Plasma therapy device for plasma treatment of the skin surface

Abstract

The present invention relates to a plasma therapy device for treating a skin surface containing biological cells with a dielectric barrier plasma, comprising: a housing with a grip; a treatment head arranged on the housing; an electrode device arranged on the treatment head, the electrode device being provided with at least one electrode and a dielectric completely covering the at least one electrode towards the skin surface to be treated, where the dielectric has a treatment surface and protrudes from the treatment head towards the skin surface to be treated in a surface section comprising the treatment surface; a high voltage stage arranged in the housing for generating a high voltage signal required to generate a dielectric barrier plasma, where the high voltage stage is in electrical contact or can be brought into electrical contact with at least one electrode of the electrode device by a connection device comprising at least one high voltage supply line, characterized in that in the plasma therapy device the dielectric of the electrode device is at least partially formed from a polyurethane gel which is not a hydrogel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a plasma treatment device for treating a skin surface containing living cells using a dielectric barrier plasma, as described in the preamble of claim 1.

Background Art

[0002] Plasma can enable reliable disinfection even on areas of the skin surface that are difficult to access, and can also prepare the skin surface for the absorption of care or healing substances, for example, by increasing microcirculation in tissues. Therefore, it has generally been known for some time that the skin and wound surfaces can be advantageously treated using a dielectric barrier plasma.

[0003] In particular, it has been found that a safe and effective formation of plasma is possible by using the body belonging to the surface to be treated as a counter electrode (so-called "floating electrode"). This means that the treatment device has only at least one electrode that transmits a high voltage and does not require its own counter electrode.

[0004] DE 10 2009 060 627 B4 discloses an electrode device composed of a flat flexible electrode and a flexible flat dielectric. In the electrode device, the dielectric surrounds the flat electrode on all sides, and only one connection of the electrode is drawn out from the dielectric in an insulated manner for connection to a high voltage generator. The dielectric is intended to come into contact with the surface to be treated, for example, the skin surface of a human or animal body, and has a protrusion structure on the contact side. Since a gas space capable of forming a dielectric barrier plasma is formed between the protrusions, the protrusion structure functions as a spacer.

[0005] The therapeutic device described in DE 10 2012 015 482 A1 is equipped with a similar apparatus in which a dielectric material for embedding electrodes forms the front wall of the housing of the therapeutic device. The flexible electrode apparatus, consisting of a flexible dielectric material having a flexibly embedded flat electrode, is pressed against the surface to be treated by an elastic pressure means positioned behind the electrode apparatus, which improves the conformity of the electrode apparatus to the contour of the surface to be treated, particularly the skin surface.

[0006] DE 10 2013 019 058 A1 and its further development, DE 10 2016 100 466 A1, disclose a therapeutic device for dielectric barrier plasma therapy in which the surface to be treated functions as the counter electrode, and the dielectric embedding the electrode is formed from a ball protruding from a housing. The ball is rotatably mounted within the housing, and the electrode is covered by the dielectric in all possible rotational positions. This allows for flexible and free movement of the therapeutic device across the surface to be treated.

[0007] DE 10 2015 111 401 B3 discloses a therapeutic device for dielectric barrier plasma therapy, in which a dielectric has a passage opening operably connected to a storage chamber that can be filled with a therapeutic agent. The volume of the storage chamber is reduced by applying pressure to the therapeutic device, so that the therapeutic agent reaches the area of ​​the surface to be treated through the passage opening.

[0008] DE 10 2018 126 489 A1 describes a therapeutic device for dielectric barrier plasma therapy, comprising a brush head as a treatment head having multiple bristles. The gas space formed between the bristles is used by the electrode device to form a dielectric barrier plasma.

[0009] From WO 2017 / 162505 A1, a skin treatment device is known in which plasma is generated by a first electrode and a second electrode insulated from the first electrode by a dielectric, wherein the plasma treatment is supported by a mechanical manipulator, for example, by exposing a hidden skin surface in the folds of the skin. The manipulator can be connected to the plasma generator via a swivel joint.

[0010] DE 10 2017 118 568 B3 discloses a plasma therapy device having a therapy head on which an electrode device shielded by a dielectric is located, wherein the electrode device forms a spatially enclosed flexible sheath around a soft elastic core, such that the electrode device can take the shape of the surrounding tissue inside the body when the therapy head is inserted into the body, and its outer surface is covered with a thin layer of flexible dielectric.

[0011] DE 10 2008 008 034 A1 discloses polyurethane gels and methods for producing the same.

[0012] DE 10 2018 132 918 A1 describes a liner to be applied as a pad to the cut end, in which an electrode device for dielectric barrier plasma discharge is integrated into the liner.

[0013] DE 10 2019 109 940 A1 describes a therapeutic device for dielectric barrier plasma therapy, comprising an electrode device and a contact mounting portion made of a dielectric having a connecting conductor. The connecting conductor can then be connected to an AC high voltage source by a contact element, the contact pins of the contact element contacting the connecting conductor through recesses in the dielectric of the contact mounting portion.

[0014] Treatment using dielectric barrier plasma is also desirable for sensitive areas of skin, such as the face, particularly for cosmetic and medical purposes. The drawback here is that such sensitive skin areas come into contact with the dielectric material for optimal plasma treatment using an appropriate treatment device, and depending on the material used, that material may not have the necessary sensitivity to such sensitive skin areas. Longer treatments, therefore, can be uncomfortable or unpleasant.

