Atmospheric-pressure dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) in air

A pulsed atmospheric-pressure dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) device operating in air is investigated for medical applications such as for skin disinfection and promotion of wound healing. The device ignites plasma on objects of high capacitance such as the human body and with grounded electrodes. Plasma parameters such as electron density and electron distribution function are determined. Plasma chemical kinetics is simulated and the production of biologically-useful molecules namely nitric oxide (NO) and ozone is estimated for use in dermatology. Prior to plasma characterisation on human body, simple materials such as aluminium (flat and spike), buffer solution (PBS) and glass are used as grounded electrodes for plasma characterisation. A single-filamentary discharge with spike, a stochastic-filamentary discharge with aluminium and PBS, and a homogeneous discharge with glass are observed. 2 minute DBD treatment of mouse skin shows no inflammation or any carcinogenic effects

DBD plasma source operated in single-filamentary mode for therapeutic use in dermatology

Our dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma source for bio-medical application comprises a copper electrode covered with ceramic. Objects of high capacitance such as the human body can be used as the opposite electrode. In this study, the DBD source is operated in single-filamentary mode using an aluminium spike as the opposite electrode, to imitate the conditions when the discharge is ignited on a raised point, such as hair, during therapeutic use on the human body. The single-filamentary discharge thus obtained is characterized using optical emission spectroscopy, numerical simulation, voltage-current measurements and microphotography. For characterization of the discharge, averaged plasma parameters such as electron distribution function and electron density are determined. Fluxes of nitric oxide (NO), ozone (O-3) and photons reaching the treated surface are simulated. The calculated fluxes are finally compared with corresponding fluxes used in different bio-medical applications