What is cold plasma?
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Imagine you’re lying in a field, looking up at the night sky and seeing shooting stars or the Northern Lights. Their glow is caused by electrically charged gases—what’s known as plasma.
Typically, plasma in nature is very hot. However, it is possible to generate plasma at very low temperatures (close to body temperature), making it suitable for medical plasma therapy.
Why is plasma also called the “fourth state of matter”?
Fun fact:
Over 99% of the visible universe is made up of plasma! It is the “primordial state” of matter from which our solar system and life on Earth were born.
How is cold plasma formed (from a scientific perspective)?
- Cold plasma results from a combination of physical effects: the excitation of atoms and molecules leads to the emission of visible light.
- Ionization leads to the formation of molecules (including ozone, nitrogen oxides, and hydrogen peroxide), which are considered active ingredients and can promote wound healing.
- When these components recombine, they produce highly effective molecules for wound therapy, such as reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, which support the natural regeneration processes of a wound.
How is cold plasma therapy revolutionizing wound healing?
Find out where to find a CPT® treatment center near you here:
How does Coldplasmatech generate cold plasma for treatment?
- CPT®cube and
- CPT®patch generates a soft, purple-glowing cold plasma.
The necessary energy is supplied via an alternating electric field. The CPT® patch forms a large, highly effective plasma field that covers the wound like a protective film and seals it. The CPT® system uses ordinary ambient air as its gas source.
CPT® cold plasma therapy is already being used successfully at over 50 plasma centers of excellence in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Learn more about the centers of excellence here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cold plasma is an excited state of a gas and is often described as the fourth state of matter, alongside solid, liquid, and gas. It is generated at nearly body temperature and can therefore be safely applied to the skin and wounds without causing thermal damage.
Cold plasma reduces the bacterial load within minutes, can also reduce multidrug-resistant pathogens—and, when used as recommended, is gentle on healthy tissue. It activates healing processes, promotes the release of messenger substances, improves microcirculation, and helps the body heal itself. This allows even long-standing or infected wounds to heal again.
The cold plasma delivered via the CPT® patch can support wound healing in several ways. Its antimicrobial effect reduces the bacterial load, including multi-drug-resistant pathogens such as MRSA. At the same time, it can positively influence microcirculation and oxygen supply to the tissue and promote regenerative processes, such as the regeneration of skin cells.
Yes. The effects of cold plasma in wound treatment have been examined in numerous scientific studies. Among other findings, the multicenter, randomized POWER study shows that patients with chronic lower leg wounds (venous or arterial leg ulcers) treated with CPT® cold plasma therapy had a significantly faster wound closure rate compared to standard wound therapy—with a markedly higher healing rate as early as the second day.
No. Although both are based on similar physical principles, they differ significantly in terms of application and regulatory approval. Medical cold plasma has been tested as a medical device and is specifically used to treat wounds and infections. Cosmetic cold plasma is primarily intended for skin care on intact skin and has different indications and safety requirements.
Yes. Medical cold plasma is classified as a medical device in Europe and is subject to the European Medical Device Regulation (MDR). Devices may only be used if they have been tested and approved in accordance with their risk class. This assessment includes an evaluation of safety, clinical efficacy, and the intended medical benefit. CPT® cold plasma technology is approved as a Class IIb medical device and may be used for the treatment of secondary-healing wounds—that is, wounds that cannot be closed primarily but must heal open, such as large-area tissue defects.
CPT® cold plasma therapy is particularly suitable for chronic and infected wounds (e.g., diabetic foot or pressure ulcers), for treating impaired wound healing, and for reducing bacterial load—even in cases involving antibiotic-resistant pathogens such as MRSA. CPT® cold plasma can also be used during surgery. The treatment is effective regardless of wound depth and is also suitable for large wounds.
No. Cold plasma therapy does not replace established standard wound care practices; rather, it is used as a complementary (add-on) therapy. It supports the existing treatment process—for example, by reducing bacterial load and promoting wound healing—but it is not a substitute for procedures such as debridement, appropriate wound dressings, or treatment of the underlying condition.
Yes. Especially when used in combination with a sterile pouch, even large wounds can be treated in a standardized manner and in a short amount of time. A CPT® cold plasma treatment lasts 2 minutes and should be administered at short intervals.