SHAPE CONFORMING FLEXIBLE DIELECTRIC BARRIER DISCHARGE PLASMA GENERATORS

• US 20150157870A1
• Filed: 12/09/2014
• Published: 06/11/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: EP Technology (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: EP Technology (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Kalghatgi, Sameer, Tsai, Tsung-Chan, Pappas Antonakas, Daphne, Gray, Robert L.
• Application Number:
  US14/564,717
• Publication Number:
  US 20150157870A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/02 Compresses or poultices for effecting heating or cooling
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/14 Plasma, i.e. ionised gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0468 Specially adapted for promoting wound healing
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/44 Applying ionised fluids ion generators H01J37/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 37/32348 Dielectric barrier discharge
• CPC Class Codes: H05H 1/2406 using dielectric barrier discharges, i.e. with a dielectric interposed between the electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H05H 1/2418 the electrodes being embedded in the dielectric
• CPC Class Codes: H05H 1/2437 Multilayer systems
• CPC Class Codes: H05H 2277/10 Medical devices

Abstract

Exemplary embodiments of shape conforming dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma generators are disclosed herein. One exemplary embodiment includes a flexible pad and a plurality of electrodes located in the pad within close proximity of each other, and a flexible dielectric barrier surrounding the plurality of electrodes and separating the plurality of electrodes from each other. Wherein when a high voltage pulse is applied to one or more of the plurality of electrodes, plasma is produced between a surface of the flexible pad and a portion of the body in close proximity to the flexible pad.

Claims

1. A flexible shape conforming DBD plasma generator for conforming to the shape of a body comprising:

a flexible pad;

a plurality of electrodes located in the pad within close proximity of each other; and

a flexible dielectric barrier surrounding the plurality of electrodes and separating the plurality of electrodes from each other;

wherein when a high voltage source is applied to one or more of the plurality of electrodes plasma is produced on a surface of the flexible pad.

2. The flexible shape conforming DBD plasma generator of claim 1 wherein the flexible pad is also the flexible dielectric barrier.

3. The flexible shape conforming DBD plasma generator of claim 1 further comprising a high voltage source in circuit communication with the plurality of electrodes for providing high voltage pulses to one or more of the plurality of electrodes to generate a plasma field.

4. The flexible shape conforming DBD plasma generator of claim 3 wherein the high voltage source comprises a battery.

5. The flexible shape conforming DBD plasma generator of claim 1 further comprising a spacer for spacing the flexible away from a body portion.

6. The flexible shape conforming DBD plasma generator of claim 1 further comprising one or more connectors.

7. The flexible shape conforming DBD plasma generator of claim 1 wherein one or more of the plurality of electrodes are grounded.

8. The flexible shape conforming DBD plasma generator of claim 1 wherein the plurality of electrodes are high voltage electrodes and the surface of an object provides a floating ground and plasma is generated between the high voltage electrodes and the floating ground.

9. The flexible shape conforming DBD plasma generator of claim 1 wherein at least one of the electrodes has one or more flat surfaces.

10. The flexible shape conforming DBD plasma generator of claim 1 wherein the flexible pad comprising a conductive gel that is heated by one or more of the plurality of electrodes to warm the flexible pad.

11. The flexible shape conforming DBD plasma generator of claim 1 wherein the plurality of electrodes are separated by less than 3 millimeters.

12. The flexible shape conforming DBD plasma generator of claim 1 wherein the plurality of electrodes are separated by between about 2 and about 5 millimeters.

13. The flexible shape conforming DBD plasma generator of claim 1 wherein the flexible pad is configured to provide a gap away from at least a portion of the flexible pad and a body part.

14. The flexible shape conforming DBD plasma generator of claim 13 wherein the gap is less than about 5 millimeters.

15. The flexible shape conforming DBD plasma generator of claim 1 further comprising a gas inlet.

16. A flexible plasma generating patch for generating plasma between the flexible plasma patch and a portion of a body comprising:

a flexible patch;

conductive material located in the flexible patch;

the flexible patch forming a dielectric barrier around the conductive material;

a lead for placing the conductive material in circuit communication with a high voltage power source;

one or more spacers for spacing the flexible patch away from at least a portion of a body when the flexible patch is placed in proximity with a body;

wherein when a high voltage pulse is applied to the conductive material located in the flexible patch, plasma is produced between a surface of the flexible patch and the portion of the body in close proximity to the flexible patch.

17. The flexible patch of claim 16 wherein the one or more spacers are protrusions on the flexible patch.

18. The flexible patch of claim 16 wherein the one or more spacers are crests of an undulated surface of the flexible patch.

19. A flexible plasma generating pad comprising:

a rubber pad;

a plurality of conductors located within the rubber pad;

a lead for connecting one or more of the plurality of conductors to a high voltage sources;

wherein when a high voltage pulse is applied to one or more of the plurality of electrodes, plasma is produced between a surface of the rubber pad and a portion of a body in close proximity to the rubber pad.

20. The flexible plasma generating pad of claim 19 wherein the plurality of conductors are malleable and may be bent to conform to a desired shape and wherein the plurality of conductors hold the rubber pad in the desired shape.

21. The flexible plasma generating pad of claim 19 further comprising a high voltage source connected to the lead.

22. The flexible plasma generating pad of claim 21 wherein the high voltage source comprises a battery and a transformer.

23. The flexible shape conforming DBD plasma generator of claim 19 further comprising a gas inlet.