Dustin Borg, MEDustin Borg, ME

Patrick Henley, BMEPatrick Henley, BME

Ali Husain, BMEAli Husain, BME

Nick Stroeher, BMENick Stroeher, BME

Advisor: Dr. Joel BarnettAdvisor: Dr. Joel Barnett

What is Plasma?What is Plasma?Plasma is a state of matter with enough free charged particles so that its dynamics are heavily influenced by electromagnetic forces.

gaseous fluid-like mixture of ions, free electrons,radicals and excited atoms and molecules

The Plasma Needle uses Low-Temperature Plasma (LTP)

small fraction of neutral particles in gas are ionized

electrons are high energy; ions are ambient temp.

retains neutral charge

http://solar.physics.montana.edu/martens/plasma/

ProblemProblem Plaque can build up in blood vessels leading to infarctions, Plaque can build up in blood vessels leading to infarctions,

stoppage in blood flow or possibly to heart attackstoppage in blood flow or possibly to heart attack

Subjects Subjects [with] [with] cholesterol, were about two-and-a-half times more cholesterol, were about two-and-a-half times more likely to have advanced plaque blockages in their coronary arterieslikely to have advanced plaque blockages in their coronary arteries

Heart disease is America's major killerHeart disease is America's major killer SSevere blockage due to arterial plaque, a clot, a spasm, or any evere blockage due to arterial plaque, a clot, a spasm, or any

combination of these, may lead to a myocardial infarction, the combination of these, may lead to a myocardial infarction, the dreaded heart attack, resulting in cardiac dysfunction and often rapid dreaded heart attack, resulting in cardiac dysfunction and often rapid deathdeath

  

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Possible Solution?Possible Solution?

Cholesterol builds Cholesterol builds underneath the underneath the endothelium tissue at endothelium tissue at early stages of arterial early stages of arterial blockageblockage

Slowing – or possibly Slowing – or possibly eliminating – the eliminating – the buildup of cholesterol buildup of cholesterol beneath endothelium beneath endothelium tissue can hypothetical tissue can hypothetical lower the risk of lower the risk of arterial blockagearterial blockage

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Current Known Effects of Current Known Effects of Plasma on Cell TissuePlasma on Cell TissuePlasma Needle likely damages Plasma Needle likely damages CAMCAM proteins so that proteins so that

cholesterol is not able to bind to the endothelium cell wall cholesterol is not able to bind to the endothelium cell wall as easily, therefore meaning less cholesterol builds in as easily, therefore meaning less cholesterol builds in arteryartery

Destruction of CAM Destruction of CAM proliferation of proliferation of free radicalsfree radicals (O, OH); (O, OH); previous research shows that plasma does disperse free previous research shows that plasma does disperse free radicals in a localized area. Amount of free radicals at a radicals in a localized area. Amount of free radicals at a specific point depends on the distance from the plasmaspecific point depends on the distance from the plasma

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Project GoalProject Goal Design and Build a Working Design and Build a Working

Plasma-catheter Plasma-catheter – Construct functioning basic plasma Construct functioning basic plasma

needle prototypeneedle prototype– Design catheter Design catheter – Build catheter design incorporating Build catheter design incorporating

functioning plasma needlefunctioning plasma needle– Characterize plasma-catheter Characterize plasma-catheter

prototypeprototype– Refine design to suit surgical needsRefine design to suit surgical needs

Requirements to Meet Requirements to Meet GoalsGoals Flexibility: Flexibility:

– Tungsten electrodeTungsten electrode– Bending catheter should not affect gas helium flowBending catheter should not affect gas helium flow– Insulating materialInsulating material

Safety:Safety:– Minimal He flowMinimal He flow– Possibly requiring a separating material between Possibly requiring a separating material between

plasma discharge and biological tissueplasma discharge and biological tissue– No blood flowing into catheter and no bubbles No blood flowing into catheter and no bubbles

going into bloodstreamgoing into bloodstream

Our Progress So FarOur Progress So Far Faculty ConsultationFaculty Consultation

– Welding ExpertsWelding Experts– High Frequency Electronics TechnicianHigh Frequency Electronics Technician– Cardiovascular Surgeon Cardiovascular Surgeon – Electrode ResearcherElectrode Researcher

