DE102018122309A1 - Plasma applicator - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrotechnical core for generating a cold atmospheric pressure or low pressure plasma for the treatment of human and / or animal and / or technical surfaces. The electrotechnical core has a side facing the surface to be treated and a side facing away from the surface to be treated and, starting from the side facing the surface to be treated, comprises the following layers arranged one above the other:
- a first layer of insulation,
a first electrode structure, which is connected to a first contact for establishing an electrical contact between the first electrode structure and an energy supply unit, and is grounded during operation,
a second insulation layer which is designed to galvanically separate the first electrode structure and a second electrode structure from one another,
a second electrode structure, which is connected to a second contact for establishing an electrical contact between the second electrode structure and an energy supply unit, and is driven in operation by a voltage signal provided by an energy supply unit and sufficient to ignite a plasma,
a third insulation layer which is designed to galvanically separate the second electrode structure and a third electrode structure from one another,
- A third electrode structure, which is provided with a third contact in order to ground the third electrode structure during operation.

Description

The invention relates to a plasma applicator for generating a cold plasma for the treatment of human or animal or technical surfaces. The invention further relates to an electrotechnical core for a plasma applicator.

Typically, a plasma applicator is operated via a cable to a power supply unit, e.g. connected to a high voltage generator, which provides a voltage signal sufficient to ignite a physical plasma. The energy supply unit can comprise a control unit.

A plasma applicator typically has an electrical engineering core. An electrotechnical core regularly comprises a multilayer system which comprises the following layers in succession in the layer thickness direction: a first insulation layer, a first electrode structure, a second insulation layer, in particular a dielectric layer, a second electrode structure. If a plasma applicator with such an electrotechnical core is placed on a surface to be treated, the first insulation layer is assigned as the bottom layer of a surface to be treated. The second electrode structure is typically actively driven with a voltage signal and is often designed as a surface electrode. The first electrode structure generally forms a counter electrode and is grounded.

During operation, a voltage is applied between the second electrode structure and a counter electrode, which can also be formed by a surface to be treated, which voltage can be modulated and typically is.

The potential of the counter electrode can be a ground potential or a different potential. The voltage signal here is the voltage applied, which can be modulated, for example, sinusoidal, triangular or rectangular. Furthermore, the voltage signal can also be composed of individual pulses.

For the sake of simplicity, this description always speaks of a “driven” electrode structure. The voltage - ie the voltage signal - is always applied between the driven electrode structure and the counter electrode. Since the counter electrode typically - but not necessarily - has ground potential, the simplified expression "the voltage signal is applied to the driven electrode structure" is used here to describe that the applied voltage acts between the driven electrode and the counter electrode.

An electrotechnical core generally has a ground connection, which is electrically conductively connected to the first electrode structure, and a high-voltage connection, which is electrically conductively connected to the second electrode structure. At the ground connection and the high-voltage connection, the first and second electrode structures are typically connected via a cable to a power supply unit, which in operation provides a voltage signal which is sufficient to ignite a plasma and which is transmitted to the second electrode structure.

The second insulation layer is typically arranged between the first and the second electrode structure and electrically insulates the first and the second electrode structure from one another. The second insulation layer thus prevents a short circuit between the first and second electrode structure by means of electrical isolation. By means of a voltage applied to the second electrode structure in the form of a voltage signal, a supplied gas or gas mixture, such as, for example, is fed into the closed gas space which is formed between the plasma applicator and the surface to be treated. Air ionizes and converts to a reactive state. A physical plasma is thus generated. The plasma is distributed evenly in the closed gas space and interacts with the surface to be treated.

Electrotechnical cores are also known which only have the second electrode structure and the second insulation layer. The second insulation layer is then in operation on the side facing the surface to be treated. In particular, the first electrode structure is not provided in such electrotechnical cores, but the function of the ground electrode is realized during operation by the human or animal body or the surface to be treated itself. Such an electrotechnical core is, for example, in DE 10 2017 100 161 A1 described. In this case, the surface to be treated forms the counter electrode.

In addition to the three states of matter, solid, liquid or gaseous, plasma is referred to as the fourth state of matter. If sufficient energy, for example in the form of electrical energy, is added to a gas or gas mixture, some atoms of the gas are ionized, ie electrons are removed from the atomic shell and move as free particles, so that a positively charged atom remains. If a gas consists of a sufficiently high proportion of free ions and electrons, the state of matter is called Plasma. Plasma is matter, the components of which are partially charged components, ions and electrons that move as free charge carriers.

Some atoms of the ionized gas or gas mixture are converted into an excited state by collision processes. When they are de-energized, these atoms give off their energy in the form of electromagnetic radiation, the spectrum of which extends from the UV range through the visible spectral range to the IR range. The excited atoms and the ions can additionally interact chemically with each other and bind to new molecules.

To generate a plasma z. B. plasma nozzles or plasma jets, torches, corona discharges and the dielectric barrier discharge (DBE) are known. In dielectric barrier discharge (DBE), plasmas are typically generated at atmospheric pressure far from thermal equilibrium. By applying an alternating voltage, tiny discharge channels are formed at different points with each period. Since the discharge channels make up only a fraction of the total discharge volume and the duration of the discharge is greatly limited by the capacitive coupling, the mean gas temperature in the discharge remains close to the room temperature. This means that the dielectric barrier discharge (DBE) can generate a cold plasma in atmospheric or low pressure. Atmospheric pressure plasma is the special case of a physical plasma in which the gas pressure in the plasma corresponds approximately to that of the surrounding atmosphere - the so-called normal pressure. If the gas pressure in the plasma is lower than the atmospheric pressure, one speaks of a low-pressure plasma. Cold plasma, with a temperature below 40 ° C, is currently being investigated for applications in plasma medicine and has already found first applications.

A major goal of plasma medicine is therapeutic plasma application, i. H. physical plasma should be brought directly to the human or animal body. Primarily, the plasma-assisted modification of bio-relevant surfaces, a plasma-based biodecontamination / sterilization and a direct therapeutic application to promote wound healing are pursued.

Possible applications are, on the one hand, in the area of antimicrobial effects and, on the other hand, in modifying mammalian cells and tissues in a targeted and controllable manner. Medical plasma applications are discussed in particular in connection with the support of healing processes with a special focus on the treatment of chronic wounds, the treatment of infectious skin diseases and the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases (dermatitis).

According to the current state of research, essential active components of cold plasmas are reactive nitrogen and oxygen species, UV radiation, charged particles and electric fields. Reactive nitrogen and oxygen species become briefly by coupling electrical energy into non-biologically active gases (argon, helium, nitrogen, oxygen, air and mixtures thereof) as well as by a subsequent interaction with adjacent media (atmospheric air, liquids, surfaces) and educated locally. Electric fields and the signals they generate play an important role in regulating the body's own healing processes. In the case of injuries, these signals are among the first signals the body receives about an injury. For example, electrostimulation of wounds is a recognized treatment method that can reactivate and maintain the body's own and physiological repair processes.

Of particular medical interest here are flat plasma applications which allow human and / or animal surfaces, in particular wounds, to be treated completely and homogeneously with a cold atmospheric pressure plasma.

• - eine erste Elektrodenschicht auf der abgewandten Seite des Mehrschichtsystems,
• - eine zweite Elektrodenschicht auf der zugewandten Seite des Mehrschichtsystems, wobei die Elektrodenschicht eine Vielzahl von Aussparungen aufweist oder gitterartig oder mäanderförmig ausgebildet ist,
• - eine Dielektrikumsschicht, die zwischen der ersten Elektrodenschicht und der zweiten Elektrodenschicht angeordnet ist, und
• - eine Abstandshalterschicht, die benachbart zur zweiten Elektrodenschicht auf der zugewandten Seite des Mehrschichtsystems angeordnet ist und im Betrieb einen Abstand zwischen der zu behandelnden Oberfläche und der zuunterst angeordneten zweiten Elektrodenschicht sicherstellt.

In DE 10 2014 220 488 A1 describes a device for generating a cold atmospheric pressure plasma for the treatment of human and / or animal surfaces. The device comprises a flexible, flat multilayer system with a side facing the surface to be treated and a side facing away from the surface to be treated. The multilayer system, which forms an electrotechnical core, comprises the following layers:

• a first electrode layer on the opposite side of the multilayer system,
• a second electrode layer on the facing side of the multilayer system, the electrode layer having a large number of cutouts or having a grid-like or meandering design,
• a dielectric layer which is arranged between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer, and
• a spacer layer which is arranged adjacent to the second electrode layer on the facing side of the multilayer system and ensures a distance between the surface to be treated and the second electrode layer arranged at the bottom during operation.

The device described is intended to enable large-area wound treatment, in particular of wounds larger than 200 cm ² .

To generate the cold atmospheric pressure plasma, one is as in DE 10 2014 220 488 A1 The device described is typically connected to a high-voltage generator via a cable in order to transmit a high voltage to the first electrode layer. Typically, the cable can be used to transmit the high voltage to an electrode layer such as in DE 10 2014 220 488 A1 described device can be connected via a high-voltage connector.

DE 10 2015 101 391 B4 describes a plasma generating device which comprises an electrode carrier and a first electrode and a second electrode. The first electrode is arranged on or in the electrode carrier. Furthermore, it comprises a plug contact connection suitable for high voltage for electrical contacting of at least one of the electrodes. The plug contact connection has a plug and a plug-in socket for receiving the plug. The plug-in socket is fixed on or in the electrode carrier and is connected to one of the electrodes in an electrically conductive manner.

It is an object of the present invention to enable an improved plasma applicator.

• - eine erste Isolationsschicht,
• - eine erste Elektrodenstruktur, die mit einer ersten Kontaktierung zum Herstellen eines elektrischen Kontakts zwischen der ersten Elektrodenstruktur und einer Energieversorgungseinheit verbunden ist, und im Betrieb geerdet ist,
• - eine zweite Isolationsschicht, die ausgebildet ist, die erste Elektrodenstruktur und eine zweite Elektrodenstruktur galvanisch voneinander zu trennen,
• - eine zweite Elektrodenstruktur, die mit einer zweiten Kontaktierung zum Herstellen eines elektrischen Kontakts zwischen der zweiten Elektrodenstruktur und einer Energieversorgungseinheit verbunden ist, und im Betrieb durch ein von einer Energieversorgungseinheit bereitgestellten und zum Zünden eines Plasmas ausreichendem Spannungssignal getrieben wird,
• - eine dritte Isolationsschicht, die ausgebildet ist, die zweite Elektrodenstruktur und eine dritte Elektrodenstruktur galvanisch voneinander zu trennen,
• - eine dritte Elektrodenstruktur, die mit einer dritten Kontaktierung versehen ist, um die dritte Elektrodenstruktur im Betrieb zu erden.

According to a first aspect, the object is achieved by an electrotechnical core for generating a cold atmospheric pressure or low pressure plasma for the treatment of human and / or animal and / or technical surfaces. The electrotechnical core has a side facing the surface to be treated and a side facing away from the surface to be treated and, starting from the side facing the surface to be treated, comprises the following layers arranged one above the other:

• - a first layer of insulation,
• a first electrode structure, which is connected to a first contact for establishing an electrical contact between the first electrode structure and an energy supply unit, and is grounded during operation,
• a second insulation layer which is designed to galvanically separate the first electrode structure and a second electrode structure from one another,
• a second electrode structure, which is connected to a second contact for establishing an electrical contact between the second electrode structure and an energy supply unit, and is driven in operation by a voltage signal provided by an energy supply unit and sufficient to ignite a plasma,
• a third insulation layer which is designed to galvanically separate the second electrode structure and a third electrode structure from one another,
• - A third electrode structure, which is provided with a third contact in order to ground the third electrode structure during operation.

The invention is based on the finding that the vertical range of manufacture of a conventional plasma applicator can be reduced if an electrotechnical core is already designed to be safe to touch. This makes it possible to simplify an enclosure which is complex to manufacture from typically three injection-molded layers onto only one injection-molded layer.

The inventors have recognized that an electrotechnical core that is already touch-proof by itself can be used as an independent module. This means that such an electrotechnical core can be inserted into different enclosures or can be arranged in them without having to make any particular demands on an enclosure with regard to protection against contact.

The inventors have also recognized that if an electrotechnical core on the side facing away from the surface to be treated comprises a third electrode structure, which fulfills the function of a ground electrode, contact protection and EMC shielding can be ensured in a particularly simple manner. The third insulation layer is then arranged between the second and the third electrode structure and electrically insulates the second and the third electrode structure from one another. The third insulation layer thus prevents a short circuit between the second electrode structure which is supplied with voltage during operation and the shielding third electrode structure by means of galvanic separation.

Preferred embodiments of an electrotechnical core

The third electrode structure is preferably designed such that it has a shielding effect. The third electrode structure is preferably designed as a surface electrode without major gaps. In contrast to this, the first electrode structure is designed in such a way that suitably high electrical field strengths are preferably found on its electrode sections on that of the second electrode structure Form opposite side, so that a generated plasma is distributed as surface plasma on the body-facing side of the first electrode structure. This can be achieved in that the first electrode structure has correspondingly large gaps, which can be formed, for example, by corresponding distances between the electrode sections of the first electrode structure. The first electrode structure is the closest to the body in the application. The plasma is formed directly on the first electrode structure, that is between the body and the first electrode structure. This works if the first electrode structure has recesses through which - if you consider the concept of "field lines" - field lines can emerge from the electrotechnical core.

In one embodiment, an electrotechnical core has a plug-in device, the first and second contacts of the first and second electrode structures correspondingly forming first and second conductor tracks of the plug-in device. The conductor tracks each protrude on the same long side of the electrotechnical core from the corresponding electrode structure on the long side thereof. The plug-in device also has a tab which is correspondingly connected to the second insulation layer. The first and the second conductor track are preferably galvanically separated from one another by the tab.

In one embodiment, the electrotechnical core furthermore has a spacer structure, which is arranged on the side of the electrotechnical core facing the surface to be treated, adjacent to the first insulation layer, so that the spacer structure is located between a surface to be treated and the first insulation layer during a plasma treatment. The spacer structure preferably comprises an electrode structure that can be driven via a contact with a voltage signal.

Other aspects

Another aspect that can contribute to an improved plasma applicator is that a contact or an electrode structure has at least one feature that changes as a result of use such that a voltage signal sufficient to ignite a plasma can no longer be transmitted to the second electrode structure . This aspect can preferably be implemented on an electrotechnical core of the type described here, but also in other plasma applicators. In particular, another plasma applicator can have an electrotechnical core with only a second electrode structure and a second insulation layer, so that a counterelectrode is implemented in the application by a surface to be treated. Another plasma applicator can also have an electrotechnical core with a first insulation layer, a first electrode structure, a second insulation layer and a second electrode structure. In an electrotechnical core, the feature that ensures single use is preferably implemented on an electrode structure that is subjected to a voltage signal during operation. Another plasma applicator that has a feature that ensures single use can also have an electrotechnical core that is formed by a wire mesh, wire mesh or wire mesh. Optionally, a plasma applicator that has a feature that ensures single use, an enclosure and / or a spacer structure and / or an access connection for supplying or removing a fluid medium into or from a gas space. Optionally, a plasma applicator that has a feature that ensures single use can also have an integrated energy supply unit. This aspect serves to ensure a single use and is further explained below. In one embodiment of this aspect, the feature is formed by a taper of a contact or an electrode section of the second electrode structure, which is destroyed shortly before the end of the first use by a high current pulse that is then provided.

According to a further aspect, the object is achieved by a plasma applicator with an electrotechnical core and an enclosure with a pocket. The pocket is preferably designed such that an electrotechnical core can be pushed into the pocket and is then at least partially enclosed by the enclosure. An electrotechnical core that can be inserted into the pocket is preferably designed in accordance with at least one of the described embodiments of the first aspect.

An electrotechnical core that can be pushed into the pocket can also be an electrotechnical core that is designed differently from the first aspect. Such an electrotechnical core can be, for example, an electrotechnical core which only comprises a second electrode structure and a second insulation layer. It is also conceivable that an electrotechnical core that can be inserted into a pocket has only a first insulation layer, a first electrode structure, a second insulation layer and a second electrode structure. A plasma applicator which has an enclosure with a pocket can also have an electrotechnical core which is formed by a wire mesh, wire mesh or wire mesh and is pushed into the pocket. Optionally, a plasma applicator can be enclosed with a Bag, have a spacer structure and / or an access port for a fluid medium. Optionally, a plasma applicator, which comprises an enclosure with a pocket, can also have an integrated energy supply unit. A plasma applicator that has an enclosure with a pocket can also have a contact or an electrode structure with at least one feature that changes as a result of use such that a voltage signal sufficient to ignite a plasma can no longer be transmitted to the second electrode structure.

A further aspect relates to an access connection which is arranged and designed such that a fluid medium, before, during and / or after a plasma treatment, is supplied to or discharged from a closed gas space formed between an electrotechnical core and a surface to be treated by the enclosure can be. A fluid medium is a gaseous and / or liquid medium. A plasma applicator with an access connection can be designed in different ways and in particular can be realized with different electrotechnical cores. In particular, an electrotechnical core of a plasma applicator with access can have only a second electrode structure and a second insulation layer or only a first insulation layer, a first electrode structure, a second insulation layer and a second electrode structure or can be designed in accordance with the first aspect described above. An electrotechnical core of a plasma applicator with an access connection can also be formed by a wire mesh, wire mesh or wire mesh. An access connection can furthermore have a valve and / or a sleeve or a counter thread for a sleeve. A plasma applicator with an access connection can also have a contact or an electrode structure with at least one feature which changes as a result of use in such a way that a voltage signal sufficient to ignite a plasma can no longer be transmitted to the second electrode structure. A plasma applicator with an access connection can also comprise an enclosure with a pocket into which an electrotechnical core can be inserted. A plasma applicator with an access connection can also comprise an integrated energy supply unit. A plasma applicator with an access connection can also comprise a distance structure.

Another aspect relates to an energy supply unit integrated in a plasma applicator, which comprises an energy store which is electrically connected to the contacts of the electrotechnical core in order to transmit a voltage signal sufficient to ignite a plasma to the second electrode structure during operation. An energy supply unit of this type integrated into a plasma applicator can be implemented in combination with various types of plasma applicators. In particular, an electrotechnical core of a plasma applicator of this aspect can have only a second electrode structure and a second insulation layer or only a first insulation layer, a first electrode structure, a second insulation layer and a second electrode structure or can be designed in accordance with the first aspect described above. An electrotechnical core of a plasma applicator with an integrated energy supply unit can also be formed by a wire mesh, wire mesh or wire mesh. A plasma applicator with an integrated energy supply unit can also have a contact or an electrode structure with at least one feature which changes as a result of use in such a way that a voltage signal which is sufficient to ignite a plasma can no longer be transmitted to the second electrode structure. A plasma applicator with an integrated energy supply unit can also comprise an enclosure with a pocket into which an electrotechnical core can be inserted. A plasma applicator with an integrated energy supply unit can also have an access connection through which a fluid medium can be fed into or removed from a closed gas space formed before, during or after a plasma treatment.

According to a further aspect, the object is achieved by an autonomous, mobile energy supply unit with a slide-in device and an energy store for connecting to a plug-in device of a plasma applicator and for providing a voltage signal sufficient to ignite a plasma to a plug-in device plugged into the slide-in device. The energy supply unit has an electrical circuit which is designed to convert a voltage provided by the energy store into a voltage signal sufficient to ignite a plasma and to transmit it to the plug-in device. Such an energy supply unit is preferably designed as a self-sufficient unit which is only a few cubic centimeters in size and can be mechanically and electrically connected to a plasma applicator and can be attached together with the plasma applicator, for example to a patient. In contrast to an energy supply unit integrated in a plasma applicator, the energy supply unit is interchangeably connected to the plasma applicator according to this aspect. An insertion device according to this aspect can be implemented in combination with various plasma applicators and can be connected, for example, to a plasma applicator. which has an electrotechnical core with only a second electrode structure and a second insulation layer or with only a first insulation layer, a first electrode structure, a second insulation layer and a second electrode structure or which is designed in accordance with the first aspect described above. An insertion device according to this aspect can be connected to a plasma applicator, which has an electrotechnical core, which is formed by a wire mesh, wire mesh or wire mesh. An insertion device according to this aspect can be connected to a plasma applicator which has a contact or an electrode structure with at least one feature which changes as a result of use in such a way that a voltage signal which is sufficient to ignite a plasma can no longer be transmitted to the second electrode structure. An insertion device according to this aspect can also have a hose which can be connected or plugged together with an access connection of a plug-in device or a plasma applicator.

Another aspect relates to a plasma applicator with an electrotechnical core, which comprises at least one insulated electrically conductive wire, which is driven in operation by a voltage signal, the counter-electrode then preferably being realized by a further insulated electrically conductive wire or by a surface to be treated itself . Preferably, an enclosure is provided in order to enclose the at least one insulated electrically conductive wire on a surface to be treated in such a way that a gas space which is as closed as possible is formed, in which a plasma can ignite during a plasma treatment. An enclosure can also have a pocket into which the electrotechnical core formed by the electrically conductive wire can be inserted. Such an electrotechnical core can be, for example, a wire mesh, a wire mesh, or a wire mesh that is formed by one or more electrically conductive, insulated wires. In particular, an electrode structure driven by one or more insulated, electrically conductive wires and a further electrode structure, likewise formed by one or more insulated, electrically conductive wires, which realizes a counter electrode during operation, can together form a wire mesh, a wire mesh, or form a wire mesh by using corresponding insulated wires of both electrode structures, for example be interwoven. It is also conceivable that an electrically conductive wire which forms the driven electrode structure in the application and another wire which implements a counter electrode during operation are arranged together in a cable sheath, but are galvanically separated from one another. It is also conceivable that a simple, electrically conductive, insulated wire forms a simple electrode structure without the wire being arranged in a comparatively complicated structure, such as a fabric or a grid. In the application, a counter electrode is then preferably implemented by a surface to be treated. A plasma applicator with an electrotechnical core in the form of an insulated wire can also be provided with a plug device of the type described here. Such a plug-in device can also have a feature which ensures single use of the plasma applicator. An electrical conductor can also be connected to a mobile energy supply unit which, in operation, transmits a voltage signal sufficient to ignite a plasma to the electrically conductive, insulated wire by switching a switching contact.

Preferred embodiments of a plasma applicator

In one embodiment, a plasma applicator has an enclosure made of a biocompatible material, such as e.g. medical silicone, a lacquer, an adhesive, a film, a textile, a compression textile or organic material such as Gauze, pulp or cotton is formed.

In one embodiment, an enclosure of a plasma applicator comprises at least one layer of liquid-absorbing and / or liquid-draining and / or liquid-distributing materials.

In one embodiment, a plasma applicator comprises an access connection which is arranged and designed in such a way that a fluid medium can be supplied to or removed from the gas space formed between the electrotechnical core and a surface to be treated by the enclosure during a plasma treatment. A fluid medium is a gaseous or liquid medium.

In one embodiment, an enclosure of a plasma applicator comprises insertion slots, which are arranged and formed on the side of the plasma applicator facing away from the surface to be treated, such that an energy supply unit complementary to the insertion slots can be inserted into the insertion slots and then electrically connected to the contacts of the electrotechnical core to be connected.

In one embodiment, a plasma applicator has one on a side of the plasma applicator facing a surface to be treated with part of a Velcro fastener.

In one embodiment, the plasma applicator has an integrated energy supply unit, the energy supply unit comprising an energy store which is electrically connected to the contacts of the electrotechnical core in order to transmit a voltage signal sufficient to ignite a plasma to the second electrode structure during operation.

In one embodiment of a plasma applicator with an integrated energy supply unit, the integrated energy supply unit has an electrical circuit which is designed to convert a voltage provided by the energy store into a voltage signal sufficient to ignite a plasma and to transmit it to the contacting of the second electrode structure.

