device. It is further proposed that the device be battery-powered, allowing it to be used independently of an external power supply. Ambient air is drawn in by a diaphragm pump to supply the gas, and a plasma is generated from this air. A disadvantage of this design is that the usable process gas is limited to air, and ozone can also be generated in concentrations that are potentially harmful to health.

[0006] Based on this, the present invention aims to provide a system and a method for treating surfaces using plasma, each of which is improved with regard to the problem described above by expanding the application possibilities and the range of use of the system and the method for treating surfaces using plasma compared to the prior art.

[0007] This problem is solved by a handheld system for treating surfaces using plasma with the features of claim 1 and a method for treating surfaces using plasma using the handheld system according to claim 15.

[0008] Advantageous embodiments of this and other aspects of the invention are specified in the corresponding dependent claims and are described below.

[0009] A first aspect of the invention relates to a handheld system for treating surfaces using plasma, comprising: a plasma device which can be operated with a process gas, an energy source for supplying energy to the plasma device, and a support structure on and / or in which the plasma device and the energy source are arranged.

[0010] According to the invention, the system is designed to firmly connect a gas cartridge designed to receive the process gas to the support structure and to guide the process gas from the gas cartridge to the plasma device.

[0011] The energy source is specifically designed to supply energy to the plasma device. In particular, the energy source is a voltage source with which an electrically generated or induced plasma can be produced, for example, using electrodes of the plasma device.

[0012] The term "fixed" in the context of the connection between the support structure and a gas cartridge is to be understood in particular as meaning that a gas cartridge connected to the support structure directly follows any movement of the support structure, thus maintaining a fixed orientation and position relative to the position of the support structure. Specifically, the gas cartridge is not flexibly connected to the support structure, for example, only via a hose.

[0013] A fixed connection can be achieved, for example, via a gas cartridge connection to the support structure.

[0014] Thus, according to the invention, the components required for plasma treatment – ​​plasma device, energy source, and gas supply – can be integrated into a handheld system. Advantageously, the handheld system can therefore be used by a single user, independent of a typically stationary energy or gas supply.

[0015] According to the invention, the process gas, if contained in the gas cartridge, is fed to the plasma unit. There, a plasma can be generated from the process gas by means of the plasma unit. By guiding the process gas or by means of a corresponding gas flow, the process gas, now present as plasma, can then be applied to the surface in a plasma jet exiting the handheld system, thus making the handheld system suitable for surface treatment using plasma.

[0016] The handheld system according to the invention is particularly suitable for treating surfaces and hollow bodies in both civilian and non-civilian settings, as well as in human and veterinary medicine, hygiene, and prevention. The surface to be treated can be, in particular, biological tissue. For example, the system according to the invention can be used to treat a surface of the human body, such as a wound. By integrating the components of the plasma device, energy source, and gas supply into the handheld system according to the invention, a user, who does not require any prior medical training, can use the handheld system themselves, particularly outside of healthcare facilities, to treat surfaces with plasma.

[0017] Suitable process gases for the gas cartridge include, for example, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, or a noble gas, in particular helium, argon, or neon. Alternatively, the process gas can also be a gas mixture, such as air. The process gases used can be varied depending on the requirements of the surface to be treated. Accordingly, the invention enables the use of process gases other than ambient air, which significantly expands the application possibilities of the handheld system according to the invention compared to systems that rely on drawing in ambient air to generate the plasma. Furthermore, the use of the process gases suggested above as examples avoids the generation of ozone in high, harmful concentrations, which can occur when using air as the process gas.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the invention, the gas cartridge can be filled or refilled with process gas via a gas connection. For example, the gas cartridge can be filled with process gas via the gas connection of the handheld system at a gas filling station according to the third aspect of the invention as soon as the process gas from the gas cartridge has been used up.

