PLASMACHEMICAL GENERATION OF NITRIC OXIDES IN AIR PLASMAS FOR MEDICAL APPLICATIONS

Abstract

Nitric oxide is well known as a poly functional regulator of different physiological processes in human body and therefore could be used for therapeutic purposes in different medical applications. In this review mechanism of nitric oxide generation in gas plasma and biological mechanisms of nitric oxide containing plasma gas treatment of tissues are described. In addition to nitric oxide the other biologically active species like hydrogen peroxide and nitrogen dioxide are formed in air plasma at atmospheric pressure. Synergetic action of molecules NO/H2O2 и NO/O2, generated in plasma gas results to manifold increase of sterilization activity of plasma mixture to bacteria and at the same time the toxicity of these species to living cells is low. Plasma gas exhibits therapeutic action on human tissues. On the one hand plasma gas contains molecules Н2О2, NO and NO2 acting as a antimicrobial agents and promoting sterilization, on the other hand the presence of significant concentration of NO leads to effective regeneration of damaged tissue. These processes are complementary and finally result to effective healing of diabetic trophic ulcer and other diseases in the oncology, ophthalmology, dentistry, purulent surgery, battlefield surgery and so on. Peculiarities of different discharges which could be used for generation of nitric oxide, like arc discharge, gliding arc discharge, microwave discharge, radiofrequency and pulsed discharges are discussed. The production of nitric oxide depending on type of discharge and plasma parameters like discharge power, gas flow rate and electrode configuration are analyzed. The efficacy of nitric oxide generation in different discharges is compared.