In one embodiment, the plasma applicator has an energy absorption device which is electrically connected to at least the contacting of the second electrode structure and which in each case contains one or more receiver coil arrangements. By means of electromagnetic induction, electrical energy can be transmitted from a transmitting coil arrangement of an energy delivery device to the receiving coil arrangement in the plasma applicator.

Plasma treatment

A plasma treatment with a plasma applicator is carried out over a certain treatment time. This treatment time is typically 1 to 10 minutes, preferably 2 minutes. In the event that the plasma is made available in a pulsed manner during the plasma treatment, the summed up time in which plasma is actually ignited during a plasma treatment corresponds to a comparatively small part, for example 10%, of the total time period of a plasma treatment. If the total duration of a plasma treatment e.g. lasts two minutes and a pulsation from plasma on to plasma off is equal to 1 to 9, a plasma is therefore only ignited for a total of 12 seconds. The use of the plasma applicator typically ends at the end of the plasma treatment. Although the use of a plasma applicator is limited to the period of a plasma treatment, a plasma applicator itself can be attached to a surface to be treated before and also after a plasma treatment. For example, be advantageous for the success of the treatment if a plasma applicator is also applied to a wound some time after a plasma treatment. For example, after a one-minute plasma treatment, a plasma applicator can remain over the wound for a further five minutes in order to improve the success of the treatment. Wearing a plasma applicator for a longer period of time can be advantageous since a plasma applicator covers the surface to be treated and a wound area seals off the resettlement of external microorganisms. If a plasma applicator is used for a longer period, e.g. If it is worn on a wound for several days or even several weeks, it is advantageous if a plasma applicator is designed in such a way that the plasma applicator can be used to carry out a multiple plasma treatment.

First-time use of a plasma applicator relates to the first plasma treatment performed with the plasma applicator.

Plasma applicator

A plasma applicator is mainly used to treat human or animal surfaces. A plasma applicator is particularly suitable for treating wounds, such as. B. chronic and / or postoperative wounds. In addition, a plasma applicator is also suitable for treating burns, abrasions, etc. Use for disinfection, wrinkle treatment, scar reduction and / or other cosmetic treatments is also conceivable. An application in the field of plasma treatment of technical surfaces is also possible. For example, technical surfaces can be refined with a plasma treatment. In this context, plasma activation, plasma-based chemical vapor deposition and physical vapor deposition are the primary active principles.

For the plasma treatment of a human or animal or technical surface, a plasma applicator is preferably attached in such a way that the electrotechnical core is on or near the human or animal or technical surface to be treated.

Various embodiments of a preferred plasma applicator are described below.

In a preferred embodiment, a plasma applicator comprises an electrotechnical core and a plug-in device, an enclosure and an adhesive layer. The plug-in device is electrically connected to at least one electrode structure of the electrotechnical core and for transmitting voltage signals, preferably in the Range from a few hundred volts up to 10 kV, suitable.

A plasma applicator preferably has a flat electrotechnical core with at least one electrode structure. A plasma applicator preferably comprises a plug-in device which is connected in an electrically conductive manner to at least this electrode structure in order to transmit a voltage signal to the at least one electrode structure.

In one embodiment, a plasma applicator is designed such that it can adapt flexibly, in particular in a form-fitting manner, to any curved surfaces and thus also for treating areas of skin that are difficult to treat, such as, for example, B. the foot can be used for a plasma treatment.

In a further embodiment, a plasma applicator is not designed to be flexible and flexible, but rigid with a predetermined shape. In this case, an electrotechnical core can have at least one layer or structure that is not flexible and that gives the plasma applicator a rigid shape. The predetermined shape is advantageously adapted to the use of the plasma applicator on a specially shaped surface or on a specific part of the body. A plasma applicator with a rigid shape can be advantageous, for example, for fixation to soft tissue or soft wound structures.

In one embodiment, a plasma applicator is designed to be attached conically around a hose or a cable. In this case, a plasma applicator is preferably placed around a hose or a cable, so that a closed gas space is created under a plasma applicator in the shape of a cone, the surface to be treated lying under the cone and a plasma in the use case in the closed gas space between the cone interior and the surface to be treated is ignited. It is then advantageously not necessary to remove an access to the body to be treated that has already been placed in order to carry out a treatment with a plasma applicator at the access to the body to be treated. If it is known that treatment with a plasma applicator is to take place prior to the insertion of an access, it may be advantageous if a plasma applicator has a hole or a slot, e.g. in a cone tip through which a cable or hose can be passed. As a result, an access can initially be established and a plasma treatment can take place at a later time without the access having to be removed.

The wound dressing area of a plasma applicator or a plasma applicator itself can be scalable. A scalable plasma applicator can take a variety of forms, such as angular, round, 8-shaped (butterfly), or a special body structure, e.g. the area under the breast or heel, adapted shape. In particular, the wound dressing area of a plasma applicator can be scalable in the range from a few centimeters to many tens of centimeters. It is preferred here that a plasma applicator with an area above approximately 20 cm by 20 cm is preferably rectangular or round. A plasma applicator with a smaller area is particularly suitable to have a shape that is adapted to specific body structures.

Electrotechnical core

In the context of this description, a multi-layer system which generates a plasma during operation and is composed of adjacent electrode structures and insulation layers is referred to as the electrotechnical core. The arrangement of the structures and layers in an electrotechnical core can be different in different electrotechnical cores. In various variants of an electrotechnical core, the individual structures and layers can be designed with a closed surface or with a special geometry.

Various preferred embodiments of an electrotechnical core which are suitable as an electrotechnical core of a plasma applicator are described below. An electrotechnical core typically has a sequence of insulation layers and electrode structures, which are arranged in a stacking sequence from adjacent layers and thus form a multilayer system.

In one embodiment, an electrotechnical core is flat and comprises at least one electrode structure, which is preferably driven in operation by a voltage signal, and at least one insulation layer, which in the application is located between the driven electrode structure and a surface to be treated. In the application, the driven electrode structure is therefore on the side of the electrotechnical core facing away from the surface to be treated.

As a rule, an electrical engineering core has a rectangular shape. In various variants, an electrical engineering core has a circular, an oval shape, a hexagonal shape or another polygon shape. In various other variants, an electrical engineering core has one three-dimensional shape, for example the shape of a cylinder or a cuboid. In further variants, the electrotechnical core has a shape that is specially adapted to a specific part of the body (for example a heel, a finger, a chest).

In one embodiment, an electrotechnical core has at least a first and a second electrode structure, the first and the second electrode structure each having a different potential and deviating from the ground potential (floating electrodes).

In one embodiment, an electrotechnical core comprises, starting from the side facing the surface to be treated, a first insulation layer, which is preferably biocompatible and is therefore particularly suitable for treating a human or animal surface. A first electrode structure, which is typically at ground potential, is arranged on the insulation layer. The first electrode structure is followed by a second insulation layer, which is a dielectric layer, and is used for the galvanic decoupling of the first electrode structure and a second electrode structure arranged on the second insulation layer. In the application, the second electrode structure is typically driven with a voltage signal for igniting a plasma.

In one embodiment, an electrotechnical core comprises only a second electrode structure, which in the application is driven by a voltage signal, and a second insulation layer, which in the application is arranged between the second electrode structure and the surface to be treated. The counterelectrode is then realized during operation of the electrotechnical core, in particular as part of a plasma applicator, by the human or animal or technical body or the surface to be treated itself.

All layers and / or structures of an electrotechnical core are advantageously connected to one another in a form-fitting manner and without air pockets, foreign bodies or foreign materials, at least by adhesion.

An electrotechnical core described in the context of this description can e.g. be produced using a dispensing process or in 3D printing. One or more electrode structures are built up step by step in several process steps. The electrode structures are separated by insulation layers. It can then alternately be dispensed or printed with conductive and electrically insulating material. However, an electrotechnical core described in the context of this description is preferably produced as a film laminate.

Electrode structure

Preferred embodiments of an electrode structure which is suitable as an electrode structure of an electrotechnical core are described below. An electrode structure described here is typically formed by an electrically conductive structure. The electrically conductive structure then represents an electrode structure.

An electrode structure, or in the case of several electrode structures, the electrode structures of an electrotechnical core are preferably flat and form a layer of an electrotechnical core. An electrode structure can be arranged on or in an electrode carrier. An electrode structure can be formed from a conductive material, in particular with a metal, for example in the form of a thin metal layer, foil, grid, and / or from a conductive polymer layer. An electrode carrier can be an unprinted film, for example. An electrode structure, or electrode structures, can then be printed on the unprinted film or an alternative electrode carrier, for example with conductive silver lacquer.

In one embodiment, for example, a 10 μm thick electrode structure made of conductive silver lacquer is printed directly on one of the two sides of an insulation layer, in particular a dielectric layer, so that the dielectric layer itself is the electrode carrier.

An electrode structure of an electrotechnical core can also be formed by electrically conductive threads that are woven into a textile. In this case, the electrode carrier is realized by the textile and the electrode structure is arranged in the electrode carrier. It can also be advantageous to form at least one electrode structure of an electrotechnical core from a conductive, preferably flexible material, such as, for example, a conductive plastic, a material enriched with conductive particles, a metallic foil or graphite. As a rule, no additional electrode carrier is required for such an electrode structure. An electrode structure designed in this way can be produced, for example, by means of a dispensing method.

An electrotechnical core preferably comprises at least two electrode structures, namely a first and a second electrode structure, the second electrode structure being driven in the application by means of a voltage applied in relation to earth potential in the form of a voltage signal. The first electrode structure is typically grounded. If an electrotechnical core has a first and a second electrode structure, the first electrode structure typically faces the surface to be treated in the application. The distance between the first electrode structure and the second electrode structure is preferably less than 1 mm, in particular less than 200 μm, preferably less than 100 μm. Due to a small distance, a lower voltage signal is advantageously necessary to ignite a plasma.

An electrode structure of an electrotechnical core can be designed as a layer with a closed surface that extends completely or only partially over the surface of the electrotechnical core. In particular, a second and a third electrode structure are preferably designed as such surface electrodes, since no electric field lines for generating a plasma should pass through these electrode structures during a plasma treatment. An electrode structure and in particular the first electrode structure, which is located on the side of an electrotechnical core facing the surface to be treated, can also have a special geometry and be arranged within a layer. An electrode structure with a special geometry can e.g. meandering, spiral-shaped, formed by a surface with holes, square, U-shaped, E-shaped, M-shaped, L-shaped, C-shaped, X-shaped or O-shaped and laterally within a layer of an electrotechnical core of a plasma applicator. An electrode structure with a special geometry is preferably formed by regularly arranged electrode sections, which preferably form a regular pattern.

In one embodiment of an electrotechnical core with a plurality of electrode structures, in particular a first and a second electrode structure have the same special geometry and their electrode sections are offset from one another with a defined overlap, arranged in different layers of an electrotechnical core. In particular, there is at least one insulation layer, e.g. in the form of a film, an adhesive or a varnish. It can also be advantageous if the multiple electrode structures of an electrotechnical core have different geometries.

The overlap of the electrode sections can have a significant influence on the capacity of an electrotechnical core and the size of the electrical field strength generated by the electrotechnical core during operation. If the electrode sections of a first and a second electrode structure are arranged congruently to one another so that the electrode sections completely overlap, the field strength is typically small and the capacitance is maximum. Typically, the capacitance is greatest when the electrode sections overlap completely, while the less the electrode sections overlap, the smaller the capacitance becomes. A high electric field strength with a small distance between the two electrode structures is generally advantageous for the ignition of a plasma. The greater the distance, the greater the amplitude of the voltage signal for igniting a plasma. However, a comparatively small capacitance is advantageous, since an electrotechnical core then reacts faster and distortions in the voltage signal are weak due to a small capacitive component.

A plurality of electrode structures can also be arranged within a layer of an electrotechnical core in an electrotechnical core of a plasma applicator. Each of the electrode structures represents an individual electrode structure which, in its lateral extent, extends only over part of the area of an electrotechnical core. Preferably, the plurality of electrode structures in this layer are uniform over the area of an electrotechnical core, i.e. distributed over the surface of the wound dressing. The multiple electrode structures within a layer can all be electrically connected to one another. It is also conceivable that only certain individual electrode structures within the layer are electrically connected to one another, so that groups of electrode structures electrically connected to one another are formed. Furthermore, it can be advantageous if electrode structures within a layer are not electrically connected to one another and in each case form treatment areas that are electrically independent of one another. The multiple electrode structures within a layer can be staggered in time, i.e. cascaded, controlled. Cascaded control can advantageously lead to a reduction in power consumption per time interval and / or a reduction in treatment time.

The plurality of electrode structures within a layer of an electrotechnical core of a plasma applicator can be formed from the aforementioned materials and in the aforementioned forms that were mentioned in relation to the previously described electrode structures.

The electrode structures described here preferably have a thickness of a few μm to a few hundred μm.

If an electrode structure is not formed over the entire surface, that is to say not as a surface electrode, but instead has one of the special geometries described above, the thickness and the Width of the electrode sections of the electrode structure with one of the special geometries is advantageously chosen such that the electrode structure is not destroyed by the thermal load during operation of a plasma applicator or the plasma applicator does not exceed a temperature of 40 ° C. during operation. Unless the one-time use of an electrotechnical core is to be ensured.

The decisive material property is the electrical resistance or impedance, which should not exceed a certain value of a few ohms, depending on the material and geometry. Depending on the material used and its conductance, the electrode sections of such an electrode structure advantageously have a correspondingly selected cross section. Electrode sections with a width of 5 mm and a thickness of 14 μm have proven to be advantageous. However, these values can differ from the values mentioned in different variants and still lead to material properties that are advantageous for special applications. For some applications it can e.g. be advantageous if the electrode sections of an electrode structure have a width of 1 mm and a thickness of 70 μm. For other applications, e.g. be advantageous if the electrode sections of an electrode structure have a width of 10 mm and a thickness of 7 μm.

In one embodiment, an electrode structure is formed from long polymer coils. The interior of a polymer snake thus produced preferably comprises a conductive polymer, such as e.g. Silicon enriched with conductive particles such as carbon or carbon nano tubes. A biocompatible material (e.g. silicone) is preferably printed or dispensed around the electrode structure. An electrode structure produced in this way can advantageously have a multiplicity of different shapes and is not necessarily flat.

In one embodiment, an electrode structure is formed by a wire mesh, a wire mesh, or a wire mesh. Such a wire mesh, wire mesh or wire mesh can be formed from a single insulated wire or from a plurality of insulated wires. When the wires are insulated, a separate insulation layer in which the wires are embedded is obsolete. A corresponding wire mesh, wire mesh or wire mesh therefore already represents a comparatively simple electrotechnical core. A comparatively simple plasma source can therefore already be implemented using a wire mesh, wire mesh or wire mesh. If a wire mesh, wire mesh or wire mesh is formed from a single wire, a counter electrode is implemented in the application by a surface to be treated itself. If a wire mesh, wire mesh or wire mesh is formed by a plurality of wires, at least one wire can be driven by a voltage signal in the application and at least one further wire can be grounded, which then represents a counter electrode.

A wire of a wire mesh, wire mesh, or wire mesh represents a comparatively simple electrical conductor. A wire mesh, wire mesh, or wire mesh can also be formed by a simple electrical conductor in the form of at least one flat cable. A flat cable in this sense can have a square or rectangular cross section. A simple electrical conductor preferably has an insulation jacket.

It is also conceivable for a plasma source to be formed from a single insulated electrical conductor, for example an insulated wire, without arranging it in a comparatively complicated structure, such as a fabric or grid. If an electrical conductor, e.g. an insulated wire, placed over a surface to be treated and subjected to current, the surface to be treated will act as a counter electrode and ignite a plasma between the surface to be treated and the insulated wire. In this case, an insulated wire is placed over or on a surface to be treated, e.g. as a loop or in one dimension.

Insulation layer

Preferred embodiments of an insulation layer are described below, which is also referred to as a dielectric layer in the context of this description and is suitable as a component of an electrotechnical core. An insulation layer described here can be formed by an electrically insulating structure. The electrically insulating structure then represents an insulation layer.

In order to prevent a current flow between an electrode structure driven in the application and a possible further electrode structure which is at ground potential, there is preferably at least one insulation layer between the respective electrode structures or the at least one electrode structure driven in operation with a voltage signal in an electrotechnical core a human or animal or technical surface to be treated.

An insulation layer can consist, for example, of plastic or ceramic or both. Prefers an insulation layer has a thickness between a few µm up to a few 100 µm. As with an electrode structure, the choice of the thickness of an insulation layer depends on the electrical material constants, in particular the dielectric constants and the dielectric strength.

It can be advantageous if the thickness of an insulation layer is selected to be comparatively small and is, for example, in the range of 50 μm. A small thickness generally means that a lower amplitude of a voltage signal is required to ignite a plasma. In addition, a small thickness can be advantageous in order to ensure a high flexibility of the plasma applicator.

Depending on the application, e.g. in the case of a plasma applicator with a rigid shape, a thickness of 200 μm and greater can be advantageous. Especially when using inflexible materials, e.g. Ceramics that cannot be made as thin as desired can have a thickness of at least 200 µm.

An insulation layer preferably has a thickness which is less than 1 mm, in particular less than 200 μm, preferably less than 100 μm.

An insulation layer is preferably designed as a full-surface layer.

An insulation layer is preferably pore-free, i.e. there are no or very few holes or cavities, so that no discharge channels are formed through the insulation layer. An insulation layer preferably has a dielectric strength of at least 5 kV per mm thickness. Furthermore, it is preferred that the lateral extent of an insulation layer corresponds to the dimension of an electrode structure in an electrotechnical core plus an edge protruding beyond it, the edge preferably being dimensioned such that it covers at least the length of the creepage distances.

In one embodiment, the lateral extent of an insulation layer is selected such that no arc discharge occurs between a second electrode structure driven in the application and a first and / or third electrode structure lying at ground potential or a surface to be treated.

By at least partially enclosing an electrotechnical core with an enclosure, it is advantageously possible to go below creepage distances. In one embodiment in which an electrotechnical core is at least partially enclosed by an enclosure, a lateral extent of an insulation layer is dimensioned as a function of the enclosure used in such a way that an edge of the insulation layer protruding beyond an electrode structure is dimensioned smaller than a creepage distance that the Ignition of a plasma would specify the necessary amplitude of a voltage signal per se.

A first insulation layer, which in the application case directly faces a surface to be treated, preferably has a biocompatible material such as e.g. Lacquer, silicone, PU or coatings. Coatings can e.g. by means of wet chemical processes, plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition (PACVD), chemical vapor deposition (CVD), anodizing processes or by means of electroplating.

Connector

Preferred embodiments of a plug device are described below. A plug-in device described here is part of a plasma applicator and is used, in particular, to connect an electrotechnical core of a plasma applicator to an energy supply unit by connecting it to a complementary insertion device. Since a plug device is part of a plasma applicator, it represents an applicator plug contact device.

A plug-in device is preferably firmly connected to an electrotechnical core, and in particular to a second electrode structure driven in the application - and if present - to the grounded electrode structures of an electrotechnical core in an electrically conductive manner. A plug device is preferably suitable for transmitting a voltage signal in the kV range, in particular in the range from a few 100 volts to 10 kV, to a second electrode structure.

A plug device preferably has at least one electrical conductor track, which is an electrically conductive conductor structure, which leads to at least one electrode structure. A conductor track is thus arranged in electrically conductive contact with an electrode structure, preferably on a long side of the corresponding electrode structure, and preferably extends perpendicularly with respect to the long side of the corresponding electrode structure in a common plane with the electrode structure. If an electrotechnical core comprises several electrode structures, at least one conductor track is generally arranged on each of the electrode structures. In order to electrically isolate the conductor tracks from one another, at least one insulating tab is arranged between the conductor tracks. It is preferably fixed to one Insulation layer connected and formed from the same electrically insulating material as the insulation layer. In particular, the tab can be an integral part of the respective insulation layer.

A plug device can e.g. be firmly connected to an electrotechnical core by means of lamination, lamination, gluing, soldering or an alternative material-connecting process. A conductor track of a plug-in device preferably has a comparable thickness and preferably consists of the same material or of the same materials as an electrode structure of a corresponding electrotechnical core and preferably has a conductance of a magnitude comparable to this electrode structure.

An electrotechnical core and a plug device are preferably produced in a common manufacturing process. In one production step, for example, a conductor track and an electrode structure electrically connected to the conductor track are then produced simultaneously and directly as an electrode structure with a conductor track. In a further manufacturing step, for example, an insulation layer and a tab are then simultaneously and directly produced as an insulation layer with an integral tab and an electrode structure with a conductor track is applied to it together. In such a manufacturing process, an electrotechnical core with a plug device is thus produced as a common product. An electrode structure with a conductor track then consists of the same materials and has a homogeneous thickness. In the same way, an insulation layer with a molded tab is made of one material and has the same thickness everywhere. Advantageously, an electrotechnical core and a plug-in device then do not have to be produced in separate manufacturing processes and subsequently connected to one another.

Such an electrotechnical core with a plug device therefore differs from the aforementioned basic forms of an electrotechnical core without a plug device in that the basic form is replaced by e.g. tab-shaped plug device is added. The electrode structures and insulation layers of the electrotechnical core are preferably expanded to this tab.

A plug-in device is preferably in the form of a chip card, i.e. it has a length of approximately 5 cm to 16 cm, a width of 1 cm to 3 cm and a height of approximately 0.2 mm to 1 mm. The dimensions of a plug-in device can also deviate from the values mentioned and are in particular dimensioned as a function of the length of the creepage distances as a function of the amplitude of a voltage signal for igniting a plasma. The lateral extent of a plug device is preferably selected such that no arc discharge occurs between the second electrode structure driven in the application and a further electrode structure lying at earth potential, for example a first or third electrode structure, or a surface to be treated.

In a preferred embodiment, a plug-in device or a slide-in device is designed as a plug-in device with stiffening with a height between 0.2 mm and 1.5 cm, with a length between 5 cm and 20 cm and with a width between 1 cm and 3 cm. A corresponding slide-in device is designed to complement the connector. By a chip card-like form of the plug device, i.e. a low height and a relatively large length, in particular creepage distances can be maintained in such a way that no partial discharges occur within the plug-in device and the plug-in device. The specified dimensions for the length, the width and the height can advantageously also be implemented independently of one another in such a way that the creepage distances are still maintained. It is further preferred that the insert device has an insulation jacket for reducing the emitted electromagnetic waves, taking into account the creepage distance. With the specified dimensions, in particular creepage distances between applied conductor tracks of several centimeters can be realized. The decisive factor here is the voltage applied to generate the plasma. The higher the intended voltage to be applied for generating a plasma, the larger the creepage distances typically have to be. The properties, in particular the dielectric properties, of the material used and the degree of contamination of the material used are also decisive. Even if the surface of the material used is contaminated, creepage distances typically have to be designed to be comparatively large.

A plug-in device with stiffening in the form of a chip card preferably has a fixed connection to an electrotechnical core which, for. B. can be realized by laminating, gluing, soldering or as a direct extension of the electrotechnical core in the form of a tab. Preferably, the plug device is partially enclosed with the material of an enclosure of a plasma applicator by z. B. is overmolded with silicone. The plug device can furthermore have printed or vapor-coated or etched conductor tracks. A plug-in device can furthermore have a stiffening, which is preferably applied above and / or below the tab and mechanically reinforces the plug-in device. The conductor tracks can also be designed as a coil wire with an insulating sheath of the wire. Optionally, a connector can also be a data line z. B. as a conductor or as a flat cable. For example, it may be advantageous to install a memory in a plasma applicator or in a corresponding coupling or in a power supply unit in order to collect data on the use of the plasma applicator.

With an appropriate data cable with coupling, an RFID transponder or a non-volatile electronic memory module, e.g. located in a plug-in device, can be read out by a reading device integrated in a complementarily designed insertion device in order to ensure a single use.

