Evaluation of the J-Plasma Electrosurgical Device Combined with Nebulized Collagen for Burn Healing in Rodents

Abstract

Plasma medicine has developed dramatically in recent years and offers benefits in numerous areas. Much of the work has been carried out using innovative devices, but there remains a paucity of approved medical instruments that can be effectively translated into patient care in markets such as the United States. Although a wide variety of argon plasma coagulators are approved for medical use, these devices have not been considered to be viable for plasma medicine applications due to the high thermal energy of argon discharges. We explore the potential of a commercial helium plasma device to deliver low-energy, nonthermal plasma discharges to wound sites. The recently launched J-Plasma device (Apyx Medical; Clearwater, FL, USA) uses low-temperature helium plasma and delivers precise plasma power with minimal depth of thermal spread. We investigate the impact of J-Plasma on nebulized biologic materials and its minimal impact on protein chemical structure. We discuss the potential to deliver biologic materials and control modification of wound surfaces, and we present preliminary in vivo data from a rodent burn model.