Electrodeless Cold Plasma Device RF Harmonic Waveform
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hand-held cold plasma devices face challenges with electrode degradation and overheating due to the difficulty in achieving a dense cold plasma electron population at atmospheric pressure, which affects their safety and effectiveness in medical applications.
Innovation Solution
A hand-held cold plasma device utilizing a unipolar high voltage power supply with a unique harmonic waveform and optional magnetic fields, combined with a gas cartridge system that ensures precise gas composition and flow, to generate a stable and effective cold plasma without electrode degradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If positive to negative electrode configuration is used to form cold plasma from noble gases, then a dense cold plasma electron population can be achieved, but electrode degradation and overheating occur through continuous operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes electrodes entirely from the plasma generation system, replacing them with a electrodeless discharge mechanism. This extraction of the problematic component (electrodes) eliminates electrode degradation and overheating while maintaining plasma generation capability through radio frequency electromagnetic field coupling to the gas directly
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical contact-based electrode system with an electromagnetic field-based energy coupling system. Radio frequency electromagnetic fields are used to induce plasma directly in the gas without physical electrodes, substituting a contactless electromagnetic mechanism for the contact-based electrode system
2Productivity
If continuous device operation is maintained to achieve dense cold plasma, then plasma effectiveness is improved, but electrode overheating and degradation worsen
Solution Approach 1:
By removing electrodes from the system entirely, the patent eliminates the temperature management problem associated with continuous operation. The electrodeless design allows uninterrupted plasma generation without the thermal accumulation that plagues electrode-based systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs radio frequency periodic electromagnetic fields to sustain plasma generation. The oscillating RF fields continuously energize the gas molecules, maintaining plasma density and reactivity without the thermal degradation issues of continuous DC electrode operation
3Ease of operation
If hand-held design is implemented for medical applications, then treatment accessibility is improved, but device complexity increases to ensure safety and sterility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the system into separable components: a disposable sterile hand-held applicator and a reusable base unit containing the RF power supply and control systems. This segmentation allows the critical patient-contact portion to be easily sterilized or discarded, while complex safety systems remain in the reusable portion
Solution Approach 2:
The hand-held applicator is designed as a disposable component that can be sterilized between uses or discarded after single use. This eliminates the need for complex sterilization systems in the reusable portions while ensuring patient safety and maintaining treatment accessibility
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 device produces a stable cold plasma with improved safety and efficacy for medical treatments, reducing electrode degradation and overheating, while ensuring precise control over plasma parameters for various applications.
Implementation Method 1
A hand-held cold plasma device utilizing a unipolar high voltage power supply with a unique harmonic waveform... to generate a stable and effective cold plasma
Implementation Method 2
A hand-held cold plasma device utilizing a unipolar high voltage power supply with a unique harmonic waveform and optional magnetic fields
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
A gas cartridge is described that is configured to provide sufficient gas to support cold plasma generation for a specific medical process. The gas cartridge has a seal that is pierced upon connection of the gas cartridge to the cold plasma delivery system. Different embodiments are described that use different connection locations between the gas cartridge and the cold plasma delivery system. A shroud is also described that shields the user if the cold plasma delivery system is dropped and the gas cartridge ruptures. Use of an ID system assists in ensuring that the correct gas mixture, correct gas cartridge and correct power supply settings are used for the particular medical treatment process.