[0019] In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the gas cartridge can be repeatedly attached to and removed from the support structure via a gas-tight gas cartridge connection, thus making the gas cartridge replaceable. Once the process gas in the gas cartridge is used up, it can be disposed of and replaced with another gas cartridge filled with process gas, according to this embodiment. Thus, the handheld system according to this embodiment is particularly, but not exclusively, suitable for use with commercially available single-use gas cartridges.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the invention, the plasma device is located in the area of ​​a plasma nozzle of the system arranged in or on the support structure, so that the plasma can be applied via the plasma nozzle. Accordingly, the plasma jet can exit the handheld system via the plasma nozzle in the direction of the surface to be treated.

[0021] In particular, the plasma nozzle is designed to be repeatedly attached to and removed from the support structure via a mechanical connection, allowing the use of different plasma nozzles with the handheld system. These various plasma nozzles can feature different nozzle and / or diffuser sections to adapt the flow characteristics of the plasma exiting the nozzle to the requirements of the surface being treated. The plasma nozzle can optionally be designed as a DC or AC plasma nozzle. Design differences between DC and AC plasma nozzles can be primarily due to dielectric barriers between the electrodes and the plasma. For example, in AC operation, a dielectric barrier between the electrodes and the plasma can be used, effectively preventing an often undesirable increase in the process gas temperature.This does not work in DC operation, because the insulating property of the barrier in DC operation strongly restricts the current flow and therefore no discharge can be carried out.

[0022] In one embodiment of the invention, a valve is arranged between the gas cartridge and the plasma device, wherein a gas flow of the process gas from the gas cartridge to the plasma device can be caused and stopped by actuating the valve.

[0023] In particular, the valve is designed to be mechanically or electrically actuated. For this purpose, the user can, for example, activate a trigger that is operatively connected to the valve to open and close the valve for gas flow.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the invention, the plasma device comprises a high-voltage electrode. The high-voltage electrode is powered by the energy source. The energy source can be an electric battery. In particular, it is provided that the electrical voltage supplied by the electric battery is converted into a high voltage via a high-voltage generator, which can then be applied to the high-voltage electrode to generate the plasma. The battery can, for example, be a lithium-ion battery. This has the advantage that such batteries are readily available and relatively lightweight.

[0025] In AC operation, the high voltage can reach peak values ​​between 2.5 kV and 5 kV, for example at a frequency of 30 kHz. In the low-frequency range, particularly in the DC range, the high voltage can be between 1 kV and 2 kV, for example.

[0026] In particular, it is intended that the plasma device, especially its high-voltage electrode, will be operated by means of direct or alternating voltage or by means of microwaves.

[0027] In a further embodiment of the invention, the support structure forms a housing in or on which the plasma device and the energy source are arranged and with which the gas cartridge is firmly connected or connectable.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the invention, the support structure, in particular the housing, forms a handle by which a user can manually pick up the handheld system.

[0029] In particular, the carrying structure, especially the housing, is designed to take the form of a pistol, with the plasma device, especially the plasma nozzle, arranged in the area of ​​the pistol's barrel and the grip forming its handle. The pistol-like design of the handheld system enables safe and intuitive handling by the user, thus eliminating the need for trained personnel to apply the plasma.

[0030] The term pistol refers in particular to the position and location of the grip relative to the plasma nozzle or the direction of a generated plasma jet (corresponding to the direction of the pistol barrel), whose axes are arranged essentially at right angles to each other, similar to a pistol.

[0031] In one embodiment of the invention, the energy source is arranged in the handle. The typically high weight of the energy source, particularly in the form of an electric battery, compared to the other components of the handheld system, ensures that the handheld system, especially in the form of a pistol, sits securely and comfortably in the user's hand during use, since the center of gravity of the handheld system or pistol is located in the area of ​​the battery.

[0032] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the handheld system has a charging port for charging or recharging the power source. This can be, for example, a USB or mini-USB charging port. For instance, a 3.6 V lithium-ion battery can typically be charged using commercially available mobile phone chargers.

[0033] In an alternative embodiment, the handheld system is provided with a device for inductively charging or recharging the energy source. According to this embodiment, the handheld system can be wirelessly charged by induction.

[0034] For example, a gas cartridge can have a volume of between 10 cc and 250 cc.