Advantageously, data relating to a plasma applicator itself can also be stored in a corresponding memory module. If the plasma applicator is connected to a memory module via a corresponding data cable with an energy supply unit, the energy supply unit can read out the stored data and automatically provide a specific voltage, a specific pulse pattern, a specific treatment time or further treatment parameters for operating the specific plasma applicator. The parameters used are preferably stored specifically for different plasma applicator shapes and sizes, or a specific structure of the electrotechnical core of a plasma applicator in the energy supply unit and are called up and used by the energy supply unit in accordance with the connected plasma applicator.

A plug device is preferably attached to a long side of an electrotechnical core and is electrically connected to at least one electrode structure of the electrotechnical core. It is also conceivable that a plug device is attached to the top of an electrotechnical core, that is to say the side of an electrotechnical core that faces away from a side to be treated, in the form of an insertion slot and is connected to at least one electrode structure.

The plug-in device is preferably designed as a plug-in device with stiffening with a height between 0.5 mm and 1.5 cm, a length between 5 cm and 20 cm and a width between 1 cm and 3 cm, and a corresponding slide-in device complementary to the plug-in device as a receptacle for receiving the connector.

For example, in order to transmit a voltage signal to a second electrode structure by means of an energy supply unit, e.g. a plug-in device complementary to a plug device can be connected to the plug device. The insertion device can be connected to a cable which is connected to a predominantly stationary energy supply unit. A corresponding power supply unit can e.g. a high voltage generator with a control unit.

Single use

Various means and features are described below with which a single use of an electrotechnical core and in particular a plasma applicator can be ensured. The means and features that ensure single use are preferably implemented as part of a plug-in device or as part of an electrotechnical core.

In one embodiment, an electrotechnical core has at least one feature which changes as a result of first-time use in such a way that a sufficiently strong electric field for igniting a plasma can no longer be formed between the electrode structure driven in the application and the grounded electrode structure. This advantageously ensures that a plasma applicator is used once. A feature of an electrotechnical core that ensures single use of the plasma applicator can e.g. be a self-destructive device such as an electrical fuse. Such an electrical fuse can be, for example, a taper of an electrode section of an electrode structure in the electrotechnical core, which is destroyed at the end of the treatment by a high current pulse which is then provided, since it has a higher resistance than the rest of the electrode structure and therefore heats up more quickly. Such a taper is preferably located in the electrode structure driven in the application.

The means and features described below with reference to a plug-in device, which ensure a single use of a plasma applicator, can also be implemented as features of an electrode structure, in particular as part of an electrode section of an electrode structure of an electrotechnical core. An electrode structure driven in operation by a voltage signal preferably has at least one feature or means as described with respect to a plug-in device in order to ensure a single use of an electrotechnical core, in particular as part of a plasma applicator.

In one embodiment, a plug-in device has at least one feature which changes as a result of first-time use in such a way that a plug-in device can no longer transmit a voltage signal sufficient to ignite a plasma to an electrode structure of an electrotechnical core or that the electrotechnical core does not have a sufficiently strong electrical Field to ignite a plasma can train more. This advantageously ensures that a plasma applicator is used once. A feature of a plug-in device that ensures a single use of a plasma applicator can be, for example, a self-destructive device such as an electrical fuse. Such an electrical fuse can be, for example, a taper of a conductor track, which is destroyed at the end of the treatment by a high current pulse which is then provided, since it has a higher resistance than the rest of the conductor track and therefore heats up more quickly.

In one embodiment, a plasma applicator for generating a cold plasma for the treatment of human or animal or technical surfaces has a flat electrotechnical core with at least one electrode structure and an insulation layer. The plasma applicator furthermore has a plug-in device which is connected in an electrically conductive manner to at least this electrode structure in order to transmit a voltage signal to the at least one electrode structure. The plug-in device is preferably designed to ensure one-time use of the plasma applicator in that the plug-in device has at least one mechanical and / or electrical component that is designed such that it changes its technical properties as a result of the first-time use of the plasma applicator such that the plug-in device after the first use, a voltage signal sufficient to ignite a plasma can no longer be transmitted to the at least one electrode structure.

The one-time use can thus be ensured, for example, by the fact that an electrical component is destroyed as a result of the current flow as a result of the first use or that a mechanical or electrical component is destroyed when the plug-in device is mechanically separated from a complementary insertion device.

The fact that the mechanical and / or electrical component changes its structure as a result of the first-time use of the plasma applicator such that the plug-in device can no longer transmit a voltage signal sufficient to ignite a plasma to the at least one electrode structure after the first-time use, ensures that the plasma applicator only can be used once. Advantageously, multiple use of an already used plasma applicator, which due to the first use no longer meets certain hygiene requirements, can be prevented. This ensures that a wound is only treated with an unused plasma applicator.

The use of a plasma applicator refers to performing a plasma treatment. This means that a voltage signal is first provided by means of an energy supply unit, which voltage signal is transmitted to an electrode structure for igniting a plasma.

A corresponding feature of the single use can also be realized by chemical reaction with atmospheric oxygen or nitrogen or an electrochemical reaction which is induced by an applied voltage signal during a plasma treatment. For example, an applied voltage signal can cause an electrochemical reaction in e.g. Conductor tracks of a plug-in device consisting of silver conductive lacquer are triggered, which accelerates oxidation of a conductor track, in particular on exposed contact surfaces, and thus increases the resistance at this point. A voltage signal for operating a plasma applicator is significantly changed by an increased or decreased resistance. This change can be detected in a power supply unit and thus the release of the voltage signal can be prevented. In general, it is conceivable that e.g. oxidation or nitriding of the conductor in air reduces its conductivity and thereby a voltage signal such as changed in amplitude, frequency and / or in the signal curve (e.g. due to the fact that there is no longer a pure sine wave) that it can be detected as a false signal by an energy supply unit and automatically terminate the energy output by the energy supply unit. Another possibility is to use an electrochemical reaction induced by a voltage signal to change the conductor path of the plug device, which leads to the voltage signal being e.g. in the amplitude, in the frequency and / or in the signal curve (e.g. due to the fact that there is no longer a pure sine wave) that it can be detected as a false signal by an energy supply unit and automatically terminate the energy output by the energy supply unit.

In a preferred embodiment, a plug device with a complementary to the plug device Insert device can be electrically conductive and mechanically connected. The mechanical component of the plug-in device changes its structure when the plug-in device is mechanically separated from the plug-in device such that after the disconnection it is not possible to connect the plug-in device to the plug-in device in order to transmit a high voltage.

Such a mechanical change can include breaking off the clamping of a clamping contact or locking elements and / or scratching and / or cutting the conductor structure of the plug device.

A plug-in device preferably has at least one locking element which is designed and arranged in such a way that it locks with the plug-in device when the plug-in device is connected and becomes irreversibly unusable when the plug-in device is separated from a plug-in device.

By connecting an insertion device to the plug-in device, a mechanically stable connection is preferably established, which can only be separated again by the active use of force by a person. The force required for this is typically between 5 and 50N, preferably between 10 and 30N. So that a mechanical component of the plug-in device changes its structure due to the first use of the plasma applicator in such a way that the electrotechnical core can no longer form a sufficiently strong electric field to ignite a plasma, e.g. be provided that locking elements of the plug device break off or be destroyed. Accordingly, a stable mechanical connection between the plug device and the insertion device can then no longer be established. The electrotechnical core connected to the plug device is therefore no longer able to form a sufficiently strong electric field to ignite a plasma after the disconnection, that is to say as a result of the first use.

In one embodiment, the plug-in device or the electrotechnical core has an electrical component which changes its structure as a result of the first use of a plasma applicator in such a way that the plug-in device or the electrotechnical core can no longer generate an electrical field sufficient to ignite a plasma after the first use. For example, the plug-in device can have a conductor track which is provided for transmitting a voltage signal to an electrode structure and which is destroyed by a high current pulse at the end of the first use of a plasma applicator. Thereafter, the plug device can no longer transmit a voltage signal sufficient to ignite a plasma to an electrode structure.

In one embodiment, the second electrode structure of an electrotechnical core has an area which is destroyed by a high current pulse at the end of the first use of a plasma applicator. Thereafter, the electrical engineering core can no longer form a sufficiently strong electric field to ignite a plasma.

In one embodiment, a plasma applicator has a plug-in device which can be electrically and mechanically connected to a plug-in device which is complementary to the plug-in device, a mechanical component of the plug-in device changing its technical properties when the plug-in device is mechanically separated from the plug-in device such that after the Disconnection of the plug-in device with the insertion device for transmitting a voltage signal sufficient to ignite a plasma is no longer possible. Changing the technical properties of the mechanical component preferably includes breaking off the clamping of a clamping contact, scratching or cutting.

A plug-in device or an electrotechnical core are preferably designed in such a way that they are changed as a result of a current flow at the end of their first use in such a way that the plug-in device can no longer transmit a voltage signal sufficient to ignite a plasma to an electrode structure of the electrotechnical core after the first use.

Preferably, an energy supply unit is designed to provide a high current pulse at the end of a plasma treatment, which changes or destroys parts of a conductor track in the plug device, so that when a power supply is reconnected, a voltage signal sufficient to ignite a plasma is no longer transmitted to the at least one electrode structure in the electrotechnical core is possible. At the end of the plasma treatment, the energy supply unit combined with the plasma applicator preferably sends out an excessive current pulse, preferably for significantly less than a second, preferably in the millisecond or even microsecond range. In order to ensure that corresponding parts of a conductor track in the plug-in device are destroyed, the current intensity of the provided current pulse is preferably selected such that the melting point of the conductor track of the plug-in device is clearly exceeded and the conductor track gets destroyed. This advantageously ensures that a plasma applicator is used once.

A plug-in device preferably has a conductor track which leads from a contact surface in the plug-in device to at least one electrode structure, this conductor track being able to be destroyed at least at one point by a current having a current which is greater than a current which occurs in operation for generating the plasma is. The at least one point preferably has a higher electrical resistance than the rest of the conductor track and / or the at least one point has a lower thermal strength than the rest of the conductor track and / or the at least one point has a taper with a smaller conductor track cross section than that Rest of the trace on. A corresponding conductor track is preferably z. B. made of conductive silver, metal, metal foil, a polymer enriched with conductive particles or a conductive polymer.

In particular, the at least one point has a higher electrical resistance than the rest of the conductor track. As an alternative or in addition, the at least one point can also have a lower thermal strength than the rest of the conductor track. Again, additionally or alternatively, the at least one point can also have a taper with a smaller cross section than the rest of the conductor track. In the place of the conductor track with a higher electrical resistance than in the rest of the conductor track, the increased current strength can lead to a strong heating of the conductor track and thus to a destruction of the conductor track. This ensures that the plasma applicator can only be used once.

One-time use of a plug-in device with a corresponding conductor track can also be achieved by a point on the conductor track with the same resistance as in the rest of the conductor track but with a lower thermal strength. If a current pulse with an increased current strength is provided, preferably at the end of a plasma treatment with a duration of significantly less than approximately 1 second, the thermal load on the conductor track is increased. The point with a lower thermal strength can be designed in such a way that it melts as a result of the current pulse provided, thereby ensuring that a plasma applicator can be used once.

Single use can also be achieved by tapering the corresponding conductor track. The taper increases the resistance at this point, so that the increased current strength provided at the end of the treatment leads to a melting of the conductor track at this point. The overvoltage therefore leads to an increase in temperature at the point of tapering and thus to the melting of the conductor track. For example, the dimension of the conductor track can be calculated in accordance with the material used in such a way that with a specific current flow over a defined period of time the material rises to a temperature which is preferably well above the melting point of the material, so that the conductor track melts at this point.

A conductor track preferably has a height that is less than 0.8 mm and a width that is less than 1 cm. Such traces can e.g. by means of screen printing with a conductive material, by targeted etching of conductor tracks or by printed conductor tracks (e.g. printed electronics).

The plug-in device preferably has a non-volatile electronic memory module, which can be read out by a corresponding contact in the plug-in device when the plug-in device and the plug-in device are connected to one another, the non-volatile electronic memory module providing information which causes a connected power supply unit to do so in the event of operation to prevent energy delivery to a connected plasma applicator.

In one embodiment, a plug device has an RFID transponder. The RFID transponder is designed in such a way that it can be read out by a reading device integrated in a slide-in device if the corresponding slide-in device and the plug-in device are connected to one another.

The RFID transponder preferably provides information that does not enable a high voltage to be released by an energy supply unit. It is conceivable that an identity is assigned to a plasma applicator, which identity can be read out by a reading device that is integrated in a slide-in device. In a control unit of a power supply unit, e.g. unique and individual identifiers for each plasma applicator that were connected to the energy supply unit. A reading device can thus recognize whether a plasma applicator has already been used or not. Additionally or alternatively, a read / write device can also be provided to store a value stored in the RFID transponder - e.g. a flag - to change or set, which indicates that the plasma applicator has been used.

In one embodiment, a plasma applicator is designed to store a special code or hash value on a memory. A power supply unit is preferred configured to set certain values for treatment parameters depending on a read code or hash value and to emit a corresponding voltage signal during operation to a plasma applicator connected to the energy supply unit. An energy supply unit is preferably designed to read values of the treatment parameters for the size of a plasma applicator or for the type of disease that is to be treated with the connected plasma applicator from a list stored in the energy supply unit. An energy supply unit is preferably designed to check whether a read plasma applicator has already been used or is suitable for a specific plasma treatment. A read / write device is preferably designed to either destroy the chip with the value after a plasma treatment or to write a new value to the memory. The new value contains only zeros, for example, so that the special plasma applicator can no longer be used for plasma treatment, since a connected power supply unit is preferably designed to refuse to release a voltage signal if invalid numbers are used.

An RFID transponder can also not be integrated in a plug device, but in the rest of the plasma applicator.

In one embodiment, a plug device has a non-volatile electronic memory component, e.g. an EPROM (erasable programmable read-only memory), which can be read out by a corresponding contact in the plug-in device when the plug-in device and the plug-in device are connected to one another. Similar to the case of an RFID transponder, a value can be written into the non-volatile electronic memory chip when it is used for the first time, which indicates when read out later that the plasma applicator has already been used. After the first use, a high voltage can no longer be released by a power supply unit. In combination with a corresponding control unit, multiple use can be prevented.

Instead of being plugged in, a non-volatile electronic memory module can also be integrated in the rest of the plasma applicator.

Insert device

Embodiments of a slide-in device are described below. An insertion device represents a unit that is complementary to a plug device and is designed to establish a fixed mechanical and electrical connection with a plug device.

Correspondingly, a plug-in device represents a complementary plug contact device which is complementary to a plug-in device. A plug-in device thus represents a counterpart to a plug-in device. A plug-in device can preferably be arranged at one end of a cable or can be part of a power supply unit.

An insertion device is preferably provided which is designed to transmit a voltage signal to a plug-in device of an electrotechnical core which is plugged together with the insertion device, in particular a plasma applicator.

An insertion device is preferably designed such that it can be connected in an electrically conductive manner to a complementary plug-in device. By merging a plug-in device and a slide-in device, an electrical and a mechanical connection are established simultaneously. The conductor tracks of the insertion device and the plug-in device are electrically insulated from the outside in the merged state.

A slide-in device can be connected to a cable. A plasma applicator, which is connected to a corresponding insertion device, can be connected to a predominantly stationary energy supply unit via the cable. A predominantly stationary energy supply unit can also include a control unit. An insertion device can be separated from a plug device at any time, so that a user of a plasma applicator can move with the plasma applicator independently of the energy supply unit and the insertion device. In the event that a plug-in device is designed in the form of a plug, in particular in the form of a chip card, an insertion device is designed as a corresponding coupling for receiving the plug-in device.

A slide-in device can also be designed as part of a mobile energy supply unit, which preferably has an energy store, e.g. has a battery, an accumulator or a capacitor. A plug-in device is then typically electrically connected to an energy store in order to transmit an electrical energy provided by the energy store to an electrotechnical core when it is connected to a plug-in device. Advantageously, an insertion device then does not have to be connected to a comparatively long cable in order to connect the insertion device to a predominantly stationary energy supply unit.

In order to supply a voltage applicator to a plasma applicator, a slide-in device of a mobile power supply unit can be connected to a plug-in device and can be separated from it again after a plasma treatment. In the merged state, a DC voltage provided by an energy store is then transformed by means of an electrical circuit integrated in the mobile energy supply unit into a voltage signal sufficient to ignite the plasma and transmitted to the plug-in device via the insertion device.

Since a battery or an accumulator typically provides a DC voltage of a few volts, an electrical circuit can be provided in a plasma applicator or in a mobile energy supply unit, which switches the DC voltage provided by the battery or the accumulator of the compact and mobile energy supply unit into a for igniting a plasma transforms sufficient voltage signal, which is transmitted to at least one electrode structure for igniting a plasma. A mobile energy supply unit advantageously forms a unit which is small and compact in comparison to the plasma applicator and which can be carried over long distances and over a large period of several weeks, even if it remains connected to the plasma applicator.

In the merged state, the plasma applicator and the mobile energy supply unit, which is relatively small compared to the plasma applicator, form a unit that is easy to carry by a patient during a plasma treatment. A mobile energy supply unit therefore represents an autonomous energy supply that does not make it necessary to use a predominantly stationary energy supply unit, e.g. to connect a high-voltage generator to the plasma applicator via a cable and an insertion device in order to transmit a voltage signal to at least one electrode structure and to ignite a plasma.

This makes a user of a mobile power supply unit independent of a power supply unit which is large and predominantly used in comparison to a mobile power supply unit and which is connected to a local power supply, such as a high voltage generator, and which is typically only used over short distances, e.g. inside a hospital. In particular, a user of a mobile energy supply can decide where and when he would like to carry out a plasma treatment. A user of a mobile energy supply is therefore independent of local infrastructure, e.g. the mains and available sockets. This is particularly advantageous if a user spends a longer period of several weeks in an area in which the nearest hospital is far away and luggage can only be carried to a limited extent or in general for the homecare area, i.e. the application outside a clinic or in a non-clinical environment.

A voltage signal provided by a mobile power supply unit can e.g. can be transmitted from a plug-in device to a plug-in device by establishing a galvanic coupling.

In a further embodiment, a plasma applicator has no plug-in device and, accordingly, cannot be connected to a predominantly stationary or mobile energy supply unit by means of a slide-in device. In order to provide a voltage signal, an energy store, e.g. a battery or an accumulator, integrated into the plasma applicator itself and electrically via a suitable electrical circuit, e.g. a blocking oscillation circuit for generating a voltage sufficient to ignite a plasma can be connected to at least one electrode structure of an electrotechnical core.

If an accumulator or a capacitor is integrated in a plasma applicator with a plug device, the accumulator or the capacitor can be charged by connecting the plug device to a power supply. Here too, the accumulator or the capacitor is electrically via a suitable electrical circuit, e.g. a blocking oscillation circuit, for generating a voltage sufficient to ignite a plasma, is connected to at least one electrode structure of an electrotechnical core. By switching a switching contact, the energy stored in the accumulator or the capacitor can then be released to at least one electrode structure at a later point in time.

Inductive energy transfer

In one embodiment, a plasma applicator does not have a plug-in device, but an energy absorption device, each of which contains one or more receiver coil arrangements. By means of a mobile energy supply unit that contains one or more transmission coil arrangements, electromagnetic energy can be used to transmit electrical energy from the transmission coil arrangements in the mobile energy supply unit to the reception coil arrangements in the plasma applicator. It is also conceivable that a transmit coil assembly is included in an energy delivery device. The energy delivery device is preferably connected to a cable and can be connected to a stationary energy supply unit. The electrical energy provided by a stationary energy supply unit can be transmitted by means of electromagnetic induction from a transmission coil arrangement in the energy delivery device to a reception coil arrangement in the plasma applicator. Advantageously, in this embodiment, the energy delivery device can be completely enclosed by, for example, a silicone or a lacquer, and freely accessible electrical contacts both in or on the energy delivery device and in or on the plasma applicator can be dispensed with. A plasma applicator or an energy delivery device designed in this way can be cleaned, disinfected and sterilized or autoclaved comparatively easily.

In contrast to the previously described variants of a plasma applicator with a plug-in device that can be merged with an insertion device, energy transmission in the variant of a plasma applicator described here does not take place via a galvanic coupling, but via electromagnetic induction. An electrical circuit is preferably provided either in the plasma applicator or in a mobile energy supply unit or in both, which is designed to generate a voltage signal sufficient to ignite a plasma. For example, an electrical circuit can be provided in a mobile energy supply unit, which is transformed from a direct voltage of a few volts, which is typically provided by accumulators and / or batteries, into an alternating voltage signal suitable for inductive transmission. An electrical circuit can then be integrated in the plasma applicator, which transforms the voltage signal induced in the receive coil arrangements contained in the plasma applicator into a voltage signal sufficient to ignite a plasma.

In a further embodiment, a plasma applicator does not have a plug device but an integrated energy store, e.g. a rechargeable battery or a capacitor, and an integrated coil arrangement for charging the rechargeable battery or the capacitor. In this embodiment, an electrical circuit can additionally be integrated in the plasma applicator, which transforms the current induced in the coil arrangement in the plasma applicator into a current-voltage signal sufficient for charging an accumulator or capacitor. A corresponding plasma applicator does not require a plug-in device and can be designed without freely accessible electrical contacts. A plasma applicator designed in this way can be cleaned, disinfected and sterilized or autoclaved comparatively easily. Furthermore, such a plasma applicator can e.g. to be implanted in the human or animal body. In one embodiment, a plasma applicator is coated or equipped with one or more pharmacologically and / or non-pharmacologically active substances in the form of individual molecules, agglomerates or tablets (e.g. morphines, coagulants, cytokines, hydrocolloids).

In embodiments of a plasma applicator without a plug-in device, an electrotechnical core can be formed with the features mentioned above, in particular with the features that were mentioned in relation to the electrode structure and the insulation layer. Even in these embodiments without a plug device, it is possible to ensure that the plasma applicator can be used once by changing electrical or mechanical components. For example, an electrical component that is provided for the transmission of a voltage signal sufficient to ignite a plasma to at least one electrode structure can be changed as a result of first-time use such that after the first use no voltage signal sufficient to ignite a plasma is transmitted to an electrode structure can be.

Enclosure

A plasma applicator for the treatment of human or animal surfaces preferably has an enclosure, in particular made of a biocompatible material, such as e.g. medical silicone, a lacquer, an adhesive, a film, a textile, a compression textile or organic material such as Gauze, pulp or cotton. Enclosure comprising a combination of the materials mentioned can also be advantageous for some applications. In particular, an electrotechnical core of a plasma applicator can be completely or at least partially enclosed by an enclosure.

An enclosure usually comprises several silicone extrusions. On the side facing the side to be treated, a first silicone extrusion coating is provided, which fulfills the function of electrical insulation. On the side facing away from the side to be treated, the first silicone encapsulation is followed by a second silicone encapsulation, which comprises an electrically conductive silicone. This second silicone encapsulation is connected to ground potential and fulfills the function of a touch protection, so that a plasma applicator can be touched without causing an electrical breakdown between the electrotechnical core and the earth potential present directly on the outside or a virtual earth potential in the form of the surface to be treated. A third silicone encapsulation made of an electrically insulating silicone is applied to the second silicone encapsulation. The manufacture of such an enclosure requires a comparatively high vertical range of manufacture.

Enclosure can be carried out, for example, in the injection molding process, in the immersion process or in the painting process. The use of other coating methods such as plasma coating or parylene coating are also conceivable. Enclosure can be complete or only partial. For example, it can be advantageous if the side facing the wound is not or only partially enclosed and the side facing away from the wound is completely enclosed.

