An elongate electrode is configured to flex and generate plasma to incise tissue. An electrical energy source operatively coupled to the electrode is configured to provide electrical energy to the electrode to generate the plasma. A tensioning element is operatively coupled to the elongate electrode. The tensioning element can be configured to provide tension to the elongate electrode to allow the elongate electrode to flex in response to the elongate electrode engaging the tissue and generating the plasma. The tensioning element operatively coupled to the flexible elongate electrode may allow for the use of a small diameter electrode, such as a 5 m to 20 m diameter electrode, which can allow narrow incisions to be formed with decreased tissue damage. In some embodiments, the tensioning of the electrode allows the electrode to more accurately incise tissue by decreasing variations in the position of the electrode along the incision path.

A plasma source comprising a first hollow electrode and a second hollow electrode separated by a gap and a dielectric barrier of a constant width; wherein the plasma source is configured to selectively produce a plasma in either one of a first configuration and a second configuration; wherein, i) in the first configuration, a plasma-forming gas flows in the gap while a non plasma-forming gas flows within the first hollow electrode; and ii) in the second configuration, a plasma-forming gas flows within the first hollow electrode and a non plasma-forming gas flows within the gap. The method comprises selecting at least two gases of different breakdown voltages, injecting a first gas in a first electrode separated from a second hollow electrode by a gas gap of a constant width, injecting a second gas in the gas gap under an applied power.

An irradiator includes: a first electrode to which a voltage is applied for generating a plasma; and a holding member holding the first electrode; wherein: the holding member has a first member and a second member that are in contact with each other to constitute an accommodation space accommodating the first electrode; and a contact surface between the first member and the second member includes a non-perpendicular contact surface that is non-perpendicular to an axis of the first electrode.

Provided are methods of immunizing a viewport of a medical device against fogging before or during a medical procedure, and related apparatuses and devices. The methods comprise applying plasma to the viewport prior to use, thereby rendering a surface of the viewport highly hydrophilic. The methods eliminate or at least significantly reduce blur due to fogging.

A method for preparing cold atmospheric plasma stimulated cell culture media with a cold atmospheric plasma system having a delivery port out of which an inert gas flows. The inert gas may be helium. The method comprises the steps of placing a cell culture media in a first well, the first well having a bottom and having a diameter greater than 20 mm; wherein the cell culture media placed in the first well has a volume of 4 ml or less, treating the cell culture media in the first well with cold atmospheric plasma, wherein the treating is performed with a gap between the delivery port and the bottom of the first well is between 2.5 cm and 3.5 cm, and transferring a portion of the treated media to cultured cancer cells in a second well. The cold atmospheric plasma may be applied for 0.5 minutes to 2 minutes.

An integrated gas-enhanced electrosurgical generator. The generator comprises a high frequency power module, a low frequency power module and a gas module. The high frequency power module adapted to generate an electrical energy having a band of frequencies centered around a first frequency, wherein the electrical energy has a first power as the first frequency and a second power lower than the first power at a second frequency lower than the first frequency. The low frequency power module having an input connected to an output of the high frequency module. The low frequency module comprises a resonant transformer comprising a ferrite core, a primary coil and a secondary coil, the secondary coil having a larger number of turns than the primary coil, wherein the resonant transformer has a resonant frequency equal to the second frequency. The gas module is adapted to control a flow of an inert gas.

A treatment apparatus which uses thermal or non-thermal plasma to treat urinary tract infections (UTIs) by destroying bacteria. The apparatus comprises an elongate probe that includes a coaxial cable for conveying radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic (EM) energy and/or microwave EM energy, a probe tip connected at the distal end of the coaxial cable for receiving the RF and/or microwave EM energy, and a gas conduit for conveying gas to the probe tip. The probe tip comprises a first electrode connected to the inner conductor of the coaxial cable, and a second electrode connected to the outer conductor of the coaxial cable, and wherein the first electrode and second electrode are arranged to produce an electric field from the received RF and/or microwave EM energy across a flow path of gas received from the gas conduit to produce a thermal or a non-thermal plasma.

The present invention discloses a medical therapeutic apparatus (100) which generates plasma and blows out an reactive gas generated by the generated plasma toward a target object from an outlet, wherein a temperature of the reactive gas at a target surface positioned at a distance of 1 mm or more and 10 mm or less from the outlet is 40 C. or less, and a radical concentration is 0.1 to 300 mol/L as determined by a hydroxy radical concentration measuring method comprising applying the reactive gas to 0.4 mL of a 0.2 mol/L solution of DMPO (5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide) for 30 seconds with a distance from the outlet to a liquid surface of the solution being 5.0 mm, and measuring a hydroxyl radical concentration of the resulting solution by electron spin resonance (ESR) method.

A plasma gun for treating a tumor in vivo and a use method thereof. The plasma gun includes a generator component including an ionization device and a shield element, and a discharge component. The ionization device is provided at the shield element, and the discharge component is connected to an end of the shield element. The present invention overcomes the problem that a low-temperature plasma jet cannot contact a tumor in vivo. The plasma gun reaches the interior of the tumor, promoting the treatment of the plasma to the tumors. It is suitable for the application in clinical treatment. As compared with the conventional radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery, the present invention has the advantages of selectivity on cancer cells and little side effects. The plasma directly reaches the tumor lesion, which has good therapeutic effect and avoids the impact on normal tissues.

Provided are methods of immunizing a viewport of a medical device against fogging before or during a medical procedure, and related apparatuses and devices. The methods comprise applying plasma to the viewport prior to use, thereby rendering a surface of the viewport highly hydrophilic. The methods eliminate or at least significantly reduce blur due to fogging.