On the development of a deployable cold plasma endoscope

A novel non‐thermal atmospheric‐pressure plasma jet source for endoscopic application is presented. Specific challenges in the endoscopic plasma source development, such as small dimensions, flexibility, operation in half‐closed cavities, and the avoidance of in‐tube plasma, are addressed. Besides plasma characterization of the jet freely operating in ambient air, special focus is laid on the investigation of in‐cavity operation. In order to avoid saturation of the cavity atmosphere with the feed gas and at the same time allow a distinct jet formation, a second gas with electronegative properties is introduced as shielding gas. Depending on the flow rate ratios between feed gas and the shielding gas, arcing and jet‐to‐glow transition can be suppressed.