Design of Test Rig PrototypeDesign of Test Rig Prototype Arranging for Experimental SetupArranging for Experimental Setup

– Commissioning of Glass Test Rig to SpecificationsCommissioning of Glass Test Rig to Specifications– Arranging for Suitable Lab SpaceArranging for Suitable Lab Space– Acquisition of Necessary Electronic ComponentsAcquisition of Necessary Electronic Components– Acquisition of He Flow EquipmentAcquisition of He Flow Equipment– Purchasing of Other Necessary MaterialsPurchasing of Other Necessary Materials

Design of Catheter Design of Catheter – Research into Operating ParametersResearch into Operating Parameters– Brainstorm Potential DesignsBrainstorm Potential Designs– Selection of Best DesignSelection of Best Design

Plasma Needle Operating Plasma Needle Operating CharacteristicsCharacteristics RF Frequency = 13.56 MHz (universal)RF Frequency = 13.56 MHz (universal) P-P RF Voltage ~ 200 - 400 VP-P RF Voltage ~ 200 - 400 V Power Level ~ 100 – 400 mWPower Level ~ 100 – 400 mW Needle Resistance = 1.1 ohm Needle Resistance = 1.1 ohm Needle Capacitance = 28.8 pFNeedle Capacitance = 28.8 pF Plasma Resistance = 2 ohmsPlasma Resistance = 2 ohms

(Plasma discharge purely resistive) (Plasma discharge purely resistive)

Helium Flow = 0.1L/minHelium Flow = 0.1L/min Minimum Ignition Voltage = 250 VMinimum Ignition Voltage = 250 V

Plasma Needle Plasma Needle Prototype Prototype Experimental SetupExperimental Setup

First Test RigFirst Test Rig

Diameter of Tungsten Needle = 0.3mm

Length = 5cm

Material: Glass

glassteflon coating

tungsten

helium

RF

5 cm

2 mm

Revised Test Rig Revised Test Rig Modifications:

1) Lengthened Input Opening

2) Enlarged Input Diameter

Hypodermic Needle

Teflon Coating for Needle

Glass

Electrode's Teflon Coating

Tungsten Electrode

50 mm35 mm2 mm

58 mm

Electrode coating

Needle coating

Electrode

HypodermicNeedle

Helium flow

25 mm

4.3 mmShaft

Length: 5 cm

Outer Diameter: 4 mm

Inner Diameter: 2 mm

Electrode Diameter: .3 mm

Teflon Needle Insulation

Stainless SteelHypodermic needle

Tungsten electrode

Teflon Electrode Insulation

10 mm Teflon overlap

25 mm needle tip

RF

Detailed View of Detailed View of Electrode Input Electrode Input

Function GeneratorFunction Generator

(Courtesy of our Dutch colleagues)(Courtesy of our Dutch colleagues)

RF Signal: 13.56 MHz

Max Power Output: 10 W

Variable MatchboxVariable MatchboxZ-11 QRP Automatic Antenna TunerZ-11 QRP Automatic Antenna Tuner

Manufacturer: LDG Electronics Inc.Manufacturer: LDG Electronics Inc. Size: 5.0 x 6.5 x 1.3” enclosureSize: 5.0 x 6.5 x 1.3” enclosure Tunes 6-800 ohm loadsTunes 6-800 ohm loads Tuning time: .1-3 secTuning time: .1-3 sec 1.8 – 30.0 MHz Coverage1.8 – 30.0 MHz Coverage Power range: .1-30 WPower range: .1-30 W

Z-11 QRP Automatic Antenna TunerZ-11 QRP Automatic Antenna Tuner

Config: Switched “L” networkConfig: Switched “L” network Microprocessor ControlledMicroprocessor Controlled Inductor range: 20 uHInductor range: 20 uH Capacitor range: 2700 pfCapacitor range: 2700 pf

