Risk assessment of the application of a plasma jet in dermatology.
Regardless of the fact that several highly efficient antiseptics are commercially available, the antiseptic treatment of chronic wounds remains a problem. In the past, electrical plasma discharges have been frequently used in biometrical science for disinfection and sterilization of material surfaces. Plasma systems usually have a temperature of several hundred degrees. Recently, it was reported that "cold" plasma can be applied onto living tissue. In in vitro studies on cell culture, it could be demonstrated that this new plasma possesses excellent antiseptic properties. We perform a risk assessment concerning the in vivo application of a "cold" plasma jet on patients and volunteers. Two potential risk factors, UV radiation and temperature, are evaluated. We show that the UV radiation of the plasma in the used system is an order of magnitude lower than the minimal erythema dose, necessary to produce sunburn on the skin in vivo. Additionally, thermal damage of the tissue by the plasma can be excluded. The results of the risk assessment stimulate the in vivo application of the investigated plasma jet in the treatment of chronic wounds.
Lademann
Juergen
J
Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Center of Experimental and Cutaneous Physiology, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Chariteplatz 1, Berlin 10117, Germany. juergen.lademann@charite.de
Richter
Heike
H
Alborova
Alena
A
Humme
Daniel
D
Patzelt
Alexa
A
Kramer
Axel
A
Weltmann
Klaus-Dieter
KD
Hartmann
Bernd
B
Ottomann
Christian
C
Fluhr
Joachim W
JW
Hinz
Peter
P
Hübner
Georg
G
Lademann
Olaf
O
D000818:Animals; D003880:Dermatology / Q000379:methods*; D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods*; D004890:Erythema / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012879:Skin Physiological Phenomena / Q000528:radiation effects*; D013552:Swine