Published: 23.07.2012 11:42
Last updated: 23.07.2012 23:31
Deadline: 03.07.2013 02:00
Type: Offer

Abstract

A Korean university has developed an atmospheric low-temperature micro-plasma jet device for bio-medical application. Using this plasma, the jet device can detect and kill the cancer cells. The advantage of this technology is that the process does not have to be in a vacuum and can be done at atmospheric low temperature. In addition, while killing the cancer cell, it does not damage other cells. The university is looking for a company for commercial agreement with technical assistance.

Description

Plasma is used in various industrial fields, and recently, the application of plasma has extended to bio medical field. Especially, study on cell elimination or prevention of aging neuron is one of the key researches that are being studied.
Technology which enable to selectively kill special cells such as cancer cells are already an existing technology, but the technology which uses plasma is very new which had not been developed in the past.
Using this plasma, it can selectively eliminate the cancer cell without damaging other cells. This is used to cure diseases by killing the cell. When cell dies out, it does not pollute the neighboring cell since it makes cell to die by itself. Therefore, this technology produces atmospheric low-temperature plasma which does not damage any other cells other than the targeted cell.
The conventional plasma jet device was mainly used in semiconductor and display industries. This research and development was done to apply the plasma into medical use. The distinctive feature of this device is that the size is very small and it causes safe glow discharge at normal pressure.
In the case of conventional plasma, there are two types of plasma, one is the high temperature plasma and the other is low temperature plasma. If the high temperature plasma is used in medical field, it can cause cell damage from the heat. Therefore, glow discharge which is the low temperature plasma should be used. However, glow discharge is very unstable at the normal pressure, and it is easily to change into arc discharge which is the high temperature plasma.
This innovative device device for bio-medical application comprises of an electrode used as an anode, a gas injection pipe used as a cathode, a porous insulating material, a protection pipe, and an insulating case. The manufacturing method for this technology applies micromachining such as micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) in such a way that a diameter of micro electrodes where plasma is jetted is tens micrometers or less. Thus, this innovative technology can solve the problems of conventional technology.

Innovative Aspects:
- Diameter of micro electrodes where plasma is jetted is several micrometers or less
- Generates and jets low-temperature plasma with high current density using a low voltage under atmospheric pressure
- It can jet micro-plasma at normal pressure
- It can be applied to bio medical field for cell elimination

Technology domains

• Medical Research
• Electromedical and Medical Equipment
• Diagnostics, Diagnosis
• Air Pollution/Treatment

Current stage of development

Development phase - Laboratory tested

Exploitation of RTD results

None

Intellectual property rights

Intellectual property rights

Patent(s) granted

Comments

Korean patent : 1010014770000

Collaboration

Comments

- Type of partner sought: companies

- Specific area of activity of the partner: bio-medical equipment developing or manufacturing, air-purifier developing or manufacturing

- Task to be performed by the partner sought: technology application