[0015] The present invention therefore aims to configure the above-described type of therapeutic device so as to enable improved treatment of particularly sensitive skin surfaces using dielectric barrier plasma discharge.

[0016] According to the present invention, this problem is solved by the plasma therapy device described in claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the present invention will be found in the corresponding subordinate claims. [Overview of the project]

[0017] According to claim 1, the plasma therapy device described in the preamble is proposed for treating a skin surface containing biological cells using dielectric barrier plasma. According to the preamble, the plasma therapy device comprises a housing having a grip, and a therapy head is disposed on the housing. The therapy head comprises an electrode device comprising at least one electrode and a dielectric that completely covers at least one electrode with respect to the skin surface to be treated, the dielectric having a therapy surface that protrudes from the therapy head to the surface to be treated in a surface section including the therapy surface. Furthermore, a high-voltage stage is provided in the housing to generate a high-voltage signal required to generate dielectric barrier plasma, and the high-voltage stage is in electrical contact with or can be made to electrical contact with at least one electrode of the electrode device by a connecting device comprising at least one high-voltage supply line. The housing and grip can be designed to be electrically insulating in particular. The therapy head can be fixedly or detachably mounted on the housing.

[0018] The high-voltage stage is controlled by a control device to generate the electrical high-voltage signals necessary for the high-voltage stage to generate a dielectric barrier plasma and to emit them to at least one electrode. The high-voltage stage can be designed so that the high-voltage signals are generated as individual pulse signals in the form of individual pulses, pulse packets, and / or damped oscillations and emitted to the electrodes. In the case of pulse packets with damped oscillations, the initiation wave has the highest amplitude. The high-voltage stage is therefore a high-voltage generator, which converts the input voltage into a high voltage in the manner of a high-voltage transformer.

[0019] According to the present invention, the dielectric of the electrode device is provided to be at least partially formed from a polyurethane gel that is not a hydrogel.

[0020] Surprisingly, such polyurethane gels are suitable as dielectrics, and therefore, very soft and flexible dielectrics can be provided on plasma treatment devices for generating dielectric barrier plasma, which is particularly suitable for treating sensitive skin areas. The gel-like dielectric is preferably equipped with at least a soft and tear-resistant skin on the dielectric surface, so that sensitive skin areas can be treated using contact with the dielectric without the risk of accidental contact with electrodes embedded in the dielectric. This is because the tear-resistant dielectric surface, created by forming a skin of polyurethane gel during the casting process for shaping the dielectric, or preferably by applying a film which may be made of silicone or preferably polyurethane to the gel, prevents mechanical damage to the treatment surface of the dielectric which would pose a risk of spark-over from the electrodes to the person involved, while simultaneously providing a comfortable and gentle treatment of sensitive skin areas. The soft and flexible polyurethane gel is produced from the reaction of at least one polyol with at least one suitable isocyanate, and the immobilization dispersion (liquid) phase of the gel is formed by at least one polyol, and not by water as in the case of hydrogels. Rather, the water content of the polyurethane gel is less than 5% by weight, preferably less than 3% by weight, due to moisture absorption after manufacturing. A skin capable of completely encapsulating the polyurethane gel has a thickness of less than 1 mm, preferably less than 0.5 mm, and particularly preferably less than 0.2 mm, and is flexible enough so as not to impair the advantageous mechanical properties of the gel (flexibility, conformability to curved surfaces, and comfortable feel). If the skin is formed by a film, it can be inserted into the mold together with the polyurethane gel before molding.

[0021] The present invention thus makes it possible to overcome the shortcomings of known plasma therapy devices for generating dielectric barrier plasma when treating sensitive skin areas.

[0022] It was recognized that polyurethane gels, which are not hydrogels, can be formed as dielectrics for electrode devices used to generate dielectric barrier plasmas and can be used for this purpose.

[0023] The dielectric can be formed entirely from a polyurethane gel and is designed to be electrically insulating. However, the dielectric may consist of at least two layers, with only the first layer of the dielectric, which has a therapeutic surface, formed from a polyurethane gel and, where applicable, provided with the skin layer described above, while the remaining layers of the dielectric may be made of another flexible material such as silicone. The electrode can be embedded entirely between the layers, or only in the first layer, or preferably in the second layer.

[0024] Polyurethane gels can be, for example, sol-gels. Such gel-like materials are produced by sol-gel processes. In particular, gels can be fabricated and formed without plasticizers and possess the dimensional stability of solids with elastic properties. Their electrical properties allow them to be used as dielectrics for generating dielectric barrier plasmas according to the present invention.

[0025] In particular, gel-like materials can be injectable materials during the manufacturing process, and dielectrics are manufactured in a mold by injecting gel-like materials. A suitable film may be inserted into the mold to form a skin, and the gel-like material may then be applied to the film by injecting the gel-like material into the mold. Embedded electrodes can be manufactured together with the dielectric, in that the electrodes are already in the desired position within the mold and are surrounded by the injectable material during filling. However, it is also conceivable that the dielectric consists of two or more layers produced individually or separately, with at least one electrode embedded between the two layers. However, it is also conceivable that the dielectric is manufactured as a single component but consists of multiple layers of different materials that are brought together during the manufacturing process and form material bonds at the boundary layer.

