Steam generating device based on LC induction heating, ablation equipment and control method

Abstract

The invention discloses a steam generation device based on LC induction heating, ablation equipment and a control method. The device comprises a power control circuit, an LC resonance induction circuit and an induction heating pipe. The output end of the power control circuit is electrically connected with the input end of the LC resonance induction circuit, and the output end of the LC resonance induction circuit is in coupling connection with the induction heating pipe in an electromagnetic induction mode. The problems that an existing ablation equipment heating technology is low in heating efficiency and low in heating speed are effectively solved, sufficient steam can be generated within hundreds of milliseconds based on LC induction heating, and compared with traditional resistance type heating, the device has the advantages of being high in response speed and energy density, achieving non-contact type heating, being easy to control accurately and the like; the performance requirement of a clinical practical application scene for ablation equipment is met, and powerful support is provided for further application of the steam ablation technology in the medical field.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of medical device technology, specifically to a steam generator, ablation device, and control method based on LC induction heating. Background Technology

[0002] In the medical field, steam ablation technology, as an important thermotherapy method, is widely used in various clinical scenarios, such as tumor ablation, tissue cutting, hemostasis, and endovascular treatment. This technology rapidly and controllably applies high-temperature steam to the target tissue, causing protein denaturation and coagulative necrosis of cells, thereby achieving the therapeutic goal. Compared to other thermal ablation methods, steam ablation has advantages such as uniform heat penetration, easily controllable energy, and minimal damage to surrounding normal tissues, thus possessing significant application value in minimally invasive and precision medicine.

[0003] To achieve effective treatment, ablation devices (such as portable ablation handpieces) typically need to generate sufficient steam within a very short time (e.g., within a few hundred milliseconds) to meet the demand for rapid and concentrated energy output. Current ablation devices usually use resistance heating technology to generate steam. This method has low heating efficiency, with a significant amount of energy being lost as heat to the surrounding environment during energy conversion, resulting in energy waste. Furthermore, the response speed is slow, making it difficult to reach sufficiently high temperatures to rapidly generate a large amount of steam in a short time. This makes it difficult to meet the requirement of ablation devices generating sufficient steam within a few hundred milliseconds.

[0004] Therefore, a more efficient heating technology is needed to improve the steam generator, thereby enhancing the performance of the ablation device and making it more suitable for actual clinical applications. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of this, the present invention provides a steam generator, ablation device and control method based on LC induction heating to solve the problem that the existing ablation device heating technology has low heating efficiency and slow heating speed, which makes it impossible to meet the requirement of the ablation device to generate sufficient steam within hundreds of milliseconds.

[0006] This invention provides a steam generator based on LC induction heating for use in ablation equipment. The steam generator includes a power control circuit, an LC resonant induction circuit, and an induction heating tube. The output terminal of the power control circuit is electrically connected to the input terminal of the LC resonant induction circuit, and the output terminal of the LC resonant induction circuit is coupled to the induction heating tube through electromagnetic induction. The power control circuit is used to generate a PWM control signal and generate a corresponding drive signal based on the PWM control signal; The LC resonant sensing circuit is used to receive the driving signal, generate a resonant current in the resonant state according to the driving signal, and generate an alternating magnetic field signal based on the resonant current. The induction heating tube is used to generate an eddy current signal for heating liquid to produce steam under the action of an alternating magnetic field signal.

[0007] Optionally, the steam generator further includes a DC power supply circuit; The DC power supply circuit is electrically connected to the input terminal of the power control circuit and the input terminal of the LC resonant induction circuit. The DC power supply circuit is used to provide operating voltage for the power control circuit and also to provide DC bus voltage for the LC resonant induction circuit.