In a preferred embodiment, an electrotechnical core comprises a first insulation layer, a first electrode structure that is grounded in operation, a second insulation layer that is designed to galvanically separate the first electrode structure and a second electrode structure from one another, a second electrode structure that in operation a voltage signal provided by an energy supply unit and sufficient to ignite a plasma is driven, a third insulation layer which is designed to galvanically separate the second electrode structure and a third electrode structure from one another and a third electrode structure which is grounded in operation. Such an electrotechnical core already offers protection against accidental contact. Protection against accidental contact therefore does not have to be guaranteed retrospectively by an applied enclosure. An electrotechnical core in accordance with this preferred embodiment can preferably be realized by an enclosure in the form of only a single silicone layer, which can advantageously be made comparatively thin and thus flexible. In particular, the enclosure no longer has to guarantee protection against contact, since this function is performed by the first and third electrode structure. Such an enclosure is therefore comparatively simple and can be applied in only one manufacturing step. This significantly reduces the vertical range of manufacture in the production of a plasma applicator compared to a plasma applicator with a conventional enclosure as described above, since an enclosure typically has to be applied separately to each electrotechnical core. An electrotechnical core designed as described here, on the other hand, can be comparatively easily produced in large quantities by using laminating machines and subsequent punching.

An electrotechnical core according to this preferred embodiment can be integrated in a modular manner in different enclosures without having to make any special demands on an enclosure used. A possible enclosure can be realized, for example, by a conventional plaster without overmolding in which the electrical engineering core is integrated. A possible enclosure can also be realized by a suction pad into which the electrical engineering core is integrated. A possible enclosure can also be realized with a compression stocking. The electrotechnical core can also be sewn into a pocket or glued with the back to a ceiling, a cloth, thermo film, etc. or integrated into a negative pressure wound therapy system (V.A.C.).

In one embodiment, an enclosure is structured e.g. in the form of a grid or diamond-shaped or with recesses. Such a structured enclosure is particularly advantageous if it is located on a body-facing side of an electrotechnical core, e.g. with an adhesive silicone (not fully vulcanized silicone) or another adhesive e.g. is based on acrylate or polyurethane. Furthermore, an enclosure can be designed such that an enclosure is present in certain areas around an electrotechnical core (the shape can then be, for example, round, angular, L-, M-, E-, X- or also O-shaped) and in others Areas are not enclosed.

In one embodiment, an enclosure is designed in such a way that outside of an area in which a plasma is generated, at least one dielectric strength and thus a safety against contact between the at least one electrode structure, which in the application is driven by a voltage signal, and a ground potential which is directly present on the outside or a virtual earth potential in the form of the surface to be treated is guaranteed. In order to guarantee, the electrical properties of an enclosure material and its thickness must be coordinated with the electrical potential present in an electrotechnical core. An additional safety factor is advantageously taken into account. For example, medical grade silicone typically has a dielectric strength of approximately 20 kV per mm. If a corresponding medical silicone enclosure has a thickness of 1 mm, a voltage of 20 kV can be applied, for example, without causing material damage or breakdown. Dielectric strength differs from material to material. There are special varnishes that have a significantly higher dielectric strength than medical silicone. Suppose a voltage signal with which at least one Electrode structure is driven, has an amplitude of 5 kV, ie 10 kV from peak to peak. Then the dielectric strength of a silicone layer with a thickness of 250 µm would be sufficient so that there is no breakdown in the material. The safety factor is typically specified with a factor of 2. In the case in which an enclosure is made of medical silicone and the amplitude of the voltage signal with which an electrode structure is driven has 5 kV, an enclosure must accordingly have a thickness which is at least 500 μm. In the case of enclosures made of other materials, such as lacquers and / or polyurethane, it is advantageous to adapt the thickness to the material properties of the material used for the enclosure.

In one embodiment an enclosure consists of a textile e.g. in the form of a bag. An electrical core can be pushed into this pocket or sewn / embossed. Such a bag with an inserted or sewn / embossed electrotechnical core can be attached directly to a surface to be treated.

In a further embodiment, a pocket with an inserted or sewn-in / embossed electrotechnical core can also be part of another textile. The bag can be firmly attached to the other textile e.g. sewn or riveted or by means of e.g. Glue, Velcro or tape can be attached.

In one embodiment, an enclosure of an electrical engineering core has absorbent properties. An enclosure with absorbent properties preferably consists of at least one layer of liquid-absorbing and / or liquid-draining and / or liquid-distributing materials, such as e.g. Textile, gauze, PU foam, distribution layer, wound contact layer, spacer structure. Such an enclosure with absorbent properties is preferably located on the body-facing side of a plasma applicator.

In one embodiment, an enclosure is formed by a combination of the above-mentioned materials (e.g. textiles, silicone, lacquers, adhesives, parylene coating, plasma coating, gauze, compress). This combination can be a mixture of the materials (e.g. textile and silicone as a composite matrix) or in a stacked form (e.g. different textiles on top of each other on silicone, gauze, PU foam, distribution layer, wound contact layer) or next to each other or on different sides. For example, on the side facing away from the patient, an enclosure is formed by a thin film, while on the side facing the patient, an enclosure consists of one or more layers of textile and / or one or more absorbers. Depending on the application, an electrotechnical core can also be attached to a surface to be treated by an enclosure in the form of a bandage. In this case, an electrotechnical core is placed on and fixed with a fixation bandage by repeatedly wrapping the electrotechnical core lying on the surface to be treated and the surface to be treated.

The above-mentioned textiles for an enclosure can consist of both organic and inorganic material as well as a mix of both materials.

If a plasma applicator has a plug device, an enclosure of the plug device and an electrotechnical core is preferably form-fitting and without air pockets. If an enclosure is formed from a textile or a material with absorbent properties, a form-fitting enclosure without air pockets is not necessary. Enclosure of a plug-in device is advantageously designed taking into account a corresponding insertion device and the type of coupling between these. If, for example, a galvanic coupling is provided between a plug device and a plug-in device, at least the electrical contact surfaces of the plug device should be freely accessible for the electrical contact surfaces of the plug-in device. If, however, an inductive coupling by means of electromagnetic induction is provided, a plasma applicator can also be completely enclosed with an enclosure.

In the event that a plasma applicator does not have a plug-in device and an energy store is integrated directly into the plasma applicator, the plasma applicator can also be completely enclosed with an enclosure.

Enclosure of a plasma applicator can be enriched and / or coated with one or more pharmacologically or non-pharmacologically active substances in the form of individual molecules, agglomerates or tablets (e.g. morphines, coagulants, cytokines, hydrocolloids). Enrichment with a pharmacologically active ingredient can be particularly advantageous when a plasma applicator is to be integrated into a human or animal body.

A plasma applicator can be enclosed with pure gauze or cellulose or comparable materials. In a corresponding embodiment, a plasma applicator is not included a biocompatible material such as silicone, but an electro-technical core of a plasma applicator is woven or sewn / embossed into a gauze bandage or medicine pillow or into cellulose. It is particularly advantageous here if the electrotechnical core itself has a protection against accidental contact, for example by means of two grounded electrode structures (a first and a third electrode structure) between which an electrode structure driven during operation (second electrode structure) is arranged.

Adhesive layer

A plasma applicator typically has an adhesive layer as the last layer on the side facing the surface to be treated, in order to fix a plasma applicator on or above an area to be treated and to create a closed gas space between the plasma applicator and the surface to be treated. An adhesive layer preferably consists of a biocompatible material, such as silicone or an acrylate-based adhesive, and has a preferred thickness that is between a few μm and a few hundred μm. The adhesive force can be adjusted directly via the thickness of an adhesive layer. The thickness of an adhesive layer is preferably below 150 μm, in particular below 60 μm, in particular below 20 μm.

An adhesive layer preferably has an adhesive force which is sufficient for a plasma applicator to adhere to a surface to be treated without additional aids or fastening material. In particular, it can be advantageous if an adhesive layer establishes adhesive contact between a surface to be treated and a plasma applicator that lasts for a few days or even several weeks.

An adhesive layer can be applied, for example, in the screen printing process or in the injection molding process. It is also conceivable for an adhesive layer to be implemented as a roll product, for example by means of a transfer adhesive tape or by means of a double-sided adhesive tape. A transfer or double-sided adhesive tape can be designed to be elastic and thus flexible, so that a corresponding plasma applicator can be flexibly adapted and attached to different surfaces.

For example, an adhesive layer can cover the edge of an enclosure of a plasma applicator, so that adhesive contact is only established at this edge between a surface to be treated and a plasma applicator. An adhesive layer can also cover the entire side of a plasma applicator facing the surface to be treated, so that a flat adhesive contact is produced over the entire contact area between the plasma applicator and the surface to be treated.

An adhesive layer can also be perforated or have larger recesses, e.g. in the form of circles or other geometric shapes. Advantageously, a plasma can ignite in the holes or recesses in the case of a full-surface execution of an adhesive layer that is perforated or has larger recesses. At the same time, holes and recesses represent possibilities for diffusion of the active components of a plasma. Furthermore, the adhesive force can also be set via the number and size of the holes or recesses.

In the event that a plurality of electrode structures are arranged within a layer, an adhesion layer can be formed as a negative image of the distribution of the electrode structures in this layer. A gas space in which a plasma can be distributed is thus kept as large as possible.

It may be advantageous if an adhesive layer has a fabric or a textile or an adhesive layer is applied to a fabric or textile.

In a further embodiment, an adhesion layer is applied to the side of a plasma applicator facing away from the surface to be treated. This is particularly advantageous if a plasma applicator with the side facing away from the surface to be treated on e.g. Blankets, cloths or thermal blankets should be fixed in the accident care, e.g. to prevent slipping. In this case, a blanket is created between the blanket, the cloth or the thermal blanket and the surface to be treated, in which a plasma ignites during operation.

In a further preferred embodiment, an actively adhering part of a Velcro fastener with barbs (e.g. glued, sewn on) is attached to the side of a plasma applicator facing the surface to be treated. Such an actively adhering part of a Velcro fastener can be used particularly advantageously for the application of a plasma applicator to a surface connected or covered with textile (e.g. clothing, wound dressing, fixation bandage, compression clothing), since the barbs of the Velcro fastener then adhere to the textile and thus fixate it a plasma applicator over a wound.

Distance structure

In one embodiment, a plasma applicator has a spacer structure on the side facing the surface to be treated. A spacing structure has the function of creating a defined distance between a plasma applicator and a surface to be treated and thus a defined gas volume in which a plasma can ignite.

A distance structure can be connected to a plasma applicator both fixedly and non-fixedly. A fixed connection can e.g. be realized by gluing and / or injection. In the case of a non-fixed connection, there is no mechanically and / or chemically fixed connection between a plasma applicator and a spacer structure.

Since a spacer structure is in direct contact with a wound during a plasma treatment, a spacer structure preferably consists of a biocompatible material (e.g. silicone, textile / silicone composite matrix, gauze, absorber, cellulose, wound gauze, PU foam) and / or a combination of the materials mentioned.

A spacer structure is preferably not formed over the entire surface. A lateral extension of a spacer structure is preferably comparable to a lateral extension of an electrode structure of an electrotechnical core.

In a preferred embodiment, a spacer structure has cutouts in which a plasma can ignite. Such recesses can e.g. have a honeycomb shape or be formed by holes of different sizes or by a lattice structure. In further preferred embodiments, a spacer structure is formed from an X, O, Z, M, E or W-shaped structure.

In one embodiment, a spacer structure consists of thin webs or caterpillars with a width from a few 100 μm to a few mm and with a height from a few 100 μm to a few mm.

A spacer structure preferably covers only a comparatively small part of a side of a plasma applicator facing the surface to be treated, so that a plasma can ignite distributed over a comparatively large area.

In one embodiment, a spacer structure is equipped or enriched with one or more pharmacological and / or non-pharmacological active substances (e.g. morphines, coagulants, cytokines, hydrocolloids). Equipment in this sense can e.g. be implemented by coating the surface of a spacer structure with the active substances and / or by enriching the material of a spacer structure with the active substances. For coating and / or enriching the material of a spacer structure with one or more pharmacological or non-pharmacological active ingredients, it can be advantageous if additional materials and / or agents are mixed into the coating and / or enrichment. This can e.g. the resistance and / or the release kinetics of the pharmacological or non-pharmacological active ingredients are delayed (e.g. delayed release) or accelerated.

In one embodiment, a distance structure is designed as a plasma source. Advantageously, there are at least one electrode structure within a spacer structure, which in the application is supplied with a voltage signal sufficient to ignite a plasma. In this configuration, with an electrode structure as part of a spacer structure, a surface to be treated is a counter electrode during operation.

In one embodiment, a spacer structure is simultaneously an electrode structure. Such an electrode structure also fulfills the function of a spacer structure. A suitable electrode structure can be a simple electrical conductor which is formed by a wire with a round or oval cross section. A simple electrical conductor can also be formed by a flat cable. A flat cable in this sense can have a square or rectangular cross section. In this case, the distance structure is also a plasma source. In this embodiment too, a counter electrode is preferably implemented during operation by the surface to be treated itself.

In one embodiment, a plasma applicator with a distance structure designed as a plasma source, which therefore either comprises an electrode structure or is itself an electrode structure and is supplied with a voltage signal to ignite a plasma, has a further electrode structure. The further electrode structure can e.g. be arranged as a surface electrode between the spacer structure and the rest of the plasma applicator. A further electrode structure designed in this way is preferably grounded, so that a plasma can ignite between a distance structure designed as a plasma source and the further electrode. In a variant of this embodiment, a further electrode structure is not formed over the entire surface, but has cutouts, e.g. in the form of honeycombs, holes of different sizes or polygonal shapes.

In one embodiment, a spacer structure has at least two electrode structures. A preferred arrangement of the electrode structures is in layers one above the other in relation to a surface to be treated. One of the electrode structures is preferably connected to earth potential and at least one further of the electrode structures is subjected in operation to a voltage signal sufficient to ignite a plasma. A grounded electrode structure is preferably arranged closer to a surface to be treated than an electrode structure driven during operation. The distance of an electrode structure to a surface to be treated during operation with a voltage signal sufficient to ignite a plasma is therefore preferably greater than the distance from an earthed electrode structure to a surface to be treated. In operation, a plasma preferably ignites essentially on two opposite longitudinal sides of a spacer structure.

In a preferred embodiment of a plasma applicator with a distance structure designed as a plasma source and a further electrode structure within and / or between the distance structure and the rest of the plasma applicator, the plasma applicator does not have an electrotechnical core designed as a multilayer system, since a plasma source is already realized by the distance structure designed as a plasma source is. In this case, a plasma applicator has e.g. an enclosure and a distance structure designed as a plasma source.

In a preferred embodiment, a spacer structure designed as a plasma source has a plug-in device. The plug-in device can be galvanically connected to an insertion device in order to transmit a voltage signal sufficient to ignite a plasma to an electrode structure of the spacer structure. A distance structure designed as a plasma source can have a first electrode structure within the distance structure and a second electrode structure inside or outside the distance structure or only a single electrode structure within the distance structure.

In a preferred embodiment, a distance structure designed as a plasma source is designed independently without further components of a plasma applicator. A closed gas space in which a plasma is to be ignited can then be used for a plasma treatment, e.g. can be realized by placing or sticking a film over the spacer structure. This allows the spacer structure to be attached over the surface to be treated. A distance structure designed as a plasma source can have a first electrode structure within the distance structure and a second electrode structure inside or outside the distance structure or only a single electrode structure within the distance structure. At least one of the electrode structures can be galvanically connected to a plug device.

Suction device

• • Spülen einer Wunde während ein Plasmaapplikator auf einer zu behandelnden Oberfläche aufgebracht ist,
• • Absaugen von evtl. aus einer Wunde austretendem Exsudat während ein Plasmaapplikator auf einer zu behandelnden Oberfläche aufgebracht ist,
• • Durchführen einer V.A.C.-Therapie während ein Plasmaapplikator auf einer zu behandelnden Oberfläche aufgebracht ist,
• • sowie eine Kombination der oben genannten Funktionen vor, nach und/oder während einer Plasmabehandlung.

In one embodiment, a plasma applicator has an access connection, for example a suction device. A suction device is then integrated in a plasma applicator. A suction device can perform several functions:

• Rinsing a wound while a plasma applicator is applied to a surface to be treated,
• Suction of any exudate escaping from a wound while a plasma applicator is applied to a surface to be treated,
• Performing VAC therapy while a plasma applicator is applied to a surface to be treated,
• • and a combination of the above functions before, after and / or during a plasma treatment.

A suction device is preferably designed as a spout or nipple, so that a hose can be connected to such a spout or nipple, which e.g. is connected to a vacuum pump in such a way that a negative pressure generated by the vacuum pump can be passed via the hose to a nipple or a spout to a plasma applicator, whereby the above-mentioned functions (between a plasma applicator and a surface to be treated in the closed gas space) Flushing, suction, VAC therapy and the combination of the individual functions before, after and / or during a plasma treatment) can be fulfilled.

A grommet or nipple is preferably tubular and hollow on the inside. Preferably, one end of this tubular device is located in the closed gas space between a plasma applicator and a surface to be treated and the other end outside the plasma applicator, so that when a plasma applicator is arranged on a surface to be treated, one or more media are passed through the tubular spout can be added to the closed gas space or transported away from the closed gas space.

The cross section of a spout or nipple can be round, oval, rectangular or polygonal.

In a preferred embodiment, an inner and outer diameter of a spout or a nipple is selected such that a hose can be pushed on and attached to the spout.

In one embodiment, a tubular spout comprises a male thread or a female sleeve in order to fasten a tube with a complementary thread for adding and / or transporting media into or out of a closed gas space via a screw connection to the tubular spout. In a variant of this embodiment, this tubular spout is guided through an electrotechnical core. For this purpose, a hole or a recess can be provided in an electrotechnical core, the diameter of which corresponds to the outside diameter of the tubular spout. In a variant, this tubular spout is passed through an enclosure. For this purpose, a hole or a recess can be provided in an enclosure, the diameter of which corresponds to the outside diameter of the tubular spout.

In a preferred embodiment, a grommet or a nipple is integrated in a plug device. In a complementary insertion device there is then preferably a counterpart to the grommet, so that when the plug-in device and insertion device are in the assembled state, the counterpart in the insertion device and the grommet in the plug-in device form a water and airtight connection.

In a preferred embodiment, a tubular spout or a tubular nipple has an integrated valve, so that a flow of the media or media through the tubular spout can be regulated and stopped by means of this valve. Such a valve can be controlled manually, mechanically or electronically.

Plasma applicator with sensors

In all or conventional plasma applicators described here, a sensor as described below and, if appropriate, a corresponding sensor system can be provided. Some preferred embodiments of a plasma applicator with one or more, in particular different, sensors are described below by way of example only.

In one embodiment, a plasma applicator comprises an electrotechnical core which is designed as a plasma source, an enclosure through which a closed gas space can be produced between a body section to be treated and the plasma applicator and at least one sensor which is designed for a plasma treatment and / or to record and output measurement variables relevant to wound healing, in particular physiological measurement variables of a body section covered by the plasma applicator in the application.

A plasma applicator with a sensor can be used particularly advantageously if a plasma applicator is to remain on a body section to be treated over a longer period of time, for example from a few days to several weeks, in order to seal it against external influences. If, for example, a plasma treatment is carried out at the beginning of treatment of a wound, it may be advantageous for wound healing if a plasma applicator is permanently on one over a longer period of time, typically from several days to several weeks, for example until a corresponding wound has healed is attached to the corresponding body section and seals the wound, which advantageously prevents recontamination of the wound. In particular after a plasma treatment, characteristic measurement variables for a closed gas space and / or for a wound to be treated can then be recorded and read out by means of at least one sensor. Acquisition includes measuring a measured variable and converting it into a data signal representing the measured variable. As a result, a healing process of a wound can be followed on the basis of read-out measured variables without a plasma applicator having to be removed from a section of the body to be treated during a healing process. A wound can therefore remain permanently sealed during a healing process.

The at least one sensor is preferably designed to record a measured variable, for example a gas pressure, a temperature, an oxygen saturation of the blood (SpO2 value), conductance values of a wound secretion, bacterial colonization, a pH value, a wound size, etc. Measured variables can then be stored, for example, as data representing the measured variables in a memory module of a sensor system with at least one sensor. The data can then be read out by an external reader at a later time. For example, a sensor system comprising the at least one sensor can have an RFID (radio-frequency identification) transponder that can access data stored in a memory module and transmit it to a reading device if a corresponding one Request is made by a reader to the transponder.

A data signal representing the measured variables can also be transmitted, preferably wirelessly, directly from a transmitter unit of a sensor system to a complementary receiver unit of a portable or stationary data processing device.

By reading out measured variables detected by a sensor, a treatment success of a plasma treatment and / or a progress of wound healing can be assessed particularly advantageously without having to remove a plasma applicator arranged on a body section to be treated from the body section to be treated. This is particularly advantageous if a plasma applicator is to remain applied to a section of the body to be treated for a longer period of time. A longer period is preferably a period of several days or several weeks. A period of several days can also add up to a period of several weeks. A longer period preferably includes a period in which a wound has healed at least as far as possible. During this period, a wound to be treated is largely isolated from the surrounding atmosphere. During this period, a wound is permanently sealed.

Measured variables can advantageously be read out and interpreted, for example, directly by a doctor or hospital staff. On the basis of the measured variables read out, it is then possible, for example, to assess the need for a new plasma treatment or to determine a suitable point in time for removing a plasma applicator.

It can also be advantageous if measured variables are read out by a patient himself. For example, a patient at home can read out the data representing the measured variables and make it available to a doctor via a network, so that the doctor can assess a treatment success without consulting a patient personally. With a plasma applicator with at least one sensor, telemonitoring, sometimes also called home monitoring, of a patient by a doctor is particularly advantageously made possible.

It is also conceivable that an amplitude of a voltage signal sufficient to ignite a plasma is regulated as a function of one or more, in particular different, measured variables detected. For this purpose, for example, the data representing the measured variables or a data signal representing the measured variables can preferably be transmitted wirelessly but also via cable to a corresponding interface of a power supply unit, so that an amplitude of a voltage signal to be provided can be correspondingly modulated. In one embodiment, a plasma applicator has an electrical circuit that modulates a voltage signal provided for igniting a plasma, in particular an amplitude of the voltage signal, as a function of at least one measured variable.

An electrical circuit, which is designed to modulate a voltage signal, in particular an amplitude of the voltage signal, provided to ignite a plasma as a function of at least one measured variable, can also be integrated in a power supply unit. An energy supply unit can then be designed, for example, to receive and process a data signal representing the measured variables via cable or wirelessly either directly from one or more sensors of a plasma applicator or from a data processing device on which the data representing the measured variables are stored, and a corresponding one To transmit output signal to the electrical circuit.

Accordingly, an energy supply unit is provided which is designed to provide a voltage signal sufficient to ignite a plasma and comprises an interface for receiving a data signal representing the measured variables and an electrical circuit, the electrical circuit being designed to provide a voltage signal provided for igniting a plasma, in particular to modulate an amplitude of the voltage signal as a function of the received data signal.

A sensor can be, for example, a gas pressure sensor that is designed and arranged in such a way that it measures a gas pressure in a closed gas space, or it can be a temperature sensor that is designed and arranged to measure a temperature in particular in a closed gas space, or a pH value Be a sensor that is designed and arranged to measure a pH value, in particular of a wound, a moisture sensor that is designed and arranged to measure a moisture level in a wound environment, or a metabolic product sensor that is designed and is arranged to record metabolic products in particular that are characteristic of wound healing. Such metabolic products can be, for example, proteins such as fibrin or lactates. Metabolic products characteristic of wound healing can also be those metabolic products which are of Bacteria from a bacterial coating on a wound are released.

A sensor system can also have a plurality of sensors, in particular different ones, and be designed, for example, as a microsystem (Microelectromechanical system (MEMS)). Such microsystems represent a compact unit that can be integrated particularly advantageously into a plasma applicator.

