Chronic wounds such as diabetic foot ulcers and pressure sores affect millions of patients worldwide, often healing slowly or not at all. These wounds are painful, prone to infection, and frequently lead to prolonged hospitalization or even limb amputation. Despite advances in wound care, many existing treatments remain invasive, uncomfortable, or unsuitable for fragile tissue, underscoring the need for safer, more accessible solutions.
Researchers at National Sun Yat-sen University have addressed this challenge by developing a large-area, low-temperature afterglow plasma medical device designed specifically for gentle wound healing. Unlike conventional approaches that rely on heat, lasers, or chemical agents, this system uses atmospheric-pressure afterglow plasma that operates below 40°C. The system allows the plasma to be applied directly to skin and open wounds without burning or damaging healthy tissue.
The novelty of the device lies not only in its low operating temperature but also in how it delivers its therapeutic effects. When applied to a wound, the afterglow plasma generates short-lived reactive molecules that help suppress harmful bacteria while activating biological processes linked to tissue repair. This dual action: disinfection and healing stimulation, occurs without physical contact or invasive intervention, making the treatment particularly suitable for sensitive or hard-to-heal wounds.
Another key advancement is the large treatment area and the device’s practical design. Many existing plasma systems are limited to small surface areas or require specialized infrastructure. In contrast, this device is designed to be compact, easy to operate, and capable of treating wider wound surfaces efficiently, with short treatment times. These features make it well-suited not only for hospitals, but also for clinics, long-term care facilities, and other care environments where complex equipment is impractical.
Beyond wound healing, the same plasma technology has been extended to a low-temperature sterilization system for medical instruments, capable of achieving effective disinfection in under ten minutes without high heat or vacuum systems. Together, these developments demonstrate how advanced plasma science can be translated into practical healthcare tools that reduce treatment burden while improving patient safety and comfort.
