EP2529602B1 - Device and method for generating an electrical discharge in hollow bodies - Google Patents
Device and method for generating an electrical discharge in hollow bodies Download PDFInfo
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- EP2529602B1 EP2529602B1 EP11705829.7A EP11705829A EP2529602B1 EP 2529602 B1 EP2529602 B1 EP 2529602B1 EP 11705829 A EP11705829 A EP 11705829A EP 2529602 B1 EP2529602 B1 EP 2529602B1
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- plasma
- generation
- hose
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- tube
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H05H—PLASMA TECHNIQUE; PRODUCTION OF ACCELERATED ELECTRICALLY-CHARGED PARTICLES OR OF NEUTRONS; PRODUCTION OR ACCELERATION OF NEUTRAL MOLECULAR OR ATOMIC BEAMS
- H05H1/00—Generating plasma; Handling plasma
- H05H1/24—Generating plasma
- H05H1/2406—Generating plasma using dielectric barrier discharges, i.e. with a dielectric interposed between the electrodes
- H05H1/2439—Surface discharges, e.g. air flow control
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H05H—PLASMA TECHNIQUE; PRODUCTION OF ACCELERATED ELECTRICALLY-CHARGED PARTICLES OR OF NEUTRONS; PRODUCTION OR ACCELERATION OF NEUTRAL MOLECULAR OR ATOMIC BEAMS
- H05H2245/00—Applications of plasma devices
- H05H2245/30—Medical applications
Definitions
- the invention relates to a device and a method for the uniform production of a physical plasma in long and narrow lumen, flexible or rigid, dielectric hoses, pipes or other hollow bodies (hereinafter referred to as hoses) in the low, normal, or overpressure area, the partially or completely filled or flushed with gas or gas mixtures, one or more liquids, gas-bubble-containing liquids, liquid-gas mixtures, aerosols and / or foam (hereinafter referred to as process medium), for the purpose of cleaning, activation, coating, modification and biological decontamination (sterilization, disinfection, sterilization) of the inner walls of these tubes and / or the process medium itself, and for the purpose of therapeutic use by means of a dielectrically impeded barrier discharge or by means of the resulting by the electrical gas discharge in the process medium therapeutical components.
- process medium for the purpose of cleaning, activation, coating, modification and biological decontamination (sterilization, disinfection, sterilization) of the inner walls of these tubes and / or the process medium
- Another method introduces a short needle into the tube, creating a jet-like plasma. By a high gas flow, the plasma can then be driven over a certain distance in the hose. ( Phys. Plasmas 14, 074502 (2007 )) However, in this method, the homogeneity of the plasma over the entire length of the hose is not guaranteed. Furthermore, you also have to work with an additional inner electrode.
- a method is known in which the tube is guided into a process chamber, wherein a part of the process chamber is under vacuum. 2 electrodes outside the tube generate the electric field inside to generate the plasma. ( EP 0 348 690 A2 ). However, partial vacuum is used in this structure. Furthermore, the process chamber is only suitable for the treatment of uninstalled hoses.
- a device for dry biological decontamination of inner walls of pipes and other hollow bodies by means of an atmospheric pressure plasma generated by a dielectrically impeded barrier discharge in a flowing gas atmosphere comprising a conductive grounded electrode and an electrically conductive high voltage electrode in the wall of the hose parallel in the axial direction (EP 1 933 605 A1 ).
- the disadvantage of this device lies in the parallel, axial arrangement of the electrodes, whereby, on the one hand, an inhomogeneous plasma formation within the hollow body is caused and, on the other hand, in the case of a bending of the tube, tensile and shear forces on the electrodes which damage the material occur.
- the last point makes the implementation of the device described in arrangements in which the maintenance of the flexibility is absolutely necessary (eg endoscope channels) impossible.
- at least one heating element is helically embedded in a polymer layer.
- the purpose of the device is to heat up gaseous or liquid media within the tube.
- the structure shown is not used to generate an electrical discharge.
- a device is known with which a jetartges plasma can be generated outside a dielectric tube ( Applied Physics Letters 2005, 87, 113902 ).
- plasma generation inside long tubes is not possible with this device.
- this device is unsuitable for applications that require both plasma generation methods in one device (plasma in the tube and jet-like plasma at the tube exit).
- streamer are generated in a liquid or even in gas bubbles surrounded by liquid with a pin-to-plate arrangement. These streamer develop very high temperatures at the foot and are only very limited spatially extended. A coating or decontamination inside thermolabile and narrow lumen is therefore not possible.
- a device for generating plane pressure waves in liquid-filled tubes by means of plasma for the purpose of cleaning ( DE 23 25 517 ).
- the plasma is used exclusively for pressure wave generation, so that liquids can not be decontaminated even by means of plasma with the device described.
- the device does not guarantee the plasma formation over the entire hose length.
- a known method for the treatment of liquids by means of electrical gas discharge is in the patent DE 44 40 813 C2 described.
- the cleaning of the liquid takes place in a partially filled with liquid vessel under atmospheric pressure by generating a dielectrically impeded gas discharge in the form of microplasmas in the gas space between the electrode and liquid.
- the generation of a dielectrically impeded barrier discharge in completely filled with liquid, liquid-gas mixtures, aerosols or foam long narrow hollow bodies is not the subject of the described method. However, this is useful, for example, for the cleaning of narrow long lumens.
