A power supply control system and method for a neurostimulator

Abstract

The application discloses a power supply control system and method applied to a nerve stimulator, and the system comprises a power management module and a central control processing module, the power management module provides a direct current voltage to the central control processing module, and the central control processing module controls the working mode of the power management module through a digital logic level, wherein a diode and a pin row connected in parallel with the diode are connected between the power management module and the central control processing module, the diode is used for forming a one-way voltage passage from output to input, preventing the current of the starting power supply from flowing reversely into a direct current converter to burn the direct current converter, and reducing the voltage consumption of the passage itself, and the pin row is used for short-circuiting the pin row to eliminate the voltage drop on the diode after the system is stabilized. The application realizes the low-cost requirement of the nerve stimulator by simplifying the circuit design and using low-cost components, and designs a peripheral circuit to realize the stable working and feedback regulation functions of the system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the fields of microcontrollers and power management, and more specifically to a power control system and method for use in neurostimulators. Background Technology

[0002] Neurostimulators are used in the medical field to treat various brain diseases by applying periodic electrical stimulation to the nerves in the human body. While neurostimulator-based electrical stimulation is an effective neuromodulation treatment method, and although domestic research institutions, led by Tsinghua University and PinChe Medical, have achieved domestic production, these devices remain expensive, energy-intensive, and bulky, placing a heavy economic burden on patients' families and society.

[0003] In addition, due to the technological monopoly of foreign countries, the development of a low-power, low-cost neurostimulator is particularly urgent. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the aforementioned technical problems in the existing technology, this invention proposes a power control system and method for a neurostimulator. Based on the core components of the neurostimulator—a microcontroller unit and a DC-DC converter for charging—this invention enables the two to work effectively together. The specific technical solution is as follows: A power control system for a neurostimulator includes a power management module and a central control processing module. The power management module provides a DC voltage to the central control processing module, and the central control processing module controls the operating mode of the power management module through digital logic levels. A diode and a pin header connected in parallel with the diode are connected between the power management module and the central control processing module.

[0005] Furthermore, the power management module includes a DC-DC converter and a converter mode adjustment circuit. The DC-DC converter is externally connected to a power input and an energy storage device. The converter mode adjustment circuit is controlled by the central control processing module to adjust the operating mode of the DC-DC converter. The central control processing module includes a microprocessor unit and a communication interaction circuit. The microprocessor unit is externally connected to a power supply and provides digital logic levels to the DC-DC converter through the communication interaction circuit. Simultaneously, it is powered by the voltage VOUT output of the DC-DC converter. The DC-DC converter provides voltage VOUT output under the control of the digital logic levels of the microprocessor unit.

[0006] Furthermore, the diode is specifically connected between the DC-DC converter and the microprocessor unit.

[0007] Furthermore, the energy storage device is a supercapacitor.

[0008] Furthermore, when the microprocessor unit uses the communication interaction circuit to send control information to control the converter mode adjustment circuit and adjust the DC converter's operating mode to the power-on mode, the microprocessor unit is powered by an external power supply and provides two digital low levels to the DC converter, wherein the DC converter includes a boost charging unit and a buck conversion unit; the boost charging unit receives one of the corresponding digital low levels and connects to an energy storage device to charge it; the buck conversion unit receives the other corresponding digital low level and does not provide voltage VOUT.

[0009] Furthermore, when the microprocessor unit uses the communication interaction circuit to send control information to control the converter mode adjustment circuit and adjust the DC-DC converter's operating mode to a stable operating mode, that is, when the energy storage device is charged to a preset charge amount in the power-on mode, the power supply connected to the microprocessor unit is disconnected, and the microprocessor unit provides a digital low level and a digital high level to the DC-DC converter. The boost charging unit receives the digital low level and continues to charge the energy storage device; the buck conversion unit receives the digital high level and outputs voltage VOUT to power the microprocessor unit.

[0010] A power control method for a neurostimulator, after initial power-on, involves a microprocessor unit (MSU) using a communication circuit to send control information to control the converter mode adjustment circuit, adjusting the DC-DC converter to power-on mode. In power-on mode, the MSU is powered by an external power supply and provides a digital low level to both the boost charging unit and the buck conversion unit of the DC-DC converter. The boost charging unit receives one of the corresponding digital low levels and charges the energy storage device. The buck conversion unit receives the other corresponding digital low level and has no output voltage VOUT. When the energy storage device enters a stable operating mode after charging to a preset amount in power-on mode, the power supply connected to the MSU is disconnected, and the MSU provides both a digital low level and a digital high level to the DC-DC converter. The boost charging unit receives the digital low level and continues charging the energy storage device. The buck conversion unit receives the digital high level, and its output voltage VOUT powers the MSU through a diode and shorts the pin header. Beneficial effects

[0011] (1) This invention achieves the requirement of low cost for neurostimulators by simplifying circuit design and using low-cost components.

[0012] (2) The present invention achieves stable operation and feedback regulation function of the system by cooperating with peripheral circuits such as converter mode adjustment circuit and communication interaction circuit. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a block diagram of a power control system applied to a neurostimulator according to the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the power-on mode of the system of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the stable operating mode of the system of the present invention. Implementation

[0014] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and technical effects of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0015] like Figure 1 As shown, a power control system for a neurostimulator according to the present invention includes a power management module and a central control processing module. The power management module provides DC voltage to the central control processing module, and the central control processing module controls the working mode of the power management module through digital logic levels.