In one embodiment, a plasma applicator has a sensor system that includes several, in particular different, sensors. The sensors are preferably designed in each case to record and output different physiological measurement variables of a body section covered by the plasma applicator in the application. The multiple sensors of a sensor system are preferably arranged at different points on a plasma applicator. A sensor of the plurality of sensors is preferably arranged at a location which is particularly suitable for detecting a corresponding measurement variable. A sensor which is provided to measure a gas pressure is preferably arranged on the plasma applicator at a distance from the wound and from a gas space. A temperature sensor, which is intended to measure the conductance values of a wound secretion, is preferably arranged such that it is in contact with a wound to be treated in the application.

A sensor system with several, in particular different sensors can also be designed as a microfluidic system, also called lab-on-a-chip system, which can be designed, for example, a bacterial coating on the wound or the type and concentration of pathogens in the blood or in a wound secretion capture. In one embodiment, a plasma applicator has a sensor system in the form of a microfluidic system, the sensor system being arranged on the plasma applicator in such a way that it is in contact with a wound to be treated in the application, for example in order to be able to absorb and analyze wound secretion or blood.

A sensor is preferably arranged on the plasma applicator in such a way that the sensor, in particular physiological measurement variables relevant for a plasma treatment and / or wound healing, can be detected. In one embodiment, a sensor is arranged in such a way that it is at a distance from a body section to be treated during a plasma treatment in a closed gas space. A sensor arranged in this way can measure measurement variables, such as temperature or gas pressure, particularly advantageously for the closed gas space. In one embodiment, a sensor is arranged such that it is in direct contact with a body section to be treated during a plasma treatment. A sensor arranged in this way can measure measuring variables specific to the body section to be treated, such as a bacterial coating or oxygen saturation of the wound, particularly advantageously. It can also be advantageous to arrange a sensor in such a way that characteristic measured variables can be recorded for an electrotechnical core.

In one embodiment, a plasma applicator comprises an electrotechnical core, an enclosure with a pocket, the electrotechnical core being able to be pushed into and removed from the pocket, and at least one sensor which is designed to be relevant, in particular physiological, for plasma treatment and / or wound healing To record and output measured variables. Preferably, the enclosure is at least partially transparent or optically transparent so that a person can visually assess a condition of a wound when the plasma applicator is applied to a section of the body to be treated, ie above the wound to be treated. A plasma treatment can then first be carried out. After the plasma treatment, the electrotechnical core can be removed from the pocket so that a view of the wound is possible through the enclosure. If a new plasma treatment is to be carried out, an electrotechnical core can be pushed back into the pocket of the enclosure as a module. In this way, progress in wound healing can be assessed visually, in addition to an interpretation of measurement variables detected by a sensor system. In one embodiment, a plasma applicator has an enclosure with a pocket in which the electrotechnical core is removably arranged. The enclosure is designed in such a way that when the electrotechnical core is removed and the plasma applicator is arranged on a body section to be treated, the body section can be seen through the enclosure.

A visual assessment of a wound that is located under an applied plasma applicator can also be made possible by the fact that an enclosure of a plasma applicator has a viewing window that is arranged in that area of the enclosure that enables a person through the viewing window to state a condition can assess the wound to be treated without having to remove a plasma applicator. In one embodiment of a plasma applicator, an enclosure therefore has a viewing window that does this it is arranged that when the plasma applicator is arranged on a body section, the body section can be seen through the viewing window.

In one embodiment, a plasma applicator comprises an electrotechnical core, an enclosure with a viewing window, the viewing window being arranged such that a body portion on which the plasma applicator is attached can be visually inspected through the viewing window, and at least one sensor that is designed to record and output relevant, in particular physiological measurement variables relevant for a plasma treatment and / or wound healing. A viewing window is preferably arranged in an enclosure such that a view of a wound is not blocked by an electrotechnical core. For this purpose, it can be advantageous if an electrotechnical core has a feedthrough in the center, above which the viewing window is arranged.

In one embodiment, a plasma applicator comprises an electrotechnical core, an enclosure, at least one sensor and a gel layer, the gel layer being arranged on the side of the plasma applicator facing a body section to be treated. If a plasma applicator is arranged on a body section to be treated, the gel layer preferably has the effect that a contact pressure exerted by the plasma applicator on the body section to be treated is distributed uniformly over a surface of the body section to be treated. This is particularly advantageous when a plasma applicator is to remain on a body section for a longer period of time.

In one embodiment, a plasma applicator comprises an electrotechnical core, an enclosure, at least one sensor and an air cushion, the air cushion being arranged on the side of the plasma applicator facing a body section to be treated. An air cushion is preferably ring-shaped and is filled with air. The annular air cushion has an inner diameter that corresponds to the diameter of the opening of the annular air cushion and an outer diameter that corresponds to the diameter of the entire circumference of the air cushion. The inner diameter preferably corresponds to at least one lateral extension of an electrode structure of the electrotechnical core. The outer diameter preferably corresponds to the outer dimensions of the plasma applicator. If a plasma applicator is arranged on a body section to be treated, the air cushion preferably has the effect that a contact pressure exerted by the plasma applicator on the body section to be treated is evenly distributed. This is particularly advantageous when a plasma applicator is to remain on a body section for a longer period of time.

In one embodiment, a plasma applicator comprises an electrotechnical core, an enclosure, at least one sensor and a layer which is enriched or coated with pharmacologically and / or non-pharmacologically active substances and which is located directly on the part of the body to be treated during a plasma treatment. Such a layer can be realized particularly advantageously by a spacer structure. In particular when a wound is sealed over a longer period of time, preferably until a wound heals, active substances can then be released to the wound to be treated during this period in order to support wound healing and to treat special and / or additional indications.

In one embodiment, a plasma applicator comprises an electrotechnical core, an enclosure, at least one sensor and an adhesion layer, wherein the adhesion layer is formed, an adhesive contact between the rest of the plasma applicator and a surface to be treated over a period of several days, in particular until a healing is successful Wound to ensure. Such a period can also span several weeks. The adhesive layer is preferably self-adhesive. A self-adhesive layer of adhesive can be formed, for example, by a suitable adhesive, e.g. Silicone. An adhesive layer preferably ensures firm adhesive contact between a plasma applicator and a body section to be treated. An adhesion layer is preferably designed in such a way that it degrades in a certain period of time, preferably several days, or dissolves by adding solvents, for example alcohol.

In one embodiment, a plasma applicator comprises an electrotechnical core, an enclosure, at least one sensor and an access connection, which is arranged such that when the plasma applicator is arranged on a body section to be treated, a fluid medium is fed into a closed gas space or from the gas space can be dissipated. If a plasma applicator remains on a section of the body to be treated for a longer period of time, a fluid medium can be either supplied or removed in a targeted manner at various stages of wound healing in order to support wound healing. An access connection advantageously enables VAC therapy to be carried out. VAC therapy can be controlled, for example, by liquid sensors. If a plasma applicator has an access port has, despite sealing a body section to be treated, exudate can advantageously be removed from the gas space. An access connection advantageously makes it possible to produce an aerobic or anaerobic air climate in the gas space.

In one embodiment, a plasma applicator comprises an electrotechnical core, an enclosure and at least one sensor, the enclosure being formed by a water-repellent material or coated with a water-repellent coating. This advantageously prevents liquids from penetrating into the gas space, while a plasma applicator is arranged on a body section to be treated for several days.

• - Aufbringen eines Plasmaapplikators auf einem zu behandelnden Körperabschnitt, sodass zwischen dem Plasmaapplikator und dem zu behandelnden Körperabschnitt ein abgeschlossener Gasraum gebildet wird,
• - Durchführen einer Plasmabehandlung, wobei das Durchführen umfasst, dass an eine Elektrodenstruktur des elektrotechnischen Kerns eine zum Zünden eines Plasmas geeignete elektrische Spannung angelegt wird,
• - Belassen des Plasmaapplikators auf dem zu behandelnden Körperabschnitt, sodass der abgeschlossene Gasraum über die Plasmabehandlung hinaus bestehen bleibt, und
• - während des Belassens des Plasmaapplikators auf dem zu behandelnden Körperabschnitt, Erfassen und Ausgeben einer physiologischen Messgröße eines von dem Plasmaapplikator bedeckten Körperabschnitts mittels dem wenigstens einen Sensor.

A method for permanent wound sealing of a wound with a plasma applicator, the plasma applicator having an enclosure, an electrotechnical core and at least one sensor, comprises at least the following steps:

• Applying a plasma applicator to a body section to be treated, so that a closed gas space is formed between the plasma applicator and the body section to be treated,
• Carrying out a plasma treatment, the carrying out comprising that an electrical voltage suitable for igniting a plasma is applied to an electrode structure of the electrotechnical core,
• - leaving the plasma applicator on the body section to be treated so that the closed gas space remains after the plasma treatment, and
• while the plasma applicator is left on the body section to be treated, detection and output of a physiological measurement variable of a body section covered by the plasma applicator by means of the at least one sensor.

The step of leaving preferably extends over a period of time which corresponds to a period of wound healing of a wound to be treated. The duration of this step can therefore extend over several weeks. During this period of time, physiological measurement variables relevant to wound healing are then recorded and output by means of a sensor. Individual steps of the method are preferably carried out several times during the leaving. So it can be advantageous if e.g. a plasma treatment is carried out several times during the leaving.

• - Aufbringen eines Plasmaapplikators, der einen elektrotechnischen Kern und eine Umschließung umfasst, auf einem zu behandelnden Körperabschnitt, sodass zwischen dem Plasmaapplikator und dem zu behandelnden Körperabschnitt ein abgeschlossener Gasraum gebildet wird,
• - Durchführen einer Plasmabehandlung, wobei das Durchführen umfasst, dass an eine Elektrodenstruktur des elektrotechnischen Kerns eine zum Zünden eines Plasmas geeignete elektrische Spannung angelegt wird,
• - Belassen des Plasmaapplikators auf dem zu behandelnden Körperabschnitt, sodass der abgeschlossene Gasraum über die Plasmabehandlung hinaus über mehrere Tage bestehen bleibt.

A plasma applicator, which has neither a sensor nor a sensor system, can also be used for sealing a body section, in particular a wound. Such a procedure comprises the steps:

• Applying a plasma applicator, which comprises an electrotechnical core and an enclosure, to a body section to be treated, so that a closed gas space is formed between the plasma applicator and the body section to be treated,
• Carrying out a plasma treatment, the carrying out comprising that an electrical voltage suitable for igniting a plasma is applied to an electrode structure of the electrotechnical core,
• - Leave the plasma applicator on the section of the body to be treated so that the closed gas space persists beyond the plasma treatment for several days.

Such a method can be carried out with the plasma applicators and other conventional plasma applicators described in the context of this description. By leaving the plasma applicator on the section of the body to be treated, a section of the body to be treated is sealed and thus isolated from external influences. Leaving it over a period of several days extends in particular over a period in which a wound heals as far as possible. A plasma applicator is preferably arranged on a body section to be treated, a plasma treatment is carried out and the plasma applicator is left on the body section to be treated until a wound has healed. Such a period typically comprises several days, which in total can also result in a period of several weeks.

Ignition of a plasma

To ignite the plasma, a voltage signal sufficient to ignite a plasma is provided to at least one electrode structure of an electrotechnical core during operation by means of an energy supply unit.

An energy supply unit is preferably designed to provide a voltage signal sufficient to ignite a plasma as a square wave, a sawtooth or a sinusoidal voltage. An energy supply unit is preferably designed to provide individual repetitive pulses, for example an AC voltage can be provided in a pulsed manner.

It can be advantageous for a plasma treatment if a sinusoidal voltage with 9 kV peak-peak, pulsed with 20 µs on, 180 µs off, 5 times per second (5 Hz) is provided. In this way, the temperature of an ignited plasma can advantageously be kept low. A plasma is advantageously ignited for a total time of approximately 10% of the treatment time.

In alternative variants, a voltage signal of a few 100 V to 5 kV peak-peak can be used. In further variants it can be provided to provide a different pulse pattern. For example, it can be advantageous to use a number of short pulses in order to achieve a corresponding concentration of an active species and after the sequence of short pulses initially no longer ignite plasma for a few seconds. Such a plasma treatment can lead to an improved treatment result for particular clinical pictures. At the same time, the energy consumption can be set specifically via the duration of the pulses and the pauses between the pulses. A short ignition of a plasma with a comparatively long pause is particularly advantageous for operation with a mobile energy supply unit, since this significantly reduces the energy requirement and enables a longer treatment period with a comparatively small energy store.

If a first electrode structure is provided in an electrotechnical core, it is then preferably at earth or ground potential and thus forms an electrical counter pole for the second electrode structure driven with the voltage signal. An electrical field is then present between the two electrode structures or at least the second electrode structure and the surface to be treated, a short circuit between the electrode structures being prevented or prevented by the insulation layer arranged between the electrode structures. Instead, a large-area, dielectrically impeded plasma is formed. Since the plasma properties strongly depend on the gas space thickness, in particular on the gas volume between an earthed electrode structure and a surface to be treated, in particular a human or animal surface, a spacer structure can be provided which reliably and reproducibly provides a sufficient amount of gas in the closed gas space between Plasma applicator and surface to be treated allowed for the generation of a plasma with the same active properties. A gas or gas mixture to be ionized is a supplied working gas and / or the ambient or outside air.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the figures. These are not necessarily to show the exemplary embodiments to scale, rather the figures are designed in a schematic and / or slightly distorted form. The features disclosed in the description, in the figures and in the claims can be essential for realizing the invention both individually and in any combination. Identical and / or similar features with an identical or similar function are provided with the same reference symbols where appropriate. Further advantages, features and details of the invention result from the following description of the preferred exemplary embodiments and from the figures.

• 1: einen Plasmaapplikator mit einer Steckvorrichtung, die mit einer Einschubvorrichtung zusammengeführt ist,
• 2A: eine Seitenansicht auf einen Schnitt entlang der Breite durch eine mit einer Einschubvorrichtung zusammengeführte Steckvorrichtung,
• 2B: eine Seitenansicht auf einen Schnitt entlang der Höhe durch eine mit einer Einschubvorrichtung zusammengeführte Steckvorrichtung,
• 3: eine Seitenansicht auf einen Schnitt entlang der Breite einer Steckvorrichtung in Form eines Steckers, die elektrisch mit einer Elektrodenstruktur verbunden ist,
• 4: einen Mechanismus für eine sichere Verbindung zwischen einer Steckvorrichtung und einer Einschubvorrichtung,
• 5A: einen Plasmaapplikator mit einem elektrotechnischen Kern und mit einer Steckvorrichtung, die mit einer Einschubvorrichtung zusammengeführt ist,
• 5B: eine Seitenansicht auf einen Schnitt entlang der Breite durch die mit der Einschubvorrichtung zusammengeführte Steckvorrichtung,
• 6: eine Steckvorrichtung im Chipkartenformat mit einer Verjüngung in einer Leiterbahn,
• 7: eine Explosionsdarstellung einer bekannten Vorrichtung zur Erzeugung eines kalten Atmosphärendruckplasmas für die Behandlung von Oberflächen,
• 8A einen Plasmaapplikator, der mit einer mobilen Energieversorgungseinheit mit einer Einschubvorrichtung zusammengeführt ist,
• 8B einen Plasmaapplikator mit einer integrierten mobilen Energieversorgungseinheit und einer Steckvorrichtung,
• 8C einen Plasmaapplikator mit einer integrierten mobilen Energieversorgungseinheit ohne eine Steckvorrichtung,
• 8D einen Plasmaapplikator mit einem Einschubschlitz für eine mobile Energieversorgungseinheit,
• 8E einen Plasmaapplikator mit einer integrierten Empfangs-Spulenanordnung und mit einem Einschubschlitz in den eine mobile Energieversorgungseinheit mit einer Sende-Spulenanordnung geschoben werden kann,
• 8F einen Plasmaapplikator mit einer integrierten Energieversorgungseinheit mit einem Akkumulator, der mittels einer ebenfalls intergierten Ladevorrichtung induktiv geladen werden kann,
• 9 einen Plasmaapplikator mit skalierbarer Behandlungsfläche,
• 10A eine Distanzstruktur, die gleichzeitig als Plasmaquelle zur Erzeugung einer dielektrisch behinderten Entladung (DBE) ausgebildet ist,
• 10B einen Querschnitt der in 10A gezeigten Distanzstruktur,
• 11 einen geschlossenen Stromkreis bestehend aus einem zweiadrigen Kabel,
• 12 eine Draufsicht auf die patientenzugewandte Seite eines elektrotechnischen Kerns,
• 13 eine Draufsicht auf die patientenabgewandte Seite des in 12 gezeigten elektrotechnischen Kerns,
• 14 eine Draufsicht auf die patientenabgewandte Seite des in 13 gezeigten elektrotechnischen Kerns,
• 15 eine Einschubvorrichtung mit einem Spannungsanschluss und einem Masseanschluss,
• 16 angedeutet, wie ein mechanisch fester Sitz zwischen einer Steckvorrichtung und einer durch Einrastelemente angedeutete Einschubvorrichtung hergestellt werden,
• 17 einen elektrotechnischen Kern der in eine Saugkompresse geschoben ist,
• 18 einen elektrotechnischen Kern, der in eine bereits vorhandene Lasche eines Verbands eingeschoben ist,
• 19 einen Querschnitt durch einen Plasmaapplikator mit einem elektrotechnischen Kern mit jeweils drei Elektrodenstrukturen und drei Isolationsschichten,
• 20 eine Draufsicht auf die Seite eines elektrotechnischen Kerns, die während einer Plasmabehandlung von der zu behandelnden Oberfläche abgewandt ist,
• 21 eine Draufsicht auf die Seite eines elektrotechnischen Kerns, die während einer Plasmabehandlung von der zu behandelnden Oberfläche abgewandt ist, wobei insbesondere die dritte Isolationsschicht zu sehen ist,
• 22 eine Draufsicht auf die Seite eines elektrotechnischen Kerns gezeigt, die während einer Plasmabehandlung von der zu behandelnden Oberfläche abgewandt ist, wobei insbesondere die dritte Elektrodenstruktur zu sehen ist,
• 23 eine Draufsicht auf die Seite eines elektrotechnischen Kerns gezeigt, die während einer Plasmabehandlung von der zu behandelnden Oberfläche abgewandt ist, wobei der elektrotechnische Kern eine dritte Elektrodenstruktur und eine Versteifung umfasst,
• 24 eine Steckvorrichtung, die mit einer Einschubvorrichtung zusammengesteckt ist,
• 25 einen Plasmaapplikator mit einem elektrotechnischen Kern, einer Umschließung und einem Zugangsanschluss,
• 26 eine Steckvorrichtung mit einem Zugangsanschluss und eine zu der Steckvorrichtung komplementär ausgebildete Einschubvorrichtung,
• 27 eine Steckvorrichtung mit einem Zugangsanschluss und eine zu der Steckvorrichtung komplementär ausgebildete Einschubvorrichtung,
• 28 einen Plasmaapplikator, der eine Umschließung, einen elektrotechnischen Kern und eine Steckvorrichtung mit einem Zugangsanschluss aufweist,
• 29 einen Plasmaapplikator mit einer Sensorik.

In detail shows:

• 1 a plasma applicator with a plug-in device which is brought together with an insertion device,
• 2A FIG. 1 shows a side view of a section along the width through a plug-in device that is brought together with an insertion device,
• 2 B FIG. 2 shows a side view of a section along the height through a plug-in device that is brought together with an insertion device,
• 3rd FIG. 1 shows a side view of a section along the width of a plug device in the form of a plug that is electrically connected to an electrode structure,
• 4th : a mechanism for a secure connection between a plug-in device and a plug-in device,
• 5A a plasma applicator with an electrotechnical core and with a plug-in device which is brought together with an insertion device,
• 5B a side view of a section along the width through the plug-in device combined with the insertion device,
• 6 : a plug-in device in chip card format with a taper in a conductor track,
• 7 an exploded view of a known device for generating a cold atmospheric pressure plasma for the treatment of surfaces,
• 8A a plasma applicator, which is combined with a mobile energy supply unit with a slide-in device,
• 8B a plasma applicator with an integrated mobile power supply unit and a plug device,
• 8C a plasma applicator with an integrated mobile power supply unit without a plug device,
• 8D a plasma applicator with an insertion slot for a mobile energy supply unit,
• 8E a plasma applicator with an integrated receiving coil arrangement and with an insertion slot into which a mobile energy supply unit with a transmitting coil arrangement can be pushed,
• 8F a plasma applicator with an integrated energy supply unit with an accumulator, which can be charged inductively by means of a charging device which is also integrated,
• 9 a plasma applicator with scalable treatment area,
• 10A a spacer structure which is simultaneously designed as a plasma source for generating a dielectric barrier discharge (DBE),
• 10B a cross section of in 10A distance structure shown,
• 11 a closed circuit consisting of a two-core cable,
• 12th a plan view of the patient-facing side of an electrotechnical core,
• 13 a plan view of the patient-facing side of the in 12th shown electrotechnical core,
• 14 a plan view of the patient-facing side of the in 13 shown electrotechnical core,
• 15 a slide-in device with a voltage connection and a ground connection,
• 16 indicated how a mechanically firm seat between a plug-in device and a push-in device indicated by snap-in elements are produced,
• 17th an electrotechnical core that is pushed into a suction pad,
• 18th an electrotechnical core that is inserted into an already existing tab of an association,
• 19th 3 shows a cross section through a plasma applicator with an electrotechnical core, each with three electrode structures and three insulation layers,
• 20th 3 shows a plan view of the side of an electrotechnical core which faces away from the surface to be treated during a plasma treatment,
• 21 3 shows a plan view of the side of an electrotechnical core which faces away from the surface to be treated during a plasma treatment, the third insulation layer in particular being visible,
• 22 2 shows a plan view of the side of an electrotechnical core which faces away from the surface to be treated during a plasma treatment, the third electrode structure in particular being visible,
• 23 1 shows a plan view of the side of an electrotechnical core which faces away from the surface to be treated during a plasma treatment, the electrotechnical core comprising a third electrode structure and a stiffening,
• 24th a plug-in device which is plugged together with a slide-in device,
• 25th a plasma applicator with an electrotechnical core, an enclosure and an access connection,
• 26 a plug-in device with an access connection and a slide-in device designed to complement the plug-in device,
• 27 a plug-in device with an access connection and a slide-in device designed to complement the plug-in device,
• 28 a plasma applicator which has an enclosure, an electrotechnical core and a plug-in device with an access connection,
• 29 a plasma applicator with sensors.

1 shows a preferred embodiment of a plasma applicator 100 with an electrotechnical core 50 and with a connector 70 , which is designed as a chip card-like connector. The connector 70 is with a slide-in device designed as a complementary receptacle 60 merged. The slide-in device 60 and the connector 70 have electrically conductive conductor tracks which are galvanically coupled to corresponding contact surfaces in the merged state. In particular, the conductor track of the plug device 70 a conductor on from a contact surface in the plug device to at least one electrode structure 10th leads.

The electrode structure 10th is part of the electrotechnical core 50 that shown in the Embodiment further an insulation layer 20th includes. The edge of the insulation layer 20th dominates the electrode structure 10th lateral by the length of the creepage distances at a voltage typical for the application.

In the embodiment shown there is the electrode structure 10th from a conductive silver varnish, which is comb-shaped. In various variants of the embodiment shown, an electrode structure can also be formed in the form of thin metal layers, foils, grids and / or with conductive polymer layers. A variant is also conceivable in which an electrode structure of a corresponding electrotechnical core is formed by electrically conductive threads that are woven into a textile. In a further variant, an electrode structure of a corresponding electrotechnical core is formed as an electrically conductive structure from a conductive, flexible material, such as, for example, a conductive plastic, a material enriched with conductive particles, a metallic foil or graphite.

