METHOD AND DEVICE FOR SURFACE MODIFICATION BY COLD PLASMA TREATMENT AT AMBIENT PRESSURE

摘要

A method for plasma treatment of an object, for example, a contact lens or other device, involves the generation of plasma on one or more surfaces by a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD). The object undergoes surface reactions in the plasma which modifies the chemical composition of its surface. For example, a hydrophobic surface of a contact lens can be rendered hydrophilic by removal or conversion of non-polar functionality to expose or form polar and ionic functionality. The cold plasma treatment allows surface modification without distortion of or reaction within the bulk of the object. The method can be carried out in air or other desired gas environment.