Cold Plasma Systems and their Application in Surface Treatments for Medicine.

Francisco L Tabares,Ita Junkar

doi:10.3390/molecules26071903

Francisco L Tabares, Ita Junkar

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26071903

Copy DOI

Journal: Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)	Publication Date: Mar 28, 2021
Citations: 65	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Jožef Stefan Institute

Abstract

In this paper, a review of cold plasma setups and the physical and chemical processes leading to the generation of active species is presented. The emphasis is given to the interaction of cold plasmas with materials used in medical applications, especially medical implants as well as live cells. An overview of the different kinds of plasmas and techniques used for generation of active species, which significantly alter the surface properties of biomaterials is presented. The elemental processes responsible for the observed changes in the physio-chemical properties of surfaces when exposed to plasma are described. Examples of ongoing research in the field are given to illustrate the state-of-the-art at the more conceptual level.

Highlights

IntroductionThe energy needed to generate plasma can be supplied in several ways: through heat from a combustion process; through the interaction between laser radiation and a solid, a liquid, or a gas; or through electrical discharges in gases, in which free electrons take energy field and lose it through excitation and ionization processes of the atoms and molecules in the gas
In this paper, a review of cold plasma setups and the physical and chemical processes leading to the generation of active species is presented
The emphasis is given to the interaction of cold plasmas with materials used in medical applications, especially medical implants as well as live cells

Summary

Introduction

The energy needed to generate plasma can be supplied in several ways: through heat from a combustion process; through the interaction between laser radiation and a solid, a liquid, or a gas; or through electrical discharges in gases, in which free electrons take energy field and lose it through excitation and ionization processes of the atoms and molecules in the gas. In these types of discharges, referred to as CAP (cold atmospheric plasma), the highly energetic electrons are produced that, due to the shortness of the pulses used, have little time to exchange energy with their surroundings This kind of plasmas have found many applications in the field of plasma medicine, among others, and have led to off-the-shelf devices of increasing popularity.

Plasmas and Techniques for Their Generation

Plasma Treatment of Medical Materials

Plasma Generation of RONs for Medical Treatment

Findings

Conclusions