The electrode structure 10th The embodiment shown is electrical with a conductor track of the plug device 70 connected. The slide-in device 60 is with a cable 80 connected. At the other end of the cable 80 , is the cable 80 typically connected to a predominantly stationary power supply unit (not shown), such as a high voltage generator. The energy supply unit (not shown) provides a voltage signal sufficient to ignite a plasma and can comprise a control device and a reader for digital data. The plug device is used for operation 70 the plasma applicator 100 with the slide-in device 60 merged. A voltage signal provided by the power supply unit (not shown) becomes in operation of the plasma applicator 100 over the cable 80 and the one with the slide-in device 60 merged connector 70 to the electrode structure 10th transferred to ignite a plasma.

The electrode structure 10th of the electrotechnical core shown has the function of an electrode structure driven by the voltage signal and is preferably designed to be flexible. A further electrode structure that functions as a ground electrode is typically required. In the embodiment shown, the electrotechnical core has 50 just an electrode structure 10th on and the counter electrode, when the plasma applicator is attached to or on a human or animal or technical surface, is realized by the human or animal body or the technical surface itself. In a variant of the exemplary embodiment shown, the counter electrode as a further electrode structure is part of the flexible, flat electrotechnical core and is located on the side facing the surface to be treated. In this variant, the driven electrode structure and the grounded electrode structure consist of the same material and have the same special geometry. However, the electrode sections of the driven electrode structure and of the grounded electrode structure are offset from one another with a defined overlap. In the embodiment shown and in the variants described, an electrode section of a corresponding electrode structure preferably has a width of 5 mm and a thickness of 14 μm.

The cross-sectional shape of the electrode sections of an electrode structure has emerged as a relevant variable. The conductivity in combination with a cross-sectional shape of the electrode sections of an electrode structure is preferably dimensioned such that a conductor track forming a respective electrode section has a resistance in the single-digit ohm range. The result of this is that only a few volts of voltage drop between the beginning of a conductor track of an electrode structure and the end, and thus a homogeneous discharge can be provided over the entire area of an electrode structure. A resistance in the electrode structure which is 2 ohms is currently preferred. Higher resistance values, for example up to 50 ohms, are also conceivable. With higher resistances, however, a large voltage drop can be observed and the electrode structures heat up significantly.

For some applications, however, it can also be advantageous if an electrode section of an electrode structure of an electrotechnical core has a width of 1 mm and a thickness of 70 μm. For still other applications, it can be advantageous if an electrode section of an electrode structure of an electrotechnical core has a width of 10 mm and a thickness of 7 μm.

To generate a flat plasma, in particular a cold plasma, is located in the electrotechnical core 50 Insulation layer 20th that between the driven electrode structure 10th and the surface to be treated is arranged.

In the embodiment shown there is the insulation layer 20th made of an electrically non-conductive plastic. The insulation layer 20th but can also consist of a ceramic or a plastic-ceramic mixture or of a natural fiber composite or other natural materials. Preferably, the insulation layer 20th a thickness ranging from a few µm to a few 100 µm is. The insulation layer 20th is preferably non-porous, ie it has no or very few holes or cavities. The insulation layer 20th also has a dielectric strength of at least 5 kV per mm thickness. The lateral extent of the insulation layer 20th corresponds to the dimension of the electrode structure 10th in the electrotechnical core 50 plus an edge protruding beyond, the edge being dimensioned such that it covers at least the length of the creepage distances for typical voltage values used to ignite the plasma.

In a variant, not shown, of the embodiment shown here, the lateral extent of an insulation layer is selected such that no arc discharge occurs between an electrode structure driven in the application and another electrode structure lying at earth potential or the surface to be treated. Typically, the use of special isolation mechanisms (e.g. extrusion coating) enables the creepage distances to be reduced without an error occurring. Depending on the enclosure of an electrotechnical core, a lateral extension of an insulation layer can also be designed such that the edge of the insulation layer protruding beyond an electrode structure is smaller than the amplitude of the voltage signal required to ignite a plasma as the creepage distance.

In a further variant, not shown, of the embodiment shown, in which the electrotechnical core has a first and a second electrode structure, the electrotechnical core preferably has a further insulation layer which is arranged between the grounded electrode structure and the surface to be treated. The further insulation layer preferably consists of a biocompatible material such as e.g. Lacquer, silicone, polyurethane or a coating. The coating can be applied by means of plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition (PACVD), chemical vapor deposition (CVD), anodizing or by means of electroplating.

In the exemplary embodiment shown is the plasma applicator 100 partly with a biocompatible material 45 , such as medical silicone or a lacquer. Here is the bottom of the electrotechnical core 50 , ie the side facing the surface to be treated, not enclosed and the top of the electrotechnical core 50 , i.e. the side facing away from the surface to be treated, completely enclosed. The enclosure is designed so that at least one dielectric strength between the driven electrode structure 10th and an earth potential directly on the outside is guaranteed.

The connector 70 is also partially enclosed. In particular, the enclosure of the connector 70 and the electrotechnical core 50 positive and without air pockets. For a galvanic coupling between the plug device 70 and the insertion device 60 The electrical contact surfaces of the plug device are to be made possible 70 free for the electrical contact surfaces of the slide-in device 60 accessible, so not enclosed.

Along the edge of the enclosure 45 is in the embodiment shown on the side facing the surface to be treated an adhesive layer 40 upset. Through the adhesive layer 40 the plasma applicator 100 be fixed on a human or animal or technical surface to be treated. The adhesive layer 40 consists preferably of a biocompatible material, such as silicone or an adhesive based on acrylate, and has a preferred thickness that is between a few μm and a few hundred μm. If the plasma applicator is attached to a surface to be treated by means of an adhesive layer, the adhesive layer generates an adhesive force which is sufficient for the plasma applicator to adhere to the surface to be treated without additional aids. The adhesive layer can be applied, for example, in the screen printing process or in the injection molding process. It is also conceivable for the adhesive layer to be realized by means of a transfer adhesive tape or by means of a double-sided adhesive tape. The transfer or double-sided adhesive tape can be designed to be elastic and thus flexible, so that a corresponding plasma applicator can be flexibly adapted and attached to different surfaces.

To ignite the plasma, a voltage signal is applied to the driven electrode structure of the electrotechnical core. If a further electrode structure is provided in the electrotechnical core, this is then at earth or ground potential and thus forms a counter electrode for the electrode structure driven by a voltage signal during operation. An electrical field then lies between the two electrode structures or the electrode structure driven during operation and the surface to be treated, a short circuit between the electrode structures being prevented or prevented by the insulation layer between the two electrode structures. Instead, a large-area, dielectrically impeded plasma is formed.

In an embodiment not shown here, an electrical engineering core has one in operation driven electrode structure and a counter electrode, the counter electrode being designed to generate a voltage offset in operation by means of a DC voltage applied to the counter electrode and to accelerate charged particles from a plasma towards a wound. In an embodiment not shown here, a counter electrode is designed to generate a voltage offset by means of a DC voltage. In this case, the counter electrode is designed to be terminated at a corresponding voltage source.

The plasma applicator 100 - When applied to a surface in the application - defines a closed room, the treatment area 30th in which a plasma is generated. The treatment area 30th is advantageously airtight. The treatment area is preferably located 30th at a distance of a few millimeters from the surface to be treated, so that a cold plasma is distributed over the surface of the human or animal or technical surface to be treated. A typical duration of a plasma treatment is a few minutes.

2A shows a preferred embodiment of a connector 70 , which is designed as a plug, and with a slide-in device designed as a receptacle 60 is merged. In the illustration shown, a side view of a section along the width is shown by a plug-in device which is brought together with an insertion device.

The slide-in device 60 has a width B1 of 30 mm. There is a cable over a connector 80 with the slide-in device 60 connected. At the other end of the cable 80 can be connected to a power supply unit (not shown) which provides the voltage signal for igniting a plasma during operation. The connection 65 has an insulating structure made of polyethylene, which is provided on the outside with an electromagnetic shield (EMC shield). The shielding can prevent an increased emission of interference waves that could potentially interfere with other electrical devices, for example in a hospital. This shielding can also be used to minimize sensitivity to external interference from other radiation sources.

In various variants, the insulating structure can also consist of other flexible and non-porous insulators (eg plastics or ceramics). The cable 80 is covered with a silicone grommet. The slide-in device 60 still has sealing plugs 66 which are intended to completely fill the housing with an insulator (e.g. epoxy or silicone). Here is a first sealing plug 66 provided as an input for the epoxy or silicone and a second sealing plug 66 as an air outlet so that air can escape from the housing during filling.

Furthermore there are inductors 67 provided that serve as a filter for special interference frequencies. The housing is for a comparatively good EMC shielding 68 the insertion device 60 metallized. The entire case 68 preferably consists of an electrically conductive material. Alternatively, the housing 68 also metallized on the inside or shielded with a grid. The shielding of the housing is used in both variants 68 placed on PE and thus the housing 68 electrically shielded (Faraday cage).

The interior 69 the insertion device 60 is cast with silicone or another material with high dielectric strength (e.g. epoxy resin) to ensure a dielectric strength and to avoid partial discharges. Another advantage is that the mechanical and electrical components in the slide-in device can be made small and compact. In addition, moisture penetration is prevented, for example during steam sterilization.

The insertion device shown 60 has a high-voltage connection (HV connection) 71 and a ground connection (GND connection) 72 on. The width B2 the plug device in the variant shown here is 24 mm. When the connector is fully seated 70 into the insertion device 60 is the length L2 of the system from the two devices plugged together in the variant shown here 124 mm. The connector protrudes 70 in the variant shown here with a length L3 of 36 mm from the slide-in device 60 . The part of the connector 70 , which protrudes from the insertion device, can preferably be enclosed with the enclosure, for example made of silicone, and then serves to fasten the plug device 70 on an electrotechnical core (not shown).

In an embodiment not shown, a plug device has a round shape. Other plug shapes are also conceivable, whereby avoidance of partial discharges and, as a rule, shielding must be taken into account.

It should be noted that the size and shape of a suitable system comprising a plug-in device and a plug-in device typically depend on the amplitude of the voltage signal intended for operation. In the event that a voltage signal of 1 kV for igniting a Plasmas can be provided in terms of 2A described size specifications turn out significantly smaller, so that a corresponding plug device is designed smaller and more compact.

The plug-in device has a snap-in device 64 on, which is received in the merged state by a complementary insertion device. As a result, the plug-in device and the insert device are mechanically connected to one another.

28 shows a side view of a section along the height through the in 2A shown plugging device merged with the insertion device. The slide-in device 60 is on one side with a cable 80 connected and has a height H1 of 14 mm. The insertion device has on the opposite side 60 an opening for receiving the connector 70 on. The connector 70 has a maximum height H2 of 6.8 mm. When the connector is fully seated 70 into the insertion device 60 the minimum creepage distance has a length on the patient side L1 of 85 mm. When merged, there are plug-in devices 70 and insertion device 60 by means of the locking device 64 mechanically connected.

3rd shows a preferred embodiment of a connector 70 . In the illustration shown is a top view of a section along the width of the plug device 70 to see. The connector 70 is with an electrode structure 10th over at least one conductor track 71 electrically connected, the conductor track 71 from the contact surface of the voltage connection (HV connection) 77 to the electrode structure 10th leads. In the embodiment shown, the maximum width is B3 the connector 70 21 mm. The connector 70 has an optional stiffening in the embodiment shown 75 on, which can consist of a polyethylene (PE) film, for example, and which can have a height of approximately 0.2 mm to 1 mm, for example. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the stiffening has the function of increasing the modulus of elasticity. This reduces bending or a change in shape due to the action of external mechanical forces, and the plug-in device can be pushed into the insertion device easily and uncomplicatedly.

Furthermore, the plug device 70 a hole 76 with a snap-in function, which is designed to mechanically lock the plug-in device with a slide-in device, not shown here. On the of the electrode structure 10th facing away from the connector 70 over a length L4 of 58 mm a narrower width than the maximum width B3 the connector 70 on. The shape described is chosen, in particular because of the creepage distances and the avoidance of partial discharges, in such a way that no arc discharge occurs in the coupling, which is connected to a power supply unit via a cable and is supplied with voltage, if no plug-in device is inserted. On the of the electrode structure 10th facing away from the connector 70 a contact area 77 on to the connector 70 to connect with a HV connection, not shown here. In the representation of the plug device shown 70 is the minimum creepage distance K1 between HV connection (not shown) and GND connection (not shown) 53 mm and the total length L5 the connector 70 is 119 mm.

By a chip card-like form of the plug device, i.e. a low height and a relatively large length, in particular creepage distances can be maintained in such a way that no partial discharges occur within the plug-in device and the plug-in device. The specified dimensions for the length, the width and the height can advantageously also be implemented independently of one another in such a way that the creepage distances for the voltage amplitude necessary for the generation of the plasma are still maintained. Accordingly, length, width and height in variants of the described embodiment can deviate from the values mentioned.

4th shows a mechanism for a secure connection between a connector 70 and an insertion device 60 by means of a clamping contact 78 that is on the connector 70 located. By plugging the connector together 70 and insertion device 60 becomes a secure plug-in connection by snapping the clamps serving as locking elements in the slide-in device 70 manufactured. In an exemplary embodiment (not shown here), a secure connection between a plug-in device and a slide-in device can be ensured by spreading tongues on the plug-in device serving as locking elements.

In order to ensure single use, a plug-in device is preferably designed in such a way that when it is mechanically separated from the plug-in device as a result of the first use, it is changed in such a way that it is no longer possible to connect it to a plug-in device again, since it is no longer possible to connect it firmly enough. In different variants, a single use of a plug-in device can be realized in that during mechanical disconnection from the insertion device, terminals break off, snap-in elements break off, locking elements become unusable or the Conductor tracks of the connector are scratched or cut.

In a further exemplary embodiment, which is not shown here, a sufficiently tensile connection between a plug-in device and an insertion device can be ensured by magnetic contacts. In this case, there are at least 1 magnet in each case in the plug-in device and in the insertion device. The magnets in the plug-in device advantageously have opposite polarity to the magnets in the plug-in device.

The plug-in connection between the plug-in device and the plug-in device is preferably designed such that the plug-in device connected with a cable can be used multiple times. In an embodiment not shown here, a kink protection is provided between the insertion device and a cable.

5A shows a plasma applicator 100 with an electrotechnical core 50 and a connector 70 . The electrotechnical core 50 comprises a second electrode structure 10th and a first electrode structure 10 ' . The second electrode structure 10th is preferably driven in operation by an applied voltage signal and the first electrode structure 10 ' is preferably grounded. The electrode sections of the second electrode structure 10th and the first electrode structure 10 ' are arranged one above the other with a defined overlap. Advantageously, electrode sections of the grounded electrode structure and the electrode structure driven during operation are arranged offset from one another in such a way that an electric field which is advantageous for plasma ignition is formed. The electrode sections of corresponding electrode structures preferably overlap in a comparatively small area. This means that the remaining area of the electrode sections, which is not in overlap with an electrode section of another electrode structure, is significantly larger in comparison to the overlapped area. A comparatively small overlap creates a substantially homogeneously distributed plasma between the electrode structures.

The connector 70 is firmly with the electrotechnical core 50 connected and has a first conductor track 79 ' and a second trace 79 on. The first trace 79 ' is electrically conductive with the first electrode structure 10 ' connected and the second trace 79 is electrically conductive with the second electrode structure 10th connected. The first and second conductor tracks can, for. B. be designed as a simple conductor. The first and second conductor tracks preferably consist of the same material as the electrode structures. The connector 70 preferably has a width of 3 cm, a height of 1 mm and a length of 10 cm. In the illustration shown is the plug device 70 with a slide-in device 60 merged. The slide-in device 60 is over a cable 80 connected to a predominantly stationary energy supply unit, not shown here, such as a high-voltage generator. At the insertion device 60 side facing the cable 80 a kink protection 81 on. 5B shows a side view of a section along the height through the plug device.

6 shows a connector 70 with a second conductor track 79 , which is electrically connected to an electrode structure (not shown) driven during operation, and a first conductor track 79 ' that is electrically connected to a grounded electrode structure (not shown). The second trace 79 has a taper at one point 63 on. From the smaller diameter of the conductor track at the taper 63 this results in a higher electrical resistance than in the rest of the conductor track 79 . The taper shown 63 can basically both in the connector 70 as well as in the electrical engineering core 50 be integrated. For single use of a plasma applicator 100 To ensure a current pulse on the conductor track at the end of a treatment 79 be given, the current strength is dimensioned so that the conductor track 79 at this rejuvenation 63 warmed up so much that it melts. For example, at the end of the plasma treatment, an energy supply unit combined with the plasma applicator can automatically transmit an excessive current pulse with a corresponding current intensity for significantly less than 1 second.

• - eine erste isolierende Struktur 11,
• - eine erste Elektrodenstruktur 12,
• - eine Dielektrikumsschicht 13,
• - eine zweite Elektrodenstruktur 14,
• - eine zweite isolierende Struktur 15,
• - eine Abstandshalterstruktur 16, und
• - eine Adhäsionsschicht 17.

7 shows an exploded view of an already known device 1 for generating a cold atmospheric pressure plasma for the treatment of surfaces with a multilayer system 2nd . The multi-layer system 2nd forms a plasma applicator and includes the following layered structures, namely (starting from the bottom):

• - a first insulating structure 11 ,
• - a first electrode structure 12th ,
• - a dielectric layer 13 ,
• - a second electrode structure 14 ,
• - a second insulating structure 15 ,
• - a spacer structure 16 , and
• - an adhesive layer 17th .

The first isolating structure 11 , the first electrode structure 12th , the dielectric layer 13 , the second electrode structure 14 and the second insulating structure 15 each form a layer of the electrotechnical core of the plasma applicator. The first isolating structure 11 is on the side facing away from the surface to be treated 4th of the multi-layer system 2nd arranged and has a height between 0.5 mm and 2.5 mm, preferably of 2 mm. The first isolating structure 11 essentially serves to isolate the first electrode structure 12th , which is preferably formed as a high-voltage layer, ie an electrode structure to which a high voltage is applied.

The dielectric layer 13 is between the first electrode structure 12th and the second electrode structure 14 arranged, the second electrode structure 14 is preferably formed as a ground electrode layer. The dielectric layer 13 essentially prevents a short circuit between the first and second electrode structure, in particular in the form of an arc.

Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, is on the second electrode structure 14 a second insulating structure 15 arranged, which has a thickness between 50 microns and 300 microns.

Above the second electrode structure 14 or the second insulating structure 15 , i.e. on the side facing the surfaces to be treated 3rd of the multi-layer system 2nd is then the spacer structure 16 arranged, which ensures that sufficient gas volume is provided so that a plasma can ignite.

Finally, the side facing the surface to be treated 3rd of the multi-layer system 2nd and above the spacer structure 16 an adhesive layer 17th arranged, which has a thickness between 100 microns to 300 microns, preferably of 200 microns and is in direct contact with the surface to be treated. The adhesive layer is preferred 17th then formed with a skin and / or wound compatible material, preferably with antiseptic and / or atraumatic properties.

Present, as in the 7 is shown, the second electrode structure 14 formed with a plurality of recesses, in particular grid-like. In further embodiments, the cutouts can also be hole, strip, meandering, honeycomb, circular and / or square.

The spacer structure can also be used 16 be honeycomb-shaped, the spacer structure 16 can also be realized by projections or webs. Possible materials for the spacer structure 16 are polymers, elastomers and / or silicones or the like. In principle, a large number of possible materials can be used, such as, for example, inorganic or organic materials, in particular natural and / or synthetic materials, such as thermoplastics, thermosets and / or elastomers. For further possible materials, reference is also made to the book "Plastic Paperback" (28th edition) by Karl Oberbach and Hansjürgen Saechtling. In a preferred embodiment of the in 7 shown device, the spacer structure is formed with projections and / or webs that have a height between 0.5 mm and 5 mm.

Overall, this shows in the 7 multi-layer system shown a thickness of 2 mm to 4 mm. It is provided here that the layers which are in direct contact with the surface to be treated are formed from a heat-resistant, biocompatible and chemically resistant plastic.

8A , 8B and 8C show a plasma applicator with a mobile power supply, which is ensured by a relatively small power supply unit compared to the plasma applicator. Because of the mobile energy supply unit, it is not necessary to connect a predominantly stationary energy supply unit, such as a high-voltage generator, to the plasma applicator via a cable in order to transmit a voltage signal sufficient to ignite a plasma to the electrode structure and to ignite a plasma. The energy required to ignite a plasma is provided by an energy store included in the mobile energy supply unit. Such an energy store can be, for example, a battery, an accumulator or a capacitor.

The one in the 8A to 8F The plasma applicator shown comprises at least a first electrode structure and a second electrode structure. At least one insulation layer is arranged between the electrode structures. The insulation layer can be, for example, a polymer with dielectric properties. The distance between the electrode structures is preferably less than 1 mm. Due to the small distance, a smaller amplitude of the voltage signal is advantageously necessary to ignite a plasma. Instead of the meandering shape of the first electrode structure and the second electrode structure shown, the electrode structures can also have a spiral shape, can be continuous or have holes. In the embodiment shown, the electrode structures consist of a metal. In various variants of the embodiment shown, electrode structures made of a conductive plastic or of a textile with conductive wires are provided. The plasma applicator shown has on the side facing the surface to be treated as Protective layer on an insulation layer made of a polymer, which is preferably formed from a biocompatible material.

Optionally, the plasma applicator shown can also have a distance structure. A corresponding distance structure can e.g. from a polymer, textile, hydrogel, starch-based, e.g. be realized as corn flips, standard wound flies or gauze and an absorber and be electrically insulating, and in particular be biocompatible. A spacing structure can also be formed from a combination of the materials mentioned above. A spacer structure can also be designed in the form of a flat cable for igniting a plasma. In particular, the spacer structure can be designed as a flat cable, which is also a plasma source.

Optionally, the plasma applicator shown has at least one insulation layer as a protective layer on the side facing away from the surface to be treated.

The plasma applicator shown can have an adhesive layer or a sticker for fixing the plasma applicator above or on the surface to be treated on the side facing the surface to be treated.

In addition to the rectangular shape shown, the electrotechnical core of the plasma applicator can also have alternative geometries. In various variants, the electro-technical core of the plasma applicator has a circular shape, a shape that is specially adapted to a specific part of the body (e.g. a foot) or is cylindrical. In one variant, the plasma applicator is intended to be attached conically around a hose or a cable. In this case, the plasma applicator is placed around a hose or a cable, so that a closed gas space is created under a plasma applicator in the shape of a cone. Advantageously, such an access does not have to be removed in order to enable treatment with a plasma applicator. If it is known that a treatment with a plasma applicator is to be carried out before an access is laid, it may be advantageous if the plasma applicator has a hole or a slot through which a cable or a hose can be passed. As a result, an access can initially be established and a plasma treatment can take place at a later time without the access having to be removed.

The following with reference to the 8A to 8F Variants of a mobile energy supply described for a plasma applicator or the variants of those features which are intended to ensure a single use of a plasma applicator can be combined in combination with electrotechnical cores of any of the aforementioned or other geometries to form different variants of a plasma applicator. In particular, an electrotechnical core can have a first insulation layer, followed by a first, grounded electrode structure, followed by a second insulation layer, followed by a second electrode structure driven in operation, followed by a third insulation layer, followed by a third, grounded electrode structure and thus per se already guarantee protection against contact.

8A shows a plasma applicator with a connector 70 with a slide-in device 60 a mobile power supply unit 110 is merged. The relatively small mobile power supply unit 110 comprises an energy store and a slide-in device. Unlike those related to the 1 , 2nd , 3rd and 5 The described variants of a slide-in device do not require the slide-in device of a mobile energy supply to be arranged at the end of a longer cable which is provided for connection to a predominantly stationary energy supply unit, such as a voltage generator. The mobile energy supply unit 110 can by means of the insertion device 60 with the connector 70 a plasma applicator can be mechanically and electrically connected. The connector shown 70 and / or the electrotechnical core 50 can have variants of those features that ensure one-time usability, such as, for example, in relation to 4th and 6 to be discribed. When connected, the plasma applicator and the mobile energy supply unit form a compact unit that can easily be carried by a patient even during operation.

