Non-thermal atmospheric pressure HF plasma source: generation of nitric oxide and ozone for bio-medical applications

Abstract

A new miniature high-frequency (HF) plasma source intended for bio-medical applications is studied using nitrogen/oxygen mixture at atmospheric pressure. This plasma source can be used as an element of a plasma source array for applications in dermatology and surgery. Nitric oxide and ozone which are produced in this plasma source are well-known agents for proliferation of the cells, inhalation therapy for newborn infants, disinfection of wounds and blood ozonation.Using optical emission spectroscopy, microphotography and numerical simulation, the gas temperature in the active plasma region and plasma parameters (electron density and electron distribution function) are determined for varied nitrogen/oxygen flows. The influence of the gas flows on the plasma conditions is studied. Ozone and nitric oxide concentrations in the effluent of the plasma source are measured using absorption spectroscopy and electro-chemical NO-detector at variable gas flows. Correlations between plasma parameters and concentrations of the particles in the effluent of the plasma source are discussed. By varying the gas flows, the HF plasma source can be optimized for nitric oxide or ozone production. Maximum concentrations of 2750 ppm and 400 ppm of NO and O 3 , correspondingly, are generated.

Low temperature atmospheric pressure plasma sources for microbial decontamination

“…N x O y , O 3 , O − 2 , OH) (Uhm et al, 2006). Obtainable concentrations are 2750 ppm for NO and 400 ppm for ozone (Kühn et al, 2010). By reducing the MW power down to 85 W and less the discharge operates at nearly room temperature (300 K) and thus is capable for direct treatment of thermolabile materials (Shimizu et al, 2008).…”

Space-resolved characterization of high frequency atmospheric-pressure plasma in nitrogen, applying optical emission spectroscopy and numerical simulation

“…Cross sections of electron impact excitations (1,3,4) are well known [10,11]. We do not find in the literature the cross section of excitation of N 2 (C-B) emission by electron-impact of nitrogen metastables (2).…”

“…On the other hand, for OES characterization of high frequency (HF) discharge (2.4 GHz) in nitrogen and nitrogen-oxygen mixture [4] only direct excitation by electron-impact of ground state N 2 ( + wall thickness of 1 mm. The resonator has a nozzle which is 0.6 mm in diameter.…”

Low-Current Plasmatron as a Source of Nitrogen Oxide Molecules

“…It turned out that the average discharge current and the average discharge-burning voltage practically do not depend on the gas flow G(air). Correspondingly, the curves in It is seen that the content of NO in the output gas is higher than that of NO 2 which is typically for the generation of nitrogen oxides in the gas discharges [43]- [45]. Prima facie, decreasing [NO] with the gas flow G(air) seems to be evident since, in the exit chamber, we dilute the nitrogen oxides with the air.…”

“…The flows of nitrogen oxides and ozone generated in the plasma jets are applied for disinfection of wounds and skin wound healing [45]. Correspondingly, different types of gas discharge in air and oxygen/nitrogen flow have been proposed for production of these particles, for example, a high-current spark discharge in a regime pulse-repetition rate [43], [44], a gliding arc discharge [46], and a microwave discharge powered by a frequency of 2.4 GHz [45].…”