Plasma Generating Device for Moist Surface Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional plasma generation devices for medical use face challenges in treating moist surfaces due to impaired dielectric barrier surface discharge by high humidity and failure to meet electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) guidelines, leading to unsafe and ineffective antimicrobial treatment.
Innovation Solution
A plasma generation device with a high-voltage electrode and outer electrodes, where the high-voltage electrode is covered with a dielectric and spaced by insulating elements to create a stable dielectrically impeded volume discharge, reducing electromagnetic interference and allowing flexible adaptation to surfaces, including biological tissues in humid environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a dielectric barrier surface discharge is used for plasma generation, then the device can be made flexible and adaptable to surface contours, but the discharge is significantly impaired or suppressed by high humidity on the dielectric surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional surface discharge (SBD) on the dielectric barrier to a three-dimensional volume discharge (VBD) in the gap between electrodes. This dimensional change allows the plasma to form in the volume rather than being constrained to the dielectric surface, thereby avoiding the harmful effect of humidity on the dielectric surface while maintaining flexibility through the use of flexible electrodes and dielectric materials
2Reliability
If a dielectric barrier volume discharge is used to overcome humidity impairment, then plasma generation is improved, but uncontrollable surface effects on biological tissue occur and unwanted irritation is caused
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible electrodes and thin dielectric films that can conform to the contours of biological surfaces including wounds. This flexibility allows the device to adapt to irregular surface geometries while maintaining a controlled discharge geometry, preventing direct contact between rigid structures and sensitive tissue, and enabling uniform plasma distribution without creating localized high-stress points that would cause irritation
3Area of stationary object
If flat plasma generating devices are used for large area treatment, then area coverage is improved, but electromagnetic interference radiation increases and EMC guidelines are not met
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the plasma generation system into multiple smaller electrode units that can be arranged in arrays to cover large treatment areas. Each electrode unit generates plasma independently, which distributes and reduces the electromagnetic interference radiation compared to a single large plasma source. The segmented structure allows for better electromagnetic compatibility while maintaining large area coverage capability
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 effective antimicrobial treatment of wounds and biological tissues in humid conditions while meeting EMC guidelines, ensuring safety and flexibility, and reducing unwanted irritation or contamination.
Implementation Method 1
A plasma generation device based on a dielectric barrier volume discharge is disclosed in WO 2011/076193 A1. The device of WO 2011/076193 A1 consists of a flat high-voltage electrode which is delimited on the front and on the back by a flat dielectric.
Implementation Method 2
The plasma generating device is used in particular for the flat, antimicrobial treatment of moist surfaces and thus offers the possibility of antimicrobial wound treatment in a moist environment using special atmospheric pressure plasma sources.
Implementation Method 3
The high-voltage electrode is covered with a dielectric at least on a side facing an outer electrode. If necessary, the high-voltage electrode is completely covered with a dielectric.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present application relates to a plasma generation device comprising a high-voltage electrode and at least one external electrode. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a plasma generation system comprising several plasma generation devices according to the invention, and to a method for generating plasma using a plasma generation device or a plasma generation system according to the invention. The plasma generation device (1) is used in particular for generating an atmospheric pressure plasma (33) for the antimicrobial treatment of moist surfaces. It comprises a high-voltage electrode (10) and at least one external electrode (11, 12), wherein the high-voltage electrode (10) is arranged in at least one coordinate direction (34) between the conductor material of at least one external electrode (11, 12). The high-voltage electrode (10) is covered with a dielectric (21) at least on one side facing an external electrode (11, 12).Between the respective outer electrode (11, 12) and the high-voltage electrode (10) at least one spacer element (20) is provided along its longitudinal extent, which at least in the area of its arrangement electrically insulates the respective outer electrode (11, 12) from the high-voltage electrode (10) and which positions the respective outer electrode (11, 12) at a constant distance from the high-voltage electrode (10).