Study of the role of dielectric material in a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma source for dermatological applications

The development of low temperature plasma sources operating at atmospheric pressure is opening a new world of possible biomedical applications. In order to attain uniform treatments and avoid localized temperature peaks, a diffused plasma condition is generally desirable for this kind of applications. In this study two different dielectric materials, borosilicate glass and polystyrene, are evaluated for the realization of a particular plasma source (PlasmaSkin) developed for dermatological treatments. The influence of the dielectric material on the characteristics of the generated plasma and on the temperature reached by the dielectric surface are studied by means of High Speed Imaging technique and fiber optic temperature sensors respectively. Results obtained provide useful insights for the determination of the best material for the development of a plasma source for dermatological applications.