Device for guiding plasma line generation species

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for attachment to a plasma source, which comprises a housing that defines a space between the plasma source and the housing. The housing has an outlet opening and an inlet opening. A sealing member is disposed around the inlet opening to which the plasma source is attached. The sealing member closes the space between the plasma source and the inlet opening. An applicator is at the outlet opening of the housing. An applicator tube is fixed to the proximal end of the applicator and is in fluid communication with the outlet opening of the housing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for directly guiding a plasma line generation species to a treatment site.

Background Art

[0002]

[0002] Plasma sources for medical use are being increasingly used. This applies to both human and veterinary medicine.

[0003]

[0003] Plasma can be understood as a gas having a proportion of free electrons, radicals, ions, and neutrons. Depending on the type of working gas, reactive species are generated by the plasma, which are, for example, reactive oxygen species such as ozone (O 3 ). The reactive species can have an antibacterial effect. Therefore, treatment using plasma can assist wound healing.

[0004]

[0004] In the prior art, various techniques are used to generate medically effective plasma. At this time, as basically different techniques, there can be dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) and jet plasma.

[0005]

[0005] Dielectric barrier discharge is generated by applying a high voltage between two electrodes, and at least one of these electrodes is insulated by a dielectric. By using an insulator, the generation of arc discharge is prevented. Instead, usually many fine plasma filaments are formed between the electrodes. DBD can be generated at low pressure or atmospheric pressure, and its special characteristics are particularly effective especially at atmospheric pressure. Therefore, DBD becomes a non-thermal "cold" plasma, where the electrons are at a high temperature but the neutral gas and ions are at about room temperature.

[0006]

[0006] In a jet plasma, plasma can be generated by an electromagnetic field in a discharge chamber, and this plasma is carried out of the device, particularly the discharge chamber, together with a gas flow in the form of a plasma line or a plasma jet. Applications of such jet plasmas are described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 of the present applicant. Although portable high-frequency plasma nozzles are described in these documents, they can omit a high-frequency matching circuit in the form of a separate match box by a special structural method. Thereby, it is possible to realize the structural form of a portable high-frequency plasma nozzle as a manually guidable plasma portable device. In plasma treatment with a plasma portable device, reactive species (radicals) and radiation (VUV / UV) that are particularly important for the treatment effect are generated. On the other hand, this plasma is heated by a loss process, and the temperature in the tip is about 50 degrees, and this temperature can be regarded as "cold" under plasma conditions.

[0007]

[0007] When the surface to be treated is not a counter electrode, dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) reacts with a non-flat surface with relatively low sensitivity, but due to the available high voltage, the material thickness is limited to the order of several centimeters. Therefore, DBD is often installed directly on the surface and often used as a counter electrode. Conversely, jet plasma can usually achieve an effect without directly contacting the surface. Therefore, the advantage of jet plasma over DBD lies in the fact that it is not significantly dependent on the shape of the surface. Furthermore, contrary to DBD, jet plasma can pass through a gap, that is, jet plasma can also be directly effective in the gap, and it is not necessary to generate a saturated plasma atmosphere as known in DBD.

[0008]

[0008] The disadvantages of both technologies are related to the surface, that is, they must be able to directly access the surface or the recess. A hidden treatment site or a treatment site at a position that is too deep cannot be treated without specifically affecting it, such as exposing the treatment site.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Document

[0009]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0010]

[0009] Therefore, the present invention is based on the problem of creating a device for attachment to a plasma source that enables plasma treatment of a treatment site that was previously difficult to access.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0011]

[0010] This problem is solved according to the present invention by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims and the following detailed description.

[0012]

[0011] This solution is to place the device on the plasma source such that reactive species generated by the plasma steel or the plasma-treated gas are captured and this gas is directly guided to the treatment site using an applicator tube.

[0013]

[0012] The present invention can be advantageous for plasma treatment of treatment sites that are difficult to access in both the veterinary and human medical fields.

[0014]

[0013] The device for attachment to a plasma source according to the present invention comprises a housing which defines a space between the plasma source and the housing. The housing comprises an outlet opening and an inlet opening. The inlet opening comprises a sealing member configured to close the space between the plasma source and the inlet opening. The inlet opening of the housing is arranged above the plasma source. Thus, seeds or plasma-treated gases generated by the plasma source can reach the space between the plasma source and the inlet opening. The housing further comprises an applicator having a proximal end. The proximal end of the applicator comprises an applicator tube which is in fluid communication with the outlet opening of the housing.

