Development and production of a handy cold plasma device for the treatment of skin indications

Abstract

This work presents the development and testing of a portable, battery-powered cold plasma device for the treatment of skin indications - with a particular focus on its use in burn medicine. The aim was to realize a system that works independently of external power or gas supply and can thus be used in mobile or infrastructure-weak environments. The device is based on the generation of cold plasma by ionizing ambient air using high voltage. It combines microcontroller-driven plasma generation, distance control via sensors and a functional air duct system in a handy housing. Spectroscopic analysis of the plasma showed characteristic emissions at 337 nm, which could confirm the presence of nitrogen molecules and thus the generation of bioactive species. Initial in-vitro tests for the inactivation of Escherichia coli DSM 613 on culture media demonstrated the antimicrobial effect of the generated plasma. This work can be seen as a proof of concept and shows the potential of this technology for future medical technology applications. It lays the foundation for further research in the field of mobile plasma devices and provides valuable insights for optimizing device design, airflow and plasma parameters. It thus points the way forward within plasma medicine and the development of portable therapy solutions.