Dielectric Barrier Discharge Mixer for Respiratory Plasma Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing treatments for respiratory infections and lung cancer, such as those caused by COVID-19, are inadequate in effectively delivering cold atmospheric plasma to target areas within the respiratory system, limiting the efficacy of reactive species delivery and treatment duration.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a dielectric barrier discharge mixer that generates cold atmospheric plasma by combining humidified helium and air/oxygen gases, which are delivered through a delivery member like an endobronchial tube, allowing for the generation and delivery of reactive species like H2O2, NO2-, NO3-, and O2- to the respiratory system from a distance greater than 10 cm.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cold atmospheric plasma is delivered through conventional methods, then treatment of respiratory infections and lung cancer can be performed, but the delivery effectiveness to target areas is insufficient and treatment duration is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dielectric barrier discharge mixer as an intermediary device that generates cold atmospheric plasma and delivers it through a delivery member (endobronchial tube) to target areas within the respiratory system. This intermediary system enables effective delivery of reactive species to difficult-to-reach locations, solving the delivery effectiveness problem while maintaining reasonable treatment duration.
2Length of moving object
If cold atmospheric plasma is generated using conventional systems, then reactive species can be produced, but the systems cannot effectively deliver plasma from distance greater than 10 cm
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a delivery member (endobronchial tube) that uses gas flow dynamics to transport cold atmospheric plasma and reactive species over distances greater than 10 cm. The system utilizes controlled gas flow through the delivery member to maintain plasma integrity and deliver sufficient quantities of reactive species to distant target areas within the respiratory tract.
3Reliability
If conventional plasma treatment systems are used, then cancer cells can be targeted, but ozone production occurs which reduces treatment safety
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dielectric barrier discharge mixer that operates at controlled parameters to generate cold atmospheric plasma with minimized ozone production. By adjusting the discharge parameters and using a dielectric barrier configuration, the system produces the necessary reactive species (ROS and RNS) while suppressing harmful ozone formation, thereby improving treatment safety.
4Productivity
If existing treatment methods are applied to respiratory infections and lung cancer, then treatment can be performed, but the efficacy of reactive species delivery is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the plasma generation and delivery process into distinct functional components: a dielectric barrier discharge mixer for plasma generation and a delivery member for targeted transport. This segmentation allows optimization of each component independently, ensuring efficient generation and effective delivery of reactive species to target areas, thereby improving overall treatment efficacy.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system enhances the delivery of reactive species to the respiratory system, reducing treatment time for lung cancer cell viability and minimizing ozone production, thereby improving treatment efficacy and safety.
Implementation Method 1
A system utilizing a dielectric barrier discharge mixer that generates cold atmospheric plasma by combining humidified helium and air/oxygen gases
Implementation Method 2
generates cold atmospheric plasma by combining humidified helium and air/oxygen gases, which are delivered through a delivery member
Implementation Method 3
A source of a carrier gas, a humidifier connected to the source of a carrier gas, a source of a feed gas, a humidifier connected to the source of a feed gas
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
A system for performing cold atmospheric plasma treatment of respiratory infections or lung cancer having a source of a carrier gas, a cold atmospheric plasma generator connected to the source of carrier gas, a source of compressed air, a humidifier connected to the source of compressed air, a source of oxygen, a ventilator having inputs connected to an output of the humidifier and the source of oxygen, a mixer having an interior chamber formed from a dielectric, an active electrode inside the interior chamber, and an outer electrode connected to ground, wherein the mixer has a fluid input port connected to a gas output of the cold atmospheric plasma generator and an output of the ventilator, and a delivery member connected to an output of the mixer for delivering combined humidified air and cold atmospheric plasma to a respiratory system of a patient.