[0008] Optionally, the LC resonant induction circuit includes a power input branch, an LC resonant output branch, and an induction coil; The input terminal of the power supply input branch is electrically connected to the output terminal of the DC power supply circuit and the output terminal of the power control circuit. The output terminal of the power supply input branch is electrically connected to the input terminal of the LC resonant output branch. The output terminal of the LC resonant output branch is electrically connected to the induction coil. The induction coil is coupled to the induction heating tube through electromagnetic induction. The power input branch is used to receive the DC bus voltage output by the DC power supply circuit and the drive signal output by the power control circuit, and to process the DC bus voltage and the drive signal respectively to obtain the optimized DC bus voltage and the optimized drive signal. The LC resonant output branch is used to receive the optimized DC bus voltage and the optimized drive signal, and under the action of the optimized DC bus voltage and the optimized drive signal, it generates resonance and generates the resonant current. The induction coil is used to induce the alternating magnetic field signal under the action of the resonant current.

[0009] Optionally, the power input branch includes a power inductor and a parallel capacitor; The first end of the feeding inductor is electrically connected to the output end of the DC power supply circuit, the second end of the feeding inductor is electrically connected to the input end of the LC resonant output branch, and the second end of the feeding inductor is also grounded through the parallel capacitor; the output end of the resonant drive circuit is connected to the common connection end between the second end of the feeding inductor and the parallel capacitor.

[0010] Optionally, the LC resonant output branch includes a resonant inductor and a resonant capacitor connected in series; The first end of the resonant inductor is electrically connected to the output end of the power input branch, and the second end of the resonant inductor is electrically connected to the induction coil through the resonant capacitor.

[0011] Optionally, the power control circuit includes a microcontroller and a resonant drive branch; The output terminal of the microcontroller is electrically connected to the input terminal of the LC resonant sensing circuit through the resonant drive branch. The microcontroller is used to generate the PWM control signal that controls the LC resonant sensing circuit to resonate. The resonant drive branch is used to receive the PWM control signal and generate the corresponding drive signal according to the PWM control signal.

[0012] Optionally, the resonant drive branch includes an isolation chip, a gate drive chip, and a switching transistor unit; The input terminal of the isolation chip is electrically connected to the output terminal of the microcontroller, and the output terminal of the isolation chip is electrically connected to the switching transistor unit through the gate driver chip; Specifically, the gate driving chip is a half-bridge driving chip or an H-bridge driving chip.

[0013] Optionally, the power control circuit further includes a phase detection branch and a phase-locked loop branch; The input terminal of the phase detection branch is electrically connected to the output terminal of the LC resonant sensing circuit, and the output terminal of the phase detection branch is electrically connected to the input terminal of the microcontroller through the phase-locked loop branch. The phase detection branch is used to detect the phase change information of the resonant current signal generated by the LC resonant induction circuit, and generate a corresponding phase change electrical signal based on the phase change information. The phase-locked loop branch is used to receive the phase change electrical signal, generate a phase adjustment signal corresponding to the PWM control signal based on the phase change electrical signal, and send the phase adjustment signal to the microcontroller. The microcontroller is used to receive the phase adjustment signal and generate a PWM adjustment signal based on the phase adjustment signal.

[0014] In addition, the present invention also provides a control method for a steam generator based on LC induction heating, used in an ablation device, wherein the aforementioned steam generator based on LC induction heating is used to generate steam. The control method includes: A PWM control signal is generated using a power control circuit, and a corresponding drive signal is generated based on the PWM control signal. The driving signal is received using an LC resonant induction circuit, and a resonant current in a resonant state is generated based on the driving signal; and an alternating magnetic field signal is generated based on the resonant current. Using an induction heating tube, an eddy current signal is generated under the action of an alternating magnetic field signal to heat the liquid and generate steam.

[0015] Furthermore, the present invention also provides an ablation device, including the aforementioned steam generator based on LC induction heating, and further comprising: A liquid delivery device is connected to the liquid inlet of an LC induction heating-based steam generator via a fluid pipeline, and supplies liquid for generating steam to the LC induction heating-based steam generator. The steam output device is connected to the steam outlet of the LC induction heating-based steam generator via a steam pipeline, and outputs the steam generated by the LC induction heating-based steam generator.

