DEVICE, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR ANTIMICROBIAL TREATMENT, METHOD FOR PRODUCING THE DEVICE, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM

Abstract

The invention relates to a device, a system and a method for antimicrobial treatment during the performance of operations in bodies, a method for manufacturing the device as well as a computer program.

There is provided a device (11) for antimicrobial treatment during the performance of operations, in particular minimally invasive operations, in bodies. Said device comprises a base body (1) for partial introduction into a body and, furthermore, at least one plasma source (12) arranged in at least one portion of the base body (1). The plasma source (12) has at least one high-voltage electrode (9) which is at least partially covered and in particular completely covered with a dielectric (10), which high-voltage electrode is set up to produce a plasma by means of dielectric barrier discharge when an electrical voltage is applied and in conjunction with a second electrode.

Claims

1. A device (11) for antimicrobial treatment during the performance of operations, in particular minimally invasive operations, in bodies, having a base body (1) for partial introduction into a body, characterized in that the device (11) furthermore comprises at least one plasma source (12) arranged in at least one portion of the base body (1), wherein the plasma source (12) has at least one high-voltage electrode (9) which is at least partially covered and in particular completely covered with a dielectric (10), which high-voltage electrode is set up to produce a plasma by means of dielectric barrier discharge when an electrical voltage is applied and in conjunction with a second electrode.

2. The device (11) for antimicrobial treatment according to claim 1, characterized in that a spacer element for producing a distance between the plasma source (12) and body tissue is arranged in at least one portion of the base body (1) on the side of the dielectric (10) facing away from the high-voltage electrode (9).

3. The device (11) for antimicrobial treatment according to claim 2, characterized in that the spacer element is manufactured from a structured insulating, in particular electrically insulating, material.

4. The device (11) for antimicrobial treatment according to claim 1, characterized in that said device furthermore comprises the second electrode, wherein the second electrode is likewise arranged in a portion of the base body (1).

5. The device (11) for antimicrobial treatment according to claim 4, characterized in that the second electrode is manufactured from electrically conducting material, in particular a metallic fabric or a metal gauze.

6. The device (11) for antimicrobial treatment according to claim 4, characterized in that the second electrode on the side of the dielectric (10) facing away from the high-voltage electrode (9) is arranged in at least one portion of the base body (1).

7. The device (11) for antimicrobial treatment according to claim 1, characterized in that a high-voltage-proof insulating layer (8) is arranged between the base body (1) and the high-voltage electrode (9).

8. The device (11) for antimicrobial treatment according to claim 1, characterized in that the device (11) is an instrument for endoscopy, laparoscopy, or a part of a catheter, or a trocar or a canula.

9. The device (11) for antimicrobial treatment according to claim 1, characterized in that the high-voltage electrode (9) and the dielectric (10) and, in particular, the spacer element, the second electrode and/or the electrically insulating element are furthermore arranged in at least one portion of the base body (1) in layers around the entire cross-section of the base body (1).

10. A method for manufacturing a device (11) for antimicrobial treatment according to claim 1, characterized in that the high-voltage electrode (9) and the dielectric (10) are applied to the surface of the base body (1) using the thin-film process or using the thick-film process.

11. A system for antimicrobial treatment during the performance of operations in bodies, characterized in that the system comprises a device (11) for antimicrobial treatment according to claim 1 as well as a voltage source which is or can be connected electrically conductively to the device (11).

12. The system for antimicrobial treatment according to claim 11, characterized in that the system comprises the body which is to be treated at least in certain areas with a plasma, wherein at least one part of the body forms the second electrode.

13. A method for antimicrobial treatment during the performance of operations in bodies, in which the device (11) for antimicrobial treatment according to claim 1 is introduced into the body and a plasma is produced by means of the device (11) at least in the region of the opening of the body, through which the device (11) for performing a minimally invasive operation is introduced into the body.