- the specified method does not claim to clean, activate, coat, modify and biological decontamination (sterilization, disinfection, sterilization) of the inner walls of hoses.
- the patent DE601 03 997T2 ( EP 1 276 697 B1 ) relates to a method for fixing a first fluid in a second fluid using a corona discharge generated by means of very high DC voltages in the range of 50 kV.
- Another device operates with a large plasma chamber, on the wall of a liquid film is applied, which then by means of a sheet charge is plasma treated. To ignite this arc charge a high power is required, which at the same time creates a very high temperature of the arc. For the treatment of thermolabile products this discharge is excluded. Furthermore, the structure of the device is unsuitable for the above purpose.
- the object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the technical solutions described above.
- the structure of the hoses has been changed so that no additional electrodes outside and inside the hoses are more needed to produce a homogeneous over the entire length of the hoses physical plasma, without causing changes in physical, chemical or mechanical properties, as well the functionality of the hoses occur.
- the device represents, in particular, a simple and cost-effective change in the construction of such tubes. At the same time, this results in only minor changes for finished medical products containing such tubes.
- the invention ensures the simplest possible generation of physical plasmas in the tubes in complex medical devices, so that disassembly of the devices or other special devices are not needed.
- the tube walls are provided with a plurality of spirally and preferably equidistantly around the tube extending metallic conductors (hereinafter referred to as electrodes), wherein the electrodes are located within the tube wall.
- electrodes metallic conductors
- the electrodes are wound onto an inner tube, fixed with special adhesives, after which an outer tube is shrunk.
- Other possibilities include the embedding of the electrodes in a single tube or in the application of electrical conductors by special etching or coating processes.
- the so produced Hoses can have an inside diameter of a few cm down to 1 mm and smaller and a length of several meters.
- the material of the electrodes must necessarily be electrically conductive, wherein the material of the inner or outer tube must have dielectric properties and preferably has a thickness of 10 microns to 5 mm.
- the electrodes may be present as a wire with a diameter of preferably 10 ⁇ m up to 2 mm.
- other cross-sectional geometries can be used (eg rectangular wire cross sections with a thickness of typically 10 ⁇ m to 500 ⁇ m and a width of preferably 0.1 mm to 2 mm).
- the distance between the electrodes and the insulating material located therebetween must be chosen so that when a high voltage is applied, the resulting field strength between the electrodes is less than the dielectric strength of the insulating material.
- the number of electrodes is greater than or equal to 2, with each second electrode preferably being at the same potential. Adjacent electrodes are controlled separately, so that one of the electrodes is at ground potential and the adjacent electrode is driven with an alternating voltage, preferably in the kHz range. According to the invention, an electrical field is generated by the structure between the electrodes and a physical plasma is generated when the ignition field strength is exceeded.
- different discharge modes can be generated. Thus, volume and surface discharge as well as filamentous and diffuse discharge modes, depending on the task are adjustable.
- the electrodes are pulled axially in the tube wall.
- Another embodiment of this device can be realized via a braid inside the tube wall.
- the braid consists of non-conductive material, which is typically also used in the construction of such tubes for example endoscopes. In this braid then continuously and preferably equidistant electrical conductors are woven, which then extend over the entire length of the hose.
- the electrodes are introduced into the tube wall and externally wound around the tube a precise wire mesh.
- the electrodes inside the wall are driven with the AC voltage, while the Grid is at ground potential. This forms a surface discharge inside the hose.
- the process medium is not introduced into the interior of the tube, but applied externally, whereby a physical plasma can be generated on the outer wall of the tube.
- dielectric bodies and / or dielectric liquid drops such as, for example, glass beads and / or oil drops, but in particular balls with a diameter greater than 100 ⁇ m and smaller than the inner diameter of the hose, are introduced into the hose alone or together with the process medium.
- the device includes a high voltage supply whose frequency range is in kilohertz to megahertz and provides the voltage required to generate the atmospheric pressure discharge in the range of 1-25 kV, a dielectric tube whose diameter is preferably in the range of ⁇ m to mm and its length of can be varied from a few centimeters to several meters, and electrically conductive electrodes in the entire tube wall, which can be of any desired shape and can have a diameter in the range of ⁇ m up to several mm.
- Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 show the basic structure of the device with 2 round, spirally around the inner tube (4) rotated electrodes, one of them to ground potential (1), the other (2) to an AC voltage.
- the gas supply (7) via a gas connection with a gas nozzle.
- the electrodes can be present in different arrangements and number, as in Fig. 3 and 4 shown as a network in which the electrodes are woven into a plastic mesh, or as in Fig. 5 shown as parallel wires in the axial direction. The number of electrodes is variable.
- Inner and outer hose are identical in all arrangements and serve as a dielectric.
- Fig. 7 shows a further embodiment of the tube, has been dispensed with a grounded electrode in the tube wall, instead, the electrical shield or kinking stiffening outside the tube is used as a ground electrode. As a result, a surface discharge is formed inside the tube.
- the shield is also built into the hose wall.
- Fig. 9 shows a further embodiment in which in the hose dielectric body and / or dielectric liquid droplets, such as glass beads and / or oil drops, but especially spheres with a diameter greater than 100 microns and smaller than the inner diameter of the tube, alone or together with the process medium be introduced.
- a dielectric liquid droplets such as glass beads and / or oil drops
- the high voltage electrode is driven in all embodiments with a voltage in the kilovolt range and a frequency of a few kilohertz up to megahertz with a sine, square or triangle signal.