[0026] At least one electrode is preferably completely surrounded by or embedded in a gel-like material as the dielectric.

[0027] It can be provided that the treatment surface of the dielectric is designed to be substantially flat. It should be understood that this particularly means that the dielectric is not spherical. In the context of the present invention, the flat form of the dielectric on the treatment surface is understood to mean that the plane of the treatment surface is substantially flat or flat. However, a substantially flat treatment surface is understood to still be an acceptable curvature with a curvature (the ratio of the central angle to the arc length viewed in the spatial direction) of less than 50% (due to predetermined or manufacturing tolerances).

[0028] However, the dielectric can also be curved more to a hemispherical shape.

[0029] According to one embodiment, it is provided that the dielectric is arranged in a treatment head on a flat carrier of the dielectric support. On the flat carrier, the dielectric is provided to be (removably or permanently) fixed to the dielectric support of the carrier so that the electrode device having the treatment head can be replaced, as will be demonstrated later. The treatment head is formed from a carrier, an electrode device comprising the dielectric and the electrode, and a connection device for connecting the electrode to a high voltage stage.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the electrode device is removably arranged on the housing, and the connection device is provided to connect at least one electrode to the high voltage stage when the electrode device is movably mounted on the housing in the insertion position. The electrode device or the treatment head can be moved in the housing from the removal position to the insertion position and vice versa.

[0031] Particularly preferably, the electrode device is detachably mounted on the housing with the help of a snap-in connection. With the help of the snap-in connection, the electrode connection or the entire treatment head can be detachably mounted in the housing, especially when a carrier is used, so that the treatment head can be replaced. The treatment head can move within the housing from a detachment position to an insertion position, in which the snap-in connection securely fastens the treatment head to the housing. By releasing the snap-in connection, the treatment head can move from the insertion position to a detachment position and be removed from the housing. Removal of the snap-on connection can be achieved by overcoming the corresponding connection force or by activating an ejector mechanism.

[0032] According to one embodiment, at least one electrode is provided to be drawn from a dielectric having an electrical connection bolt on the rear side of the electrode device opposite to the treatment surface, surrounded by an electrical insulating cover, the electrical connection bolt having a contact surface that engages with a pair of contacts provided in the housing for electrical contact when the electrode device is mounted on the housing in the insertion position.

[0033] An insulating cover with internal lead-out ends for the electrodes (electrical connection bolts) is inserted into the mount within the housing of the plasma treatment device and can be removably held within the housing by a snap-on connection. As soon as the electrode device is brought to the insertion position, the snap-in connection engages with a specially designed element, thereby securely holding the treatment head in the insertion position.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the electrical insulating cover protrudes beyond the contact surface of the electrical connection bolt, thereby providing electrical contact with the contacts on the inside of the insulating cover when the electrode device is installed on the housing in the insertion position.

[0035] The contact pair may be a spring contact within the housing, which contacts the front contact surface of the electrical connection bolt when the electrode device is inserted into its insertion position, and presses the contact surface with a certain spring force to ensure reliable electrical contact. In this case, to ensure the highest possible operational safety and prevent the risk of sparking, the contact pair may be provided to contact a contact surface for high-voltage contact (HV contact) within the insulating cover.

[0036] However, it is possible that the contact surface of the electrical connection bolt protrudes beyond the electrical insulation cover, and therefore, when the electrode device is mounted on the housing in the insertion position, electrical contact with the contact pair may occur outside the insulation cover during mounting within the housing, for example, by the spring contact engaging around the connection bolt on the casing side.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the snap-in connection is designed such that at least one spring-loaded tappet is radially positioned relative to an insulating cover in the housing, and the at least one spring-loaded tappet interacts via a snap-in section in a recess in the insulating cover for the purpose of removably mounting the treatment head when the electrode device is mounted on the housing in the insertion position.

[0038] At least one spring-loaded tappet applies a spring force in the direction of the electrical insulating cover (essentially perpendicular to the axis of the insulating cover or connecting bolt) when the electrode device is mounted on the housing in the insertion position and engages through its snap-in section into a recess in the insulating cover, thereby preventing translational motion of the electrode device across the tappet. In this case, the recess provided in the insulating cover may be circumferential (quasi-infinite) so that the electrode device can rotate about its axis of rotation.

[0039] However, other snap-in connections can be considered to ensure temporary fixation of the treatment head (particularly axially with respect to the rotational direction). For example, a spring-loaded ball may be provided in the rotating shaft or drive column, protruding from the rotating shaft or drive column in a specific ball section and being radially spring-loaded relative to the rotating shaft or drive column. The spring-loaded ball can here engage with a recess in a guide channel of the housing into which the electrode device is inserted, thereby fixing the electrode device axially with respect to the rotational direction.

[0040] According to a preferred embodiment, the plasma therapy device is provided to have at least one positioning sensor (measurement sensor) designed to detect the insertion position of the therapy head in the housing, and the high-voltage stage is switched off unless the insertion position is detected by at least one position sensor.

[0041] This position sensor ensures that the high-voltage stage can only be activated when the treatment head is inserted into the housing at the insertion position, thereby preventing unintended spark-overs from the contacts provided in the housing, particularly to the treatment head or electrode device that is not yet engaged. A treatment device that is incorrectly operated with the treatment head not in place will therefore not generate the high-voltage signal necessary to create the plasma that would act on the contacts. Only when the insertion position is detected by the position sensor is it ensured that the contacts in the housing make contact with the electrodes and that sparks are prevented by the dielectric.

