Cold Plasma Nasal Treatment Device Using Nitrogen Gas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for ailments in the nose, throat, and ears, such as chronic tonsillitis and sinusitis, often require invasive surgeries or prolonged antibiotic use, which are costly and inconvenient, and existing cold plasma treatments generate excessive ozone that can harm patients.
Innovation Solution
A cold plasma device and method that uses nonoxygen gases to generate plasma, reducing ozone production while effectively treating conditions like tonsillitis, sinusitis, and nasal infections by sterilizing, reducing biofilm, and promoting healing without burning or irritating tissues, using a probe with a conductor wire and controlled gas flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional cold plasma treatment is used to treat nasal and throat conditions, then treatment efficacy is achieved, but excessive ozone is generated that can harm patients
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the gas composition parameter from conventional oxygen-based plasma to nitrogen-based plasma. By using nitrogen gas instead of oxygen gas, the plasma treatment maintains its therapeutic efficacy while dramatically reducing ozone generation, as nitrogen does not form ozone under these plasma conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an inert nitrogen atmosphere for the plasma treatment. By using nitrogen gas as the plasma medium, the system provides a safe environment that avoids the harmful ozone byproducts associated with oxygen-based plasma, while still delivering effective treatment through nitrogen reactive species
2Reliability
If surgery is used to treat chronic tonsillitis and sinusitis, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but patient convenience and cost are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical surgical intervention with a plasma-based therapeutic system. Instead of requiring incisions, removal of tissue, or complex surgical procedures, the treatment uses nitrogen plasma to deliver therapeutic effects through non-contact energy delivery, making the procedure much more convenient and less invasive
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the phase transition properties of nitrogen gas to plasma and back. The nitrogen gas is ionized to form plasma during treatment, then returns to its gaseous state afterward, enabling a non-invasive treatment that avoids the tissue damage and recovery time associated with surgical removal
3Reliability
If antibiotics are used to treat nasal and throat infections, then infection treatment is achieved, but treatment duration and convenience are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces pharmacological antibiotic treatment with physical plasma treatment. Instead of requiring prolonged courses of antibiotics that must be taken over weeks, the nitrogen plasma treatment delivers therapeutic effects directly to the infected tissue in a single or few brief sessions, dramatically reducing treatment duration
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 solution provides a safe and effective treatment for various medical conditions in the throat, nose, and ears, reducing the need for surgery or antibiotics, with enhanced efficacy and reduced ozone production, improving patient safety and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
Currently, there is development in the medical applications of low temperature nonthermal plasma or 'cold plasma' with surprisingly effective results. Plasma is an ionized gas that generates ions, chemically reactive atoms and molecules, and UV-photons.
Implementation Method 2
Plasma is an ionized gas that generates ions, chemically reactive atoms and molecules, and UV-photons.
Implementation Method 3
An integrated or adjacent vacuum is utilized to capture any excess ozone particles that are generated that can cause harm to the patient.
Data Source
AI summary
A medical device for providing nonthermal plasma treatment to a patient by generating sufficient nonthermal plasma in the presence of the flow of an oxygen-free gas mixture that can quickly and safely treat infection or promote wound healing in the desired region wherein the device is flexible and easy to maneuver in difficult to access regions such as the nose, paranasal sinuses, throat, esophagus, and ears of a patient and wherein the device comprises an integrated vacuum/suction to capture reactive species that are generated by plasma to prevent the patient from inhaling harmful byproducts.