Plasma Therapy

A team of Russian and German researchers has shown that a ten-minute treatment with low temperature plasma was able to not only kill multi-drug-resistant bacteria, but also increase the rate of wound healing. The team hopes that the treatment can be used to treat chronic infections. The team published their findings in the Journal of Medical Microbiology in January.

The team from the Gamaleya Institue of Epidemiology and Microbiology in Moscow tested the treatment against two bacterial species: Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus, which are common culprits in chronic wound infection. These bacteria form biofilms by growing together in protective layers. The team showed that the plasma was able to kill 99% of the laboratory-grown bacteria and 90% of bacteria in a rat skin wound.

Plasmas are known as the fourth state of matter and are created when high-energy processes strip atoms of their electrons and produce ionized gas flows at high temperatures. The recent development of cold plasma, which ranges from 35-40 degrees Celsius, has excited researchers because of its potential applications in treating bacterial infections.

Dr. Svetlana Ermolaeva of the research team says, “Cold plasmas are able to kill bacteria by damaging microbial DNA and surface structures without being harmful to human tissues.” This is even in the case of more resistant biofilms that the bacteria form. The team believes that plasma treatment to kill bacteria may become a practical alternative to antibiotics in the future. The biggest advantage of plasma treatment is that it is non-specific which makes it more difficult for bacteria to develop any kind of resistance.

I found this article to be interesting because it deals with alternatives to antibiotics. There is a widespread of abuse in treatment of human diseases by using antibiotics inappropriately which is leading to more and more resistant bacteria. The abuse of the drugs also extends to the production of food, since many animals such as cows are given antibiotics to preventatively ward off disease. This article shows an alternative to antibiotics and gives hope to find a treatment to kill bacteria while keeping them from becoming too dangerous by developing into hardier strains. The biggest promise that plasma treatment of bacteria has to offer is its non-specific nature. This is what prevents bacteria from being able to develop a resistance to the treatment.

Article Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/12/101215092248.htm
Alexander J. Quante '13 -- VTPP 435

Commandos Evaluate a... Lightsaber?

US Special Forces have begun field tests on a technology that borders the realm of science fiction; a functional “plasma knife”. The plasma knife operates by focusing an ionized gas that has been heated to extremely high temperatures into a practical cutting edge. However, before you start daydreaming of light saber battles, the usage of the plasma knife is primarily medical. The Special force’s interest in this technology stems from the all too common scenario where a commando finds himself in remote locations without the benefit of medical backup. When placed in the situation where the soldier is severely wounded, prompt medical care is pivotal in saving the life of that soldier. The plasma knife is capable of being utilized as a surgical scalpel that has the added benefit of instantly cauterizing the wound.

When in the field, an important consideration of surgical procedures is the sterility of the tools being used. The risk of infection is high in the midst of a military operation, so being able to eliminate the risk imposed by the tool in use is immensely helpful. The plasma knife is capable of maintaining a sterile cutting edge even within harsh field conditions due to the temperatures at which it operates.

Because the most immediate cause of death after massive tissue damage is the excess loss of blood, a means to stop the bleeding that can be easily carried by soldier is an invaluable tool. Cauterization is the process of creating an impermeable layer of necrotic tissue; actively preventing the loss of any more blood. This necrotic tissue is composed of two layers: the first, a porous outer layer where all the moisture has been vaporized, and the second, an impenetrable layer where all the proteins have been destroyed but contains some moisture. Merely applying a high amount of heat can worsen the injury; the plasma knife however, is able to bypass the outer porous layer of the necrotic tissue without damaging it; allowing larger blood vessel damage to be sealed without simultaneously creating major damage to the system.

This aspect of surgical technology is interesting in the sense that it demonstrates the advances being made to improve field medicine. The plasma knife is able to eliminate one problem associated with field medical tools; sterility, while maintaining efficiency; cuts and seals, and ease of use. Despite being an obvious step forward to me finally owning a light saber, the plasma knife is a beneficial medical tool that has to potential to save many lives in the armed forces.


http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2009/10/commandos-field-test-plasma-knife/

Joshua Mott
VTPP 434 – 501
30 Oct 2009