Abstract

Cold plasma generated in an open environment with a temperature nearly around room temperature has recently been a topic of great importance. It has unlocked the door of plasma application in a new direction: biomedical applications. Cold atmospheric pressure (CAP) plasma comprises various neutral and charged reactive species, UV radiations, electric current/fields etc., which have several impactful effects on biological matter. Some of the significant biological effects of CAP plasma are inactivation of microorganism, stimulation of cell proliferation and tissue regeneration, destruction of cells by initializing apoptosis etc. Although the detailed mechanism of action of plasma on biomaterials is still not completely understood, some basic principles are known. Studies have indicated that the reactive oxygen species and nitrogen species (ROS, RNS) play a crucial role in the observed biological effects. In this perspective, this chapter first provides a brief discussion on the fundamentals of CAP plasma and its generation methods. Then a discussion on the optical diagnostics methods to characterize the plasma is provided. Optical emission spectroscopy (OES) is used to identify the reactive species and to measure their relative concentration. Other important plasma parameters such as gas temperature, electron/excitation temperature and electron density measurement methods using OES have also been discussed. Then a discussion on the application of CAP plasma in biomedical field is provided. A thorough understanding of biochemical reaction mechanisms involving highly reactive plasma species will further improve and extend CAP plasma technology in biomedical applications.

Highlights

  • In physical sciences, the term “plasma” often refers to the fourth state of matter consisting of electrons, ions and neutral particles; while in biology, it refers to the yellowish non-cellular liquid portion of the blood

  • Even if many details regarding the mechanism of interaction of plasma with biological matter are still not clear, some basic principles are known, and our depth of knowledge is growing very fast in this field

  • The application of Cold atmospheric pressure (CAP) plasma technology in the biomedical field has opened up new frontiers in science and technology

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Summary

Introduction

The term “plasma” often refers to the fourth state of matter consisting of electrons, ions and neutral particles; while in biology, it refers to the yellowish non-cellular liquid portion of the blood. The use of low-temperature atmospheric pressure plasma for biomedical application took center stage. Different devices have been designed to generate cold plasma in atmospheric pressure and have been investigated for their ability to use in biomedical applications [5]. Cold plasma transfers little heat, and its effects are primarily nonthermal These remarkable achievements of CAP plasma applications took only about 25 years from the initial discovery to the fundamental scientific investigation stage and to applications on actual patients. We shall concentrate mainly on the nonthermal or cold plasmas produced at atmospheric pressure, their production methods, diagnostics, and their various applications in the biomedical field. The final section summarizes the application of CAP plasma technology in biomedical applications and their future outlook

Fundamentals of nonthermal plasma
Paschen’s law
Current-Voltage characteristics
Methods of CAP plasma production
Dielectric barrier discharge (DBD)
Corona discharge
Diagnostics of CAP plasma
Effects of CAP plasma on biomaterials
Applications of cold atmospheric plasma in medicine and healthcare
Use of CAP in disinfection, wound healing and dermatology
Use of CAP plasma in Cancer therapy
Use of CAP plasma in dentistry
Use of CAP plasma in other biomedical areas
Findings
Summary and future outlook
Full Text
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