- a voltage in the kilovolt range and a frequency of a few kilohertz up to megahertz with a sine, square or triangle signal In this case, the most different duty cycles and edge steepnesses can be used, with special pulse or burst voltages for some processes can represent a particular advantage.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Plasma & Fusion (AREA)
- Spectroscopy & Molecular Physics (AREA)
- Apparatus For Disinfection Or Sterilisation (AREA)
Description
Die Erfindung betrifft eine Vorrichtung und ein Verfahren zur gleichmäßigen Erzeugung eines physikalischen Plasmas in langen und gleichzeitig engen Lumen, flexiblen oder starren, dielektrischen Schläuchen, Rohren oder anderen Hohlkörpern (im Folgenden als Schläuche bezeichnet) im Nieder-, Normal-, oder Überdruckbereich, die teilweise oder vollständig mit Gas oder Gasgemischen, einer oder mehreren Flüssigkeiten, gasblasenenthaltenden Flüssigkeiten, Flüssigkeits-Gas-Gemischen, Aerosolen und/oder Schaum (im Folgenden als Prozessmedium bezeichnet) gefüllt oder durchspült sind, zum Zweck der Reinigung, Aktivierung, Beschichtung, Modifizierung und biologischen Dekontamination (Entkeimung, Desinfektion, Sterilisation) der Innenwände dieser Schläuche und/oder des Prozessmediums selbst, sowie zum Zweck der therapeutischen Anwendung mittels einer dielektrisch behinderten Barriereentladung oder mittels der durch die elektrische Gasentladung im Prozessmedium entstandenen therapeutischen Komponenten.The invention relates to a device and a method for the uniform production of a physical plasma in long and narrow lumen, flexible or rigid, dielectric hoses, pipes or other hollow bodies (hereinafter referred to as hoses) in the low, normal, or overpressure area, the partially or completely filled or flushed with gas or gas mixtures, one or more liquids, gas-bubble-containing liquids, liquid-gas mixtures, aerosols and / or foam (hereinafter referred to as process medium), for the purpose of cleaning, activation, coating, modification and biological decontamination (sterilization, disinfection, sterilization) of the inner walls of these tubes and / or the process medium itself, and for the purpose of therapeutic use by means of a dielectrically impeded barrier discharge or by means of the resulting by the electrical gas discharge in the process medium therapeutical components.
Für eine Vielzahl von Anwendungen, speziell im Bereich der Biomaterialien für medizinische Geräte, ist es nötig, die Innenwände von langen und gleichzeitig dünnen Schläuchen, die aus einem dielektrischen Material bestehen, zu modifizieren. Dazu zählen Reinigung, Aktivierung, Beschichtung, Modifizierung und biologische Dekontamination. Typischerweise können diese Modifikationen nicht während der Herstellung der Materialien durchgeführt werden, in vielen Bereichen und abhängig vom Anwendungsgebiet muss die Modifikation nach erfolgtem Fertigungsprozess auch regelmäßig erneuert werden. Physikalische Plasmen bieten für diese Art der Anwendung eine Vielzahl von Vorteilen. Die so erzeugten Modifikationen sind homogen über die Oberfläche verteilt, sehr dünn (nm-Bereich), stark anhaftend und verändern die Zusammensetzung und die Eigenschaften des Grundmaterials nur sehr gering. Die unterschiedlichen Modifikationen können durch geeignete Wahl des Prozessmediums und der physikalischen Parametern des Plasmas erreicht werden. Aus Kostengründen und für eine einfache Integration in vorhandene Prozessschritte, sollten die Modifikationen durch ein physikalisches Plasma möglichst unter Normaldruck stattfinden. Bisher erweist sich jedoch die Erzeugung eines über die Länge des Schlauches homogenen Plasmas unter Normaldruck bei großer Variabilität des Parameterbereichs und großem Aspektverhältnis der Schläuche als sehr schwierig. Speziell bei komplexen Medizinprodukten, wie zum Beispiel Endoskopen, gestaltet es sich schwierig elektrische Felder von außerhalb des Endoskops ins Innere der Arbeitskanäle einzukoppeln, um damit ein physikalisches Plasma zu zünden. Es ist auf Anwenderseite auch nachteilig, Elektroden zur Einkopplung der Leistung für das Plasma in die Arbeitskanäle einzubringen, da die Oberflächen der Kanäle beschädigt werden könnten.For a variety of applications, especially in biomaterials for medical devices, it is necessary to modify the inner walls of long and, at the same time, thin tubes made of a dielectric material. These include cleaning, activation, coating, modification and biological decontamination. Typically, these modifications can not be made during the manufacture of the materials, in many areas and depending on the field of application, the modification must also be renewed regularly after the manufacturing process has been completed. Physical plasmas offer a variety of benefits for this type of application. The modifications thus produced are homogeneously distributed over the surface, very thin (nm range), strongly adhering and change the composition and properties of the base material only very slightly. The various modifications can be achieved by suitable choice of the process medium and the physical parameters of the plasma. For cost reasons and for easy integration into existing process steps, the modifications should take place by a physical plasma as possible under normal pressure. So far, however, proves the generation of a homogeneous over the length of the tube plasma under atmospheric pressure with high variability of the parameter range and high aspect ratio the hoses are very difficult. Especially in complex medical devices, such as endoscopes, it is difficult to couple electrical fields from outside the endoscope into the working channels, in order to ignite a physical plasma. It is also disadvantageous on the user side to introduce electrodes for coupling the power for the plasma in the working channels, since the surfaces of the channels could be damaged.
