A comparison of two cold atmospheric helium plasma devices which utilise the same RF power generator

Purpose

This research was conducted to analyse and compare a Renuvion hand piece and TheraDep's deposition device at various gas flow rates and power settings. Both devices were powered by an Apyx Ultimate Electrosurgical generator.

Methods

Current, voltage, optical emission spectroscopy (OES) and thermal imaging were used to investigate the resulting plasma intensities and species being ionised. It was found that the Renuvion device could deliver 5.6 to 8.2 W of power whereas the Deposition Accessory was significantly less at between 1.9 and 4.2 W depending on the power setting selected. Differences in the OES results were also observed which are thought to have resulted from variations in the atmospheric entrainment between the two devices.

Results

Taken in combination, the electrical, optical emission and thermal data analysis has demonstrated that the addition of the Deposition Accessory transforms the Renuvion electrosurgical tool from a device that operates in the coagulation and cutting arena into a device with a dramatic reduction in the energy delivered to the target tissue. Consequently, this limits the localised heating of adjacent tissue and results in a device that has controlled coagulation capability and one which is not capable of cutting tissue.

Conclusions

This offers significant potential to allow clinicians to evaluate applications in plasma medicine using an FDA cleared electrosurgical power source.