System and Method for Operating a Plasma Jet Configuration

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

This invention provides a system and method for generating and controlling a non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma jet. The core idea is to use a throughflow controller to precisely regulate the flow of a working gas into a discharge chamber, where plasma is generated using an electromagnetic field. By adjusting the supply of gas, the system can control whether plasma is emitted from the device, enabling precise on/off operation or modulation without complex electrical or electronic changes. The system can be scaled to arrays for treating larger areas and allows mixing different gases for tailored plasma properties.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Medical surface treatments, such as wound healing and sterilization—including for large or sensitive areas
• Sterilization and disinfection of medical equipment or surfaces
• Surface treatment in materials science and engineering (e.g., modifying surface properties, improving adhesion)
• Food safety and surface sterilization in food processing
• Plasma-based decontamination in healthcare, electronics, or clean-room industries
• Cosmetic or dermatological treatments utilizing cold plasma
• Portable or handheld medical and industrial plasma applicators

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Enables precise, rapid, and reliable control of plasma output using fluidic (gas flow) regulation rather than complex electronic controls, simplifying the system design
• Allows modular and scalable design with multiple independently controlled plasma jets for large-area or multi-spot treatments
• Reduces gas and energy consumption by supplying working gas only when plasma output is needed
• Facilitates safer and more efficient plasma treatment of thermally sensitive surfaces, including biological tissues
• Improves operational flexibility (e.g., programmable or automatic control, mixing of different gases for specific effects)
• Reduces technical complexity and cost in manufacturing and maintenance compared to conventional plasma jet arrays
• Enables faster, user-friendly, and energy-efficient plasma devices suitable for mobile or handheld use

Technical Classifications (CPCs)

Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The invention relates to a system (1) for generating and controlling a non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma, comprising: - a discharge space (10) into which a working gas can be introduced via a first opening (12), wherein a plasma (5) can be generated in the discharge space (10), wherein the discharge space (10) has a second opening (14), so that the plasma (5, 6) can exit from the discharge space (10) through this second opening (14) and - at least one high-voltage electrode (20) for generating an electromagnetic field for generating a plasma (5) in the discharge space (10). The plasma (5, 6) exiting through the second opening (14) is controlled by a throughflow controller (40) of the system (1), which throughflow controller (40) is designed to adjust a volume flow (60) of the working gas through the first opening (12) from a working gas source (50) into the discharge space (10). In this case, the throughflow controller (40) is further designed to assume at least a first state and a second state, wherein in the first state no working gas is supplied from the working gas source (50) to the discharge space (10), so that no plasma (5) exits from the second opening (14) even when there is a generated electromagnetic field in the discharge space (10), and wherein in the second state the working gas is supplied from the working gas source (50) to the discharge space (10), a plasma (5) is generated in the discharge space (10) and the plasma (5, 6) exits from the second opening (14).