[0042] Such a position sensor or measurement sensor can be implemented, for example, with the help of a position switch. In the insertion position, the position switch is held in the ON position (NO switch, "normally open"), which establishes a voltage supply to the high-voltage stage and / or control device. In the release position, when the treatment head is not installed in the housing, the position switch is in the OFF position, which does not interrupt the voltage supply to the high-voltage stage and / or control device. Accidental operation of the treatment device will therefore not lead to the generation of a high-voltage signal.

[0043] Alternatively or additionally, the insertion position of the treatment head can also be detected with the help of a continuity tester. For this purpose, at least two connected conductive contacts are provided on the treatment head, for example, and each conductive contact makes electrical contact with the continuity tester at the insertion position. Based on the possible current flow between the two conductive contacts, the continuity tester can then determine whether the treatment head is correctly positioned at the insertion position. In this case as well, as long as the continuity test is negative, accidental operation of the treatment device will not lead to the generation of a high-voltage signal. Optical barriers, magnetic detectors, RFID detectors, and similar devices can also be used to measure the correct position.

[0044] According to one embodiment, the electrode device is provided to be movably mounted within a housing and operably connected to a motor located within the housing so as to move the electrode device while a dielectric barrier plasma is being generated. The movement of the electrode device may be, for example, rotational motion in the form of oscillation, rotational oscillation, and / or translational motion, or a combination thereof. The translational motion may be, for example, reciprocating motion, in which the direction of motion of the translational motion changes periodically, as in rotational oscillation. In particular, the change in the direction of motion may be in the opposite direction.

[0045] In addition to dielectric barrier plasma therapy, the movement can also induce a massage that stimulates blood circulation, and if necessary, the therapeutic agent applied to the skin surface can be massaged in.

[0046] In a preferred embodiment, an electrical energy storage unit configured to supply electrical energy to a high-voltage stage is provided within the housing. The electrical energy storage unit may be a battery. However, the electrical energy storage unit may also be rechargeable in the form of a rechargeable battery. This is deemed to enable the plasma therapy device to operate autonomously without an external energy source over a certain period of time, and thereby, with the help of such a mobile energy storage unit in a manually operated therapy device, the corresponding dielectric barrier plasma discharge can also be operated over a certain period of time, along with the movement (particularly rotational motion or rotational vibration motion) of the electrode device.

[0047] Alternatively or additionally, the high-voltage stage may be connected to or capable of being connected to an external energy source. This allows the external energy source to charge the energy storage unit within the therapeutic device. However, it is also conceivable that the external energy source be configured to directly supply electrical energy to the high-voltage stage, thus eliminating the need for a mobile energy storage unit to be deployed within the device.

[0048] According to one embodiment, the treatment surface of a dielectric is provided to have a spacer having raised portions and depressions between the raised portions to form one or more gas spaces. Such a spacer can be formed with the help of a plurality of projections or lattice walls, between which there are depressions that form gas spaces required to generate plasma.

[0049] Claim 14 claims a treatment head for dielectric barrier plasma discharge when used in a plasma treatment device as described above, the treatment head comprising an electrode device having at least one electrode and a dielectric that completely covers at least one electrode with respect to a skin surface to be treated, wherein the dielectric has a treatment surface and protrudes from the treatment head toward the skin surface to be treated in a surface section having the treatment surface, and is formed of a polyurethane-based gel-like material.

[0050] The present invention will be described in more detail by the accompanying figures. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0051] [Figure 1] This is a cross-sectional view of a plasma therapy device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of the plasma therapy device through the treatment head. [Figure 3] This is a plasma therapy device in a further embodiment involving an external energy source. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view of a plasma therapy device in a further embodiment having a continuity tester. [Figure 5] Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view through the treatment head of a plasma therapy device in two alternative embodiments. [Figure 6] Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view through the electrode apparatus of two alternative embodiments. [Figure 7] This is a diagram of a treatment head in a further embodiment. [Figure 8] This figure shows an embodiment involving translational motion in which the direction of motion changes periodically. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0052] In Figure 1, the upper figure a) shows a cross-section, and the lower figure b) shows a top view as a cross-sectional view. A plasma treatment device 10 having a housing 11 and a treatment head 12 can be recognized. In the embodiment example from Figure 1, the housing 11 has an upper housing portion 11a and a lower housing portion 11b, and the treatment head 12 is inserted into the housing 11 in the lower housing portion 11b. An activation button 13 is also located in the lower housing portion 11b to activate and / or deactivate the treatment device 10.

[0053] A control device 14 is housed in the housing 11 and is operably connected to a high-voltage stage 15. The high-voltage stage 15, in the form of a transformer, is configured to generate a high-voltage signal to generate plasma. Activating the activation button 13 activates the control device 14, which, with the help of the high-voltage stage 15, triggers the generation of a high-voltage signal to generate dielectric barrier plasma. Furthermore, another activation button may be provided, which can be used to initiate the movement of the electrode device independently of the plasma.

