Cold Plasma for Wound Treatment, Safety Study

Control of infection and bacterial colonisation constitutes a continuing challenge in patients with burns. Prevention of microbial contamination and infection is vital for burn wound care as bacterial presence can result in excessive inflammatory reactions, delayed re-epithelialisation, impaired matrix remodelling and bacteraemia. A novel method to decrease the likelihood of infection and to help cure wounds is cold atmospheric plasma (CAP). CAP has been shown in vitro to kill a wide range of pathogenic bacteria.

This safety study aims to demonstrate the safety, efficacy and efficiency of CAP for burn wound treatment. Intact skin of volunteers will be CAP treated. Local skin reaction (blister formation, pain, itching), erythema, local skin temperature, trans epidermal water loss (TEWL) and reduction of the bacterial load wil be monitored.

Inclusion criteria

• Able and willing to comply with the research protocol
• No language barrier

Exclusion criteria

• Atopic dermatitis or other skin disease
• Implanted electrical medical devices such cardiac pacemakers
• Pregnant or lactating women
• Patients with infected wounds.
• Life-threatening cardiac conductivity abnormality
• Active malignancy
• Women of childbearing age not using contraceptive measures