| AVS 58th Annual International Symposium and Exhibition | |
| Plasma Science and Technology Division | Friday Sessions |
| Session PS-FrM |
| Session: | Plasma Modeling |
| Presenter: | Natalia Yu Babaeva, University of Michigan |
| Authors: | N.Yu. Babaeva, University of Michigan M.J. Kushner, University of Michigan |
| Correspondent: | Click to Email |
The development of technologies for the plasma treatment of living tissue is in large part based on controlling plasma sources to deliver the desired fluxes of radicals and ions to surfaces. This process is complicated by scientific and technical issues. From a scientific standpoint, although it is generally accepted that reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) are important in, for example, wound healing, sterilization and cancer treatment, it is not clear which species and in what proportions are optimum for each type of treatment. The situation becomes more complex when considering the UV photons, energetic ions and electric fields produced by the discharge which also interact with the tissue. From a technical view point, the interaction between the tissue (and wounds in particular), the surrounding materials and the plasma can significantly affect the plasma. For example, the shape of the wound and the permittivity of the fluid in a wet wound can warp local electrical fields which then feed back to the plasma. Given this complexity and interdependencies, computer modeling of plasma-tissue interactions might provide insights to these interactions. In this talk, results from computer modeling of plasma-tissue interactions will be discussed. The modeling platform solves for charged particles, neutral and photon fluxes while also solving Poisson’s equation, and resolving spatial scales on reactor-to-cellular levels. Plasma transport through gases and liquids are included. Two types of plasma sources will be considered - dielectric barrier discharges (DBDs) where the plasma is in direct contact with the tissue and remote plasma jets, where dominantly neutral species and photons reach the tissue. We will discuss the treatment of wounds through a liquid layer covering exposed cells wherein the blood serum contains blood platelets. The characteristics of the plasma sources, and the interaction of plasma generated species and electric fields with the wound, fluid and underlying cells will be discussed.
* Work supported by the Department of Energy Office of Fusion Energy Sciences.