Abstract: Provided are methods of immunizing a viewport of a medical device against fogging before or during a medical procedure, and related apparatuses and devices. The methods comprise applying plasma to the viewport prior to use, thereby rendering a surface of the viewport highly hydrophilic. The methods eliminate or at least significantly reduce blur due to fogging.

Abstract: A device for inhibiting condensation distortion on an optical element of a medical instrument configured for insertion into a body cavity is provided. The device may include a housing; a cavity within the housing, the cavity being sized to removably retain at least a portion of the medical instrument therein, wherein the portion includes the optical element; a plasma activation zone within the cavity and arranged such that when the at least a portion of the medical instrument is retained within the cavity, the optical element is located within the plasma activation zone; a plasma generator configured to be activated to cause formation of a plasma cloud in the plasma activation zone in a vicinity of the optical element; and a controller configured to activate the plasma generator for a time period sufficient to cause the optical element to become hydrophilic prior to insertion into the body cavity.

Abstract: An apparatus for plasma treatment of an implant prior to installing the implant in a live subject is provided. The apparatus comprises an activation device and a portable container detachable from the activation device. The portable container comprises a closed compartment containing the implant immersed in a fluid, and the activation device comprises a slot configured to receive the portable container. The activation device further comprises an electrical circuit configured to be electrically associated with at least one electrode and configured to provide to the at least one electrode electric power suitable for applying a plasma generating electric field in the closed compartment, when the portable container is disposed in the slot. A container suitable for providing plasma treatment to a silicone implant and a method for preparing an implant for implantation surgery are also provided.

Abstract: Systems, devices, methods, and computer readable media for generating plasma for treating objects may be provided. Embodiments include a housing; a plasma generation zone within the housing configured to enable accommodation of an object; a plasma generator for enabling formation of plasma within the plasma generation zone; a plurality of vacuum pumps within the housing, each pump having a vacuum inlet; a plurality of conduits within the housing connecting the plurality of vacuum pumps in series, such that when activated, the series of pumps cause a vacuum within the plasma generation zone; and at least one processor configured to simultaneously operate the plurality of vacuum pumps while the object is in a region of the plasma generation zone.

Abstract: A device for inhibiting condensation distortion on an optical element is provided. The device may include a housing; a chamber within the housing; electrical circuitry in the housing; a plasma activation region configured to retain the optical element in a manner exposing an optical surface to the plasma activation region, wherein the electrical circuitry is configured to form an electrical connection with a first electrode located on the first side of the dielectric barrier; a second electrode located on a second side of the dielectric barrier, opposite the plasma activation region; and at least one processor configured to: control electricity flow through the circuitry to cause an electric field associated with a voltage drop between the first electrode and a second electrode to generate plasma within the plasma-activation region; and maintain the generated plasma for a time period sufficient to cause the optical surface to become hydrophilic.

Abstract: A device for inhibiting condensation distortion on an optical element of a medical instrument configured for insertion into a body cavity is provided. The device may include a housing; a cavity within the housing, the cavity being sized to removably retain at least a portion of the medical instrument therein, wherein the portion includes the optical element; a plasma activation zone within the cavity and arranged such that when the at least a portion of the medical instrument is retained within the cavity, the optical element is located within the plasma activation zone; a plasma generator configured to be activated to cause formation of a plasma cloud in the plasma activation zone in a vicinity of the optical element; and a controller configured to activate the plasma generator for a time period sufficient to cause the optical element to become hydrophilic prior to insertion into the body cavity.

Abstract: A device for inhibiting condensation distortion on an optical element of a medical instrument configured for insertion into a body cavity is provided. The device may include a housing; a cavity within the housing, the cavity being sized to removably retain at least a portion of the medical instrument therein, wherein the portion includes the optical element; a plasma activation zone within the cavity and arranged such that when the at least a portion of the medical instrument is retained within the cavity, the optical element is located within the plasma activation zone; a plasma generator configured to be activated to cause formation of a plasma cloud in the plasma activation zone in a vicinity of the optical element; and a controller configured to activate the plasma generator for a time period sufficient to cause the optical element to become hydrophilic prior to insertion into the body cavity.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating a plasma above a treatment object. The apparatus includes a plasma-generating element such that during operation the plasma is generated by the plasma-generating element. The apparatus further includes a sealing element attached to the plasma-generating element. The sealing element has a cavity and is configured to form a closed volume with a part of the treatment object, so that at least a part of the cavity is part of the closed volume and, during operation of the apparatus, the plasma is generated in the closed volume. The sealing element includes a reception region that is configured so that a part of the treatment object can be inserted into the reception region. A method is also disclosed for performing a plasma treatment to a treatment object using the apparatus.

Abstract: A method of operating a piezoelectric plasma generator including applying an input signal to a piezoelectric transformer of the piezoelectric plasma generator. An absolute value of a peak amplitude of the input signal is periodically reduced and increased to a level smaller and larger than an ignition voltage of the plasma generator, such that plasma generation periodically collapses.

Abstract: A method is provided for treating an implant in a medical care center prior to using the implant in a medical procedure. The method comprises applying a plasma-generating electromagnetic (EM) field using at least one electrode so as to generate plasma in a vicinity of the implant while displacing the electrode and the implant relative to one another. A portable plasma module and a docking station configured to connect to the portable plasma module, thereby forming a plasma generating system, are also provided. A plasma generating apparatus for treating an implant prior to using the implant in a medical procedure is also provided.

