Plasma Directed Electron Beam Wound Care System Apparatus and Method

Abstract

A plasma generating device utilizes a cold plasma to contain and direct a stream of electrons with a hand held nozzle to enhance healing of wounds and skin surface abnormalities, and to kill pathogens on skin surfaces in humans and animals wounds, abnormalities and pathogens.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for treating wounds comprising: an electrode for establishing a shaped plasma for directing an electron beam; a gas supply connected to said electrode to support said plasma; and a voltage supply connected to said electrode for energization of said plasma and establishment of said electron beam. 
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1  wherein said voltage supply includes one of a radio frequency oscillator, a pulsed DC generator, a square wave generator, a saw-tooth generator, a 50 cycle AC generator, a 60 cycle generator and a DC voltage supply. 
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 2  further including an impedance matching circuit connected between said electrode and said voltage source. 
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 3  wherein said impedance matching circuit includes at least one of an adjustable inductance and an adjustable capacitance. 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 4  wherein said adjustable component is manually adjustable. 
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 4  wherein said adjustable component is automatically adjustable. 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 3  further including a nozzle with said electrode disposed within said nozzle, said nozzle providing direction for said shaped plasma. 
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 7  wherein said nozzle is adapted to be hand held and said electrode has at least one aperture formed therethrough for emission of gas into a gap formed between said electrode and an inner surface of said nozzle, said electrode cooperating with said nozzle to form a laminar gas flow that becomes a cold plasma for containing a flow of energy within said plasma. 
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 8  further including a manifold with said electrode disposed within said manifold, said manifold carrying at least one nozzle and providing coverage over a surface area for said shaped plasma. 
     
     
         10 . The device according to  claim 9  wherein a plurality of apertures are formed through the manifold, said apertures being operative as virtual electrodes. 
     
     
         11 . A method for providing care of a wound comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing an electrode for establishing a shaped plasma for directing an electron beam, a gas supply connected to the electrode to support said plasma and a voltage supply connected to the electrode for energization of the plasma;   (b) energizing the electrode to establish a Plasma Directed Electron Beam (PDEB) and to create a supply of photons that are guided within the plasma; and   (c) directing the PDEB toward a wound.   
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11  wherein the electrode provided in step (a) is disposed within a hand held nozzle to allow direction of the PDEB. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12  wherein the gas supply provides a mixture of oxygen and an inert gas, the gas cooperating with the PDEB to form atomic oxygen. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 12  wherein step (c) includes moving the nozzle with small circular motions over an area on the circumference of the wound and then linking a series of such movements in a generally spiral path toward the center of the wound and then completing the treatment with brush stroke movements across the center of the wound. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 11  wherein the electrode provided in step (a) is disposed within a manifold to allow direction of the PDEB over a surface area. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 12  wherein the method is used for the desiccation of dead pathogens to lessen the biological load in a wound area and thereby reduce the amount of fluids present in the wound area. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 12  wherein the method is used to enhance the healing of a wound area. 
     
     
         18 . A method for sterilization of a surface area comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing an electrode for establishing a shaped plasma for directing an electron beam, a gas supply connected to the electrode to support said plasma and a voltage supply connected to the electrode for energization of the plasma;   (b) energizing the electrode to establish a plasma Directed Electron Beam (PDEB) creates photons that are guided within the plasma; and   (c) directing the PDEB toward a surface area.