[0054] The control device 14 is connected to an electrical energy source 16 in the form of a rechargeable battery, which provides the electrical energy required to operate the control device 14 and generate a high-voltage signal. The rechargeable battery can be pulled out along with an external interface on the housing to charge it. However, it is also conceivable that the rechargeable battery be inductively charged with the help of an inductive charging device.

[0055] In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the treatment head 12, which will be described in detail in the following figures, also includes a flat carrier 17 in the insertion position on which the dielectric 18 of the electrode device is placed. The dielectric 18 can be attached to the dielectric support 17a of the carrier 17 in a non-removable manner, for example, by adhesive.

[0056] The electrode 19 is embedded in the dielectric 18, and this electrode forms an electrode device with the dielectric 18. It is pulled out of the dielectric 18 by a connecting bolt 20, penetrates the support 17, and protrudes far into the housing 11. The extension that protrudes away from the rear of the carrier 17 forms an electrical insulation cover 21, which is part of a connecting device 35 for fastening the electrode device or treatment head 12 to the housing 11, particularly in a removable manner.

[0057] The dielectric 18 of the electrode device is made of an electrically insulating gel-like polyurethane-based material and has a treatment surface 18a, which is placed on the skin surface to be treated. The treatment surface 18a may have a spacer 36 (Figure 7) which is preferably molded in the dielectric and includes a recess, so that a gas space 37 is formed for the formation of a dielectric barrier plasma. Such a spacer may be formed from a plurality of protrusions or a lattice structure.

[0058] As described in more detail in Figure 2, the electrode 19 of the treatment head 12 is electrically brought into contact with the high-voltage stage 15 when the electrode device or the treatment head 12 is installed in the insertion position within the housing 11, so that the high-voltage signal generated by the high-voltage stage 15 can be transmitted to the electrode 19 to generate a dielectric barrier plasma.

[0059] To avoid the risk of accidental spark over or short circuit when activating the activation button 13 when the treatment head 12 is not inserted into the housing 11, position sensors 22a and 22b are provided, which are connected to the control device 14 via wires 23. With the help of the position sensors 22, when the correct insertion of the treatment head 12 is detected, the circuits of the respective wires 23 are closed, and electrical energy is supplied to the control device 14 accordingly.

[0060] The treatment head 12 is rotatably mounted in the housing 11 so that it can rotate about a rotation axis. The rotation axis is designed to be axial or coaxial with respect to the connecting bolt 20. Furthermore, a motor 30 is provided in the device 10, and the motor drives the treatment head 12 in such a way that it rotates or vibrates via a shaft 31. For this purpose, for example, a sprocket can be provided on the circumference of the electrical insulation cover 21, and the sprocket engages with a corresponding gear on the shaft 31, thereby driving the treatment head 12 in such a way that it rotates or vibrates.

[0061] The left side of Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view BB (see Figure 1) with the treatment head 12 in the insertion position, and the right side is a cross-sectional view with the treatment head 12 in the released, non-insertion position. The connector 35 housed in the housing 11 has guide channels 24 that allow for precise insertion of the extension of the carrier 17 which forms the electrical insulation cover 21 of the connecting bolt 20 of the electrode 19. The electrical insulation cover 21 is designed to be longer than the connecting bolt 20 at the end opposite the electrode 19, such that the contact surface 25 is inside the electrical insulation cover 21.

[0062] The connector 35 also has a spring contact 26 located on or inside the housing 11, which functions as a contact pair for electrically contacting the contact surface 25 of the connecting bolt 20 when the treatment head 12 is installed in the insertion position within the housing (left diagram). Conversely, in the non-insertion position (right diagram), there is no electrical connection between the spring contact 26 and the contact surface 25. Since the electrical insulation cover 21 protrudes beyond the end of the contact surface 25 of the connecting bolt 20, the electrical contact with the spring contact 26 occurs inside the electrical insulation cover 21.

[0063] The spring contact 26 can be placed on a circuit board 27 for contact, and the circuit board 27 has electrical contact means for electrically connecting the high-voltage stage 15 and / or control device 14 to the spring contact 26.

[0064] In the embodiment of Figure 2, the connector 35 forms a snap-in connection having a total of two spring-loaded tappets 28. The tappets 28 are mounted so as to be able to apply a radial spring force toward the electrical insulation cover 21. The ends of the tappets 28 facing the electrical insulation cover 21 have a curved surface which serves as a snap-in section 29. The snap-in section 29 engages with or snaps into a (snap-in) recess in the electrical insulation cover 21 when the treatment head 12 is inserted, thereby holding the treatment head 12 in the inserted position. The recess in the electrical insulation cover 21 is preferably circumferential so as to allow the treatment head 12 to be rotatably mounted, with the axis of rotation located within the connector bolt 20. The spring contact 26 ensures constant contact of the electrodes 19 even when the treatment head 12 is rotated, and therefore the electrode device rotates around the axis of rotation.

[0065] In the insertion position, the tappet 28 is reset, thereby activating the position sensors 22 on each side. The position sensors 22 then close the circuit shown in Figure 1, which sets the electronic components within the device into an operational state.

[0066] As shown on the right side of Figure 2, when the electrode device is removed from the housing 11 together with the treatment head 12 from the insertion position, the tappet 28 is pushed into the guide channel 24 to its end stop by a spring-loaded mounting. In this position, the position sensor 22 is not activated, the circuit is therefore open, and the electronics in the device are set to a deactivated operating state. In addition to the NC sensor (NC = normally closed), an NO sensor (NO = normally open), and a push button or light barrier can also be used as the position sensor 22, which is naturally within the reach of a professional.