[0016] Optionally, it also includes: The temperature detection device is electrically connected to the input of the power control circuit in the LC induction heating-based steam generator.

[0017] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: The output terminal of the power control circuit is electrically connected to the input terminal of the LC resonant induction circuit. The power control circuit can generate a PWM control signal, and the resonant working state of the LC resonant induction circuit can be controlled based on the PWM control signal, thereby precisely adjusting the heating power of the induction heating tube. The LC resonant induction circuit and the induction heating tube are coupled together by electromagnetic induction, which can efficiently convert electrical energy into magnetic energy. The magnetic energy then generates eddy current signals in the induction heating tube, causing the induction heating tube to heat up quickly and achieving efficient heating of the liquid. The steam generator, ablation device, and control method of the present invention are based on LC induction heating, which effectively solves the problems of low heating efficiency and slow heating speed of existing ablation device heating technology. It can generate sufficient steam within hundreds of milliseconds. Compared with traditional resistance heating, it has the advantages of fast response speed, high energy density, non-contact heating, and easy precise control, which meets the performance requirements of ablation devices in clinical application scenarios and provides strong support for the further application of steam ablation technology in the medical field. Attached Figure Description

[0018] The features and advantages of the invention will be more clearly understood by referring to the accompanying drawings, which are schematic and should not be construed as limiting the invention in any way. In the drawings: Figure 1 A structural diagram of a steam generator based on LC induction heating according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is shown; Figure 2A structural diagram of another steam generator based on LC induction heating according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is shown; Figure 3 The circuit design diagram of the steam generator in Embodiment 1 of the present invention is shown; Figure 4 A flowchart of a control method for a steam generator based on LC induction heating according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention is shown; Figure 5 A structural diagram of an ablation device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0019] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0020] In this embodiment of the invention, the term "and / or" describes the relationship between associated objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, or B existing alone. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following associated objects have an "or" relationship.

[0021] Example 1 This embodiment provides a steam generator based on LC induction heating for use in ablation equipment, such as... Figure 1 As shown, the steam generating device includes a power control circuit, an LC resonant induction circuit, and an induction heating tube; The output terminal of the power control circuit is electrically connected to the input terminal of the LC resonant induction circuit, and the output terminal of the LC resonant induction circuit is coupled to the induction heating tube through electromagnetic induction.

[0022] In this embodiment, the power control circuit generates a PWM control signal and a drive signal based on the PWM control signal. The LC resonant induction circuit receives the drive signal, generates a resonant current in a resonant state based on the drive signal, and generates an alternating magnetic field signal based on the resonant current. The induction heating tube generates an eddy current signal for heating the liquid to generate steam under the action of the alternating magnetic field signal.

[0023] The power control circuit generates a PWM control signal and a corresponding drive signal based on it. Upon receiving the drive signal, the LC resonant induction circuit, based on the resonance principle, generates a strong resonant current, which in turn creates a powerful alternating magnetic field signal around the induction coil. Under the influence of this alternating magnetic field signal, the electrons inside the induction heating tube experience Lorentz force, generating eddy currents. These eddy currents generate Joule heat on the resistance of the induction heating tube, causing it to heat up rapidly. Because induction heating generates heat directly inside the induction heating tube, it avoids the heat transfer process from the heating element to the liquid in traditional resistance heating, reducing energy loss and improving heating efficiency.

[0024] The PWM control signal generated by the power control circuit can be customized according to actual needs, such as adjusting parameters like the required steam volume, target temperature, and preset heating time for the ablation equipment. By appropriately setting parameters such as the duty cycle and frequency of the PWM control signal, the operating state of the LC resonant induction circuit can be precisely controlled. When the duty cycle of the PWM control signal increases, the corresponding drive signal changes accordingly, enhancing the resonant current generated in the LC resonant induction circuit. This, in turn, creates a stronger alternating magnetic field signal around the induction coil. This alternating magnetic field signal causes the induction heating tube to generate a stronger eddy current signal, increasing the heating power and thus rapidly raising the liquid temperature and accelerating steam generation. Conversely, when the duty cycle of the PWM control signal decreases, the corresponding drive signal weakens the operating intensity of the LC resonant induction circuit, reducing the heating power of the induction heating tube and slowing down the steam generation rate.

