Flexible Dielectric Barrier Plasma Electrode for Curved Skin
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for plasma treatment of skin or mucous membrane surfaces are limited in their ability to treat large areas, especially arbitrarily curved surfaces, and can cause tissue damage due to temperature, desiccation, or electrical voltages, and are not flexible for variable body regions.
Innovation Solution
A flexible electrode system using dielectric barrier surface discharge with a conductive outer surface, designed to conform to curved surfaces and generate plasma in open interstices, which can be shaped into a cuff or inflatable volume for treating both external and internal surfaces, and operates at various pressure conditions with gas mixtures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If rigid electrode systems or nozzles are used for plasma generation, then local treatment of small areas is achieved, but treatment of large areas and curved surfaces is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible electrode system comprising a flexible insulating material with a high-voltage electrode and a flexible structured grounded electrode that can conform to curved surfaces. This flexible configuration enables treatment of large areas and arbitrarily shaped body parts, resolving the contradiction between treating large areas and adapting to curved surfaces.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If open rigid electrode systems with gas flow are used, then plasma treatment is achieved, but desiccation of the treated area occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible structured grounded electrode comprises multiple interconnected elements forming interstices that allow plasma generation while reducing gas flow requirements. This segmented structure enables plasma treatment with minimal gas flow, thereby protecting the treated area from desiccation while maintaining device functionality.
3Area of stationary object
If dielectric barrier surface discharge is generated in open interstices of a structured electrode, then large curved areas can be treated, but the electrode structure becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses flexible insulating material and flexible structured electrode components that can be conformingly applied to body surfaces. This flexible construction achieves simple adaptability to various body shapes while maintaining the dielectric barrier surface discharge mechanism for treating large areas.
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
Enables safe and effective treatment of large, curved areas by preventing desiccation and allowing for flexible application on diverse body regions, enhancing wound healing and providing a versatile tool for decontamination, sterilization, and therapeutic applications.
Implementation Method 1
The centerpiece of the device is a special electrode arrangement for generating a dielectric barrier surface discharge
Implementation Method 2
generation of a superficial plasma that makes it possible to treat relatively large areas of body parts
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a device for treatment of skin, mucous membranes or body parts with a cold atmospheric pressure plasma by generating a dielectric barrier surface discharge, including a flexible insulating material, a flexible high-voltage electrode, a flexible dielectric, a flexible grounded electrode, a gas supply, wherein the flexible high-voltage electrode is embedded between the flexible insulating material and the flexible dielectric, wherein the grounded electrode is applied on a surface of the flexible dielectric that is configured to face a curved surface of a body part to be treated, wherein the flexible high-voltage electrode, the flexible dielectric and the flexible grounded electrode of the device form a flexible layered arrangement for providing the cold atmospheric pressure plasma, wherein the arrangement forms a hollow spherical body with a closed volume and wherein a plasma can be ignited for treating the curved surface with the cold atmospheric pressure plasma.