[0035] Similarly, the portable system, excluding the gas cartridge filled with process gas, can weigh less than 1 kg.

[0036] The spatial dimensions of the handheld system can, for example, be less than 23 cm in length, less than 6 cm in width, and less than 12 cm in height. Height, length, and width are each to be understood as the maximum spatial extents of the handheld system along mutually orthogonal directions.

[0037] According to one embodiment of the invention, the handheld system further comprises a gas filling station with a gas cylinder designed to hold a compressed process gas. Thus, the gas cartridge of the respective handheld system can be filled via the gas cylinder of the gas filling station. The gas filling station may further include valves, pressure reducers, and / or barometers.

[0038] In a further embodiment of the invention, the handheld system further comprises sensors which are designed to determine at least one of the following parameters: a spatial distance of the plasma device, in particular the plasma nozzle, in relation to a surface to be treated, an energy consumption of the energy source, an energy level of the energy source, a temperature of the process gas, a process gas consumption of the process gas, a process gas quantity of process gas in the gas cartridge, a usage time of the handheld system, which is indicative of the period within which a plasma is excited by means of the handheld system, in particular continuously.

[0039] For this purpose, the handheld system can have several corresponding sensors.

[0040] The distance, determined in particular by a distance sensor, can be transmitted as data to a processor unit of the handheld system. This processor unit can then use the data to instruct a transmission unit of the handheld system to generate a signal indicating the measured distance. For example, the user can be informed whether the plasma device, especially the plasma nozzle, is too close to or too far from the surface being treated during plasma application. This signal can be, for example, visual or audible.

[0041] In particular, the handheld system is designed to include a temperature sensor and / or a humidity sensor configured to determine the temperature and / or humidity of the ambient air, as well as a position sensor configured to determine the spatial orientation of the handheld system relative to the surface being treated. This position sensor may be a gyroscope. Furthermore, sensors for determining the differential pressure between the pressure inside the gas cartridge and the ambient air pressure may be included. The process gas consumption can be calculated from this differential pressure. An RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) sensor is also included for the automatic and contactless identification and localization of the handheld system.An optical sensor may also be present, especially with a camera function, so that surfaces to be treated and / or treated can be documented visually.

[0042] The handheld system can include one, two, three, or even more than three of the sensors described above.

[0043] The parameters determined by the respective sensors can be transmitted as corresponding data to a processor unit of the handheld system.

[0044] Furthermore, this data can be stored in a data logger of the processor unit.

[0045] In particular, the data stored in the data logger can be transmitted to a user. This can be done, for example, by means of a transmission unit attached to the support structure, especially the housing. The transmission unit can operate optically or acoustically, for example, and could be a screen or a speaker. Alternatively or additionally, the stored data can also be sent to an external device or server for retrieval.

[0046] A second aspect of the invention relates to a method for treating surfaces using plasma with the handheld system according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein a compressed process gas contained in the gas cartridge flows to the plasma device, where the process gas is excited to a plasma by means of the energy provided by the energy source. Due to the flow, the process gas leaves the handheld system in the form of a plasma jet in the direction of the surface to be treated, which can thus be treated by the plasma.

[0047] Accordingly, the embodiments according to the first aspect of the invention also apply to the second aspect of the invention.

[0048] Preferably, in the context of the method for treating surfaces with plasma according to the second aspect of the invention, the surface is not a surface of the human body. Rather, it can be a technical surface, for example metal or wood.

[0049] A third aspect of the invention relates to a refilling system for treating surfaces using plasma, comprising at least one handheld system according to the first aspect of the invention and a gas filling station with a gas container designed to hold a compressed process gas. Thus, the gas cartridge of the respective handheld system can be refilled via the gas container of the gas filling station. The gas filling station may further include valves, pressure reducers, and / or barometers. Accordingly, the embodiments according to the first aspect of the invention also apply to the third aspect of the invention.

[0050] The gas filling station can be the basis of an independent claim in the refilling system, or as a gas filling station also a dependent claim according to the first aspect of the invention.

