Plasma Delivery Tip Valve Design for Moisture Exclusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plasma delivery systems face challenges in preventing contamination and moisture ingress, which can disrupt plasma generation and delivery within body cavities, particularly due to the wet environment and potential for liquid and gaseous moisture intrusion.
Innovation Solution
The plasma delivery tip incorporates a valve positioned between the discharge electrode and the aperture to prevent contamination, with features like a one-way valve, actuated valve, and expandable design to manage moisture ingress, and includes a gas scavenging lumen to maintain plasma generation integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a plasma delivery system operates in body cavities, then plasma treatment can be delivered to internal spaces, but contamination and moisture ingress can disrupt plasma generation
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery catheter is divided into separate functional segments: a contamination barrier section that prevents moisture ingress, a plasma generation section with discharge electrode, and a gas delivery lumen. This segmentation allows the system to maintain plasma generation reliability while delivering treatment to body cavities.
Solution Approach 2:
A valve is introduced as an intermediary component between the gas delivery lumen and the external environment. This valve acts as a selective barrier that allows ionization gas to pass through to the discharge electrode while preventing contamination and moisture from entering the plasma generation zone, thus maintaining reliable plasma generation.
2Reliability
If a valve is added to prevent contamination ingress, then plasma generation reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is designed to be self-actuating through pressure differential. During normal operation, positive pressure from the ionization gas flow automatically opens the valve. When gas flow stops, the valve automatically closes to prevent contamination ingress. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external actuators or complex control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve operation is driven by pneumatic pressure differential created by the ionization gas flow. The pressure from the flowing gas automatically opens the valve to allow gas passage, and the absence of pressure automatically closes it. This pneumatic actuation simplifies the device by eliminating mechanical actuators, motors, or electronic controls.
3Productivity
If the aperture is positioned to allow plasma delivery, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but moisture ingress risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve serves as an intermediary component positioned between the gas delivery lumen and the aperture. It allows ionization gas to reach the aperture for effective plasma delivery while simultaneously blocking moisture and contamination from entering the lumen, thus resolving the conflict between delivery effectiveness and contamination prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The contamination barrier function is localized to specific regions: the valve is positioned only where needed to protect the gas delivery lumen, while the aperture remains open for plasma delivery. This localized application of the barrier function maintains plasma delivery efficiency while preventing moisture ingress at critical points.
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 effectively prevents contamination and maintains plasma generation, ensuring reliable delivery of cold plasma to target sites within body cavities while maintaining medical-grade sterility and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a discharge electrode, which transmits a high voltage to the flow of ionization gas when attached to a high voltage source
Implementation Method 2
Plasma may be produced by electric discharge through gas, causing gas atoms or molecules to be excited and ionize
Implementation Method 3
the valve includes a one-way valve which opens under pressure from the flow of ionization gas
Data Source
AI summary
Plasma delivery tips of medical-grade plasma generating devices are configured to exclude potential contaminants while operating within body cavities. In some embodiments, delivery tips are provided with an antechamber, which is optionally filled by pressure of ionizing gas to prevent contamination. Some embodiments are provided with one or more interior and/or exterior valves configured to prevent proximal ingress of contamination to the longitudinal position of the discharge electrode, or at all into the gas delivery lumen. In some embodiments, an expandable distal section of the plasma delivery tip acts as a valve which seals when closed, and when open expands to generate an inflated antechamber into which plasma is delivered.