Antisepsis of the skin by treatment with tissue-tolerable plasma (TTP): Risk assessment and perspectives

Abstract

The application of tissue tolerable plasma (TTP) is well suited for -disinfection of living tissue. In particular, when treating chronic wounds, it has -several advantages in comparison to the classical application of antiseptics, which do not penetrate sufficiently into the tissue or inhibit wound regeneration. The mode of action of the plasma is mainly based on synergetic effects between temperature increase and the formation of free radicals, which destroy the bacteria and fungi. In the present paper a risk assessment of TTP in dermatology is given. The investigations have been carried out with an atmospheric pressure plasma-jet working with Argon as a discharge medium. It was found that during the plasma treatment of tissue, the antioxidative potential is reduced only in the upper part of the stratum corneum, but not in deeper cell layers. Selecting the optimum parameters of the plasma formation, the UV exposure of the skin is less than in the case of UV irradiation of the sun on a summer day at noon. If the duration of the plasma treatment of the skin is in the optimal range for wound healing, no thermal damage has to be expected. Additionally, it could be demonstrated that plasma is able to reach the follicular reservoir for antisepsis where germs are located. © 2012 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.