Openair-Plasma® for Life Sciences: Plasma Disinfection
Naturally occurring microorganisms such as fungi and bacteria are critically important for the natural recycling of matter and the survival of ecosystems. Microorganisms are even used in the pharmaceutical and food industries to produce specific active ingredients.
On the other hand, bacteria and fungi can cause illness and a toxic reaction can ensue. Even the smallest contamination in industrial production can cause major problems, up to and including product spoilage or even the destruction of entire systems.
Plasma disinfection – new methods to disinfect surfaces using atmospheric plasma
Plasmatreat works together with leading institutions to implement Openair-Plasma® technology as a highly effective method of surface disinfection (plasma disinfection). The Openair-Plasma® process is especially suited for use in safely disinfecting surfaces when combined with pulsed plasma triggering and special process gases. Because plasma is potential free, the inline process is simple to control and its process parameters are 100% reproducible.
Implants and stents: micro-cleaning and plasma sterilization – 100% free of endotoxins
Whether as bone replacements, artificial joints, dental implants, or stents, it would be hard to imagine modern medicine without implants. Millions of implant operations are carried out every day. But the implants must be completely clean and aseptic before they can be placed in the human body. When correctly implemented, the methods used to date to clean and sterilize implants can certainly kill all germs. But often the cell membranes, known as endotoxins, can remain on surfaces treated in this manner. These endotoxins have been identified as the cause of inflammations, in particular in bone tissue with reduced blood supply.
In a series of research projects, The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has clearly proven the decontamination effect of Openair-Plasma® sterile micro-cleaning. Openair-Plasma® is already an established process in many areas of medical technology, such as plasma sterilization, plasma cleaning and plasma decontamination, to name a few.
Plasmatreat is interested in the scientific investigation and further exploration of possible practical applications of atmospheric plasma for this important technology.
Aseptic instruments and surfaces – titanium dioxide coating can be applied inline thanks to PlasmaPlus®
Titanium dioxide coatings, combined with UV light, have a germ-killing effect. This technology is applied to avoid the formation of biofilms on all surfaces that come in contact with light and on light-conducting surfaces.
The PlasmaPlus® process by Plasmatreat makes it possible for the first time to deposit titanium dioxide coatings under atmospheric pressure conditions (without low pressure chambers).
Using this atmospheric plasma polymerization, such innovative functional coatings can be applied in inline industrial manufacturing on a wide variety of devices and surfaces.
In addition to medical and laboratory areas of application, this method is also used in antibacterial finishing for computer keyboards, mobile telephone displays, solar cells, and equipment for food technology.