[0015]

[0014] An advantage of the device according to the present invention is that the space between the plasma source and the inlet opening of the housing is closed using a sealing member, and thus plasma-treated gases or seeds generated by the plasma source are guided through the conically extending outlet opening of the housing, through the applicator and the applicator tube, to the treatment site. The conically extending outlet opening enables the plasma-treated gases or seeds generated by the plasma source to be axially symmetrically bundled before entering the applicator and the applicator tube. The sealing member minimizes the outflow of plasma-treated gases or seeds generated by the plasma source between the plasma source and the inlet opening of the housing. Further, the sealing member prevents the housing of the device from slipping off the plasma source due to the back pressure caused by the plasma-treated gases or seeds generated by the plasma source becoming bundled before entering the applicator.

[0016]

[0015] The plasma source can be a device for generating cold plasma lines. Preferably, the plasma source is a plasma portable device, which is a device as described in the applicant's patent publications "German Patent Application Publication No. 10 2006 019 664 A1" and "European Patent No. 2 462 785 B1".

[0017]

[0016] The sealing member can be a seal ring.

[0018]

[0017] The applicator tube can be removably fixed to the applicator. The proximal end of the applicator can comprise a plug-in connection suitable for connecting the applicator to the applicator tube. This plug-in connection can be a Luer lock connection known from the prior art.

[0019]

[0018] The applicator tube is configured to be able to direct the reactive species generated by the plasma source to the treatment site. With this configuration of the applicator tube, it is possible to reach deep or hidden treatment sites. The applicator tube can be a tube or a catheter.

[0020]

[0019] The problem of reaching treatment sites that are difficult to access is also solved by the device according to the invention compared to a device that does not comprise the above-mentioned sealing member between the housing and the plasma source. In other words, the sealing member is optional and can be omitted.

[0021]

[0020] When the sealing member is omitted, the sealing between the housing and the plasma source can be achieved by other means.

[0022]

[0021] For example, the fit between the housing and the plasma source can be selected such that the space between the plasma source and the housing is reliably sealed. Thus, for example, the housing attached to the plasma source can surround the plasma source like a closely fitting jacket.

[0023]

[0022] For example, the fit can be selected such that the housing plastically deforms when placed on the plasma source, thereby ensuring a tight connection between the housing and the plasma source. In this context, instead of plastic deformation, (strong) elastic deformation of the housing is also conceivable.

[0024]

[0023] Alternatively or additionally, the length of the housing overlapping the plasma source can be chosen large so that sufficient sealing of the space inside the housing is achieved.

[0025]

[0024] Alternatively or additionally, the housing can be made entirely or partly of a sealing material such as an elastomer, so that a separate, i.e., independent, sealing member is not necessary.

[0026]

[0025] Alternatively or additionally, the plasma source can include on its outer wall a sealing material such as an elastomer, and thereby seal the space inside the housing.

[0027]

[0026] Even if the device according to the invention does not comprise a sealing member, the device according to the invention is suitable for solving the problem by guiding the reactive species to the treatment site using an applicator tube.

[0028]

[0027] Preferably, the applicator tube is connected to the housing using an applicator tube fixing part. More preferably, the applicator tube fixing part serves to removably connect the applicator tube to the housing.

[0029]

[0028] For example, as described above, the applicator tube fixing part can be a simple plug connection, a simple screw connection, or a luer connection.

[0030]

[0029] In a plug connection, the removable connection between the applicator tube and the housing is ensured using a friction joint. In the plug connection using a friction joint described here, optional means for reinforcing the friction joint are also generally considered. Such means can be a rough surface or a corrugation.

[0031]

[0030] In a screw connection, preferably, the applicator tube fixing part is provided with an internal thread, which removably meshes with the external thread of the applicator tube. However, it is also possible to reverse the assignment of the internal thread and the external thread.

[0032]

[0031] The luer connection is a standardized connection and enables the use of existing and / or various (standardized) cannulas, thereby enhancing the flexibility of device adoption and reducing costs. The luer connection part can be, for example, a so-called luer slip connection part (without threads) or a so-called luer lock connection part (with threads).

[0033]

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, an adapter is provided between the applicator tube fixing part and the applicator tube. Using this adapter, connection means that would otherwise result in a lack of compatibility between the applicator tube fixing part and the applicator tube can preferably be meshed with each other removably. This adapter can be used to create a standardized connection between a non-standardized applicator tube fixing part and a standardized applicator tube (or vice versa).