Vorrichtungen und Verfahren zur Erzeugung physikalischer Plasmen im Inneren von mit Prozessmedium gefüllten Schläuchen werden in zahlreichen Druckschriften beschrieben. Die hier angeführten technischen Lösungen sind aber mindestens mit einem oder mehreren der folgenden Nachteile verbunden:
- ➢ die Vorrichtung funktioniert nur mit Schläuchen im Rohzustand und nicht im verbauten Zustand
- ➢ Die Vorrichtung benötigt spezielle Innenelektroden
- ➢ Die Vorrichtung benötigt spezielle Außenelektroden
- ➢ Die Vorrichtung funktioniert nicht bei Normaldruck
- ➢ Die Vorrichtung weist hohe Unterhaltskosten durch z.B. hohe Gasflüsse auf
- ➢ Die Vorrichtung ist in der Behandlungsstrecke begrenzt
- ➢ Die Vorrichtung kann eine über die Länge des Schlauches homogene Behandlung nicht gewährleisten
- ➢ Die Vorrichtung ist auf Edelgase beschränkt, wodurch das Einsatzgebiet beschränkt wird
- ➢ Die Vorrichtung ist nicht geeignet thermolabile Materialien zu bearbeiten
- ➢ Die biologische Dekontamination wird mit aggressiven Medien durchgeführt was Materialschädigungen mit sich führt
- ➢ The device only works with hoses in the raw state and not in the installed state
- ➢ The device requires special internal electrodes
- ➢ The device requires special external electrodes
- ➢ The device does not work at normal pressure
- ➢ The device has high maintenance costs due to eg high gas flows
- ➢ The device is limited in the treatment section
- ➢ The device can not guarantee homogeneous treatment over the length of the tube
- ➢ The device is limited to noble gases, which limits the field of application
- ➢ The device is not suitable for processing thermolabile materials
- ➢ The biological decontamination is carried out with aggressive media resulting in material damage
Es existiert ein Verfahren, bei dem ein langer und dünner Schlauch durch ein von auβen erzeugtes Feld geführt wird. Dabei wird die Feldstärke groß genug, um ein physikalisches Plasma im Inneren des Schlauches zu zünden (
Ein weiteres Verfahren führt eine kurze Nadel in den Schlauch ein, wodurch ein jetartiges Plasma erzeugt wird. Durch einen hohen Gasfluss kann das Plasma dann über eine gewisse Strecke im Schlauch voran getrieben werden. (
Bekannt ist ein Verfahren, bei dem der Schlauch in eine Prozesskammer geführt wird, wobei ein Teil der Prozesskammer unter Vakuum steht. 2 Elektroden außerhalb des Schlauches erzeugen das elektrische Feld im Inneren zur Generierung des Plasmas. (
Ein weiterer Aufbau wird über eine Innenelektrode im Schlauch und einer Außenelektrode unterhalb des Schlauches realisiert. (
Bekannt ist eine Vorrichtung zur trockenen biologischen Dekontamination von Innenwänden von Rohren und anderen Hohlkörpern mittels eines, durch eine dielektrisch behinderte Barriereentladung in einer strömenden Gasatmosphäre erzeugten Atmosphärendruckplasmas, umfassend eine leitende geerdete Elektrode, sowie eine elektrisch leitende Hochspannungselektrode in der Wand des Schlauches, wobei die Elektroden parallel in axialer Richtung verlaufen (
Es ist eine Vorrichtung zur Heizung von flexiblen Kunststoffschläuchen bekannt (
Ferner wurde ein Verfahren entwickelt, bei dem in das Innere eines Schlauches eine kurze zylinderförmige Elektrode eingebracht wird, die Gegenelektrode befindet sich außerhalb des Schlauches. (
Es existiert ein Verfahren, bei dem ein langer Schlauch in den zu behandelnden Schlauch geschoben wird. Am Ende des eingeführten Schlauches befindet sich ein Kopf, welcher mit 2 Elektroden versehen ist, so dass ein physikalisches Plasma erzeugt werden kann. Durch Rotation und axiale Verschiebung des eingeführten Schlauches kann die Innenwand des zu behandelnden Schlauches variabel modifiziert werden (
Bekannt ist ein Verfahren, bei dem 2 ringförmige Außenelektroden in einem bestimmten Abstand voneinander um den Schlauch positioniert werden. Das jetartige Plasma brennt dann zwischen den beiden Elektroden. (
Es ist eine Vorrichtung bekannt, mit der sich ein jetartges Plasma außerhalb einer dielektrischen Röhre erzeugen lässt (
In einer Veröffentlichung wird im Inneren von Glasröhrchen ein Plasma gezündet. Dazu wird eine dünne Innenelektrode in das Röhrchen eingeführt. Die Gegenelektrode bildet Silberfolie, welche außerhalb des Röhrchens angebracht wurde. (
Weiterhin wird in einer Veröffentlichung eine Korona-Afterglow-Entladung mit Stickstoff erzeugt. Das Afterglow-Plasma wird dann mit hohen Flussraten in den Schlauch geleitet, so dass über eine gewisse Strecke ein Plasma im Inneren des Schlauches vorhanden ist. (
Ein weiterer Aufbau wird in (
Eine weitere Möglichkeit wird in (
In einer Veröffentlichung wird ein elektrischer Durchbruch in einer Flüssigkeit untersucht. Dabei haben die Elektroden einen Abstand von bis zu 1 mm. Es wird dadurch eine Art Bogenentladung gezündet, welche einerseits nur eine sehr geringe räumliche Ausdehnung besitzt und außerdem an den Fußpunkten eine hohe thermische Belastung für die Materialien darstellt. Für die Plasmaerzeugung in thermolabilen Schläuchen ist dieser Aufbau daher ungeeignet.
