Plasma medicine is a field that studies how physical plasma can be used in medicine. It combines plasma physics, chemistry, biology, microbiology, and medicine to understand how plasma affects microorganisms, mammalian cells, and living tissue. A major focus is the interaction between plasma and living tissue.
A key technology in plasma medicine is Cold Atmospheric Plasma (CAP). CAP is a partially ionised gas generated at or near atmospheric pressure and at a temperature low enough to interact with living tissue without the high temperatures associated with thermal plasma. CAP can be generated from gases such as argon, helium, oxygen, nitrogen, air, or mixtures of these gases such as atmospheric air. The process produces reactive oxygen species (ROS), reactive nitrogen species (RNS), charged particles and electric fields.
CAP can produce several biological effects. It can inactivate microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, spores, and biofilms. It can also affect mammalian cells by influencing cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and blood coagulation. At higher or prolonged exposure, CAP can cause cellular damage and trigger apoptosis, or programmed cell death.
Chronic wound care is an important area of plasma medicine research. Studies have investigated CAP for reducing microbial burden and disrupting biofilm in chronic wounds. Plasmas have also been found to influence biological processes associated with wound healing, including cell proliferation and angiogenesis. Research has also examined CAP in other areas, including dermatology, dentistry, ophthalmology, disinfection, and cancer research.
Some plasma-based medical applications have received regulatory certification, while other applications remain under clinical investigation. Plasma medicine therefore includes both established medical uses and areas where further clinical evidence is required
Disclaimer: This information is for general educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult a qualified healthcare professional for advice about any health concern.