[0067] Figure 3 shows an example of an embodiment in which the plasma therapy device 10 is connected to an external energy source 32, thereby eliminating the need for a rechargeable battery or a battery inside the housing. The device is powered from the external power source 32 via a cable.

[0068] Figures 4, 5, and 6 illustrate an example of an embodiment in which continuity testers 33a, 33b are provided as position sensors 22 (from Figures 1 and 2) as an alternative to or in addition to position switches 22a, 22b, and they make contact with the conductive ring 34 when the treatment head 12 is moved to the insertion position. The continuity testers 33a, 33b can then detect that they are in electrical contact with the conductive ring 34 of the treatment head 12, thereby assuming the correct mating of the treatment head 12 in the insertion position. The position sensors 22 can be connected to the wires of the control device 14 to set the control device 14 to an operating state or an operating stop state.

[0069] Two embodiments are shown in Figures 5 and 6. On the left side, a treatment head 12 is shown, comprising a carrier 17 and a dielectric 18 disposed on the carrier 17, as previously described. The right-hand diagrams of Figures 5 and 6 show a dielectric 18 without a carrier 17, in which the dielectric 18 is thicker in height. Connecting bolts 20 protruding from the dielectric 18 are surrounded by a separate electrical insulation cover 21, which protrudes into the dielectric 18. This design with a carrier 17 can also be considered without a continuity tester.

[0070] The conductive ring 34 is located at the rear (left side) of the carrier 17 or at the rear (right side) of the dielectric 18, and the ring is in contact with the respective continuity testers 33a and 33b at the insertion position.

[0071] The dielectric 18, made of an electrically insulating gel-like material, can be designed as a single component, allowing for the integral implantation of electrodes. However, it is also possible that the dielectric 18 is formed from two or more connected layers, with the skin-side layer (forming the treatment surface) being thinner, softer, and more elastic than the other layers.

[0072] Figure 7 illustrates an embodiment in which the treatment surface 18a of a dielectric material is provided with spacers 36, between which one or more gas spaces 37 are formed, allowing the generated plasma to spread. The spacers 36 in Figure 7 are protrusions formed in the dielectric material 18, which are preferably formed as a single component from a gel-like material. The spacers 36 are also, therefore, made of the same gel-like material, preferably the same material as the dielectric material 18.

[0073] The top view on the left (a) shows that the treatment head 12 is driven to vibrate in alternating directions of rotation. The angle of rotation in one direction is limited to less than one full turn, preferably less than half a full turn, and particularly preferably less than a quarter of a full turn.

[0074] Figure 8 shows an embodiment in which the electrode or treatment head is positioned within the housing 11 so that it can move in a translational manner. For this purpose, the plasma treatment device has a motor (not shown here as it is hidden) whose drive shaft 38 has an eccentric bolt 38a on its end face, which engages in a shape-fit manner with a connecting bolt 20 in an elongated hole 43 of a sleeve 44. The sleeve 44 is connected to the dielectric 18 via a carrier 17 in the example of this embodiment and can move in a translational manner (axially relative to the connecting bolt 20) within the housing, so that the rotation of the motor's drive shaft 38 due to the eccentric bolt 38a interacting with the elongated hole 43 of the sleeve 44 converts the rotational motion of the motor into a translational reciprocating motion (stroke motion) of the sleeve 44, and thus the electrode device. The translational motion indicated by the arrow on the left of the treatment head 12 correlates with the rotational motion of the motor's drive shaft 38, causing its translational direction to change periodically, thereby the translational motion can also be perceived as an oscillation dependent on the rotational speed of the motor.

[0075] In this case, the sleeve 44 is designed to form an internal mount into which an electrode device or treatment head 12 can be inserted, as in the embodiment shown in Figure 8. Here, the previously described connecting means, in particular removable connecting means such as snap-in connections, can be used to enable precise insertion of the treatment head or electrode device onto the plasma treatment device. However, it is also possible that the electrode device (particularly a dielectric with connecting bolts) may be firmly connected to the sleeve 44 and not removable.

[0076] The treatment head 12 or electrode device is fixed to the sleeve 44 in such a way that the translational motion of the sleeve 44 can be transmitted to the electrode device and possibly to the treatment head 12.

[0077] In the embodiment shown in Figure 8, the connecting bolt 20 is installed in the internal cavity of the sleeve 44 in its insertion position, and in its upper area, the connecting bolt 20 is brought into contact with a pair of contacts 40 provided in the housing for the purpose of electrical connection to the high-voltage stage. In the area of ​​the connecting bolt 20, the carrier 17 also protrudes in a specific section within the internal cavity of the sleeve 44, forming a shape fit and / or press fit with the inner wall of the sleeve 44. The pair of contacts formed by the clamp spring 40 can be securely connected to the sleeve 44.

[0078] In particular, translational motion having a periodically changing direction of motion is axial with respect to the connecting bolt 20.

