Plasma Therapy Device Turbulent Flow Gas Yield

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional devices for indirect plasma therapy often fail to achieve satisfactory treatment results due to inefficient production and delivery of reactive gases, leading to suboptimal therapy outcomes.

Innovation Solution

The device enhances plasma therapy by creating a buffer region through turbulent flow in the reaction chamber, where process gases are influenced by electromagnetic fields, increasing reactive gas yield. This is achieved by designing a reaction chamber with a smaller outlet opening than inlet, generating dynamic pressure and guiding gases back into the discharge zone, and using a circular cylindrical peripheral wall with a specific diameter and length to optimize gas flow and minimize collisional quenching.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional devices for indirect plasma therapy are used, then the treatment can be applied, but satisfactory treatment results cannot be achieved due to inefficient production and delivery of reactive gases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetherapy successVSAvoidyield of reactive gases
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a movable component (plunger) within the reaction chamber that can be moved between a first position and a second position. This movement dynamically controls the gas flow path, allowing the process gas to be directed either through the discharge zone for reactive gas generation or bypassing it. This dynamic control enables optimization of both reactive gas yield and therapy reliability by adjusting the flow characteristics according to treatment requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs parameter changes by varying the flow rate of process gas through the reaction chamber. By controlling the speed at which gas moves through the discharge zone, the system optimizes the interaction time between process gas and electromagnetic fields, thereby maximizing reactive gas generation efficiency while maintaining reliable therapy delivery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stress or pressure

If the outlet opening of the reaction chamber has a smaller opening area than the inlet opening, then dynamic pressure is generated and turbulent flow is created, but the gas flow path is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedynamic pressureVSAvoidgas flow
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a movable plunger to dynamically adjust the gas flow path in response to the pressure differential created by the smaller outlet opening. The plunger can be positioned to either restrict or allow bypass flow, providing dynamic control over the balance between pressure generation and flow ease, resolving the contradiction between creating dynamic pressure and maintaining operational ease.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The plunger acts as an intermediary component between the inlet and outlet openings. It mediates the gas flow by providing an alternative path around the discharge zone when needed, thus easing the gas flow restriction caused by the smaller outlet opening while still allowing the system to generate necessary dynamic pressure when the plunger is in the restricted position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If turbulent flow is generated in the reaction chamber, then a buffer region is formed and reactive gas yield is increased, but gas molecules are subjected to collisional quenching

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveyield of reactive gasesVSAvoidreactive gases
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The movable plunger enables dynamic control of the gas flow regime. By adjusting the plunger position, the system can optimize the balance between creating turbulent flow (which increases reactive gas yield through enhanced mixing and exposure to electromagnetic fields) and minimizing excessive turbulence that would cause collisional quenching and loss of reactive gases.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by allowing some gas to flow through the discharge zone for reactive gas generation while enabling bypass flow for portions of the gas stream. This partial engagement with the discharge zone prevents excessive turbulence and collisional quenching while still achieving sufficient reactive gas production for effective therapy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 enhanced device increases the yield of reactive gases, leading to improved therapy success by maintaining a balance between gas enrichment and flow, reducing unwanted gas abreaction and collisional quenching, and allowing for effective application of reactive species to treatment areas.

Implementation Method 1

the reactive gases are generally formed by transferring sufficient energy in a gas discharge. In this type of gas discharge a plasma composed of partially or fully charged particles is produced

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas discharge: Electric Arc

Implementation Method 2

a plasma composed of partially or fully charged particles is produced, from which reactive gas species develop

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPlasma: Plasma

Implementation Method 3

Plasma is often generated in electrostatic or electromagnetic fields, e.g. by alternating or direct current excitation or microwave excitation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic field excitation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 4

The turbulent flow in the reaction chamber and/or the gas discharge zone leads to a buffer region being formed therein

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTurbulent flow: Turbulence

Implementation Method 5

This gas flow aligned to the outlet opening then gives rise to dynamic pressure before the outlet opening

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDynamic pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 6

These display their oxidative potential on the surface where they oxidise proteins, lipids and nucleic acids non-selectively

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Implementation Method 7

In addition, electrons and ions as well as photons emitted upon relaxation of the excited plasma components are produced in the plasma itself

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIonization: Ionisation

Implementation Method 8

photons emitted upon relaxation of the excited plasma components

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotons emission: Luminescence

Data Source

PatentEP3609417B1Device for human medical and veterinary treatment
Publication Date: 2021.06.09 LOHMANN & RAUSCHER
  • EP3609417B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

A device for human medical or veterinary treatment comprising a gas discharge generator designed to generate reactive gases that can be used in plasma therapy in a gas discharge zone, a flow generator designed to generate a flow of gas from the gas discharge zone through a reaction chamber in the direction of an outlet opening of the reaction chamber, and an application device coupled to the outlet opening for discharging the reactive gases from the reaction chamber to the application location, the flow generator and/or the reaction chamber being designed to generate a turbulent flow in the reaction chamber and/or the gas discharge zone.