[0034]

[0033] For example, when the applicator tube fixing part can utilize threads and the applicator tube can utilize a plug-in connection part, an adapter having complementary threads and a complementary plug-in connection part for each can be used to preferably removably attach the applicator tube to the device housing. This can enhance the flexibility of the device and expand its application range because the device can be operated using various applicator tubes simply by adopting this adapter without replacing parts.

[0035]

[0034] For example, when the applicator tube fixing part can utilize simple threads and the applicator tube can utilize a luer lock connection part, an adapter having complementary simple threads and a complementary luer lock connection part for each can be used to removably attach the applicator tube to the device housing. Therefore, the device can be used with a standardized applicator tube, which has advantages in terms of logistics and cost.

[0036]

[0035] For example, when the applicator tube fixing part can utilize a simple thread and the applicator tube can utilize a luer slip connection part, an adapter having a complementary simple thread and a complementary luer lock connection part for each of them can be used to removably attach the applicator tube to the housing of the device. Therefore, the device can be used with a standardized applicator tube, which has advantages in terms of logistics and cost.

[0037]

[0036] The applicator tube can be a standardized (mass-produced) article. It can be reusable or designated for single use only as a disposable article.

[0038]

[0037] The applicator tube can be, for example, an infusion tube, a cannula, or other (medical) attachment parts, such as an ear attachment.

[0039] Embodiment The present invention will be described in detail with reference to the following figures shown in the drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0040]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0041] The following reference symbols are used to identify the individual members of the structures of these devices.

[0042] FIG. 1 illustratively shows the basic structure of the device according to the present invention, which is attached to a plasma line source or a plasma jet source 5.

[0043] The plasma source 5 generates a plasma line or effluent 7, which generates reactive species 6. Due to the fact that the plasma source 5 is operated with a processing gas and the space between the plasma source 5 and the housing 3 is optionally closed by a sealing member 4, the plasma-treated gas is guided to the treatment site through the conically extending outlet opening of the housing 3, through the applicator and the applicator tube 1, and preferably through the applicator tube fixing part 2.

[0044] The applicator tube fixing part 2 can be removably attached to the housing 3, for example, using a thread (not shown). In the arrangement shown here, the external thread in the applicator tube fixing part 2 meshes with the internal thread of the housing 3. A connection using the external thread of the housing 3 and the internal thread of the applicator tube fixing part 2 is also conceivable. This removable connection allows the applicator tube fixing part 2 to be easily replaced if there is a defect in the applicator tube fixing part 2 or if it is to be replaced with another applicator tube fixing part 2 that provides a different connection pattern for the applicator tube 1.

[0045] The applicator tube fixing part 2 can also be preferably removably connected to the housing using a simple plug-in connection (as shown in FIG. 1). However, a substantially non-removable plug-in connection can also be provided using press fitting or shrink fitting. This type of connection is permanent and avoids the use of joining methods that are prone to errors and joints that may potentially deteriorate over time.

[0046] The applicator tube fixing part 2 can also be non-removably connected to the housing, for example, using an adhesive or (plastic) welding connection.

[0047] A non-removable connection between the applicator tube fixing part 2 and the housing 3 can be preferable because it can ensure better sealing performance than a removable connection.

[0048] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the applicator tube 1 and the housing 3 are removably attached using a simple plug-in connection. At this time, the applicator tube 1 is inserted into the applicator tube fixing part 2 and held in the applicator tube fixing part 2 by frictional engagement. Alternatively, the applicator tube 1 can also be inserted onto the applicator tube fixing part 2 from the outside.

[0049] The embodiment shown in FIG. 2 is different from the device shown in FIG. 1 in the connection mode between the applicator tube 1 and the housing 3.

[0050] The connection between the applicator tube fixing part 2 and the housing 3 can be the same as that described in relation to FIG. 1.

[0051] In the embodiment illustrated here, the connection between the applicator tube fixing part 2 and the applicator tube 1 is made using an adapter 8. This adapter 8 is arranged between the applicator tube fixing part 2 and the applicator tube 1. Therefore, a luer lock connection can be made between the applicator tube 1 and the applicator tube fixing part 2. In this way, the present device can be used together with an applicator tube common in medical applications, for example, an infusion tube or a cannula.

[0052] In this case, instead of the simple thread connection shown here, a plug-in connection, for example, can be considered between the applicator tube fixing part 2 and the adapter 8.

[0053] Additionally, the plug connection can be supplemented by form-fitting components, in which case the projections on the adapter 8 engage into recesses in the applicator tube fixing part 2. A cross-sectional view of a plug connection with such form-fitting would be similar to the simple thread shown.

