Evaluation of Skin Tissue Effects of Two-Pass Helium Plasma Treatment in Comparison to Nitrogen Plasma Using a Swine Model

Abstract

Background: Helium plasma is a new technology for dermal resurfacing. Objectives: To compare the depth of thermal effect produced by a two-pass skin treatment protocol for a helium plasma system in comparison to nitrogen plasma.Methods: A 6-month-old domestic pig was anesthetized, intubated, and ventilated. Thirty-six 1.5 cm x 1.5 cm square treatment sites were drawn on both shaved flanks. Energy was applied to each flank using helium and nitrogen plasma systems. Helium treatment was delivered as linear/non-overlapping strokes in single and double passes at 1 cm/sec treatment speed. Helium plasma device settings were 20% Power (energy density 8.6 J/cm 2 ) and 40% power (energy density 17.8 J/cm 2 ) with 4 lpm of helium flow. Nitrogen treatment was delivered in consecutive pulses using the PSR3 treatment protocol (4.0 J, 2.5 Hz pulse rate and energy density 14.1 J/cm 2 ). Histology assessments of thermal injury were made from harvested tissue samples. Results:The shallowest depth of thermal effect was 0.25±0.07mm obtained using the helium plasma at 20% energy setting and a single pass. The deepest thermal effect was 0.72±0.07mm obtained using the helium plasma at 40% energy setting with two passes. The maximum depth of thermal effect associated with the nitrogen plasma was 0.60±0.07 mm and equivalent to helium plasma using 20% and 40% power with two passes. Conclusions:There are no significant differences in the depth of thermal effect associated with a two-pass treatment protocol for the helium-based plasma system when compared to PSR3 treatment with a nitrogen-based plasma skin resurfacing system.