Plasma Medicine

Plasma medicine is a promising new discipline, above all in dermatology. Especially in the care of chronic wounds such as ulcerated legs, or skin diseases such as psoriasis and neurodermatitis, medicine often reaches its limits with the therapies that are currently available. Low-temperature plasma technology opens up entirely new possibilities to develop effective, yet simultaneously painless therapies that are free of side effects.

Fraunhofer IST is therefore working to identify the potential of cold atmospheric pressure plasmas for medical applications. The therapeutic effects may include the following:

• Antimicrobial efficacy – also against multi-resistant pathogens
• Increased tissue microcirculation and, thus, improved oxygen supply
• Increased or decreased cell division (proliferation)
  
• Stimulation of blood vessel growth and reduction of itching