The Canady Helios HERO Model: A Ventilator- Integrated Humidified Cold Atmospheric Plasma System for Lung Cancer Treatment and Respiratory Infection Applications

Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) generates reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) capable of selectively destroying pathogens and malignant cells while sparing normal tissue. The Canady Helios Cold Plasma (CHCP) HERO (Humidified Electrical Reactive Oxygen) System integrates a CAP generator with a ventilator platform to enable controlled, humidified plasma delivery through the respiratory tract. Efficacy and safety were assessed using A549 human lung carcinoma cells and an in vivo swine model. CAP was delivered with humidified Air/O₂ (1:1 v/v; 2 L·min⁻¹) and helium (3 L·min⁻¹) at 35–40 V, varying helium humidity (0-100%) and discharge mode (continuous or interval). Cell viability (MTT), ozone (O₃), and ROS/RNS (H₂O₂, NO₂⁻, NO₃⁻) were quantified, and physiological and histological assessments evaluated in vivo safety. A549 viability decreased significantly with increasing helium humidity (ANOVA, F[4,10] = 1770.23, p = 3.3 × 10⁻¹⁴), with > 95% reduction within 5 min at 100% RH. Humidified Air/O₂ reduced O₃ output by 40–60% versus dry gas (p < 0.005). In swine, vital signs remained stable and lung histology showed intact alveoli without inflammation or edema; only TNF-α rose modestly (p < 0.05). The CHCP-HERO System achieved complete A549 eradication while maintaining physiological and histological safety, supporting CAP-based ventilation as a promising therapeutic gas system for respiratory infections and lung cancer.