[0054] In the applicator tube fixing part 2 and the adapter 8, it is also possible to reverse the arrangement of the internal and external threads (or one or more projections and one or more grooves).

[0055] Figure 3 shows three examples of applicator tubes 1, which can be attached to the housing 3 of the device in different ways.

[0056] In the upper part of Figure 3, the applicator tube 1 is an infusion tube with a luer lock connection. The applicator tube fixing part 2 has a complementary luer lock connection, so that the infusion tube can be directly attached to the applicator tube fixing part 2.

[0057] In the central part of Figure 3, the applicator tube 1 is a cannula. In the example shown, this cannula is removably connected to the applicator tube fixing part 2 via a simple plug connection.

[0058] In the lower part of Figure 3, the applicator tube 1 is a plug-in ear attachment. The applicator tube fixing part 2 is provided with a simple internal thread. In this example, the ear attachment cannot be inserted onto the applicator tube fixing part 2. Therefore, in this case, the adapter 8 is used. On one side of this adapter, an external thread that is compatible with the internal thread of the applicator tube fixing part 2 is provided. On the other side of this adapter 8, that is, on the other end, the ear attachment can be inserted. In order to reinforce the frictional engagement between the adapter 8 and the ear attachment, the adapter 8 has a ring-shaped corrugation at the end where the ear attachment is to be inserted.

[0059] In all three parts of FIG. 3, a sealing member, exemplified as an O-ring, is provided at the applicator tube fixing part 2 to seal the connection part with the applicator tube 1 or the adapter 8.

[0060] FIG. 4 shows an assembled state of an exemplary embodiment of the device shown in FIG. 3. In particular, in the lower part of FIG. 4, the intermediate adapter 8 disposed between the ear attachment and the applicator tube fixing part 2 is recognizable. Conversely, in the upper part or the central part of FIG. 4, the applicator tube fixing part 2 and the infusion tube or the cannula are directly connected to each other without an adapter connected in the middle.

[0061] FIG. 5 shows an assembled state of a further embodiment. In this exemplary embodiment, the applicator tube 1 is connected to the adapter 8 using a luer lock connection, and this adapter 8 itself is connected to the applicator tube fixing part 2.

[0062] FIG. 6 shows an almost assembled state of a further embodiment. Here, the applicator tube 1 consisting of several parts is almost completely screwed into the applicator tube fixing part 2 of the housing 3 using a luer lock connection. The proximal part of the applicator tube 1 is an infusion tube. The distal part of the applicator tube 1 is connected to the infusion tube using an adapter (onto which the applicator tube is attached). By combining the assembled applicator tube 1 in this way, it can be attached to the applicator tube fixing part 2 and thus to the housing 3 in various ways, enhancing the flexibility of the device according to the present invention and enabling access to difficult-to-reach treatment sites.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0063] 1 Applicator tube for guiding the plasma-treated gas 2 Applicator tube fixing part 3 Housing for bundling and guiding the plasma-treated gas 4 Sealing member 5 Plasma source 6 Reactant species 7 Plasma beam or effluent 8 Adapter

Claims

1. An apparatus for attachment to a plasma source, the apparatus comprising: a housing (3), wherein the housing (3) defines a space between the plasma source (5) and the housing (3), the housing (3) having an outlet opening and an inlet opening, a sealing member (4) disposed around the inlet opening for attachment to the plasma source (5), the sealing member being configured to close the space between the plasma source (5) and the inlet opening (3), the housing (3), an applicator having a proximal end and, wherein the proximal end of the applicator comprises an applicator tube (1) and is in fluid communication with the outlet opening of the housing (3). The apparatus.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plasma source (5) is an apparatus for generating cold plasma lines, and preferably the apparatus is a plasma portable device.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the sealing member (4) is preferably a sealing ring.

4. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the applicator tube (1) is removably fixed to the applicator.

5. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the proximal end of the applicator comprises an applicator tube fixing part (2) suitable for connecting to the applicator tube (1).

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the applicator tube fixing part (2) is preferably a luer lock connection part.

7. The apparatus according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the applicator tube (1) is connected to the applicator tube fixing part (2) using an adapter (8) and is preferably removably connected.

8. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the applicator tube (1) is suitable for guiding the reactive species (6) generated by the plasma source (5) to a treatment site.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the applicator tube (1) is configured to reach deep or hidden treatment sites.

10. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the applicator tube (1) is a tube, cannula or catheter.

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