Abstract: A device for inhibiting condensation distortion on an optical element is provided. The device may include a housing; a chamber within the housing; electrical circuitry in the housing; a plasma activation region configured to retain the optical element in a manner exposing an optical surface to the plasma activation region, wherein the electrical circuitry is configured to form an electrical connection with a first electrode located on the first side of the dielectric barrier; a second electrode located on a second side of the dielectric barrier, opposite the plasma activation region; and at least one processor configured to: control electricity flow through the circuitry to cause an electric field associated with a voltage drop between the first electrode and a second electrode to generate plasma within the plasma-activation region; and maintain the generated plasma for a time period sufficient to cause the optical surface to become hydrophilic.

Abstract: A device for inhibiting condensation distortion on an optical element of a medical instrument configured for insertion into a body cavity is provided. The device may include a housing; a cavity within the housing, the cavity being sized to removably retain at least a portion of the medical instrument therein, wherein the portion includes the optical element; a plasma activation zone within the cavity and arranged such that when the at least a portion of the medical instrument is retained within the cavity, the optical element is located within the plasma activation zone; a plasma generator configured to be activated to cause formation of a plasma cloud in the plasma activation zone in a vicinity of the optical element; and a controller configured to activate the plasma generator for a time period sufficient to cause the optical element to become hydrophilic prior to insertion into the body cavity.

Abstract: A portable container is provided for handling an implant. The container comprises a sealed compartment enclosing a fluid of a pre-defined composition and at least one implant configured to be installed in a live subject. The container may comprise at least one electrode made of an electrical conductive material, electrically associated with an electric conductor outside the sealed compartment and configured for applying a plasma generating electric field inside the sealed compartment. An apparatus for plasma treatment of an implant and having an activation device is further provided. The activation device comprises a slot configured to receive a portable container, and an electrical circuit configured to be electrically associated with at least one electrode. The electrical circuit is configured to provide to the at least one electrode electric power suitable for applying a plasma generating electric field in the sealed compartment, when the portable container is disposed in the slot.

Abstract: Provided are methods of immunizing a viewport of a medical device against fogging before or during a medical procedure, and related apparatuses and devices. The methods comprise applying plasma to the viewport prior to use, thereby rendering a surface of the viewport highly hydrophilic. The methods eliminate or at least significantly reduce blur due to fogging.

Abstract: Device and method suitable for disinfecting herbs using plasma are disclosed. The device comprises a chamber and two sets of electrodes in an opposed position one relative to the other, inside the chamber. Each electrode in one set has a counterpart electrode in the other set, the two electrodes positioned facing each other and being configured to connect to a RF HV power supply, to produce a plasma-generating EM field in the space between the electrodes. The device further comprises a dielectric carrier positioned inside the chamber in the space between the two sets of electrodes, the carrier being dimensioned and configured to carry herbs in granular form such as powder or particles thereon. A portable sealable container comprising a unidirectional valve is also disclosed, configured to store herbs thereinside during plasma treatment in the device, and to store the disinfected herbs after treatment under vacuum.

Abstract: Provided are methods of immunizing a viewport of a medical device against fogging before or during a medical procedure, and related apparatuses and devices. The methods comprise applying plasma to the viewport prior to use, thereby rendering a surface of the viewport highly hydrophilic. The methods eliminate or at least significantly reduce blur due to fogging.

Abstract: A treatment device for treating a lens included in an operational device, is disclosed. The Device may include a first segmented electrode, comprising at least two segments electrically isolated from one another, located in proximity to a first surface of the lens, wherein the first surface is to be treated by the treatment device; at least one second electrode; a distributor electrically associated with the first segmented electrode and with the at least one second electrode, and configured to distribute RF energy from a single RF generator to each of the segments of the segmented electrode separately; an RF generator for separately providing RF energy to the segments of the at least one first electrode and the at least one second electrode in an amount sufficient to generate plasma on at least a portion of the first surface of the lens, and a controller functionally associated with the distributor.

Abstract: An apparatus for plasma treatment of an implant prior to installing the implant in a live subject is provided. The apparatus comprises an activation device and a portable container detachable from the activation device. The portable container comprises a closed compartment containing the implant immersed in a fluid, and the activation device comprises a slot configured to receive the portable container. The activation device further comprises an electrical circuit configured to be electrically associated with at least one electrode and configured to provide to the at least one electrode electric power suitable for applying a plasma generating electric field in the closed compartment, when the portable container is disposed in the slot. A container suitable for providing plasma treatment to a silicone implant and a method for preparing an implant for implantation surgery are also provided.

Abstract: Device and method suitable for disinfecting herbs in small quantities, e.g. for home use, using plasma, are disclosed. The device comprises a sealable vessel dimensioned and configured to contain herbs in chunks, in granular form such as particles or in powder, in a treatment region of the sealable vessel. The device further comprises a power source configured to generate electromagnetic (EM) power sufficient for plasma generation in a plasma generation region of the sealable vessel. The sealable vessel is optionally detachable from the device. A portable sealable vessel configured to store and transport herbs, the herbs being microbially sealed therein, is also disclosed. The portable sealable vessel may be positioned in a slot of the device so as to generate plasma in the portable sealable vessel and disinfect the herbs. A multi-slot device is also disclosed, enabling plasma disinfection of herbs in a multitude of distinct sealable vessels.

Abstract: An apparatus for plasma treatment of an implant prior to installing the implant in a live subject is provided. The apparatus comprises an activation device and a portable container detachable from the activation device. The portable container comprises a closed compartment containing the implant immersed in a fluid, and the activation device comprises a slot configured to receive the portable container. The activation device further comprises an electrical circuit configured to be electrically associated with at least one electrode and configured to provide to the at least one electrode electric power suitable for applying a plasma generating electric field in the closed compartment, when the portable container is disposed in the slot. A container suitable for providing plasma treatment to a silicone implant and a method for preparing an implant for implantation surgery are also provided.