Cold plasma as a new therapeutic approach in wound treatment and dentistry

From 16 to 19 November, the Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP) and its spin-off company neoplas tools GmbH were once again among the approximately 4,600 exhibitors at MEDICA, the world's largest medical trade fair.
Following the successful launch of the Plasmajet kINPen® MED for the treatment of chronic wounds and pathogen-induced skin diseases in 2013, scientists in Greifswald have developed another cold plasma medical device, which will be presented for the first time at MEDICA 2015: the Plasmajet kINPen® DENT for the use of cold plasma in dentistry.
Plasma treatment with the kINPen® MED is suitable for chronic, infected wounds, such as leg ulcers or pressure ulcers, and skin diseases caused by pathogens (e.g. acne vulgaris or tinea pedis). During application, wound healing is stimulated and accelerated by supporting cell proliferation. Study data also confirm its high efficacy against typical wound germs and multi-resistant bacteria. The plasma pen generates a lukewarm plasma that is very well tolerated, painless and easy to use. Studies to date have shown no side effects or resistance development. Certification as a medical device was obtained in collaboration with the University Medical Centre Greifswald and the Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin.
Due to its antimicrobial and surface-modifying properties, plasma is also a promising tool for dentistry. The kINPen® DENT is particularly suitable for removing dental biofilms, treating periodontitis or diseases that have previously been very difficult or impossible to treat, such as peri-implantitis. A cold plasma device optimised specifically for this purpose makes it possible to treat even hard-to-reach cavities (root canals, periodontal pockets) more precisely. "We expect approval for the kINPen® DENT in the first half of 2016. We will use the trade fair to present our prototypes to an international audience of experts," explains Renate Schönebeck, Managing Director of neoplas tools GmbH. The plasma jet kINPen® MED is already being manufactured and distributed by the Greifswald-based company.
INP Greifswald and neoplas tools GmbH presented their latest results from plasma medicine research and the plasma jet kINPen® MED, as well as the new plasma jet kINPen® DENT.

Further information on plasma medicine research at INP Greifswald or the cold plasma medical products from neoplas tools GmbH.

Plasma Surface Technology User Days at INP Greifswald

Under the patronage of Harry Glawe, Minister for Economic Affairs, Construction and Tourism of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the "Plasma Surface Technology User Days" took place on 25 and 26 June 2015 at the Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP). This key technology allows surface properties to be specifically modified and new product properties to be developed.

Many products are constantly exposed to different stresses. Dirt, grease, oil, moisture, temperature, friction, bacteria, chemicals and much more have a direct impact on surfaces and impair their reliability over time. The refinement of surfaces with plasma creates a multitude of new properties that are more resistant to various environmental influences. Companies from a wide range of industries are already exploiting these advantages and successfully using plasma surface technologies.
As a Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology, INP Greifswald has many years of experience in developing these plasma-based processes for refining product surfaces in the high-tech and life science sectors. This includes cleaning, etching, cross-linking, activating and coating surfaces for a wide range of applications. Corrosion and wear protection, scratch-resistant surfaces, optical coatings, hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties, antimicrobial surfaces, cell-attracting/cell-repellent surfaces and the treatment of textiles and plastics play a major role here. For this purpose, commercially available, industry-grade plasma sources and reactors are used, and novel, problem-specific plasma sources are developed. Our area of expertise covers the entire field of plasma surface technology, including materials science, surface analysis and plasma diagnostics.

Grand opening of the arc laboratory at INP Greifswald

From 3 to 4 June 2015, the arc laboratory at the Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP) e.V., which cost €2.45 million to build, was presented to invited guests from industry, politics and science.

The first tests were carried out in October 2013, marking the start of application-oriented research in the newly installed arc laboratory.

Our scientists are thus responding to the current requirements of the energy transition. Efficient technical solutions are needed to ensure the security of electricity supply in the future. Improving the reliability and service life of switchgear is a particular challenge for research and industry. This is because the decentralisation of the grid leads to individual grid components being switched on and off more frequently, which puts greater strain on the switches. Increasing the reliability and service life of these devices is crucial for the security of the power supply. An important criterion here is the combination of different power sources (photovoltaics, wind energy, conventional sources). Another goal of our research is to achieve greater resource efficiency through the use of more environmentally friendly devices. To this end, we are researching novel switch media.