[0051] In the following, exemplary embodiments as well as further features and advantages of the invention will be explained with reference to the figures. The figures show: Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of the handheld system for treating surfaces with plasma and the corresponding method according to the present invention; Fig. 2 shows a refill station for refilling the handheld system for treating surfaces with plasma according to the first embodiment. Fig. 1Fig. 3 shows a second embodiment of the handheld system for treating surfaces using plasma and the corresponding method according to the present invention; and Fig. 4 shows a third embodiment of the handheld system for treating surfaces using plasma and the corresponding method according to the present invention.

[0052] Fig. 1 Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of the handheld system 100 for treating surfaces using plasma according to the present invention and the corresponding method.

[0053] The handheld system 100 comprises a housing 10 in which, in particular, a plasma device 20, a power source 30, and a gas cartridge 4 are arranged. The plasma device 20, the power source 30, and the gas cartridge 4 are fixedly connected to the housing 10. The housing 10 has the shape of a pistol, with one section forming the barrel 19 of the pistol and another section forming the grip 18 of the pistol. The pistol, in particular the grip 18, is dimensioned so that a user can hold and handle it with one hand.

[0054] At the end of the tube 19 is the plasma device 20. This can be operated with a process gas, which may be contained in compressed form in the gas cartridge 4. Preferably, in the first embodiment, the process gas is a noble gas, for example, helium, argon, or neon. To generate a plasma, the plasma source 20 comprises a high-voltage electrode 7, which can be supplied with electrical energy via an electrical line 17. For this purpose, the handheld system 100 includes an electric battery 9 as an energy source 30. The battery 9 is configured as shown in Fig. 1The battery 9 is visibly arranged in the grip 18 of the pistol. This is advantageous because conventional batteries 9 can be housed there in a space-efficient manner. At the same time, the relatively high weight of the battery 9 compared to the other components arranged in the housing 19 ensures that the pistol sits well and securely in the user's hand during operation, as the pistol's center of gravity is located in the area of ​​the battery 9 and the grip 18. The voltage supplied by the battery 9 is converted into a high voltage by a high-voltage generator 8 electrically connected to the battery 9, which is then applied to the high-voltage electrode 7.

[0055] As further in Fig. 1As can be seen, battery 9 has a charging port 11 for charging or recharging battery 9 with electrical energy. This could be, for example, a USB or mini-USB charging port.

[0056] The high voltage can be used to excite process gas flowing from the gas cartridge 4 into a plasma, which then exits the gun via a plasma nozzle 1 for application to a surface. For this purpose, the plasma nozzle 1 is connected to the gas cartridge 4 via a gas line 16, which extends from a gas cartridge connection 60 parallel to the barrel 19 of the gun. A pressure reducer 3 and a valve 2 are also arranged on the gas line 16. The valve 2 can be actuated by the user, allowing the flow of compressed process gas from the gas cartridge 4 to the plasma nozzle 1 to be repeatedly initiated and interrupted. In particular, this can be an electric valve 2.Furthermore, the valve 2 can be operatively connected to the battery 9, such that actuation of the valve 2 simultaneously supplies voltage to the high-voltage electrode 7 via the battery 9, thereby generating a plasma from the flowing process gas in the area of ​​the plasma device 20. For this purpose, the gun can have a trigger, preferably located in the area of ​​the grip 18.

[0057] The gas line 16 has a branch in the section between the pressure reducer 3 and the gas cartridge 4 leading to a check valve 5. This check valve uses spring force to hold the compressed process gas in the gas line 16, so that the gas can only escape when the valve 2 or the trigger is activated by the plasma nozzle 1. On its side facing away from the gas line 16, the check valve 5 is connected to a gas connection 6, through which the gas cartridge 4 can be repeatedly refilled with process gas once the process gas in the gas cartridge 4 is used up. In particular, the gas connection 6 can be a quick-release coupling that corresponds to a gas connection 6, especially a quick-release coupling, of a gas filling station 40. The gas connection 6 can optionally function as a gas cartridge connection 60. This allows another gas cartridge 4 to be optionally connected to the gas connection 6 or the gas cartridge connection 60 to the check valve 5.

