Emission of Ultraviolet Radiation from 220 to 280 NM by a Cold Physical Plasma Generating Device

Abstract

The generation of cold physical plasma at atmospheric pressure (cold atmospheric plasma: CAP) generates different reactive molecular species as well as radiation in the ultraviolet (UV) range. The therapy of tumor diseases has proven to be a new promising area of application for CAP treatment. With regard to the routine use of CAP in cancer therapy, however, application safety must be ensured both for the patient and for the operator. In this study, the intensity of UVC radiation of the CAP device MiniJet-R (HF Technik, Aachen, Germany) was measured in the range from 220 to 280 nm depending on various device-specific parameters. Depending on the distance to the CAP flame, the UVC intensity reaches values up to 124.5±11 mW m−2. It should be noted here that the UVC radiation generated by the CAP is emitted in all orientations in the room but is also shielded by the geometry of the handpiece of the CAP device. The device-specific settings for the flow rate of the carrier gas, argon, and the power level at the high-frequency (HF) generator of the CAP device also influence the intensity of the UVC radiation. With regard to the medical use of the CAP device, it can be stated that there is an exposure to UVC radiation, which, depending on the duration of treatment, can also be above the maximum value legally specified in Europe. Shielding components on the CAP device can reduce UVC exposure to the operator as well as adverse side effects to the patient.

Effect of Cold Atmospheric Plasma on Epigenetic Changes, DNA Damage, and Possibilities for Its Use in Synergistic Cancer Therapy

“…The authors reported that the UV-C intensity can reach 124.5 ± 11 mW/m −2 , depending on the distance maintained from the CAP flame, and a dose of 28.8 J/m −2 is incurred when irradiation lasts 240 s. This approximates the maximum 30 J/m −2 set for employees. In addition, the direct dosage for medical-dermatology procedures cannot exceed 3 mW/m −2 [245]. In this study, UV-C radiation emitted in all orientations in the area but was also shielded by the geometry of the handpiece.…”

“…Park et al [250], then reported that the intensity of UV light generated by the argon CAP ranged from 65 mW/cm 2 to 94 mW/cm 2 at 254 nm wavelength, and they also recorded this result in their following study [251]. Very recent study of Kletschus et al [245] discussed the potential risk of UV-C emission during CAP application. The authors reported that the UV-C intensity can reach 124.5 ± 11 mW/m −2 , depending on the distance maintained from the CAP flame, and a dose of 28.8 J/m −2 is incurred when irradiation lasts 240 s. This approximates the maximum 30 J/m −2 set for employees.…”

“…However, the degree of damage depends also on dosage and exposure time, and CAP produces lower dosage of UV radiation compared to UV-light systems for sterilisation and low-pressure plasma systems [80,[242][243][244]. Final dose of UV radiation generated by CAP also depends on various factors, such as carrier gas flow rate and generator intensity [80,242,245].…”

Study on the effect of low-temperature atmospheric pressure plasma jet on the morphofunctional properties of living tissues (in vivo)

“…Physical and chemical features of interaction of plasma radiation with biological objects have a unique nature, as a consequence of complex composition and mechanisms of elementary processes in plasma, as well as variety of the structure of biological tissues and cells. The known factors of such effect can include electromagnetic fields and UV radiation, charged particles, oxygen containing (O, O 2 − , O 3 , H 2 O 2 ) and nitrogen containing radicals (N, NO, NO 2 , NO 3 , N 2 O 5 ) [5][6][7][8][9].…”

“…In the complex, these effects form the ground for curing pathologies, such as erosive and ulcerative lesions, virus and mycotic infections, etc. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12]. However, regardless of a high potential of the plasma therapy, there is a series of issues to resolve.…”