In einer anderen Veröffentlichung werden mit einer pin-to-plate Anordnung Streamer in Flüssigkeiten oder auch in von Flüssigkeit umgebenen Gasblasen erzeugt. Diese Streamer entwickeln an den Fußpunkten sehr hohe Temperaturen und sind nur sehr beschränkt räumlich ausgedehnt. Eine Beschichtung oder Dekontamination im Inneren von thermolabilen und engen Lumen ist damit nicht möglich.
Eine weitere Veröffentlichung zeigt die Erzeugung eines Plasmas in Flüssigkeiten über einen Abstand von 16 cm, erzeugt durch eine im ns-Bereich gepulste Wechselspannung. Die Anordnung ist aber speziell für die Dekontamination (Radikalerzeugung) von Flüssigkeiten im Volumen entwickelt worden. Behandlungen von Oberflächen sind mit diesem Aufbau grundsätzlich nicht möglich.
In einer anderen Veröffentlichung wird ein prinzipieller Aufbau dargestellt, mit dem die Erzeugung einer elektrischen Entladung in einer Gasblase grundsätzlich möglich ist und für wissenschaftliche Zwecke untersucht werden kann. Jedoch ist dieser Aufbau für die Plasmamodifikation und -dekontamination von Materialien in Flüssigkeiten ungeeignet.
Eine weitere Möglichkeit zur Erzeugung von Gasplasmen in Flüssigkeiten wird in Plasma (
Es ist eine Vorrichtung bekannt, ebene Druckwellen in mit Flüssigkeit gefüllten Rohren mittels Plasma zum Zweck der Reinigung zu erzeugen (
Ein bekanntes Verfahren zur Behandlung von Flüssigkeiten mittels elektrischer Gasentladung ist im Patent
Das Patent
Es existiert ein Vorrichtung zur Reinigung, Aktivierung, Beschichtung, Modifizierung und biologischen Dekontamination (Entkeimung, Desinfektion, Sterilisation) von Oberflächen mittels einer dielektrisch behinderten Oberflächenentladung (
Eine weitere Vorrichtung arbeitet mit einer großen Plasmakammer, auf deren Wand ein Flüssigkeitsfilm aufgebracht wird, welcher anschließend mittels einer Bogenetladung plasmabehandelt wird. Zur Zündung dieser Bogenetladung wird eine hohe Leistung benötigt, wodurch gleichzeitig eine sehr hohe Temperatur des Bogens entsteht. Für die Behandlung von thermolabilen Produkten ist diese Entladungsfoirm ausgeschlossen. Weiterhin ist der Aufbau der Vorrichtung für den oben genannten Zweck ungeeignet.Another device operates with a large plasma chamber, on the wall of a liquid film is applied, which then by means of a sheet charge is plasma treated. To ignite this arc charge a high power is required, which at the same time creates a very high temperature of the arc. For the treatment of thermolabile products this discharge is excluded. Furthermore, the structure of the device is unsuitable for the above purpose.
Die Aufgabe der vorliegenden Erfindung besteht darin, die Nachteile der oben beschrieben technischen Lösungen zu überwinden.The object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the technical solutions described above.
Die Aufgabe wurde gemäß den Merkmalen der Patentansprüche gelöst. Erindungsgemäß wurde der Aufbau der Schläuche so geändert, dass keine zusätzlichen Elektroden auβerhalb, sowie innerhalb der Schläuche mehr benötigt werden, um ein über die gesamte Länge der Schläuche homogenes physikalisches Plasma zu erzeugen, ohne dass dabei Änderungen der physikalischen, chemischen oder mechanischen Eigenschaften, sowie der Funktionalität der Schläuche auftreten. Die Vorrichtung stellt insbesondere eine einfache und kostengünstige Änderung des Aufbaus solcher Schläuche dar. Gleichzeitig erfolgen dadurch nur geringe Änderungen für fertige Medizinprodukte, welche solche Schläuche beinhalten. Weiterhin gewährleistet die Erfindung eine möglichst unkomplizierte Erzeugung von physikalischen Plasmen in den Schläuchen in komplexen Medizinprodukten, so dass eine Demontage der Geräte oder andere spezielle Vorrichtungen nicht benötigt werden.The problem has been solved according to the features of the claims. According to the invention, the structure of the hoses has been changed so that no additional electrodes outside and inside the hoses are more needed to produce a homogeneous over the entire length of the hoses physical plasma, without causing changes in physical, chemical or mechanical properties, as well the functionality of the hoses occur. The device represents, in particular, a simple and cost-effective change in the construction of such tubes. At the same time, this results in only minor changes for finished medical products containing such tubes. Furthermore, the invention ensures the simplest possible generation of physical plasmas in the tubes in complex medical devices, so that disassembly of the devices or other special devices are not needed.
