Abstract:
A method for generating atmospheric pressure cold plasma inside a hand-held unit discharges cold plasma with simultaneously different rf wavelengths and their harmonics. The unit includes an rf tuning network that is powered by a low-voltage power supply connected to a series of high-voltage coils and capacitors. The rf energy signal is transferred to a primary containment chamber and dispersed through an electrode plate network of various sizes and thicknesses to create multiple frequencies. Helium gas is introduced into the first primary containment chamber, where electron separation is initiated. The energized gas flows into a secondary magnetic compression chamber, where a balanced frequency network grid with capacitance creates the final electron separation, which is inverted magnetically and exits through an orifice with a nozzle. The cold plasma thus generated has been shown to be capable of accelerating a healing process in flesh wounds on animal laboratory specimens.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/638,161, filed Dec. 15, 2009, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/038,159, filed Feb. 27, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,633,231, issued Dec. 15, 2009, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/913,369, filed Apr. 23, 2007, each of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to devices and methods for creating cold plasmas, and, more particularly, to such devices that are hand-held and methods for using same. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    Atmospheric pressure hot plasmas are known to exist in nature. For example, lightning is an example of a dc arc (hot) plasma. Many dc arc plasma applications have been achieved in various manufacturing processes, for example, for use in forming surface coatings. Atmospheric pressure cold plasma processes are also known in the art. Most of the low-pressure cold plasma processes are known to utilize positive to negative electrodes in different configurations, which release free electrons in a noble gas medium. 
         [0006]    Device that use a positive to negative electrode configuration to form a cold plasma from noble gases (helium, argon, etc.) have frequently exhibited electrode degradation and overheating difficulties through continuous device operation. The process conditions for enabling a dense cold plasma electron population without electrode degradation and/or overheating are difficult to achieve. 
         [0007]    Therefore, it would be beneficial to provide a device for producing a cold plasma that overcomes the difficulties inherent in prior known devices. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The device of the present invention provides streaming atmospheric pressure cold plasma inside a hand-held unit without the use of a negative electrode configuration. The device is capable of discharging cold plasma (65-69° F.) into ambient air with simultaneously different rf wavelengths and their harmonics. 
         [0009]    The device comprises an rf tuning network that is powered by a low-voltage power supply connected to a series of high-voltage coils and capacitors that are networked to produce a 150-kV dielectric rf signal. The rf energy signal is transferred to the cold plasma device through a protected cable that allows the electrical energy to be transferred without any substantial corona discharge energy loss. The rf energy signal is transferred to a housing having an interior space defined by a wall, and dispersed through an electrode comprising a plurality of plates positioned in substantially parallel, spaced-apart fashion within the inner space. The electrode plates are supported by a support rod that is in signal communication with a source of radio frequency energy. The rod extends through each of the plates and supports a distance therebetween. A surface area of an upstream plate is greater than a surface area of a downstream plate, and the plates have various thicknesses to create multiple frequencies. 
         [0010]    Helium gas can be introduced into the inner space upstream of the plates, where electron separation is initiated. The energized gas flows downstream into a magnetic compression chamber, comprising a first toroidal magnet having a first alignment positioned within the inner space downstream of the plates and a second toroidal magnet having a second alignment opposite the first alignment positioned within the inner space downstream of the first magnet. The first and the second magnets are substantially parallel and coaxial, and each has a central orifice. 
         [0011]    A support is positioned between the first and the second magnet, the support having an aperture therethrough. Affixed to the support is an induction grid in frequency harmony with the electrode. The grid comprises a central capacitance element placeable in electrical communication with a source of power and a plurality of metal rods, each having a capacitance element affixed at opposed ends. The rods are approximately symmetrically arrayed about the central capacitance element, two outermost metal rods placeable in electrical communication with the power source. 
         [0012]    In this device gas entering the inner space is energized by the electrode, is channeled through the first magnet orifice, and contacts the grid to further energize the gas and create a multiple-frequency cold plasma thereby. A balanced frequency network grid with capacitance creates the final electron separation, which is inverted magnetically and exits out the housing through an orifice with a nozzle. 
         [0013]    The cold plasma thus generated has been shown to be capable of facilitating and accelerating a healing process in flesh wounds on animal laboratory specimens, and to kill bacteria in vitro. 
         [0014]    The features that characterize the invention, both as to organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following description used in conjunction with the accompanying drawing. It is to be expressly understood that the drawing is for the purpose of illustration and description and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. These and other objects attained, and advantages offered, by the present invention will become more fully apparent as the description that now follows is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a hand-held atmospheric pressure multiple frequency cold plasma source in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a cutaway view of the hand-held atmospheric pressure multiple-frequency cold plasma source of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the rf energy induction grid of capacitance on an acrylic separation plate with balanced quad (plasma) discharge ports; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is the equivalent electrical diagram that connects the power supply and tuning source to the cold plasma discharge source; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a cutaway view of a second embodiment of a hand-held cold plasma source; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a top plan view of an induction grid for the device of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is an exemplary circuit diagram for the device of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a frequency calculation of the first chamber in the plasma device; 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is a frequency calculation of the second chamber in the plasma device; and 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  illustrates electron flow and orientation in the second plasma compression chamber. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0025]    A description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be presented with reference to  FIGS. 1-10 . 
