Design optimization of an air atmospheric pressure plasma-jet device intended for medical use

Abstract

The current and potential applications of atmospheric pressure plasmas in medicine generate an increasing need to develop safe and reliable plasma devices for patient treatment. This paper shows how the estimation of safety risks, the stability of the generated plasma, and the effectiveness in the aimed application can orientate the design process of a specific atmospheric pressure plasma device intended for clinical use. A promising plasma jet device operated with air is optimized, leading to a configuration with a more advanced design that reduces the temperature of the effluent, prevents the material degradation and improves the isolation of the high voltage components. The effects of the plasma jet treatment are investigated by chemical analysis of demineralized water and inactivation tests on E. coli cultures.