Die Schlauchwände werden mit mehreren spiralförmig und vorzugsweise äquidistant um den Schlauch verlaufenden, metallischen Leitern (im Folgenden als Elektroden bezeichnet) versehen, wobei sich die Elektroden innerhalb der Schlauchwand befinden. Typischerweise werden die Elektroden dazu auf einen Innenschlauch gewickelt, mit speziellen Klebern fixiert, worüber anschließend ein Außenschlauch geschrumpft wird. Weitere Möglichkeiten bestehen in der Einbettung der Elektroden in einen einzigen Schlauch oder in der Aufbringung von elektrischen Leitern durch spezielle Ätz- oder Beschichtungsprozesse. Die so erzeugten Schläuche können einen Innendurchmesser von einigen cm bis hin zu 1 mm und kleiner und eine Länge von mehreren Metern haben. Das Material der Elektroden muss dabei zwingend elektrisch leitend sein, wobei das Material des Innen- bzw. Außenschlauchs dielektrische Eigenschaften aufweisen muss und vorzugsweise eine Dicke von 10 µm bis hin zu 5 mm besitzt. Die Elektroden können dabei erfindungsgemäß als Draht mit einem Durchmesser von vorzugsweise 10 µm bis hin zu 2 mm vorliegen. Ebenfalls sind andere Querschnittsgeometrien verwendbar (z.B. rechteckige Drahtquerschnitte mit einer Dicke von typischerweise 10 µm bis 500 µm und einer Breite von vorzugsweise 0.1 mm bis 2 mm). Der Abstand der Elektroden und das sich dazwischen befindliche Isolationsmaterial müssen so gewählt werden, dass beim Anlegen einer Hochspannung die resultierende Feldstärke zwischen den Elektroden geringer ist als die Durchschlagsfestigkeit des Isolationsmaterials. Die Anzahl der Elektroden ist größer gleich 2, wobei jede 2. Elektrode vorzugsweise auf gleichem Potenzial liegt. Benachbarte Elektroden werden gesondert angesteuert, so dass eine der Elektroden auf Massepotenzial liegt und die benachbarte Elektrode mit einer Wechselspannung vorzugsweise im kHz-Bereich angesteuert wird. Erfindungsgemäß wird durch diesen Aufbau zwischen den Elektroden ein elektrisches Feld und beim Überschreiten der Zündfeldstärke ein physikalisches Plasma erzeugt. Hierbei können durch den Abstand der Elektroden und das verwendete Arbeitsgas, sowie die verwendete Ansteuerung der Elektroden, verschiedene Entladungsmodi erzeugt werden. So sind Volumen- und Oberflächenentladung als auch filamentierte und diffuse Entladungsmodi, je nach Aufgabenstellung einstellbar.The tube walls are provided with a plurality of spirally and preferably equidistantly around the tube extending metallic conductors (hereinafter referred to as electrodes), wherein the electrodes are located within the tube wall. Typically, the electrodes are wound onto an inner tube, fixed with special adhesives, after which an outer tube is shrunk. Other possibilities include the embedding of the electrodes in a single tube or in the application of electrical conductors by special etching or coating processes. The so produced Hoses can have an inside diameter of a few cm down to 1 mm and smaller and a length of several meters. The material of the electrodes must necessarily be electrically conductive, wherein the material of the inner or outer tube must have dielectric properties and preferably has a thickness of 10 microns to 5 mm. According to the invention, the electrodes may be present as a wire with a diameter of preferably 10 μm up to 2 mm. Likewise, other cross-sectional geometries can be used (eg rectangular wire cross sections with a thickness of typically 10 μm to 500 μm and a width of preferably 0.1 mm to 2 mm). The distance between the electrodes and the insulating material located therebetween must be chosen so that when a high voltage is applied, the resulting field strength between the electrodes is less than the dielectric strength of the insulating material. The number of electrodes is greater than or equal to 2, with each second electrode preferably being at the same potential. Adjacent electrodes are controlled separately, so that one of the electrodes is at ground potential and the adjacent electrode is driven with an alternating voltage, preferably in the kHz range. According to the invention, an electrical field is generated by the structure between the electrodes and a physical plasma is generated when the ignition field strength is exceeded. Here, by the distance of the electrodes and the working gas used, as well as the control of the electrodes used, different discharge modes can be generated. Thus, volume and surface discharge as well as filamentous and diffuse discharge modes, depending on the task are adjustable.
In einer weiteren Ausführungsform werden die Elektroden axial in der Tubuswand entlang gezogen.In another embodiment, the electrodes are pulled axially in the tube wall.
Eine weitere Ausführungsform dieser Vorrichtung kann über ein Geflecht im Inneren der Schlauchwand realisiert werden. Das Geflecht besteht dabei aus nicht-leitendem Material, welches typischerweise auch beim Bau solcher Schläuche für zum Beispiel Endoskope verwendet wird. In diesem Geflecht werden dann kontinuierlich und vorzugsweise äquidistant elektrische Leiter eingewebt, welche sich dann über die gesamte Länge des Schlauches erstrecken.Another embodiment of this device can be realized via a braid inside the tube wall. The braid consists of non-conductive material, which is typically also used in the construction of such tubes for example endoscopes. In this braid then continuously and preferably equidistant electrical conductors are woven, which then extend over the entire length of the hose.
