Comparing RONS Concentration in Nitrogen vs. Helium Plasma Interaction with Water to Optimize the Healing Process

Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD) plasma is a versatile tool with numerous benefits for wound healing, including disinfection, angiogenesis, and cell proliferation. The healing effects of DBD plasma arise from the reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) produced when the DBD plasma jet interacts with the liquid-layer surface of the wound. The nitrogen and oxygen species surrounding the plasma jet are dissociated, then entrained into the liquid surface, where they recombine to form a variety of RONS radicals. These radicals possess healing properties that benefit the wound.

By varying the concentration or types of RONS radicals produced, the healing properties applied to the wound surface can be modified. Since RONS production is influenced by the plasma jet, the healing effect of the DBD plasma on the wound is dependent on the setup, including factors such as exposure time and the type of plasma generated.

To explore this further, a DBD plasma torch was designed to produce a nitrogen plasma jet. The system generates a flow rate of 10 SLPM, with voltage levels between 10-12 kV and a frequency of 30-40 kHz. The plasma jet produced is approximately 20-30 mm in length. A spectrophotometer was then used to measure the absorbance frequency of the nitrogen plasma, and the data was compared with previously measured concentrations of RONS species, including nitrite (NO₂), nitrate (NO₃), and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂).

The same methods were applied to investigate the concentration of RONS species in helium plasma. A comparison of the data from helium and nitrogen plasma revealed noticeable differences in RONS concentrations, highlighting how variations in exposure time and the type of plasma impact RONS production.

This project will present our research on comparing the exposure times of helium vs. nitrogen plasma jets. It will include the development of calibration curves, curve-fitting routines, and an exploration of the impact of the plasma jet on its interaction with the liquid-film layer of a wound.