         [0026]    The present invention is directed in a particular embodiment to a hand-held atmospheric pressure cold plasma device  10  ( FIGS. 1-4 ) that produces multiple-frequency cold plasma  11  without the use of internal ground electrodes. The cold plasma  11  is induced through the use of multiple-frequency energy wavelengths, which are created through an electrode  12  comprising a plurality, here, seven, different-sized square brass plates  13  having a range of thicknesses from 0.001 to 0.007 in., and arranged in substantially parallel fashion, with a common central axis. The electrode  12  is positioned within an interior space  14  of a housing  15  that can have a “gun”-type shape, although this is not intended as a limitation, with a lower portion comprising a downwardly depending handle  16  meeting at a top end  17  thereof an upper portion comprising a housing body  18  that is substantially cylindrical at a proximal end  19  and tapers downward to a discharge nozzle  20  at a distal end  21 . In a particular embodiment, the housing  15  has a 2.25-in. outer diameter and a 1.75-in. inner diameter in a central portion comprising the primary  22  and a secondary  33  chamber. 
         [0027]    The plates  13  are connected together in a primary chamber  22  within the housing  15  with a substantially central brass support rod  59  connected to an rf source to maintain a predetermined distance, for example, approximately 0.125 in., between the plates  13  for multiple frequency generation. The multiple frequency electrode  12  is nickel, silver, and gold plated to induce a capacitance of energy before releasing a multiple-frequency output in the primary chamber  22  with helium gas to gain maximum separations of electrons. The helium gas is introduced into the primary chamber  22  via a gas inlet  23  positioned adjacent the proximal end  19  of the housing  15 . The gas inlet  23  comprises the terminus of a tube  24  that runs through the handle  16  and terminates at a gas port  25  adjacent a bottom end  26  of the handle  16 . Gas flow is controlled with a “trigger”  27 , which is connected in operative relation to a gas flow valve  28  within the tube  24 . 
         [0028]    The energized gas is channeled from the primary chamber  22  through a substantially cylindrical orifice  29  in a first magnet comprising a north alignment permanent magnet  30 , and exits into a space  31 . The magnetic field in a secondary chamber  33  comprises a compressed magnetic field created by a second magnet comprising a south alignment permanent magnet  34 , which creates a south-to-south alignment compression magnetic field. Inside the secondary chamber  33 , in a position approximately in the middle of the compressed magnetic field, is positioned a magnetically inert support plate  35  comprising, for example, polymethyl methacrylate (acrylic), that contains, on a proximal side, a multiple-frequency grid system  36  ( FIG. 3 ) that is energized through induction. 
         [0029]    In a particular embodiment, the acrylic support plate  35  comprises a disc approximately 0.25 in. thick. 
         [0030]    The acrylic support plate  35  has a plurality, here, four ports  39  therethrough, evenly spaced about and adjacent the circumference  37 . The acrylic support plate  35  further has affixed thereto a plurality, here, four, grid supports  40 , which in this exemplary embodiment are positioned approximately 90° apart, each terminating in spaced relation at their inner ends  41  from a centerpoint of the support plate  35 , and in spaced relation at their outer ends  42  from the disc&#39;s circumference  37 . 
         [0031]    The “working” elements of the grid system  36  itself comprise a plurality of, here,  28 , nickel, silver, and gold-plated brass capacitance spheres  43  affixed at opposed ends  44  of a plurality of, here,  14 , nickel, silver, and gold-plated solid brass rods  45 . In this embodiment, the rods  45  each have two substantially equal-length arms  81  and a central, inwardly facing 90° bend  46 . The rods  45  are arrayed in pairs so that the spheres  43  of one rod  45  are closely opposed to the spheres  43  of a partner rod  45 . There are in this embodiment seven such pairs. Each adjacent pair is arrayed so that an opposing set of spheres  43  is adjacent at least one bend  46  of the closest rod  45 , so that, in plan view, the grid  36  appears as a set of nested squares with alternately interrupted corners, at the spheres&#39; locations. The spheres  43  decrease in size from the outermost to the innermost spheres  43 . At the center of the grid  36  is positioned a unitary central sphere  47 , which is larger than the spheres  43  to which it is most closely adjacent. 
         [0032]    The grid system  36  is powered by an rf power feed  48  that enters the housing  15  adjacent the housing&#39;s proximal end  19  thereof through a coupling  20 . The rf power feed  48  terminates at the center sphere  47 , and also at the outermost, seventh-level, bends  46 . 
