A better quality of life – when wounds don’t heal on their own.
Table of Contents:
1. What is cold plasma?
2. Who is CPT® cold plasma therapy suitable for?
3. How does CPT® cold plasma therapy work?
4. What are the advantages over other treatments?
5. What is the current state of scientific research and the evidence base?
6. What are patients’ experiences?
7. Where and how can I receive CPT® cold plasma treatment?
8. Is CPT® cold plasma therapy covered by insurance?
9. FAQs for patients
What is cold plasma?
Cold plasma is currently one of the most advanced and promising methods for treating wound healing disorders. It is already being used successfully in clinics and wound care centers to support the healing of hard-to-heal or chronic wounds and to reduce wound infections. Plasma is a slightly purple-glowing gaseous state generated from ambient air. Its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing effects have been proven in numerous studies.
The term “cold plasma” is used because this plasma reaches approximately body temperature and can therefore be applied comfortably and safely to the skin. This distinguishes it clearly from hot, thermal plasma, which occurs, for example, on the sun.
You can find out exactly how cold plasma is created, why plasma is called the fourth state of matter, and how its mechanisms of action can revolutionize wound healing here:
Who is CPT® cold plasma therapy suitable for?
- Diabetic foot syndrome
- Leg Ulcer (Venous & Arterial)
- Wounds caused by circulatory disorders
- Postoperative Wound Healing Disorders
- Burn wounds
- Infected or contaminated wounds
- Slow-healing wounds treated with negative pressure therapy and as preparation for tissue grafts
Many of these wounds are distressing and painful for those affected and can significantly reduce their quality of life . Extensive treatment with CPT® cold plasma can help to sustainably support the wound’s natural healing process.
Chronic wounds
Whether diabetic foot syndrome, leg ulcers or pressure sores. Cold plasma promotes the formation of healthy tissue.
Burns
Whether thermal, chemical or electrical burns. Cold plasma fights germs and promotes wound healing.
Complex wounds
Whether infected wounds or post-operative wound healing disorders. Cold plasma has an antimicrobial effect.
How does CPT® cold plasma therapy work?
- The CPT® System consists of two components: the CPT®cube (activation device) and the CPT®patch (active wound dressing). You can find out more about our CPT® System here: Product page →
- All CPT® Plasma Competence Centers are audited, experienced, and trained to ensure the best possible patient care.
What does a typical CPT® cold plasma treatment session look like for me as a patient?
1. Preparation
2. Placement of the CPT® patch:
3. Launching the application:
4. Follow-up care:
5th treatment session:
6. Wound healing processes:
What are the advantages over other treatments?
Many conventional wound care products—over 9,000 in Germany alone—primarily treat the symptoms without addressing the underlying cause of the wound. Our goal is to bring about a genuine transformation in wound treatment: a causal therapy that effectively combats infections, stimulates tissue regeneration, and enables the permanent closure of wounds. Unlike some other manufacturers, CPT® cold plasma is generated directly near the wound—exclusively from ambient air and without additional gases. While many other systems only work in specific areas and can quickly reach their limits with larger or deep wounds, the CPT® system enables fully automated, large-area applications with short treatment times and can be safely administered by medical professionals.
The benefits at a glance:
What is the current state of scientific knowledge and the research literature?
Leading professional associations have now also confirmed these positive results.
The European Wound Management Association (EWMA), one of Europe’s most renowned institutions for modern wound care, has published in its latest position paper , the European Wound Management Association (EWMA) has evaluated a wide range of international studies, clinical data, and scientific findings on the use of cold plasma.