In einer weiteren Ausführungsform der Erfindung werden in die Schlauchwand die Elektroden eingebracht und außen um den Tubus passgenau ein Drahtgitter gewickelt. Die Elektroden im Inneren der Wand werden mit der Wechselspannung getrieben, während das Gitter auf Massepotenzial liegt. Es bildet sich so im Inneren des Schlauches eine Oberflächenentladung aus.In a further embodiment of the invention, the electrodes are introduced into the tube wall and externally wound around the tube a precise wire mesh. The electrodes inside the wall are driven with the AC voltage, while the Grid is at ground potential. This forms a surface discharge inside the hose.
In einer weiteren Ausführungsform wird das Prozessmedium nicht im Innern des Schlauchs eingebracht, sondern außen appliziert, wodurch sich auf der Außenwand des Schlauchs ein physikalisches Plasma erzeugen lässt.In a further embodiment, the process medium is not introduced into the interior of the tube, but applied externally, whereby a physical plasma can be generated on the outer wall of the tube.
In einer weiteren Ausführungsform werden in den Schlauch dielektrische Körper und/oder dielektrische Flüssigkeitstropfen, wie beispielsweise Glaskugeln und/oder Öltropfen, insbesondere aber Kugeln mit einem Durchmesser größer als 100 µm und kleiner als der Innendurchmesser des Schlauchs, alleinig oder zusammen mit dem Prozessmedium eingebracht.In a further embodiment, dielectric bodies and / or dielectric liquid drops, such as, for example, glass beads and / or oil drops, but in particular balls with a diameter greater than 100 μm and smaller than the inner diameter of the hose, are introduced into the hose alone or together with the process medium.
- ◆ Die Vorrichtung ist sehr vielseitig einsetzbar, selbst in Arbeits- und Jetkanälen von komplexen Medizingeräten kann ohne Probleme ein physikalisches Plasma erzeugt werden, ohne dass der Aufbau solcher Geräte stark verändert werden muss, oder die Funktion von Bauteilen des Gerätes beeinflusst wird.◆ The device is very versatile, even in working and jet channels of complex medical devices, a physical plasma can be generated without any problems, without the structure of such devices must be changed greatly, or the function of components of the device is affected.
- ◆ Die Funktion der Schläuche bleibt vollständig erhalten (Flexibilität, Biegeradius...), die Festigkeit wird sogar noch erhöht. Je nach Ausführung der Elektroden kann auf einen externen Knickschutz verzichtet werden, welches zu einer Reduktion der Baugröβe führen kann.◆ The function of the hoses is completely retained (flexibility, bending radius ...), the strength is even increased. Depending on the design of the electrodes can be dispensed with an external anti-buckling, which can lead to a reduction in the size.
- ◆ Es ist eine Vielzahl von unterschiedlichen Prozessmedien einsetzbar.◆ A variety of different process media can be used.
- ◆ Die Vorrichtung bietet zusätzlich zur physikalischen Plasmaerzeugung im Inneren der Schläuche die Möglichkeit, ein jetartiges Plasma am Gasausgang des Schlauches zur Reinigung, Aktivierung, Beschichtung, Modifizierung und biologischen Dekontamination (Entkeimung, Desinfektion, Sterilisation) sowie für therapeutische Anwendungen zu erzeugen.◆ In addition to physical plasma generation inside the tubing, the device offers the possibility to create a jet-like plasma at the gas outlet of the tubing for cleaning, activation, coating, modification and biological decontamination (disinfection, disinfection, sterilization) as well as for therapeutic applications.
- ◆ Die Erzeugung eines physikalischen Plasmas ist auch bei feuchten bzw. mit einem Flüssigkeitsfilm überzogenen Innenwänden der Schläuche möglich. Bei ausreichend hohen Gasflüssen ist auch eine Plasmatrocknung möglich.◆ The generation of a physical plasma is also possible with wet or liquid-film-coated inner walls of the hoses. With sufficiently high gas flows also a plasma drying is possible.
- ◆ Durch die Zugabe von dielektrischen Körpern zum Prozessmedium wird eine erhöhte Oberfläche innerhalb des Schlauchs erzeugt und damit beispielsweise eine erhöhte Reinigungsleistung des Prozessmediums erzielt.◆ The addition of dielectric bodies to the process medium creates an increased surface area within the hose and thus achieves, for example, an increased cleaning performance of the process medium.
Die Erfindung wird nachfolgend anhand von Ausführungsbeispielen näher erläutert, ohne sie auf diese Beispiele zu beschränken.The invention will be explained in more detail by means of exemplary embodiments, without limiting them to these examples.
Mit den nachfolgend in verschiedenen Zeichnungen dargestellten Anführungsbeispielen werden die Erfindung und deren Anwendungsmöglichkeiten detailliert erläutert. Für die Kennzeichnung der einzelnen Elemente des Aufbaus der Vorrichtung werden folgende Bezugszeichen verwendet:
Die Vorrichtung beinhaltet eine Hochspannungsversorgung, deren Frequenzbereich im Kilohertz bis hin zu Megahertz liegt und die zur Erzeugung der Atmosphärendruckentladung benötigten Spannung im Bereich von 1-25 kV bereit stellt, einen dielektrischen Schlauch, dessen Durchmesser vorzugsweise im Bereich von µm bis mm und dessen Länge von einigen Zentimeter bis hin zu mehren Metern variiert werden kann, und elektrisch leitende Elektroden in der kompletten Tubus-Wand, welche beliebig geformt sein können und einen Durchmesser im Bereich von µm bis hin zu mehreren mm aufweisen können.The device includes a high voltage supply whose frequency range is in kilohertz to megahertz and provides the voltage required to generate the atmospheric pressure discharge in the range of 1-25 kV, a dielectric tube whose diameter is preferably in the range of μm to mm and its length of can be varied from a few centimeters to several meters, and electrically conductive electrodes in the entire tube wall, which can be of any desired shape and can have a diameter in the range of μm up to several mm.