         [0033]    It is believed that this type of frequency induction grid is superior in capacitance to the commonly used concentric rings of capacitance because it contains more than twice as many electrical capacitance spheres to hold and release rf energy signals, and can produce a multiple-frequency wave output. The grid  36  is constructed in frequency harmony with the multiple frequency electrode  12  positioned within the primary chamber  22 , which work in concert to create a multiple-frequency harmonics. As the energized gas comes in contact with the grid  36 , more electrons are energized. This highly energized gas is forced through the quad ports  39  in the acrylic plate  35 . As the energized gas travels through the quad ports  39 , the electron orientation is reversed 180° in south-to-south compression magnetic fields to establish a higher kinetic energy value of 15 Vdc and forced through the south-to-north magnetic field alignment to be discharged from the secondary chamber  33 . The energized gas is forced out through a graduated 5-in. nozzle  20 . 
         [0034]    In use, the cold plasma can be applied directly (at a distance of 1-1.5 in.) to a living body of capacitance (e.g., laboratory specimens) to complete the circuit. The multiple-frequency cold plasma  11  that comes in contact with the tissue ranges between 65 and 69° F. 
         [0035]    The device  10  of the present invention, which is believed at the time of filing to represent the best embodiment, can produce an atmospheric pressure cold plasma without the use of internal negative electrodes, allowing the device to operate for extended periods of time without overheating. With the length of the discharge nozzle  20  and the composition of the multiple-frequency harmonic field, a cold plasma stream  11  can be realized that can be utilized in the treatment of animal flesh wounds to accelerate healing (wound healing time in a laboratory setting has been reduced by two-thirds of normal healing time) and substantially eliminate bacterial wound infections. 
         [0036]    Another feature of the present device  10  is its ability to remove physical pain from animal and human flesh wounds. The ability of accelerated healing time in animal flesh wounds, and the substantial elimination of bacterial infection and pain in wounds, demonstrates a novel path that may be pursued in health care for animals and humans. 
         [0037]    To achieve a low-temperature dense (cold) plasma electron population, a dual-chamber device with a positive multiple-frequency electrode configuration allows for electron population production to create the conductive plasma flow to a body having a capacitance. 
         [0038]    In an alternate embodiment  60  of the invention ( FIGS. 5-7 ), a plurality of, here seven, plates  61  comprise non-insulated nickel-plated discs having decreasing diameters from the proximal to the distal end of the stack. The plates  61  are positioned within a first chamber  62  within a housing  63 . The generated cold plasma  64  passes into a second chamber  80  containing a first, north magnet  65 , a harmonic ring system  66 , and a second, south magnet  67  before passing out the orifice  68 . 
         [0039]    In this embodiment  60 , the resonator comprises a concentric ring resonator that includes an acrylic support plate  69  surrounded by a 0.25-in. acrylic tube wall  77 . Four outlet ports  70  are positioned around the periphery  71  of the support plate  69 , and a ring support  72  extends across the support plate  69  generally through the center thereof. A plurality of, here, six, concentric brass partial rings  73  are positioned on the support plate  69 , each again having a nickel-plated brass sphere  74  affixed to ends  75  thereof that are closely opposed. The rings  73  are positioned so that each adjacent ring&#39;s ends  75  are 180° opposed to each other. A central unitary sphere  76  is also positioned on the support plate  69 . Radio frequency input  48  is supplied to the central sphere  76  and to the outermost ring  73 . 
         [0040]      FIGS. 8 and 9  are frequency calculations of the first  62  and second  80  chambers in the plasma device  60 . For  FIG. 8 , frequency #1=12 V at μsec=500 kHz; frequency #2=3 to 9 V at 1.5 to 2 μsec=750-500 kHz. The dielectric static voltage=150 kV. For  FIG. 9 , frequency #1=15 V at 2 μsec=500 kHz; frequency #2=0 to 13 V at 1.5 to 2 μsec=750-500 kHz. The dielectric static voltage=150 kV. In the second chamber  80 , there is an increase in energy by 3 Vdc at the plasma quad ports  70 . There is an energy gain, as the electron spin rotation is changed 180° at the ports  70  in the compressed magnetic field, allowing a kinetic energy increase for the plasma flow, as illustrated schematically in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0041]    In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clarity, and understanding, but no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirements of the prior art, because such words are used for description purposes herein and are intended to be broadly construed. Moreover, the embodiments of the device illustrated and described herein are by way of example, and the scope of the invention is not limited to the exact details of construction and use. 
         [0042]    Having now described the invention, the construction, the operation and use of preferred embodiments thereof, and the advantageous new and useful results obtained thereby, the new and useful constructions, and reasonable mechanical equivalents thereof obvious to those skilled in the art, are set forth in the appended claims.