[0016] Specifically, the power management module includes a DC-DC converter and a converter mode adjustment circuit. The DC-DC converter is externally connected to a power input and an energy storage device, which is a supercapacitor. The converter mode adjustment circuit is controlled by the central control processing module to adjust the operating mode of the DC-DC converter. The central control processing module includes a microprocessor unit and a communication interaction circuit. The microprocessor unit is externally connected to a power supply and provides digital logic levels to the DC-DC converter via the communication interaction circuit. Simultaneously, the DC-DC converter is powered by its voltage VOUT output. The DC-DC converter provides its voltage VOUT output under the control of the microprocessor unit's digital logic levels. A diode with low forward voltage drop and high reverse breakdown voltage is connected between the DC-DC converter and the microprocessor unit to form a unidirectional voltage path from output to input. This prevents the current from the power supply from flowing back into the DC-DC converter and burning it out, and reduces the voltage consumption of the path itself. A pin header is connected in parallel with the diode to short-circuit the pin header after the system stabilizes to eliminate the voltage drop across the diode.

[0017] like Figure 2 As shown, after initial power-on, the microprocessor unit uses the communication interaction circuit to send control information to control the converter mode adjustment circuit, adjusting the DC-DC converter's operating mode to power-on mode. In power-on mode, the microprocessor unit is powered by an external power supply and provides two digital low-level signals to the DC-DC converter, which includes a boost charging unit and a buck conversion unit. The boost charging unit receives one of the corresponding digital low-level signals and connects to an energy storage device to charge it. The buck conversion unit receives the other corresponding digital low-level signal and does not provide sufficient voltage VOUT for the microprocessor unit to operate.

[0018] like Figure 3 As shown, after the system of the present invention has been powered on for a period of time, the microprocessor unit uses the communication interaction circuit to send control information to control the converter mode adjustment circuit, and adjusts the working mode of the DC converter to a stable working mode. That is, when the energy storage device is charged to a preset charge amount in the power-on mode, the power supply connected to the microprocessor unit is disconnected, and the microprocessor unit provides a digital low level and a digital high level to the DC converter. The boost charging unit receives the digital low level and continues to charge the energy storage device; the buck conversion unit receives the digital high level and outputs a stable voltage VOUT to power the microprocessor unit.

[0019] The system of the present invention discloses a method for joint operation between a DC-DC converter and a microprocessor unit. The joint operation circuit of the DC-DC converter and the microprocessor unit is solved by connecting a diode and a shorting pin between the output of the DC-DC converter and the power supply input of the microprocessor unit to form two loops to achieve joint operation of the DC-DC converter and the microprocessor unit.

[0020] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention in any way. Although the implementation process of the present invention has been described in detail above, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing examples or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. All modifications and equivalent substitutions made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A power control system for a neurostimulator, characterized in that, It includes a power management module and a central control processing module. The power management module provides DC voltage to the central control processing module. The central control processing module controls the working mode of the power management module through digital logic levels. A diode and a pin header connected in parallel with the diode are connected between the power management module and the central control processing module. The power management module includes a DC-DC converter and a converter mode adjustment circuit. The DC-DC converter is externally connected to a power input and an energy storage device. The converter mode adjustment circuit is controlled by the central control processing module to adjust the operating mode of the DC-DC converter. The central control processing module includes a microprocessor unit and a communication interaction circuit. The microprocessor unit is externally connected to a power supply and provides digital logic levels to the DC-DC converter through the communication interaction circuit. Simultaneously, it is powered by the voltage VOUT output of the DC-DC converter. The DC-DC converter provides the voltage VOUT output under the control of the digital logic levels of the microprocessor unit. When the microprocessor unit uses the communication interaction circuit to send control information to control the converter mode adjustment circuit and adjust the DC converter's operating mode to power-on mode, the microprocessor unit is powered by an external power supply and provides two digital low levels to the DC converter, wherein the DC converter includes a boost charging unit and a buck conversion unit; the boost charging unit receives one of the corresponding digital low levels and connects to an energy storage device to charge it; the buck conversion unit receives the other corresponding digital low level and does not provide voltage VOUT.

2. The power control system for a neurostimulator as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The diode is specifically connected between the DC-DC converter and the microprocessor unit.

3. The power control system for a neurostimulator as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The energy storage device is a supercapacitor.

4. A power control system for a neurostimulator as described in claim 1, characterized in that, When the microprocessor unit uses the communication interaction circuit to send control information to control the converter mode adjustment circuit and adjust the DC-DC converter to a stable operating mode, that is, when the energy storage device is charged to a preset charge amount in the power-on mode, the power supply connected to the microprocessor unit is disconnected, and the microprocessor unit provides a digital low level and a digital high level to the DC-DC converter. The boost charging unit receives the digital low level and continues to charge the energy storage device; the buck conversion unit receives the digital high level and outputs voltage VOUT to power the microprocessor unit.

5. A power control method for a power control system applied to a neurostimulator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, After initial power-on, the microprocessor unit uses the communication interaction circuit to send control information to control the converter mode adjustment circuit, adjusting the DC-DC converter's operating mode to power-on mode. In power-on mode, the microprocessor unit is powered by an external power supply and provides a digital low level to the DC-DC converter's boost charging unit and buck conversion unit respectively. The boost charging unit receives one of the corresponding digital low levels and charges the energy storage device; the buck conversion unit receives the other corresponding digital low level and has no output voltage VOUT. When the energy storage device enters a stable operating mode after charging to a preset amount in power-on mode, the power supply connected to the microprocessor unit is disconnected, and the microprocessor unit provides one digital low level and one digital high level to the DC-DC converter. The boost charging unit receives the digital low level and continues to charge the energy storage device; the buck conversion unit receives the digital high level, and its output voltage VOUT powers the microprocessor unit through the diode and shorts the pin header.

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