DBD Plasma Torch Design: Implications on Wound Healing and Sterilization Process

Plasma-assisted wound healing and sterilization have become a significant focus of research due to their numerous advantages. This non-invasive method of wound healing involves using a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma jet to scan the wound surface, thereby accelerating the healing process. The plasma jet is created by ionizing gases, such as helium or argon, within the plasma torch. The resulting jet, which typically extends a few centimeters, depends on the gas flow rates and applied voltages.
Traditionally, alternating current (AC) voltages ranging from 5 kV to 10 kV (at frequencies between 10 kHz and 50 kHz) are used, with gas flow rates ranging from 5 slpm to 20 slpm. The plasma jet length typically varies between 3 cm and 5 cm. Upon ejection from the torch, the plasma jet entrains surrounding air, ionizing it and producing reactive nitrogen and oxygen species, which play a crucial role in the wound healing process.
Over time, various plasma torch designs have been proposed and tested for plasma research. This work provides a review of these plasma torch designs and introduces two new designs developed in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at San José State University.
The first design features a plasma torch with multiple electrodes. It has been demonstrated that the reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in the plasma can be controlled through this multi-electrode design, without the need to alter the plasma's operating conditions (such as applied voltages, frequencies, or gas flow rates). Experimental results from this study will be presented in the poster.

The second design involves a plasma sheet (measuring 5×5×2 mm) developed to assist in scanning bacterial surfaces for bacterial mitigation. Compared to a single jet plasma torch, which requires a significant amount of time to scan, the plasma sheet offers a more efficient method. Full results will be included in the poster.