[0058] One such gas filling station 40 is located in Fig. 2 The gas filling station 40 includes a gas connection 6, in particular a quick-release fastener, which in turn connects to the gas connection 6 or the gas cartridge connection 60 of the handheld system 100. Fig. 1The gas filling station 40 also includes a gas container 12, for example, a conventional gas cylinder for storing compressed process gas. The compressed process gas can be directed from the gas container 12 to the gas cartridge 4 of the handheld system 100 via two valves, a first valve 13 and a second valve 15, when the latter is fluidically connected to the gas filling station 40 via the gas connections 6. A pressure reducer 3 is also arranged between the first valve 13 and the second valve 15, which may also include a barometer for determining the pressure in the gas cartridge 4 of the handheld system 100 or the pressure in the gas container 12 of the gas filling station 40.

[0059] Together, the handheld system 100 and the gas filling station 40 form a refilling system according to the third aspect of the invention.

[0060] Fig. 3shows a second embodiment of the handheld system 100 for treating surfaces using plasma according to the present invention and the corresponding method.

[0061] Analogous to the first embodiment, the handheld system 100 shown here comprises a housing 10 in which, in particular, a plasma device 20, a power source 30, and a gas cartridge 4 are arranged. The plasma device 20, the power source 30, and the gas cartridge 4 are fixedly connected to the housing 10. The housing 10 again has the shape of a pistol, with one section forming the barrel 19 and another section forming the grip 18. The pistol, and in particular the grip 18, is dimensioned so that a user can hold and operate it with one hand.

[0062] The plasma device 20 can also be operated with process gas from a gas cartridge 4, whereby the plasma can again be generated with a high-voltage electrode 7, which is supplied with high voltage via a high-voltage generator 8 and a battery 9. The gas flow of the process gas can be initiated and interrupted via a valve 2, wherein the valve 2 in the second embodiment is preferably a mechanical valve 2.

[0063] In the second embodiment from Fig. 3The gas cartridge 4 is designed to be repeatedly attached to and removed from the housing 10 via the gas cartridge connection 60 in a gas-tight manner. This makes the gas cartridge 4 replaceable. Once the process gas in the gas cartridge 4 is used up, it can be disposed of and replaced with another gas cartridge 4 filled with process gas. Thus, the handheld system 100 according to the second embodiment is particularly suitable for use with commercially available single-use gas cartridges 4. Carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, argon, or helium are preferably suitable as process gases for the gas cartridge 4. Alternatively, the process gas can also be a gas mixture, for example, air.In the second embodiment, the interchangeable gas cartridge 4 eliminates, in particular, the components check valve 5, pressure reducer 3, and quick-release fastener 6 compared to the first embodiment, so that the handheld system 100 according to the second embodiment can be designed more compactly than in the first embodiment, cf. . Fig. 3 and Fig. 1 .

[0064] Regarding the plasma nozzle 1, in the second embodiment it is made of Fig. 3 The plasma nozzle 1 is designed to be repeatedly attached to and removed from the housing 10 via a mechanical connection. Therefore, different plasma nozzles 1 can be used with the handheld system 100. In particular, the plasma nozzles 1 can have different nozzle and / or diffuser sections to adapt the flow characteristics of the plasma exiting the plasma nozzle 1 to the requirements of the surface to be treated.

[0065] In both the first and second embodiments, the gas cartridge can, for example, have a volume of between 10 cc and 250 cc. The weight of the handheld system 100 according to the first and second embodiments, excluding the gas filling of the gas cartridge 4 with the process gas, can, for example, be less than 1 kg. The spatial dimensions of the handheld system 100 according to the first and second embodiments can, for example, be less than 23 cm in length, less than 6 cm in width, and less than 12 cm in height.The length refers to the maximum spatial extent of the pistol along the direction of extension of its barrel 19, the height refers to the maximum spatial extent of the pistol along the direction of extension of its grip 18, and the width refers to the maximum spatial extent of the pistol along the direction of extension perpendicular to the direction of extension of the barrel 19 and the grip 18.