Ramsey QRP Power MeterRamsey QRP Power Meter Continuous measurement from 1µWatts to 50Watts AllowsAllows measurement of both forward and re measurement of both forward and reflectedflected

powerpower

http://www.ramseyelectronics.com/cgi-bin/commerce.exe?preadd=action&key=PM10DC

Helium Helium Source and Source and Flow MeterFlow Meter

Helium on hand in EE Helium on hand in EE Welding LabWelding Lab

Flow meter is calibrated Flow meter is calibrated for really small flowsfor really small flows

External needle valve External needle valve possibly neededpossibly needed

CostsCosts

ItemItem CostCostRF GeneratorRF Generator $0$0

Ramsey QRP Power MeterRamsey QRP Power Meter $164.95$164.95

LDG Z-11 QRP AutotunerLDG Z-11 QRP Autotuner $125.95$125.95

Cole-Palmer Flow MeterCole-Palmer Flow Meter $179$179

Electric ConnectionsElectric Connections $23.24$23.24

Tungsten WireTungsten Wire $3.55$3.55

Teflon TubingTeflon Tubing $5$5

Hypodermic NeedlesHypodermic Needles $66$66

Glass Test RigGlass Test Rig $50$50

SumSum $617.69$617.69

Catheter Designs Catheter Designs

5 cm

Electrode coating

Electrode

HypodermicNeedle

20 mm35 mm

2 mm

Helium flow

4.3 mm

Flexible Catheter

(end view)

Potential Internal Catheter Configurations

Immediate GoalsImmediate Goals(through beginning of April)(through beginning of April)

1.1. Construction of plasma needle prototypeConstruction of plasma needle prototype Assess need for external needle valveAssess need for external needle valve Construct experimental setup in EE Welding LabConstruct experimental setup in EE Welding Lab Run simulation and make necessary modificationsRun simulation and make necessary modifications

2.2. Contact Coordinating GroupContact Coordinating Group Clarify necessary parameters for plasma characterizationClarify necessary parameters for plasma characterization Confirm parameters for final catheter design for use in rabbit Confirm parameters for final catheter design for use in rabbit

test subjects test subjects Establish communication with researchers planning to conduct Establish communication with researchers planning to conduct

animal testinganimal testing

3.3. Catheter Design WorkCatheter Design Work Continue discussions with local medical professionalsContinue discussions with local medical professionals Meet with Vanderbilt Catheter Lab specialistsMeet with Vanderbilt Catheter Lab specialists Construct catheter prototypeConstruct catheter prototype Conduct laboratory testing to characterize catheterConduct laboratory testing to characterize catheter

TimelineTimeline

DecemberDecember

JanuaryJanuary

FebruaryFebruary

MarchMarch

AprilApril

Gas Plasma & Catheter Research

Construction of Functioning Plasma Needle Prototype

Research & Design of Catheter

Catheter ConstructionPhysical Testing and Refinement of Plasma Catheter

Our Dutch Our Dutch CounterpartsCounterparts

Willem-Jan van Harskamp, Willem-Jan van Harskamp, Applied PhysicsApplied Physics

Vivian Roode, BMEVivian Roode, BME

Gijs Snieders, BMEGijs Snieders, BME

M. van Vlimmeren, BMEM. van Vlimmeren, BME

Advisor: Dr. Eva Advisor: Dr. Eva AdamowiczAdamowicz

Level of Development of Level of Development of Plasma Needle TechnologyPlasma Needle Technology

Completed:Completed: Evaluation of the electrical characteristics of the Evaluation of the electrical characteristics of the

plasma needleplasma needle Sensing the gap width by monitoring the discharge Sensing the gap width by monitoring the discharge

power consumptionpower consumption Adapted positioning sensor Adapted positioning sensor

Current:Current: Design Plasma-CatheterDesign Plasma-CatheterFuture:Future: Testing in animal blood vesselsTesting in animal blood vessels