[0079] [Reference List] 10 Plasma Therapy Devices 11 Housing 11a Upper housing section 11b Lower housing section 12 treatment heads 13. Working head 14 Control Devices 15 High-voltage stage 16. Internal electrical energy source 17 Careers 17a Dielectric support 18 dielectric 18a Treatment aspects 19 electrode 20 connecting bolts 21 Electrical insulation cover 22 Position Sensor 22a First position switch 22b Second position switch 23 lines 24 Guide Channels 25 Contact surface 26 Spring contact 27 Circuit boards 28 Tappet 29 Snap-in section 30 motors 31 Motor shaft 32 External energy sources 33 Continuity Tester 34 Conductive ring 35 Connection device 36 Spacers 37 Gas space 38 Drive shaft 38a Eccentric bolts on the drive shaft 39 Recess 40 Clamp spring as a contact point 43 Slotted holes 44 sleeves The following is a direct reproduction of the claims as originally filed. [1] A plasma treatment device (10) for treating the skin surface including living cells using dielectric barrier plasma, - A housing (11) having a grip, -A treatment head (12) positioned on the housing (11), - An electrode device provided on the treatment head (12), comprising at least one electrode (19) and a dielectric (18) that completely covers the at least one electrode (19) with respect to the skin surface to be treated, wherein the dielectric has a treatment surface (18a) and protrudes from the treatment head (12) toward the skin surface to be treated with a surface section having the treatment surface (18a), -A high-voltage stage (15) disposed within the housing (11) to generate the high-voltage signal required to generate the dielectric barrier plasma, wherein the high-voltage stage is in electrical contact with, or can be made to be electrically contacted with, the at least one electrode (19) of the electrode device by a connecting device (35) having at least one high-voltage supply line. A plasma treatment device (10) equipped with, A plasma therapy device (10) characterized in that the dielectric (18) of the electrode device is at least partially formed from a polyurethane gel that is not a hydrogel. [2] The plasma treatment device (10) according to [1], characterized in that the polyurethane gel is covered by a skin layer at least on the treatment surface (18a). [3] The plasma treatment device (10) according to [1] or [2], characterized in that the dielectric (18) is disposed in the treatment head (12) on a flat carrier (17) of the dielectric support (17a). [4] The plasma therapy device (10) according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the electrode device is detachably arranged on the housing (11), and the connecting device (35) connects the at least one electrode (19) to the high voltage stage (15) when the electrode device is installed on the housing (11) in the insertion position. [5] The plasma treatment device (10) according to [4], wherein at least one electrode (19) is drawn out from the dielectric (18) having an electrical connection bolt (20) on the rear side of the treatment head (12) opposite to the treatment surface (18a), and is surrounded by an electrical insulating cover (21), the electrical connection bolt (20) having a contact surface (25) that engages with a pair of contacts provided in the housing (11) for electrical contact when the electrode device is installed on the housing (11) in the insertion position. [6] The plasma therapy device (10) according to [5], characterized in that the electrical insulating cover (21) protrudes beyond the contact surface (25) of the electrical connection bolt (20), so that the electrical contact with the contact pair occurs inside the electrical insulating cover (21) when the electrode device is mounted on the housing (11) in the insertion position, or the contact surface (25) of the electrical connection bolt (20) protrudes beyond the electrical insulating cover (21), so that the electrical contact with the contact pair occurs outside the electrical insulating cover (21) in the mount within the housing when the electrode device is mounted on the housing (11) in the insertion position. [7] A plasma therapy device (10) according to [5] or [6], characterized in that at least one spring-loaded tappet (28) is radially positioned relative to the electrical insulating cover (21) in the housing (11), and the at least one spring-loaded tappet interacts via a snap-in section (29) in a recess in the electrical insulating cover (21) for the purpose of removably mounting the electrode device on the housing (11) in the insertion position. [8] The plasma therapy device (10) according to any one of [4] to [7], wherein the plasma therapy device (10) has at least one position sensor (22) designed to detect the insertion position of the therapy head (12) in the housing (11), and the high voltage stage (15) is switched off unless the insertion position is detected by the at least one position sensor (22). [9] The plasma therapy device (10) according to any one of [1] to [8], characterized in that the treatment head (12) is movably mounted in the housing (11) and operably connected to a motor (30) located in the housing (11) so as to move the electrode device while the dielectric barrier plasma is being generated.

[10] A plasma therapy device (10) according to any one of [1] to [9], characterized in that an electrical energy storage unit configured to supply electrical energy to the high-voltage stage (15) is provided in the housing.

[11] The plasma therapy device (10) according to any one of [1] to

[10] , characterized in that the high-voltage stage (15) is connected to or can be connected to an external energy source (32).

[12] The plasma treatment device (10) according to any one of [1] to

[11] , characterized in that the treatment surface (18a) of the dielectric (18) has a spacer having raised portions and depressions between the raised portions in order to form a gas space.

[13] The electrode device having at least one electrode (19) is configured such that the at least one electrode interacts with the skin surface to be treated as a counter electrode in order to generate the dielectric barrier plasma, the plasma treatment device (10) according to any one of [1] to

[12] .

[14] A treatment head (12) for dielectric barrier plasma discharge when used in a plasma treatment device (10) described in any one of [1] to

[13] , wherein the treatment head (12) comprises an electrode device having at least one electrode (19) and a dielectric (18) that completely covers the at least one electrode (19) with respect to a skin surface to be treated, wherein the dielectric (18) has a treatment surface (18a) and protrudes from the treatment head (12) toward the skin surface to be treated by a surface section having the treatment surface (18a), and is at least partially formed from a polyurethane-based gel-like material.

