PLASMA DEVICE

• US 20160331437A1
• Filed: 01/22/2015
• Published: 11/17/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2014
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Linde AG (Linde Plc)
• Original Assignee: Thomas Bickford Holbeche
• Inventors: Mason, Rodney Stewart, Holbeche, Thomas Bickford
• Application Number:
  US15/112,693
• Publication Number:
  US 20160331437A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/042 using additional gas becoming plasma
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1206 Generators therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00321 Head or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1226 powered by a battery
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/44 Applying ionised fluids ion generators H01J37/00
• CPC Class Codes: H05H 1/2406 using dielectric barrier discharges, i.e. with a dielectric interposed between the electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H05H 1/246 the plasma being activated using external electrodes H05H1/245 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05H 1/52 using exploding wires or spark gaps H05H1/26 takes precedence; spark gaps in general H01T
• CPC Class Codes: H05H 2245/32 Surgery, e.g. scalpels, blades or bistoury; Treatments inside the body
• CPC Class Codes: H05H 2245/34 Skin treatments, e.g. disinfection or wound treatment
• CPC Class Codes: H05H 2245/60 Portable devices

Abstract

A plasma-generation device for applying plasma to a human body, having a reservoir containing a gas; a plasma zone in fluid connection with the reservoir, and means for generating a plasma by electrical discharge in the plasma zone. A means for generating free electrons is provided downstream of the reservoir and upstream of the plasma zone.

Claims

1. A plasma-generation device for applying plasma to a human body, the device comprising:

a reservoir containing a gas;

a plasma zone in fluid connection with the reservoir;

means for generating a plasma by electrical discharge in the plasma zone,

wherein downstream of the reservoir and upstream of the plasma zone there is provided a means for generating free electrons.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the means for generating free electrons is a radiation source.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the radiation source comprises americanium.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the means for generating free electrons is a UV lamp.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the means for generating free electrons is an electrical filament.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the means for generating free electrons comprises a pair of electrodes configured to provide a spark when a voltage is applied between them.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the means for generating a plasma comprises a power supply and a dielectric electrode for placing in proximity to a human body, and wherein, in use, the plasma zone is formed between the dielectric electrode and a surface of a human body.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the means for generating a plasma comprises a power supply, and first and second electrodes, and wherein, in use, the plasma zone is formed between the first and second electrodes and wherein a flow of gas from the reservoir through the plasma zone provides a flow of plasma to contact a surface of a human body.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the means for generating a plasma comprises a power supply, and first and second electrodes sandwiching a dielectric material, and wherein, in use, the plasma zone is formed between the first or second electrode and a surface of a human body.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is hand-held.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the power supply comprises a battery integrated into the hand-held device.

12. The device of any claim 1, wherein the means for generating a plasma operates at a voltage of from 2-15 kV.

13. The device of any claim 1, wherein the device is a hair straightener, a toothbrush, foot-spa or a hair-brush.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein the gas comprises Helium, Argon, Neon, Krypton, or Hydrogen, or mixtures of two or more thereof.

15. A method for the provision of a plasma using a plasma-generation device, the device comprising a reservoir containing a gas:

a plasma zone in fluid connection with the reservoir, means for generating a plasma by electrical discharge in the plasma zone; and

means for generating free electrons located downstream of the reservoir and upstream of the plasma zone;

the method comprising;

flowing gas from the reservoir, via the means for generating free electrons, to the plasma zone and generating a plasma by electrical discharge in the plasma zone.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the gas is supplied through the means for generating a plasma at a flow rate of less than 5 l/min.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the gas flow rate is less than 2.5 l/min.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the gas flow rate is less than 1.5 l/min.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the gas flow rate is from 0.1 to 0.5 l/min.