She concludes that cold plasma:
- can reliably reduce bacteria, including multidrug-resistant pathogens, on the wound¹ ,
- can promote cell regeneration and tissue repair¹ ,
- can help contain infections and prevent their spread¹ ,
- is perceived as gentle to use and is well tolerated¹ ,
- and can therefore help heal wounds that are slow to heal¹ ,
This demonstrates the clear superiority of CPT® cold plasma therapy over standard wound treatment (SWT) for chronic lower-leg wounds:
- Accelerated wound healing rate: Compared to the SWT group, the wound closure factor in the CPT group increased significantly to 214%. This indicates that wounds heal significantly faster with CPT® treatment.²
- Reduced need for antibiotics: The CPT group required antibiotics in only 4% of cases, compared with 23% in the SWT group.²
- Pain relief: Patients in the CPT group reported less wound pain, and a reduction in passive pain to 0 (median) was recorded.²
- Improved quality of life: A significant and clinically meaningful improvement in quality of life was observed in patients in the CPT group.²
For people with slow-healing wounds, this means:
Cold plasma is a modern treatment method that has been extensively studied and has proven potential to support wound healing in cases of slow-healing wounds.
When wounds don't heal —and then suddenly they do:
Where and how can I receive CPT® cold plasma treatment?
Treatment with the CPT® patch is provided at our
nationwide CPT® Plasma Competence Centers.
The CPT® Plasma.Kompeten.Centers are specialized treatment centers that adhere to the highest hygiene standards and take a holistic approach to providing professional care for patients with chronic and hard-to-heal wounds.
For more information about the CPT®Plasma.Kompetenz.
centers and where you can receive treatment, please visit: CPT®Plasma.Kompetenz.Centers
Is CPT® cold plasma therapy covered by insurance?
The therapy is eligible for reimbursement upon individual application and approval by the health insurance provider; it can be prescribed by a doctor or simply paid for out-of-pocket.
The CPT® Plasma Competence Centers can advise you on this, and the on-site experts will actively assist you in applying for CPT® cold plasma therapy through your health insurance provider.
Please talk to your doctor about this.
Frequently Asked Questions
This therapy is used for chronic and hard-to-heal wounds, such as those associated with diabetic foot syndrome, venous or arterial ulcers, pressure ulcers, postoperative wound healing disorders, and burns. Wounds with a high bacterial load can also benefit from this treatment.
The treatment takes place at a certified Plasma.Kompetenz.Zentrum. The CPT® patch is applied to the cleaned wound and activated using the CPT® cube. Each session lasts about two minutes. The frequency is determined by the treating team, usually once or twice a week.
No. There are no scientific studies or patient reports indicating pain during treatment. The plasma field generated is approximately body temperature, and most patients describe the treatment as painless or neutral. The therapy is therefore also suitable for sensitive wounds.
No side effects have been reported in the twenty years that cold plasma has been in use. Neither complaints nor long-term damage have been documented. The treatment is gentle on the skin.
Many patients report initial improvements within a few weeks. However, the duration depends heavily on the type and size of the wound, as well as on any underlying medical conditions. The goal of treatment is long-term healing—that is, true wound closure, not just short-term stabilization.
In many cases, treatment can be prescribed by a doctor and covered by health insurance. Depending on your individual situation, self-pay options may also be available. Your treatment center can help you determine which option is right for you.
The treatment is performed exclusively at specially trained CPT® Plasma Competence Centers. On our website, you will find a list of centers near you, along with contact information.
No special preparation is required for treatment. Please bring any existing medical records regarding your wound and your medical history. The teams at the centers will conduct a thorough initial examination and then work with you to plan your treatment course.
Bibliography
1. Apelqvist J, Robson A, Helmke A, et al. Cold Plasma: An Emerging Technology for Clinical Use in Wound-
-Healing. Journal of Wound Management, EWMA Document 2024; 25(3 Suppl 1): S1–S84.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35279/jowm2024.25.03.sup01
Available online at EWMA.org: https://ewma.org/resources/cold-plasma-an-emerging-technology-for-clinical-use-
in-wound-healing/
2. Abu Rached N, Kley S, Storck M, Meyer T, Stücker M.
Cold Plasma Therapy in Chronic Wounds—A Multicenter, Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial (Plasma on Chronic
Wounds for Epidermal Regeneration Study): Preliminary Results.
Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2023; 12(15): 5121.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12155121
Available online at: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/12/15/5121