PlasClean

Duration from 1.2.2016 - 31.7.2018, funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) under the funding code (FKZ) 16KN035932.

The risk of contracting a pathogen in hospital when the body is weakened by the consequences of an operation or illness is not insignificant. The German Society for Hospital Hygiene estimates that 900,000 infections and 30,000 to 40,000 deaths occur in Germany every year. Respiratory and urinary tract infections, but also wound infections and sepsis, occur most frequently in those affected.

The triggers are not always inadequate hygiene processes in hospitals; germs are often introduced by patients or visitors. Against this background, the Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP) in Greifswald, the medical technology company Pneumatik Berlin, the Berlin-based ZeSys e.V. and the company Haustechnik Bachmann from Steinberg in Saxony have developed an intelligent, modular room air system for operating theatres as part of the joint project "PlasClean", the heart of which is a special plasma stage. The effectiveness of this already patented decontamination process was demonstrated in laboratory experiments as well as in a pilot plant under real conditions.

Using modified electrode plates, between which dielectrically impeded discharges are generated, the researchers were able to significantly reduce the contamination of the room air with microorganisms. Chemical substances can also be broken down in this way. The DIN requirements for intensive care areas were taken into account in all tests: The plasma cleaned the exhaust air even at the prescribed high air turnover rates. The concept is also future-oriented for other areas of application and can be transferred to clean rooms, laboratories, animal stables or food logistics. The plasma level is scalable, which means that an even higher reduction of microorganisms can be achieved. However, the technical feasibility must be researched as part of further projects.