The energy storage of the mobile energy supply unit 110 typically does not provide a voltage signal in the kV range, but rather a voltage signal of a few volts, for example between 5 and 20 volts. The voltage signal provided can, for example, be in the order of a voltage provided by a commercially available battery, for example 9V of a 9V block. However, since a voltage signal with an amplitude of a few hundred volts up to 10 kV is generally required to ignite a plasma, the voltage signal supplied by the energy store of the mobile power supply unit must be transformed into a voltage signal of a few hundred volts up to 10 kV .

For this purpose, the plasma applicator in the embodiment described here also has an electrical circuit (not shown) which provides a voltage signal provided by the mobile energy supply unit 110 into a (pulsed) AC voltage in a voltage range of preferably a few 100 V to 10 kV transformed. An electrical circuit designed for this purpose has, for example, an inverter or a VDC-VAC inverter in combination with a voltage transformer and a pulser with, for example, a pulse duty factor of 1s "on" and 9s "off". Depending on the application, a plasma applicator, not shown here, can have a different duty cycle. The electrical circuit is electrically connected to at least one electrode structure of the plasma applicator and is suitable for supplying a sufficiently high amplitude of the voltage signal to the electrode structure for igniting a plasma.

Alternatively, the electrical circuit for transforming a voltage signal with 5-20 V into a voltage signal with an amplitude of a few 100 V to 10 kV can also be integrated into the mobile energy supply unit together with the energy store and the insertion device. The energy store of the mobile energy supply unit supplies a voltage signal which is transformed by the corresponding electrical circuit integrated in the energy supply unit into a voltage signal of sufficient amplitude for igniting a plasma. If the insertion device of the mobile energy supply unit is connected to the plug device of a plasma applicator, the voltage signal can be transmitted via conductor tracks of the plug device to at least one electrode structure for igniting a plasma. The plasma applicator itself then does not require any electrical circuit for transforming a voltage signal into a voltage signal with an amplitude in the kV range.

In an embodiment not shown here, an electrical circuit is integrated in both a mobile power supply unit and a plasma applicator. When a plug-in device of the plasma applicator is plugged together with a slide-in device of the mobile energy supply unit and an electrical and mechanical connection is established, the two electrical circuits form a circuit system. The circuit system then transforms a DC voltage of the energy store of the mobile energy supply unit into a voltage signal sufficient to ignite a plasma and passes the voltage signal to at least one electrode structure in the electrotechnical core.

If the energy storage in the mobile power supply unit 110 is an accumulator, it is preferred that the accumulator is as flat as possible and has, for example, a length of 9 cm, a width of 9 cm and a height of 0.2 cm. A corresponding accumulator preferably has a high capacity, preferably more than 4000 mAh, and a high current output of more than 500 mA, in particular between 1 and 2A. Alternatively, a number of smaller accumulators can also be connected in parallel in order to be able to generate a sufficiently high current.

When transforming a DC voltage into a voltage signal sufficient to ignite a plasma, a voltage typically becomes by a factor 100 or more increased. This in turn means a reduction in a current delivered to a secondary coil of a transformer by a factor 100 . With an energy store formed by a plurality of accumulators connected in parallel, it may be possible to deliver a comparatively high current in a short period of time without the energy store becoming too hot. The use of such an energy store, which can deliver a high current in a short period of time without becoming too hot, can therefore be advantageous since currents in the milliampere range up to the ampere range can arise briefly during a plasma discharge.

The energy storage of the mobile energy supply unit 110 can also be a capacitor. The size or the weight and the capacitance of the capacitor used are particularly important here. The capacitor used preferably has a weight of a few grams, a compact size in the range of a few centimeters, a capacitance in the range from μF to mF and a half-life of the discharge of effectively a few seconds. The capacitor can be charged via the insertion device of the mobile power supply unit by connecting to a power supply, for example a charger. If the plug-in device is connected to a plug-in device, the energy stored in the capacitor can be delivered to an electrode structure of the plasma applicator by means of an electrical circuit integrated in the plug-in device or in the plug-in device into a voltage signal sufficient for igniting a plasma via conductor tracks in the plug-in device. Advantageously, at least one electrical component, preferably an electrical resistor, is connected in series or also in parallel between the capacitor and the conductor track in the plug-in device in order to limit the discharge current from the capacitor.

By connecting the mobile energy supply unit to a plasma applicator and a resultant voltage transmission to at least one electrode structure of the plasma applicator, a patient can receive a plasma at any time after the application of a plasma applicator Ignite over the wound anywhere. The patient is therefore independent of a predominantly stationary energy supply that is dependent on a local power supply and can use the plasma applicator at any location for a plasma treatment with the help of the mobile energy supply unit.

Advantageously, one is as in 8A shown mobile power supply unit 110 reusable. Especially when the plasma applicator itself can only be used once.

8B shows a plasma applicator with an integrated power supply unit 110 ' and a connector 70 . In the embodiment shown, the mobile energy supply unit is 110 ' integrated into the plasma applicator. The electrotechnical core 50 of the plasma applicator is by means of a contact 112 electrically with the integrated power supply unit 110 ' connected. The plasma applicator also has a plug device 70 on. If the mobile energy supply unit has an accumulator or a capacitor, these can be connected and charged to a mobile or a stationary energy supply via the plug-in device. If the accumulator or the capacitor is sufficiently charged, the connection to the power supply can be disconnected. A patient can then move independently of a stationary energy supply and ignite a plasma at any location and at a later time independently of a stationary energy supply.

One-time usability of the plasma applicator shown can be ensured in that the plug-in device or the electrotechnical core has variants of those features which ensure one-time usability, such as, for example, in relation to FIG 4th and 6 to be discribed. In particular, an electrotechnical core can have a first insulation layer, followed by a first, grounded electrode structure, followed by a second insulation layer, followed by a second electrode structure driven in operation, followed by a third insulation layer, followed by a third, grounded electrode structure and thus per se already guarantee protection against contact.

8C shows a plasma applicator with an integrated power supply unit 120 ' and without a connector. The integrated power supply unit 120 ' is with the electrotechnical core 50 of the plasma applicator electrically connected. The plasma applicator shown comprises a mobile energy supply unit integrated in the plasma applicator 120 ' with an energy storage. In contrast to the in 8A and 8B Embodiments shown, the plasma applicator shown has no plug device.

The energy store can e.g. a battery with a capacity between 0.5 and 20 Ah, e.g. be a commercially available 9V block. The direct voltage provided by the energy store is transmitted to an electrical circuit integrated in the plasma applicator, where it is transformed into a voltage signal, preferably with an amplitude in the kV range. A voltage signal with an amplitude of a few hundred volts can also be sufficient to ignite a plasma. The transformed voltage signal is then transmitted to the at least one electrode structure for igniting a plasma.

A single use of the plasma applicator can also be ensured with an energy supply unit that is integrated in the plasma applicator and has an energy store with limited charge that cannot be recharged.

One-time use of the plasma applicator shown with an integrated power supply unit 120 ' can thereby be ensured that a conductor track for transmitting a voltage signal sufficient to ignite a plasma to an electrode structure has a taper, as is the case, for example, with reference to FIG 6 is described. In the area of the taper, the conductor track has a higher electrical resistance than in the rest of the conductor track. At the end of a treatment, the power supply unit can provide a current pulse, the current strength of which is dimensioned such that the conductor track on the taper heats up to such an extent that it melts in the area of the taper.

The in the energy storage, e.g. A battery, the energy stored in the integrated energy supply unit, can also be dimensioned such that it is only sufficient for a single treatment. A single treatment typically lasts a few minutes.

The plasma applicator shown also has a distance structure 122 on.

8D shows a plasma applicator with an insertion slot 130 for a mobile power supply unit 110 ' . In the embodiment shown, the plasma applicator has an insertion slot 130 on the top, ie the side facing away from a wound, with which a mobile energy supply unit 110 ' can be attached to the plasma applicator. The plasma applicator has contacts 112 on which is an electrode structure of the electrotechnical core 50 with the top of the plasma applicator. In particular, the contacts point 112 free contact surfaces on the surface, through which a galvanic coupling with the energy store of the mobile energy supply unit 110 ' can be manufactured if the mobile power supply unit 110 ' into the slot 130 the plasma applicator is inserted.

In the embodiment shown, the energy store of the mobile energy supply unit is an accumulator. Advantageously, the mobile energy supply unit can be used several times to supply energy to a plasma applicator by charging an empty accumulator. The mobile energy supply unit furthermore has an electrical circuit which is designed to transform a direct voltage provided by the accumulator into a voltage signal sufficient to ignite a plasma. In the embodiment shown, the mobile power supply unit has no slide-in device. A charging device integrated into the mobile energy supply unit is therefore provided for charging the accumulator. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the charging device comprises a receiving coil arrangement for inductively charging the rechargeable battery.

It is also conceivable that an energy store of an energy supply unit can be charged via contacts. For example, a mobile energy supply unit can be pushed into a slot provided in a stationary energy supply unit and the energy store of the energy supply unit can be charged via contacts. It is also conceivable for a charger to have insertion slots into which an energy supply unit can be inserted in order to make electrical contact between the energy store and an energy supply for the charger.

8E shows a plasma applicator with an integrated receiving coil arrangement 140 and with an insertion slot 130 in which a mobile power supply unit 110 " is inserted. The insertion slots 130 in which a mobile power supply unit 110 " is inserted, are located on the side of the plasma applicator facing away from the surface to be treated. On the side of the mobile energy supply unit facing away from the surface of the plasma applicator to be treated, the mobile energy supply unit has a transmission coil arrangement 150 on that through one in the mobile power unit 110 " Integrated energy storage (not shown) provided electrical energy to the receiving coil arrangement 140 of the plasma applicator by means of inductive coupling. The mobile energy supply unit 110 " thus has an energy store (not shown) which provides energy, which by means of inductive coupling from the transmission coil arrangement 150 to the receiving coil assembly 140 is transmitted.

It is also conceivable that the energy supply unit 110 " is not a mobile power supply unit and has no energy storage. Such an energy supply unit can for example be connected to a cable which is connected at the other end to a stationary energy supply unit. In this case, energy is made available via a stationary energy supply unit, which is generated by means of inductive coupling from the transmitting coil arrangement 150 to the receiving coil assembly 140 is transmitted.

The electrotechnical core 50 is located on the side of the plasma applicator facing the surface to be treated and is by means of contacts with an overlying flat receiving coil arrangement 140 electrically connected. The receive coil assembly 140 is located on the side of the plasma applicator facing away from the surface to be treated and is completely enclosed 45 of the plasma applicator covered. The enclosure 45 of the plasma applicator can be manufactured, for example, by injection molding.

Advantageously, the plasma applicator of the embodiment shown can be completely enclosed 45 be encapsulated. In particular, there are no exposed electrical contacts. This makes the plasma applicator easy to clean, disinfect and / or sterilize.

8F shows a plasma applicator with an integrated power supply unit 120 " with an energy store, which is also integrated by means of an inductive charging device 160 can be loaded.

In the embodiment shown, the electrical engineering core is located 50 on the side of the plasma applicator facing the surface to be treated and is by means of contacts 112 electrically connected to a rechargeable energy store integrated in the plasma applicator. The rechargeable energy store can be, for example, an accumulator or a capacitor.

The energy store has two separate contacts on its upper side 114 on, the energy storage electrically with the charger 160 , in particular a receiving coil arrangement. By means of inductive coupling, electrical energy can be obtained from a commercially available Charging station to the charging device 160 be sent to charge the energy store. An electrical circuit is integrated into the energy store, which is designed to transform a DC voltage signal provided by the energy store into a voltage signal sufficient to ignite a plasma. The transformed voltage signal is then by means of the electrical contacts 112 to the at least one electrode structure in the electrotechnical core 50 transfer.

9 shows a plasma applicator with an electrotechnical core 50 , which can be combined with variants of those features which ensure single use and with the variants described for a mobile energy supply. The electrotechnical core 50 can in particular have a first insulation layer, followed by a first, grounded electrode structure, followed by a second insulation layer, followed by a second electrode structure driven during operation, followed by a third insulation layer, followed by a third, grounded electrode structure and thus already a touch protection guarantee.

The plasma applicator shown has a scalable distance structure 122 ' on. The scalable distance structure 122 ' can be made of silicone, plastic or textile, for example, and has a supporting function for covering wounds 910 in order to produce a defined distance between the surface to be treated and the side of the plasma applicator facing the surface to be treated. With a scalable distance structure, a plasma applicator can be adapted to different wound sizes by, for example, tearing or cutting a distance structure. In principle, all mechanical separating tools or processes available in the clinic or outpatient care are possible in order to adapt the size of a spacing structure to a wound size. The plasma applicator itself remains unaffected by the scaling method. In the embodiment shown, the spacer structure is gas-permeable and flexible. The size of a spacer structure can be adapted by a user by cutting or an alternative method to a final shape.

Optionally, a plasma applicator can be attached to a spacer structure by means of a defined connection, by clips or adhesive or by means of adhesive points provided on the surface of a spacer structure. A spacer structure is preferably designed in the form of a grid and has an area in the center in which the electrotechnical core is arranged or can be fastened. A higher number of lattice structures are preferably provided in this area, so that the plasma applicator has a sufficiently firm hold on the spacer structure. With a wound plaster, an adhesive film, a shower plaster, a gauze bandage or other dressing material, the distance structure connected to a plasma applicator and adapted to the wound size can be fixed above or on the wound, so that a closed gas space around the plasma applicator and the distance structure between the patient to be treated Surface and wound covering 910 arises.

In 10A is a distance structure 200 shown, which is also the dielectric barrier discharge (DBE). The spacer structure is in the form of several adjacent honeycombs. As for a cutout 210 is shown a honeycomb of the spacer structure, an ignited plasma spreads 220 (indicated by the hatched area) on the edges of a honeycomb 210 out. A spacer structure can be made from a 2-core flat cable, for example. In 10B is a cross section of the spacer structure 200 shown. Here are the driven electrode structure 230 and the counter electrode 240 , which is typically at earth potential, is visible. A plasma 220 then burns to the right and left of the cable or inside and outside the honeycomb.

In 11 shows a closed circuit 300 , which has a two-core cable. The closed circuit 300 has connection points 310 on, which can be, for example, glue point, welding point, soldering point. At the connection points 310 the sheaths of the two cables are firmly connected. The in 11 shown circuit 300 represents one possibility of how a spacer of a spacer structure can be constructed from flat cables. The cable sections are upright here, so the plasma burns to the right and left of the cable, as in 10B shown. The cable sections are wavy, a closed circuit 300 is completely self-sufficient from other closed circuits, e.g. 300 ' and 300 " , each formed by a different cable. All cables are electrically contacted with one another on one long side of the electrode structure formed by the cables. The shape is chosen so that it can be manufactured as simply as possible with little production effort.

12th shows a plan view of the side of an electrotechnical core facing a surface to be treated 50 with an insulation layer 20th between a driven electrode structure 10th and a counter electrode 10 ' is arranged. Each one of the conductor tracks 79 , 79 ' is with the driven electrode structure 10th and the counter electrode 10 ' electrically connected and are conductor tracks of a chip card-shaped connector.

13 shows a plan view of a side of the surface in FIG 12th shown electrotechnical core 50 with an insulation layer 20th between an electrode structure driven by a voltage signal during operation 10th and a counter electrode 10 ' is arranged. Each one of the conductor tracks 79 , 79 ' is with the driven electrode structure 10th and the counter electrode 10 ' electrically connected and are conductor tracks of a chip card-shaped connector.

14 shows a plan view of the side of the surface in FIG 13 shown electrotechnical core 50 with an insulation layer 20th between a driven electrode structure 10th and a counter electrode 10 ' is arranged. In the illustration shown is a chip card-shaped stiffener 75 on the conductor tracks 79 , 79 ' the connector, glued, laminated, glued etc. The counter electrode 10 ' is on the side facing the surface to be treated.

15 shows an insertion device 60 with a voltage connection 71 and a ground connection 72 . Furthermore, the insertion device 60 Inductors 67 and sealing plug 66 on. The slide-in device 60 is via a multi-shielded cable 80 connected to a power supply unit, not shown. To stabilize the cable 80 is a kink protection 81 intended. In 15 is indicated as a connector 70 into the insertion device 60 is pushed to transmit a voltage signal provided by a power supply unit to an electrode structure (not shown) driven by the voltage signal.

In 16 is indicated as a mechanically tight fit between a connector 70 and a slide-in device indicated here only by latching elements can be produced. Via a spring with ball on both sides of a slide-in device and a corresponding recess in the plug contact device 70 a mechanically tight fit is realized in the embodiment shown. In an embodiment not shown here, a spring arm with a correspondingly suitable bulge can also snap into a recess provided for this purpose.

17th shows an electrical engineering core 50 , which is integrated in a suction pad. In an embodiment not shown here, a compress is pressed or sewn around an electrotechnical core. In this case, the compress represents the enclosure of the electrotechnical core. The electrotechnical core is preferred 50 completely enclosed by gauze or a compress and / or a textile. In an embodiment not shown here, the upper side (facing away from the body) is sealed airtight and an adhesion layer is applied to the side facing the surface to be treated.

18th shows an electrical engineering core 50 which is, for example, inserted or sewn into an already existing tab of a bandage or textile. The tab is preferably designed such that the electrotechnical core 50 disappears completely into the tab when fully inserted or sewn in.

19th shows a cross section through a particularly preferred plasma applicator 1900 with an electrotechnical core 1902 . The electrotechnical core 1902 comprises six flat, layer-like structures which are flat and are arranged in a stacking sequence as layers one above the other. On the website 1904 of the electrotechnical core 1902 which faces the human or animal or technical surface in the application, there is a flat first insulation layer 1906 made of a biocompatible material. If the plasma applicator 1900 is applied to the human or animal or technical surface, the first insulation layer 1906 be in direct contact with the corresponding surface. In various variants, the first insulation layer comprises an electrically insulating film and / or an electrically insulating lacquer and / or an electrically insulating adhesive layer and / or silicone.

The first insulation layer follows in the direction of the side facing away from the surface to be treated 1906 a first electrode structure 1908 which has the function of a ground electrode. In the embodiment shown, the first electrode structure has 1908 a special geometry, which in various variants of the embodiment shown meanders, spirals, formed by a surface with holes, square, U-shaped, E-shaped, M-shaped, L-shaped, C-shaped, X-shaped or O -shaped. The first electrode structure 1908 is preferably produced by screen printing and has a thickness that is between 5 microns and 200 microns. In an embodiment not shown here, the first electrode structure 1908 formed as a surface electrode with a closed surface.

On the first electrode structure in the form of a mass electrode 1908 a second layer of insulation follows 1910 which is formed over the entire surface, ie as a closed surface. The second layer of insulation 1910 comprises in various variants, for example, an electrically insulating film and / or an electrically insulating lacquer and / or an electrically insulating adhesive layer and / or silicone and has one Thickness that is between 50 microns and 200 microns, preferably between 75 microns and 100 microns

On the second layer of insulation 1910 is a second electrode structure 1912 arranged, which in the application is driven by a voltage signal for generating a plasma. This second electrode structure, driven by a voltage signal in the application 1912 also has a special geometry. Optionally, the second electrode structure can also be designed as a surface electrode. The second electrode structure driven in the application 1912 is preferably produced by screen printing and has a thickness that is between 5 μm and 200 μm, preferably between 5 μm and 100 μm, preferably between 5 μm and 20 μm.

The electrode structure lying between the first ground potential 1908 and the second electrode structure driven in the application 1912 arranged second insulation layer 1910 , causes a galvanic separation of the two electrode structures.

On the second electrode structure driven by a voltage signal in the application 1912 a third layer of insulation follows 1914 , which preferably comprises an electrically insulating film and / or an electrically insulating adhesive layer.

On the third layer of insulation 1914 is a third electrode structure 1916 arranged. This third electrode structure 1916 , which is designed as a surface electrode, preferably as an electrically conductive film, is set to earth potential in the application. The third electrode structure 1916 has a thickness which is preferably between 20 microns and 200 microns, preferably between 20 microns and 100 microns. The third electrode structure 1916 fulfills the function of contact protection and EMC shielding in the application. That is, the third electrode structure 1916 in operation, a field freedom between the driven, second electrode structure 1912 and guarantees an earth potential directly on the outside of the electrotechnical core.

The between the second electrode structure driven in the application 1912 and the third electrode structure 1916 arranged third insulation layer 1914 is formed over the entire surface and provides full electrical insulation or electrical isolation of the third electrode structure 1916 from the second electrode structure 1912 .

In the electrotechnical core shown 1902 is therefore in addition to a first ground electrode 1908 a second ground electrode 1916 provided by a third layer of insulation 1914 galvanically driven by the second electrode structure driven in the application 1912 is separated. As a result, protection against accidental contact is already provided by the electrical engineering core 1902 realized yourself. Through the third electrode structure 1916 prevents an electrical breakdown between the driven, second electrode structure during operation 1912 and an earth potential present outside the electrotechnical core or a virtual earth potential in the form of the surface to be treated or a human or animal. This can advantageously be an enclosure 1918 be comparatively simple because of an enclosure 1918 no longer necessarily has to perform the function of protection against accidental contact. In particular, in the case of the electrotechnical core described here, it is possible to dispense with a complex encapsulation comprising a first and second and third injection-molded layer. In conventional electrotechnical cores without a third insulation layer and a third electrode structure, an enclosure made up of a first and second and third injection molding layer is typically necessary, since starting from the side facing away from the patient, the first injection molding layer made of biocompatible silicone, the second injection molding layer made of conductive silicone, which is in operation is at ground potential, and the third injection molded layer is made of biocompatible silicone. The enclosure should therefore ensure compatibility in contact with a surface to be treated and at the same time protection against contact. Such an enclosure is comparatively complex to manufacture.

In the electrotechnical core described here, the functions of the first and second injection molding layers are integrated as structures and layers in the electrotechnical core itself in the form of thin foils. In particular, an electrotechnical core described here can be overmolded with only one injection-molded layer made of silicone.

Such an electrotechnical core is advantageously itself touch-proof and EMC-proof. Such an electrotechnical core can be used particularly advantageously as a module and can be integrated into any plasma applicators or enclosures. For example, an electrotechnical core described here can be integrated in a compress, in a super absorber, in shoe soles, in compression stockings, in clothing.

It is particularly advantageous that such an electrotechnical core can be produced with a thickness of 300 μm and less. Such an electrotechnical core has a comparatively small vertical range of manufacture and can be produced, for example, as a film laminate. An electrotechnical core described here can advantageously be manufactured much more simply and inexpensively, is preferably still comparatively flat, flexible and very flexible with regard to an insert. An electrotechnical core described here can advantageously be produced in the same manufacturing process with a plug device in the form of a tab.

The electrotechnical core shown here points accordingly 1902 six layers, with an insulation layer in each case in the stacking sequence of the six layers 1906 , 1910 , 1914 and an electrode structure 1908 , 1912 , 1916 alternate. Like in 19th shown electrotechnical core 1902 can be produced with a comparatively low production expenditure and with comparatively low production costs.

To manufacture the electrotechnical core shown 1902 is applied to the second electrode structure driven by a voltage signal during operation 1912 a third insulation layer formed by a film 1914 laminated on. The electrically insulating effect of the third insulation layer can be enhanced in particular by an adhesive used for lamination. On the third layer of insulation 1914 then becomes the third electrode structure 1916 upset. It is also conceivable that the third insulation layer is formed by the adhesive for laminating and not as a separate film. In this case, the third electrode structure can be laminated directly onto the second electrode structure, the adhesive between the second and the third electrode structure representing the third insulation layer.

