Plasma-assisted skin treatment

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a variety of systems, techniques and machine readable programs for using plasmas to treat different skin conditions as well as other conditions, such as tumors, bacterial infections and the like.

1 . A system for generating a plasma discharge, comprising:
 a) an inflatable member including at least one electrode; and   b) a power supply in electrical communication with the flexible electrode, the power supply being adapted and configured to apply power to the electrode to cause a plasma to be generated between the electrode and an anatomical region of interest.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a dielectric layer substantially surrounding the electrode, the dielectric layer being adapted and configured to be disposed against the anatomical region of interest, wherein the plasma is generated between the dielectric layer and the anatomical region of interest. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the dielectric layer is a portion of the inflatable member, and the at least one electrode includes a conductive medium that is used to selectively inflate the inflatable member. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the dielectric layer forms a plurality of protrusions on an exterior surface of the inflatable member, wherein the protrusions act to space at least a portion of the exterior surface of the inflatable member from the anatomical region of interest. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the protrusions have a height extending from the exterior surface between about 0.01 mm-5 mm, 0.1-0.5 mm, 0.5-1.0 mm, 1.0-1.5 mm, 1.5-2.0 mm, 2.0-2.5 mm, 2.5-3.0 mm, 3.0-3.5 mm, 3.5-4.0 mm, 4.0-4.5 mm, 4.5-5.0 mm, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the protrusions are separated by a distance between about 0.01 mm-5 mm, 0.1-0.5 mm, 0.5-1.0 mm, 1.0-1.5 mm, 1.5-2.0 mm, 2.0-2.5 mm, 2.5-3.0 mm, 3.0-3.5 mm, 3.5-4.0 mm, 4.0-4.5 mm, 4.5-5.0 mm, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the protrusions include at least one of bumps, ridges and undulations. 
     
     
         8 . A method, comprising:
 a) providing an inflatable member including at least one electrode;   b) introducing the inflatable member into a region to be treated in a deflated state;   c) inflating the inflatable member to an inflated state;   d) disposing the electrode proximate tissue to be treated;   e) activating a power supply in electrical communication with the flexible electrode, the power supply being adapted and configured to apply power to the electrode to cause a plasma to be generated between the electrode and the tissue to be treated.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the inflatable member includes a dielectric layer substantially surrounding the electrode, and the dielectric layer is adapted and configured to be disposed against the tissue to be treated. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the inflatable member is inflated with a conductive medium that carries electrical current when the plasma is generated. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the conductive medium contacts an electrode formed into the inflatable member to complete an electrical circuit to generate the plasma. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the conductive medium forms the electrode. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising providing an exposure indicator, the exposure indicator being adapted to indicate the amount of exposure of the tissue to be treated to the plasma, and detecting the exposure of the tissue to the plasma. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the exposure indicator includes at least one compound that reacts to the exposure from plasma. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the exposure indicator provides a visual indication of exposure to plasma. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising applying a sensitizing material to the tissue to be treated prior to application of the plasma. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising applying a blocking material to tissue proximate the treatment area to protect the tissue proximate the treatment area from plasma. 
     
     
         18 . A processor-readable computer program stored on a tangible non-transient medium for operating a plasma treatment device including a controller, a power source operably coupled and controlled by the controller, and an electrode in operable communication with the power source and controller, wherein the program comprises instructions to cause the controller to operate the power source to induce a plasma between the electrode and a treatment area. 
     
     
         19 . The computer program of  claim 18 , wherein plasma treatment device further includes a controllable gas delivery system for directing gas to the treatment area, and wherein the computer program further includes instructions for controlling the flow of gas to the treatment area.