[0066] Thus, according to the first and second embodiments, the handheld System 100 each constitutes an autonomous, handheld, and mobile unit for treating surfaces with plasma. They therefore enable, in particular, the use of plasma for treatment by the patient themselves and outside of healthcare facilities. The pistol-like design of the handheld System 100 further ensures safe and intuitive handling by the user, which accordingly eliminates the need for trained personnel to apply the plasma.

[0067] Regarding the method for treating surfaces using plasma with the handheld system 100 according to the first and second embodiments, the compressed process gas contained in the gas cartridge 4 flows to the plasma unit 20, where the process gas is excited to a plasma by means of energy provided by the energy source 30. Due to the flow, the process gas leaves the handheld system 100 in the form of a plasma jet in the direction of the surface to be treated. The gas flow of the process gas from the gas cartridge 4 to the plasma unit 20 can be initiated or interrupted by a user by actuating the aforementioned trigger, as described above. The trigger actuates the valve 2, in particular electrically or mechanically, and also supplies the high-voltage electrode 7 with power from the battery 9.

[0068] Fig. 4 Figure 1 shows a third embodiment of the handheld system 100 for treating surfaces using plasma according to the present invention and the corresponding method.

[0069] In this embodiment, the handheld system 100 comprises a processor unit 14, which exchanges data with a plurality of sensors arranged in the area of ​​the plasma nozzle 1, the power source 30 or the battery 9, and the gas cartridge 4. The sensors are designed to determine various parameters, which are explained below. The data exchange between the sensors and the processor unit 14 is in Fig. 4 indicated by double arrows.

[0070] A sensor is arranged in the area of ​​the plasma nozzle 1, which is designed to determine the distance between the plasma nozzle 1 and the surface to be treated. The determined distance can be transmitted to the processor unit 14 as corresponding data. The processor unit can use this data to instruct a transmission unit of the handheld system to generate a signal that indicates the determined distance. This allows the user to be informed, for example, whether the plasma nozzle 1 is too close to or too far from the surface being treated during plasma application. The signal can be, for example, an optical or acoustic signal.

[0071] Furthermore, a temperature sensor is located in the area of ​​the plasma nozzle 1, which is designed to determine the ambient temperature in the area around the plasma nozzle 1. Thus, the temperature of the ambient air in the vicinity of the handheld system 100 can be determined using the temperature sensor. Additionally, a humidity sensor is provided in the area of ​​the plasma nozzle 1, which, analogous to the temperature, allows the humidity of the ambient air to be determined. Furthermore, a position sensor is located in the area of ​​the plasma nozzle 1, which is designed to determine the spatial orientation of the handheld system 100 in relation to the surface to be treated. The position sensor can, in particular, be a gyroscope sensor.The measured distances, temperatures, humidity levels and spatial orientations are transmitted by the respective sensors in the form of corresponding data to the processor unit 14, where they are stored in a data logger.

[0072] Sensors are located in the area of ​​battery 9, which are configured to determine the voltage and / or current supplied by battery 9 and transmit this data to the processor unit 14, where it is stored in a data logger. The processor unit is configured to determine the remaining battery runtime based on the voltage and / or current data. The remaining runtime corresponds to the time the battery can still provide voltage and / or current to operate the high-voltage electrode 7 before the power supply fails and battery 9 needs to be recharged. Conversely, it is also provided that the battery 9's operating time can be calculated accordingly.of the handheld system 100 is determined by the processor unit 14, i.e., the time that the battery 9 has provided voltage and / or current for the operation of the plasma device 20 since the last charging.

[0073] A sensor is located in the area of ​​gas cartridge 4, designed to determine the differential pressure between the pressure inside the gas cartridge 4 and the ambient air pressure. Furthermore, an RFID sensor is located there for the automatic and contactless identification and localization of the handheld system 100 within an RFID system. Additionally, a sensor is located there designed to determine the gas consumption of the process gas, i.e., the amount of gas that has flowed from gas cartridge 4 to plasma unit 20 within a given period. At least the differential pressure and the gas consumption are transmitted as corresponding data to the processor unit 14, where they are stored in a data logger.