In the illustration shown, the thicknesses of the individual layers of the multilayer system are selected such that the total thickness along the stacking sequence of the electrotechnical core shown 1902 , within the usual error tolerances, is about 200 µm to 300 µm. This guarantees that the electrical engineering core 1902 is comparatively easy to deform elastically and can be adapted comparatively easily to different body and / or surface shapes.

In the illustrated embodiment, the layers described are the electrotechnical core 1902 made as laminate. The electrotechnical core 1902 consists of a foil laminate.

The embodiment shown has an enclosure 1918 made of a biocompatible material. A suitable biocompatible material 1918 is, for example, medical silicone, lacquer, gauze, textiles, absorber or adhesive or a combination of the materials mentioned.

Since the third electrode structure is grounded in the application 1916 the enclosure can perform the function of protection against accidental contact and EMC compatibility 1918 the embodiment shown can be implemented, for example, by a simple silicone extrusion coating. The enclosure shown 1918 is comparatively simple.

In the embodiment shown is the electrical engineering core 1902 only partially from the enclosure 1918 enclosed. Especially on that side 1904 of the electrotechnical core 1902 that faces the surface to be treated during a plasma treatment cannot enclose 1918 be provided. The enclosure 1918 can be produced, for example, in the injection molding process, in the immersion process or in the painting process. In an embodiment not shown here, an electrotechnical core is completely enclosed by an enclosure, for example in the form of a textile or gauze or compresses.

In an embodiment not shown here, an electrotechnical core, and in particular the second electrode structure driven in the application, is electrically connected to a plug device. Such a plug device is preferably in the form of a smart card and as in relation to FIG 2nd described trained. In variants (not shown) of the embodiment shown here, a plug-in device or an electrotechnical core has at least one feature which ensures single use of the plasma applicator. Such a feature can, for example, by a 6 shown tapering of a conductor track of the plug device or a tapering of an electrode section of an electrode structure in the electrotechnical core or as in relation to 16 described snap elements can be realized.

In an embodiment not shown here, a plasma applicator comprises an integrated energy supply unit and a plug device. As for 8B described, the integrated power supply unit can be connected and charged to a mobile or a stationary power supply via the plug-in device.

In a further embodiment, not shown here, a plasma applicator comprises an integrated energy supply unit with an energy store, but no plug device. As for 8C described, the integrated power supply unit is electrically connected to the electrotechnical core for powering the same for igniting a physical plasma.

In a further embodiment, not shown here, a plasma applicator comprises an insertion slot which is used to hold a mobile Energy supply unit is formed. As for 8D described, the plasma applicator can have contacts which, in particular, connect the electrode structure of the electrotechnical core, which is driven in the application, to the top of the plasma applicator. The contacts have free contact surfaces on the surface, by means of which a galvanic coupling to an energy store of a mobile energy supply unit can be established when a mobile energy supply unit is inserted into the insertion slot of the plasma applicator.

In a further embodiment, not shown here, a plasma applicator comprises an integrated receiving coil arrangement and an insertion slot into which a mobile energy supply unit with a transmitting coil arrangement can be pushed. As for 8E described, can be transmitted by means of the transmitting coil arrangement by means of an energy store integrated in the mobile energy supply unit to the receiving coil arrangement of the plasma applicator by means of inductive coupling for supplying energy to the electrotechnical core and thus for igniting a physical plasma.

In a further embodiment, not shown here, a plasma applicator comprises an integrated energy supply unit with an accumulator or a capacitor, which can be charged by means of a charging device which is also integrated. As for 8F described, electrical energy can be sent from a commercially available charging station to the charging device for charging an energy store of the integrated energy supply unit for supplying energy to the electrotechnical core by means of inductive coupling.

The ones described below 20th , 21 . 22 and 23 each show selected intermediates of a manufacturing method for manufacturing a like in 19th shown electrotechnical core.

20th shows a plan view of that side of an electrotechnical core 2000 which faces away from the surface to be treated during a plasma treatment. The electrotechnical core 2000 comprises a second electrode structure driven by a voltage signal during operation 2002 . The second electrode structure driven in the application 2002 has a special geometry that is comb-shaped. The second electrode structure driven in the application follows in the direction of the side facing the side to be treated 2002 a second layer of insulation 2006 and a grounded, first electrode structure on this second insulation layer 2004 , which represents the ground electrode which, in the application, faces the surface to be treated. Both, the second electrode structure driven in the application 2002 and the first electrode structure 2004 , each have a conductor track 2008 , 2010 on that from one long side of the electrotechnical core 2000 from the corresponding electrode structures 2002 , 2004 led away vertically in the same horizontal plane. These traces 2008 , 2010 form the conductor tracks of a plug device. Corresponding conductor tracks of the plug device are then electrically conductive with the electrotechnical core 2000 connected. The plug-in device can optionally have a stiffening.

The first electrode structure shown follows in the direction of the surface to be treated 2004 a first insulation layer (not shown) which can come into direct contact with a surface to be treated in the application. The first insulation layer (not shown) is designed such that it also includes the conductor tracks 2008 , 2010 electrically isolated in the direction of a surface to be treated.

21 shows a plan view of that side of an electrotechnical core 2100 , which faces away from the surface to be treated during a plasma treatment. From the electrotechnical core shown 2100 you can see essentially the third insulation layer 2102 which is arranged on the side which is remote from the surface to be treated during a plasma treatment on the second electrode structure (not shown) which is driven during operation. This third layer of insulation 2102 fulfills the function of galvanically separating the second electrode structure, which is driven during operation, and a third electrode structure (not shown) arranged on the third insulation layer. The third insulation layer shown 2102 is formed over the entire surface and has on the side on the conductor tracks of the second electrode structure driven in the application case and on the side of the electrotechnical core facing the surface to be treated 2100 lead away arranged first electrode structure, a tab 2104 that covers the two conductor tracks. The tab 2104 does not end with the end 2106 the conductor track of the electrode structure driven during operation, but ends beforehand. This leaves a contact area 2108 free of the conductor track, which represents a contact surface between the plug device and the contacts of the insertion device for transmitting a voltage signal.

In 22 is a top view of that side of an electrotechnical core 2200 shown, which faces away from the surface to be treated during a plasma treatment. From the electrotechnical core shown 2200 you can see essentially the third electrode structure 2202 which is arranged on the side facing away from the side to be treated and which is covered by a third insulation layer (reference symbol 2102 in 21 ) is galvanically isolated from a second electrode structure driven in the application. This third electrode structure 2202 fulfills the function of contact protection and EMC protection, so that there is no electrical breakdown between a driven electrode structure of the electrotechnical core when operating a plasma applicator 2200 and an earth potential present directly on the outside or a virtual earth potential by, for example, touching a patient or user. The third electrode structure shown 2202 is preferably designed as a surface electrode, ie it has no special geometry. On the side 2204 of the electrotechnical core 2200 , on the conductor tracks of the second electrode structure driven in the application and the side of the electrotechnical core facing the surface to be treated 2200 lead away arranged first electrode structure, also has the third electrode structure shown 2202 a tab-shaped conductor track 2206 on. The tab-shaped conductor track 2206 covers the area 2208 completely, in which both the conductor track of the second electrode structure driven during operation and the conductor track of the first electrode structure (not shown) are located. In that area 2210 that over the area 2208 goes out with both conductor tracks and only comprises the conductor track of the second electrode structure driven during operation, has the tab-shaped conductor track 2206 the third electrode structure shown 2202 a sufficient width that shielding of the second electrode structure is ensured, protection against contact is provided and, at the same time, no plasma discharge can ignite between the third electrode structure and the second electrode structure. The third insulation layer arranged between them 2212 has a greater width than the conductor track of the second electrode structure, which is driven during operation, in order to ensure electrical isolation of the two electrode structures. The tab-shaped conductor track 2206 the third electrode structure shown 2202 ends before the end 2214 the tab of the third insulation layer shown 2212 so that a contact surface continues 2216 the conductor track of the second electrode structure which is driven during operation remains free in order to establish an electrical contact between the plug device formed and the contacts of the insertion device for transmitting a voltage signal.

23 shows a plan view of that side of an electrotechnical core 2300 which faces away from the surface to be treated during a plasma treatment. From the electrotechnical core shown 2300 you can see essentially the third electrode structure 2302 with a tab-shaped conductor track 2304 how they are related to 22 is described. In addition to that in 22 shown electrotechnical core 2200 shows the electrotechnical core shown here 2300 a smart card-shaped stiffener 2306 on which the tab-shaped trace of the with respect 20th , 21 , and 22 described electrode structures and insulation layers and tab-shaped conductor tracks of the not described but in the electrotechnical core 2300 additionally encloses existing electrode structures and tabs of the insulation layers. The smart card-shaped stiffener 2306 has in particular the same basic shape as the tab-shaped conductor tracks and tabs enclosed by it or arranged on one side, ie in the region 2308 , in which both the conductor structure of the second electrode structure which is driven during operation and the conductor path of the third electrode structure which is at ground potential, also has the chip card-shaped structure 2306 a wider width than in the area 2310 , in which only the conductor track of the second electrode structure driven during operation is located. In that area 2310 , in which there is only the conductor track of the second electrode structure, which is driven during operation, closes the stiffening in the form of a chip card 2306 with the end of in 21 insulation layer shown, so that the contact surface 2314 the conductor track of the second electrode structure driven during operation remains free.

In that area 2308 , in which both the conductor track of the second electrode structure driven during operation and the conductor track of the third electrode structure is located, is the chip card-shaped structure 2306 formed such that they are on the side on which the conductor track of the third electrode structure 2302 is before the end 2316 the tab-shaped conductor track 2304 the third electrode structure 2302 completes, so that here too a contact surface 2318 the conductor track in the form of a tab-shaped conductor track 2316 the third electrode structure 2302 remains free.

24th shows a connector 2400 that with a complementarily designed insertion device 2402 is put together. The connector 2400 comprises three conductor tracks, one conductor track being the conductor track of a first electrode structure, a second conductor track being the conductor track of a second electrode structure driven in operation and a third conductor track being the conductor track of a third electrode structure, the third electrode structure being a contact protection function for a on the side to be treated Earth potential on the opposite side is fulfilled and represents EMC protection.

Because in the connector shown 2400 The slide-in device designed as a coupling has three conductor tracks 2402 a connection 2404 for transmitting a voltage signal to the second electrode structure, which is driven during operation, and two further connections 2406 , 2408 for contacting the two conductor tracks of the first and third electrode structure, which are preferably at ground potential. Compared to that in 2nd Insert device shown is an additional connection 2406 provided for contacting the second ground electrode.

25th shows a plasma applicator 2500 with an electrotechnical core 2502 , an enclosure 2504 and an access port 2506 . The electrotechnical core 2502 is like in terms of 19th described and comprises in the layer thickness direction from the side facing a surface to be treated 2507 starting with a first layer of insulation 2508 , a first electrode structure 2510 , a second layer of insulation 2512 , a second electrode structure 2514 , a third layer of insulation 2516 and a third electrode structure 2518 . The first and third electrode structures are in operation 2510 , 2518 on earth. The electrotechnical core shown here 2502 is therefore already designed to be safe to touch. The second electrode structure 2514 is supplied with a voltage signal sufficient to ignite a plasma during operation. In embodiments not shown here, the plasma applicator each has a differently designed electrotechnical core which, for example, in one embodiment only comprises a second electrode structure and a second insulation layer.

The access connection 2506 is formed in the embodiment shown as a tubular spout and perpendicular with respect to a surface to be treated by the enclosure 2504 and the electrotechnical core 2502 guided. The electrotechnical core shows this 2502 and the enclosure 2504 each have a bushing that has a diameter that corresponds to the outer diameter of the tubular spout. The spout 2506 is hollow on the inside so that a fluid medium can be passed through the spout. One end of the spout 2506 is in use between the plasma applicator 2500 and a closed gas space formed to be treated 2522 . The other end of the spout 2506 is outside the plasma applicator 2500 on the side facing away from a surface to be treated, so that when a plasma applicator is arranged on a surface to be treated, through the tubular spout 2506 one or more fluid media in the closed gas space 2522 added or from the closed gas space 2522 can be transported away.

In the embodiment shown, the spout has 2506 a female sleeve 2524 on to a hose (not shown) with a complementary thread on the tubular spout 2506 to fix. Via one to the female sleeve 2524 Connected hose (not shown) can be a fluid medium in or out of the closed gas space 2522 added and / or transported away. For example, a hose (not shown) can be connected to a vacuum pump (not shown) and, through the vacuum pump, a negative pressure in the closed gas space 2522 be generated.

In the embodiment shown, the tubular spout has 2506 an integrated valve 2526 with which a flow of a fluid medium through the tubular spout 2506 can be regulated and stopped. Such a valve 2526 can be controlled manually, mechanically or electronically.

In an embodiment not shown here, a plasma applicator has an enclosure and one as in FIG 25th described access port and one as in relation to 7 described electrical engineering core. In a further embodiment, not shown here, a plasma applicator has an enclosure and one as in FIG 25th described access connection and an electrotechnical core with only one electrode structure, which is acted upon by a voltage signal during operation. In this embodiment, a surface to be treated fulfills the function of a counter electrode during operation.

26 shows a connector 2600 and one to the connector 2600 complementary slide-in device 2602 on. The connector 2600 is arranged on an electrotechnical core of a plasma applicator, which is only indicated in the illustration shown. The connector 2600 is like in terms of 2A and 2 B described, but additionally has an access connection 2604 on. In the illustration shown is the access connection 2604 at a distance from the tabs of the connector 2600 performed, but forms a component of the connector.

The slide-in device 2602 is also like in relation to 2A and 2 B described, but also has a hose 2606 with a sleeve 2608 and a valve 2610 on. In an embodiment not shown here one like in terms of 24th trained connector described an access port and as in relation to 24th described slide-in device on a hose with a sleeve and a valve.

In the embodiment shown there is therefore an access connection 2604 in the form of a grommet part of the connector 2600 . In the complementary insertion device 2602 is the counterpart to the spout 2604 . The spout 2604 so can over the sleeve 2608 with the hose 2606 be connected so that a fluid medium over the hose 2606 in the insertion device 2602 to the spout 2604 the connector 2600 can be directed. In the assembled state of the plug device shown below 2600 and insertion device 2602 go plug device 2600 and insertion device 2602 a waterproof and airtight connection.

27 shows a connector 2700 and one to the connector 2700 complementary slide-in device 2702 . The connector 2700 is arranged on an electrotechnical core of a plasma applicator, which is only indicated in the illustration shown. The connector 2700 is like in terms of 2A and 2 B described, but additionally has an access connection 2704 with a valve 2710 on. In the illustration shown is the access connection 2704 at a distance from the tabs of the connector 2700 performed, but forms a component of the connector 2700 .

The slide-in device 2702 is also like in relation to 2A and 2 B described, but also has a hose 2706 with a sleeve 2708 on. In an embodiment not shown here, one has the same as in FIG 24th trained connector described an access port with valve and as in relation to 24th described trained insertion device on a hose with a sleeve.

In the embodiment shown there is therefore an access connection 2704 in the form of a grommet part of the connector 2700 . In the complementary insertion device 2702 is the counterpart to the spout 2704 . The spout 2704 can therefore via the sleeve attached to a corresponding end of the hose 2708 with the hose 2706 be connected so that a fluid medium over the hose 2706 in the insertion device 2702 to the spout 2704 the connector 2700 can be directed. In the assembled state of the plug device shown below 2700 and insertion device 2702 go plug device 2700 and insertion device 2702 a waterproof and airtight connection. The flow of a fluid medium can be adjusted by adjusting the valve of the access port 2704 to be regulated or stopped.

28 shows a plasma applicator 2800 that is an enclosure 2802 , an electrical engineering core 2804 and a connector 2806 with an access connection 2808 includes. In the application case is between the plasma applicator 2800 and a surface to be treated, a closed gas space 2810 educated. The access connection ends at one end 2808 in the gas room 2810 and the access end ends at the other end 2808 outside the plasma applicator 2800 , so that a fluid medium through the access connection from outside the plasma applicator into the closed gas space 2810 supplied or from the connected gas space 2810 can be dissipated. In particular, the plug device 2806 can be plugged together with a complementary insertion device (not shown), which has a hose which can be connected to the access connection, for example, via a sleeve or by plugging together.

29 shows a plasma applicator 2900 with a sensor system. The plasma applicator 2900 also includes an enclosure 2902 and an electrotechnical core 2904 . In at least one area along a circumference of the plasma applicator 2900 , the plasma applicator has an adhesive layer 2908 on. In case of use, the enclosure provides 2902 a closed gas room 2910 between the plasma applicator 2900 and a body section to be treated. The sensor system comprises a first sensor 2912 and a second sensor 2914 . The first sensor 2912 is attached to the plasma applicator at a distance from a body section to be treated and is designed, one for the gas space 2910 to record characteristic measured variable and a data signal representing the measured variable 2918 to a data processing device 2916 to transmit. The second sensor 2914 is applied and designed in direct contact with a body section to be treated on the plasma applicator, in the application case a physiological measurement of one of the plasma applicator 2900 to cover the covered body section and a data signal representing the measured variable 2920 to a data processing device 2916 to transmit.

Reference list

1

Device for generating a cold atmospheric pressure plasma

2nd

Multilayer system

3rd

the side facing the surfaces to be treated

4th

the side facing away from the surface to be treated

10th

first electrode structure

10 '

second electrode structure

11

first insulating structure

12th

first electrode structure

13

Dielectric layer

14

second electrode structure

15

second insulating structure

16

Spacer structure

17th

third insulating structure

20th

insulating structure

30th

Treatment area

40

Adhesive layer

45

Enclosure

50

electrotechnical core

60

Insert device

61

Silicone grommet

63

rejuvenation

64

Locking device

65

Connection with an electromagnetic compatible shield

66

Sealing plug

67

Inductors

68

Insert device housing

69

Interior of the slide-in device

70

Connector

71

High voltage connection (HV connection)

72

Ground connection (GND connection)

75

stiffening

76

Hole with a snap function

77

Contact on the connector

78

Terminal contact

79

Conductor track

79 '

second conductor track

80

electric wire

81

Kink protection

100

Plasma applicator

110

Power supply unit

110 '

integrated power supply unit

110 "

mobile power supply unit

112

Contacting

114

two separate contacts

120 '

integrated power supply unit

120 "

integrated power supply unit

122

Distance structure

122 '

Distance structure

130

Slot

140

Reception coil arrangement

150

Transmitter coil arrangement

160

inductive charging device

200

Distance structure

210

honeycomb

220

plasma

230

Electrode structure

240

Counter electrode

300

closed circuit

300 ', 300 "

other closed circuits

310

Joints

910

Wound covering

1900

Plasma applicator

1902

electrotechnical core

1904

Side of an electrotechnical core

1906

first insulation layer

1908

first electrode structure

1910

second insulation layer

1912

second electrode structure

1914

third insulation layer

1916

third electrode structure

1918

Enclosure

2000

electrotechnical core

2002

second electrode structure

2004

first electrode structure

2006

second insulation layer

2008, 2010

Conductor track

2100

electrotechnical core

2102

third insulation layer

2104

Tab

2106

End of a track

2108

Contact area

2200

electrotechnical core

2202

third electrode structure

2204

Side of an electrotechnical core

2206

tab-shaped conductor track

2208

Area

2210

Area

2212

third insulation layer

2214

End of a tab

2216

Contact area of a conductor track

2300

electrotechnical core

2302

third electrode structure

2304

tab-shaped conductor track

2306

Smart card-shaped stiffener

2308

Area

2310

Area

2314

Contact area

2316

End of a tab-shaped conductor track

2318

Contact area of a conductor track

2400

Connector

2402

Insert device

2404

Connection for transmitting a voltage signal

2406, 2408

further connections

2500

Plasma applicator

2502

electrotechnical core

2504

Enclosure

2506

Access connection

2507

a side facing the surface to be treated

2508

a first layer of insulation

2510

first electrode structure

2512

second insulation layer

2514

second electrode structure

2516

third insulation layer

2518

third electrode structure

2522

Gas space

2524

female sleeve

2526

integrated valve

2600

Connector

2602

Insert device

2604

Access connection

2606

tube

2608

sleeve

2610

Valve

2700

Connector

2702

Insert device

2704

Access connection

2706

tube

2708

sleeve

2710

Valve

2800

Plasma applicator

2802

Enclosure

2804

electrotechnical core

2806

Connector

2808

Access connection

2810

Gas space

2900

Plasma applicator

2902

Enclosure

2904

electrotechnical core

2908

Adhesive layer

2912

first sensor

2914

second sensor

2916

Data processing equipment

2918

Data signal

2920

Data signal

B1

Width of the insertion device

B2

Width of the connector

B3

Width of the connector

H1

Height of the insertion device

H2

Height of the connector

K1

minimal creepage distance

L1

minimum length of the crawl on the patient side

L2

Length of the mated system

L3

Length of the plug device outside the plug-in device

L4

Length of the connector

L5

Total length of the connector

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• DE 102017100161 A1 [0009]
• DE 102014220488 A1 [0017, 0019]
• DE 102015101391 B4 [0020]

Claims (10)

A plasma applicator for generating a cold atmospheric or low pressure plasma for the treatment of human and / or animal body parts, the plasma applicator comprising: an electrotechnical core which has at least one electrode structure with insulation, such that an electrical voltage suitable for igniting a plasma can be applied to the electrode structure and the at least one electrode structure is galvanically separated from a body section to be treated during operation by the insulation, an enclosure which at least partially encloses the electrotechnical core and, during operation, creates a closed gas space between the plasma applicator and a body section to be treated, and - At least one sensor which is designed and arranged such that a physiological measurement variable of a body section covered by the plasma applicator in the application can be detected and output by means of this sensor, in particular after a plasma treatment. Plasma applicator after Claim 1 which has at least in one area along a circumference an adhesive layer which is designed to ensure adhesive contact between the plasma applicator and a body section to be treated over a period of one or more days. Plasma applicator after Claim 1 or 2nd which, in particular in the area of the electrotechnical core, has a spacer structure facing a body section to be treated in the application, which has pharmacologically and / or non-pharmacologically active substances. Plasma applicator according to at least one of the Claims 1 to 3rd which, in particular in the region of the electrotechnical core, has a gel layer which is designed to distribute a contact pressure exerted by a plasma applicator on a body section to be treated evenly over a surface of the body section. Plasma applicator according to at least one of the Claims 1 to 4th , wherein the enclosure has a pocket in which the electrotechnical core is removably arranged, and wherein the enclosure is designed such that when the electrotechnical core is removed and the plasma applicator is arranged on a body section to be treated, the body section can be seen through the enclosure is. Plasma applicator according to at least one of the Claims 1 to 5 , wherein the enclosure has a viewing window which is arranged such that when the plasma applicator is arranged on a body section, the body section can be seen through the viewing window. Plasma applicator according to at least one of the Claims 1 to 6 , the physiological measurement being a pH value of a wound, a metabolic product of a wound healing, a bacterial coating of a wound, a gas pressure in the gas space, the oxygen saturation of the wound or a temperature in the gas space. Plasma applicator according to at least one of the Claims 1 to 7 , wherein the plasma applicator has an electrical circuit that modulates a voltage signal provided to ignite a plasma, in particular an amplitude of the voltage signal, as a function of at least one measured variable detected. Plasma applicator according to at least one of the Claims 1 to 8th , wherein the at least one sensor is part of a sensor system, which further comprises a memory module and is designed to generate data representing the measured variables measured and to store the data in the memory module. Plasma applicator according to at least one of the Claims 1 to 9 , which has an access connection which is arranged and designed such that a fluid medium can be supplied through the access connection into the closed gas space or can be removed from the gas space.

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