In
Die Hochspannungselektrode wird bei allen Ausführungsbeispielen mit einer Spannung im Kilovolt-Bereich und einer Frequenz von einigen Kilohertz bis hin zu Megahertz mit einem Sinus-, Rechteck- oder Dreiecksignal angesteuert. Dabei können die unterschiedlichsten Tastverhältnisse und Flankensteilheiten eingesetzt werden, wobei spezielle Puls- oder Burstspannungen für einige Prozesse einen besonderen Vorteil darstellen können.The high voltage electrode is driven in all embodiments with a voltage in the kilovolt range and a frequency of a few kilohertz up to megahertz with a sine, square or triangle signal. In this case, the most different duty cycles and edge steepnesses can be used, with special pulse or burst voltages for some processes can represent a particular advantage.
Claims (15)
- A device for generation of a physical plasma inside long dielectric hoses with low internal diameter comprising:at least an electrically conductive high voltage electrode (3) and an electrically conductive, grounded electrode (2) as well as a high voltage supply (6) and a supply unit for process media (7), characterised in that both electrodes are introduced into the hose wall.
- Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the electrodesa) extend helically along the axis of the hose orb) parallely in axial direction orc) are introduced as a network together with non conductive fibres.
- Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the electrodes are located in the dielectric hose wall, and an electrically conductive grid is located outside accurately fitting around the tube.
- Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that in the hose are located dielectric bodies and/or dielectric drops of liquid, preferably glass balls and/or oil drops, but in particular balls with a diameter greater than 100 µm and smaller than the internal diameter of the hose, alone or together with the process medium.
- Device according to claim 1 to 4, characterised in that it contains equipment for generation of a jet-like plasma at the hose end.
- Device for generation of a plasma inside of long dielectric hoses with low internal diameter, characterised by the following steps:⇒ fixation of electrodes for this purpose on an internal hose, preferably with adhesives, over which subsequently an external hose is shrinked or application of the electrodes by special etching or coating processes or embedding of the electrodes directly into the hose wall.⇒ adding of a process medium into the hose and application of an alternating high voltage, with a physical plasma being generated in the process medium when the ignition field strength is exceeded.
- Method for generation of a plasma according to claim 6, characterised in that a square-wave signal with an edge steepness of typically 1kV/ns is used for generation of high voltage.
- Method for generation of a plasma according to any one of claims 6 or 7, characterised in that the high voltage is applied in burst mode.
- Method for generation of a plasma according to any one of claims 6 or 8, characterised in that the process medium and plasma effect are applied on the external surface of the hose.
- Method for generation of a plasma according to any one of claims 6 to 9, characterised in that the plasma generation step comprises the introduction of dieelectric bodies and/or dielectric drops of liquid such as for example glass balls and/or oil drops, but in particular balls with a diameter greater than 100 µm and smaller than the internal diameter of the hose, alone or together with the process medium into the hose.
- Method for generation of a plasma according to any one of claims 6 to 10, characterised in that the plasma generated in the lumen can be extracted from the lumen by a gas flow and/or a virtual ground potential, and can be used as a processing instrument and for therapeutic purposes.
- Method for generation of a plasma according to any one of claims 6 to 10, characterised in that the plasma generation step comprises cleaning or surface modification of the hose wall
and/or
cleaning or surface modification of the process medium. - Method for generation of a plasma according to any one of claims 6 to 10, characterised in that the plasma generation step comprises coating of the hose wall or coating of the solid state bodies supplied to the process medium.
- Method for generation of a plasma according to any one of claims 6 to 10, characterised in that the plasma generation step comprises biological decontamination (degermination, disinfection, sterilisation) of the hose wall or the process medium.
- Method for generation of a plasma according to any one of claims 6 to 10, characterised in that the plasma generation step comprises generation of a jet-like plasma at the hose end.
Priority Applications (1)
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EP11705829.7A EP2529602B1 (en) | 2010-01-26 | 2011-01-26 | Device and method for generating an electrical discharge in hollow bodies |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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PCT/EP2010/050865 WO2011091842A1 (en) | 2010-01-26 | 2010-01-26 | Device and method for dry-cleaning, activating, coating, modifying, and biologically decontaminating the inner walls of hoses, pipes, and other hollow bodies |
DE102010003131 | 2010-03-22 | ||
EP11705829.7A EP2529602B1 (en) | 2010-01-26 | 2011-01-26 | Device and method for generating an electrical discharge in hollow bodies |
PCT/EP2011/051035 WO2011092186A1 (en) | 2010-01-26 | 2011-01-26 | Device and method for generating an electrical discharge in hollow bodies |
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EP2529602A1 EP2529602A1 (en) | 2012-12-05 |
EP2529602B1 true EP2529602B1 (en) | 2014-11-05 |
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Cited By (1)
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CN104661422A (en) * | 2015-02-09 | 2015-05-27 | 大连民族学院 | Device for sterilizing and disinfecting surface of endoscope through plasma |
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CN104661422A (en) * | 2015-02-09 | 2015-05-27 | 大连民族学院 | Device for sterilizing and disinfecting surface of endoscope through plasma |
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