[0074] The data stored in the data logger can be transmitted to a user, for example via the transmission unit, in particular via a screen or a speaker, which may be located on the housing 10. Alternatively or additionally, the stored data can also be sent to an external device or server for retrieval on an external device. References:

[0075] DE202017101912U1 WO2009074546A1 Reference symbol list

[0076] Plasma nozzle 1 valve 2 Pressure reducer 3 gas cartridge 4 non-return valve 5 Gas connection 6 High-voltage electrode 7 High-voltage generator 8 battery 9 Housing 10 Charging port 11 Gas holder 12 First valve 13 Processor unit 14 Second valve 15 gas pipeline 16 Electrical line 17 handle 18 Run 19 Plasma device 20 Energy source 30 Gas filling station 40 Gas cartridge connection 60 Handheld system 100

Claims

1. Handheld system (100) for treating surfaces by means of plasma, comprising: - a plasma device (20) which can be operated with a process gas, - an energy source (30) for supplying energy to the plasma device (20), and - a support structure on and / or in which the plasma device (20) and the energy source (30) are arranged, wherein the system (100) is designed to firmly connect a gas cartridge (4) designed to receive the process gas to the support structure and to guide the process gas from the gas cartridge (4) to the plasma device (20).

2. The handheld system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the gas cartridge (4) can be filled or refilled with the process gas via a gas connection (6).

3. The handheld system (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the gas cartridge (4) can be repeatedly attached and removed in a gas-tight manner to or in the support structure via a gas cartridge connection (60), so that the gas cartridge (4) is replaceable.

4. The hand-held system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the plasma device (20) is located in the region of a plasma nozzle (1) of the system (100) arranged in or on the support structure, so that the plasma can be applied via the plasma nozzle (1).

5. The handheld system (100) according to claim 4, wherein the plasma nozzle (1) is repeatedly attachable to and detachable from the support structure via a mechanical connection, so that different plasma nozzles (1) can be used for the handheld system (100).

6. The handheld system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a valve (2) is arranged between the gas cartridge (4) and the plasma device (20), wherein a gas flow of the process gas from the gas cartridge (4) to the plasma device (20) can be effected and stopped by actuating the valve.

7. The handheld system (100) according to claim 6, wherein the valve (2) is mechanically or electrically actuated.

8. The handheld system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plasma device (20) comprises a high-voltage electrode (7).

9. The handheld system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support structure forms a housing (10) in or on which the plasma device (20) and the energy source (30) are arranged and to which the gas cartridge (4) is or can be firmly connected.

10. The hand-held system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the support structure, in particular the housing (10), forms a handle (18) via which a user can manually pick up the hand-held system (100).

11. The hand-held system (100) according to claim 10, wherein the support structure, in particular the housing (10), takes the form of a gun, wherein the plasma device (20), in particular the plasma nozzle (1), is arranged in the region of a barrel (19) of the gun and the handle (18) forms its handle.

12. The handheld system (100) according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the energy source (30) is arranged in the handle (18).

13. The handheld system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a charging port (11) for charging or recharging the power source (30) with power.

14. The handheld system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one of the following sensors: - an RFID sensor for identifying and locating the handheld system (100), - a distance sensor for determining a spatial distance of the plasma device (20), in particular the plasma nozzle (1), in relation to a surface to be treated, - an energy sensor for determining an energy consumption of the energy source (30) or an energy level of the energy source (30), - a temperature sensor for determining a temperature of the process gas, - a gas sensor for determining a process gas consumption of the process gas and / or a process gas quantity of process gas in the gas cartridge (4), - a usage sensor for determining a usage time of the plasma device (20), which is indicative of the time period within which a plasma is excited by means of the plasma device (20), in particular continuously.

15. A method for treating surfaces by means of plasma using the hand-held system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 14, wherein a compressed process gas contained in the gas cartridge (4) flows to the plasma device (20), where the process gas is excited into a plasma by means of the energy provided by the energy source (30).

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