14. A method for antimicrobial treatment during the performance of operations in bodies, not for antimicrobial treatment of human or animal tissue on the human or animal body, in which the device (11) for antimicrobial treatment according to claim 1 is introduced into the body and a plasma is produced by means of the device (11) at least in the region of the opening of the body, through which the device (11) for performing a minimally invasive operation is introduced into the body.

15. A computer program which carries out all of the steps for performing the method for antimicrobial treatment according to claim 13 when the program runs on a computer.

Description

[0079] The invention will be explained below with reference to the embodiment example which is represented in the appended drawings, wherein:

[0080] FIG. 1 shows a perspective representation of a device according to the invention, designed as a laparoscope, as well as

[0081] FIG. 2: shows a cutaway representation of a detail from the base body of the device from FIG. 1.

[0082] FIG. 1 shows the device 11 according to the invention, designed as a laparoscope. This is a simple instrument for minimally invasive surgery and comprises an elongated base body 1 which is set up for at least partial introduction into a body, in particular a human or animal body. A handpiece 2 having an eyepiece 3 and a lateral light guide connector 4 is arranged on the side of the base body which is shown at the top and which is opposite the side to be introduced into the body.

[0083] Joined to the light guide connector 4 in the interior of the base body 1 is a light channel 7, in which light can be conducted from an external source of light which can be joined to the light guide connector 4 into the interior of the body to be examined. The light channel 7 has a circular shape and encloses the optical channel 6 located therein, which is set up to conduct the light radiation reflected by surfaces in the interior of the body towards the eyepiece 3. Consequently, optical information can be conducted from the interior of the body to the user of the device. The optically conducting channels 6, 7 indicated are visible in the sectional drawing shown in FIG. 2.

[0084] The base body 1 is designed as a metal pipe having a circular cross-section, in which fixtures are arranged for the purposes of subdividing the indicated optically conducting channels 6, 7.

[0085] According to the invention, the outer tube 5 of the base body 1 is coated with multiple layers all round in a partial region of the length in a defined way, in order to be able to use this region as a high-voltage electrode 9 for producing a plasma. In order to demonstrate the fundamental layer construction which is required for this, a part of the coated base body 1 is represented in an enlarged sectional drawing in FIG. 2.

[0086] A high-voltage-proof insulating layer 8 is arranged on the metallic outer tube 5 of the base body 1, which insulating layer electrically insulates the base body 1, which is earthed, from the high-voltage electrode 9 arranged around this. Consequently, an electrical potential difference which is necessary for producing the plasma is made possible between the base body 1 and the high-voltage electrode 9.

[0087] The high-voltage electrode 9 for producing a dielectric barrier discharge is formed by a metal layer covered with a dielectric layer 10. The dielectric 10 projects, in this case, beyond the high-voltage electrode 9 on both sides in the axial direction, therefore extends over the upper and below the lower end of the high-voltage electrode 9, wherein it contacts the insulating layer 8 in these regions and, extending beyond these, rests on the metallic base body 1. Consequently, the dielectric 10 serves as a sheathing or respectively cover which protects the described layers, for example against moisture.

[0088] The described layers are arranged above the majority of the region of the base body 1 which can be introduced into the body.

[0089] Depending on the quality of the base bodies 1 of the minimally invasive instruments or endoscopes (surface, form, size and material type), the invention can be technically implemented in different ways, resulting in the realization of various variants.

[0090] As a rule, this principle can be applied to all instruments which are introduced in the form of a rod, endoscope or catheter transcutaneously or percutaneously into the body. This is equally true of surgical instruments, such as e.g. laparoscopes, and endoscopes. In this case, an external power supply is merely required for the plasma production.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0091] 1 Base body [0092] 2 Handpiece [0093] 3 Eyepiece [0094] 4 Light guide connector [0095] 5 Outer tube of the base body [0096] 6 Optical channel [0097] 7 Light channel [0098] 8 Insulating layer [0099] 9 High-voltage electrode (metal layer) [0100] 10 Dielectric (dielectric layer) [0101] 11 Device [0102] 12 Plasma source