Wearable Cold Plasma System for Targeted Wound Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing treatments for wounds and infections are often costly, ineffective, and slow to act, necessitating a more efficient and targeted therapeutic approach.
Innovation Solution
A wearable cold plasma system featuring a flexible applicator that conforms to the body, using a multi-frequency harmonic-rich electrical signal to generate non-thermal plasma for targeted treatment of wounds and infections, capable of forming cold plasma from atmospheric air or a gas source, with modular sections for customizable application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional topical and internal medications are used to treat wounds and infections, then a wide variety of conditions can be treated, but the treatment is costly, ineffective, and slow to act
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional chemical medications (topical creams, oral drugs, intravenous medications) with a physical plasma system. The cold plasma applicator uses electrical discharge to generate reactive species and UV radiation that directly act on pathogens and promote healing, eliminating the need for chemical compounds and their associated administration routes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental treatment parameter from chemical concentration to plasma power density. By controlling electrical parameters (voltage, frequency, pulse duration) of the plasma source, the treatment intensity can be precisely adjusted to achieve rapid pathogen killing and tissue regeneration without the delays inherent in drug absorption and metabolism.
2Reliability
If a rigid plasma treatment system is used, then plasma can be generated effectively, but the system cannot conform to body surfaces for targeted application
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible dielectric barrier layer that can be wrapped around body parts to conform to irregular surfaces. This flexible membrane maintains the necessary electrical insulation while allowing the plasma applicator to adapt to contours of wounds, joints, and other anatomical features, ensuring effective plasma delivery wherever needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates adjustable spacing mechanisms that allow the distance between the plasma electrode and the body surface to be dynamically modified. This enables the system to maintain optimal plasma generation conditions while adapting to different body geometries and wound depths, preserving treatment effectiveness across diverse application scenarios.
3Ease of manufacture
If a single fixed plasma applicator design is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but the system cannot be customized for different treatment areas and patient needs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the plasma applicator into modular sections that can be independently manufactured and then assembled in different configurations. Each module contains standardized plasma-generating elements that can be combined to create custom treatment patterns for various body areas, simplifying manufacturing while enabling extensive customization for different clinical needs.
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 wearable cold plasma system provides effective, uniform, and targeted treatment of wounds and infections by generating low-temperature plasma that can kill pathogens and promote healing, offering a potentially faster and more cost-effective alternative to traditional treatments.
Implementation Method 1
The wearable cold plasma applicator may include one or more apertures each associated with one or more electrodes, and the one or more electrodes may be configured to generate the cold plasma with a fluid flow through each respective aperture
Data Source
AI summary
A system including a wearable cold plasma system, including a wearable cold plasma applicator configured to couple to and deliver a cold plasma to a surface of a user wearing the wearable cold plasma device.