Claims

1. A plasma treatment device (10) for treating the skin surface including living cells using dielectric barrier plasma, (a) A housing (11) having a grip, (b) A treatment head (12) positioned on the housing (11), (c) An electrode device provided on the treatment head (12), comprising (i) at least one electrode (19), and (ii) a dielectric (18) that completely covers the at least one electrode (19) with respect to the skin surface to be treated, wherein (iii) the dielectric has a treatment surface (18a) and protrudes from the treatment head (12) toward the skin surface to be treated by a surface section having the treatment surface (18a), (d) A high-voltage stage (15) located in the housing (11) for generating the high-voltage signal required to generate the dielectric barrier plasma, wherein the high-voltage stage is in electrical contact with, or can be made to be electrically contacted with, the at least one electrode (19) of the electrode device by a connecting device (35) having at least one high-voltage supply line. A plasma treatment device (10) comprising: (e) The dielectric (18) of the electrode device is at least partially formed from a polyurethane gel, and the polyurethane gel is (i) Not a hydrogel, (ii) A plasma treatment device (10) characterized in that at least the treatment surface (18a) is covered by a skin layer.

2. (a) The polyurethane gel is produced from the reaction of at least one polyol with at least one isocyanate, (b) The immobilized dispersed phase of the polyurethane gel is formed by the at least one polyol. A plasma treatment device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that...

3. The water content of the polyurethane gel is less than 5% by weight. A plasma treatment device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that...

4. The plasma treatment device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the dielectric (18) is disposed in the treatment head (12) on a flat carrier (17) of the dielectric support (17a).

5. The plasma therapy device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the electrode device is detachably disposed on the housing (11), and the connecting device (35) connects the at least one electrode (19) to the high-voltage stage (15) when the electrode device is installed on the housing (11) in the insertion position.

6. The plasma treatment device (10) according to claim 5, wherein the at least one electrode (19) is drawn out from the dielectric (18) having an electrical connection bolt (20) on the rear side of the treatment head (12) opposite to the treatment surface (18a), and is surrounded by an electrical insulating cover (21), and the electrical connection bolt (20) has a contact surface (25) that engages with a pair of contacts provided in the housing (11) for electrical contact when the electrode device is installed on the housing (11) in the insertion position.

7. The plasma therapy device (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that the electrical insulating cover (21) protrudes beyond the contact surface (25) of the electrical connection bolt (20), so that the electrical contact with the contact pair occurs inside the electrical insulating cover (21) when the electrode device is mounted on the housing (11) in the insertion position, or the contact surface (25) of the electrical connection bolt (20) protrudes beyond the electrical insulating cover (21), so that the electrical contact with the contact pair occurs outside the electrical insulating cover (21) in the mount within the housing when the electrode device is mounted on the housing (11) in the insertion position.

8. Plasma therapy device (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that at least one spring-loaded tappet (28) is radially positioned relative to the electrical insulating cover (21) in the housing (11), and the at least one spring-loaded tappet interacts via a snap-in section (29) in a recess in the electrical insulating cover (21) for the purpose of removably mounting the electrode device on the housing (11) in the insertion position.

9. The plasma treatment device (10) according to claim 5, wherein the plasma treatment device (10) has at least one position sensor (22) designed to detect the insertion position of the treatment head (12) in the housing (11), and the high voltage stage (15) is switched off unless the insertion position is detected by the at least one position sensor (22).

10. The plasma therapy device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the treatment head (12) is movably mounted in the housing (11) and is operably connected to a motor (30) located in the housing (11) so as to move the electrode device while the dielectric barrier plasma is being generated.

11. The plasma therapy device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that an electrical energy storage unit configured to supply electrical energy to the high-voltage stage (15) is provided in the housing.

12. The plasma therapy device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the high-voltage stage (15) is connected to or can be connected to an external energy source (32).

13. The plasma treatment device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the treatment surface (18a) of the dielectric (18) has a spacer having raised portions and depressions between the raised portions in order to form a gas space.

14. The electrode device having the at least one electrode (19) is configured such that the at least one electrode interacts with the skin surface to be treated as a counter electrode in order to generate the dielectric barrier plasma, the plasma treatment device (10) according to claim 1.

15. A treatment head (12) for dielectric barrier plasma discharge when used in a plasma treatment device (10) for treating the skin surface including living cells using dielectric barrier plasma, (a) The plasma treatment device (10) is (i) A housing (11) having a grip, (ii) comprising a high-voltage stage (15) located in the housing (11) for generating a high-voltage signal required to generate plasma, (b) The treatment head (12) is (i) at least one electrode (19) and (ii) an electrode device comprising a dielectric (18) that completely covers the at least one electrode (19) with respect to the skin surface to be treated, (iii) The dielectric (18) has a treatment surface (18a) and protrudes from the treatment head (12) toward the skin surface to be treated by the surface section having the treatment surface (18a), (iv) The treatment head (12) is set up to be positioned on the housing (11), (c) The high-voltage stage is in electrical contact with or can be made to electrical contact with at least one electrode (19) in the treatment head (12), (d) The dielectric (18) of the electrode device is at least partially formed from a polyurethane gel, and the polyurethane gel is (i) Not a hydrogel, (ii) A treatment head (12) characterized in that at least the treatment surface (18a) is covered by a skin layer.

Images