[0025] This embodiment uses a steam generator based on LC induction heating, which effectively solves the problems of low heating efficiency and slow heating speed of existing ablation equipment heating technology. It can generate sufficient steam within hundreds of milliseconds. Compared with traditional resistance heating, LC induction heating has the advantages of fast response speed, high energy density, non-contact heating and easy precise control, which meets the performance requirements of ablation equipment in clinical application scenarios and provides strong support for the further application of steam ablation technology in the medical field.

[0026] In practical applications, the parameters of the PWM control signal can be adjusted according to different clinical treatment needs. For example, in ablation procedures that require rapid and large-volume steam output, the duty cycle and frequency of the PWM control signal can be increased to allow the induction heating tube to reach a high temperature in a short time and generate sufficient steam within a few hundred milliseconds to meet the energy output requirements of the procedure. Conversely, in treatment scenarios where the steam output requirement is smaller or temperature control is more precise, the duty cycle and frequency of the PWM control signal can be appropriately reduced to achieve fine adjustment of the heating power and avoid unnecessary damage to surrounding normal tissues due to excessive temperature.

[0027] The following is a detailed description of each module of the steam generator based on LC induction heating in this embodiment.

[0028] Preferably, such as Figure 2 As shown, the steam generator also includes a DC power supply circuit; The DC power supply circuit is electrically connected to the input terminal of the power control circuit and the input terminal of the LC resonant induction circuit. The DC power supply circuit is used to provide operating voltage for the power control circuit and also to provide DC bus voltage for the LC resonant induction circuit.

[0029] The DC power supply circuit provides a stable DC power supply to the entire steam generator, ensuring the normal operation of the power control circuit and the LC resonant induction circuit. Upon receiving the electrical energy from the DC power supply circuit, the power control circuit generates a PWM control signal according to a pre-set control strategy. The LC resonant induction circuit, upon receiving the DC bus voltage from the DC power supply circuit, converts the DC bus voltage into a high-frequency AC voltage, providing the necessary energy support for the electromagnetic induction heating of the induction heating tube.

[0030] The DC power supply circuit in this embodiment can take many forms, such as switching power supply or linear power supply. The specific selection can be made by comprehensively considering factors such as the power requirements, size requirements and cost of the steam generator, and no restrictions are imposed here.

[0031] In this embodiment, the induction heating tube is typically made of a high-permeability metallic material, such as an alloy of iron or nickel. These materials can rapidly generate a large number of eddy currents under the influence of an alternating magnetic field, thereby achieving efficient heating. The internal structural design of the induction heating tube also affects the heating efficiency and steam generation rate. For example, a spiral or serpentine pipe structure can be used to increase the contact area between the liquid and the inner wall of the heating tube, thereby improving heat transfer efficiency.

[0032] Preferably, such as Figure 2 As shown, the power control circuit includes a microcontroller and a resonant drive branch; The output terminal of the microcontroller is electrically connected to the input terminal of the LC resonant sensing circuit through the resonant drive branch. The microcontroller is used to generate the PWM control signal that controls the LC resonant sensing circuit to resonate. The resonant drive branch is used to receive the PWM control signal and generate the corresponding drive signal according to the PWM control signal.

[0033] The microcontroller is the core of the power control circuit. It can accurately generate PWM control signals based on the received feedback signals, such as the temperature of the induction heating tube, the working time of the steam generator, and the required steam flow rate. Then, it dynamically adjusts various characteristics of the PWM control signal, such as duty cycle and frequency, based on these parameters.

[0034] The resonant drive branch acts as a bridge, processing and amplifying the PWM control signal output by the microcontroller, converting it into a drive signal suitable for the LC resonant sensing circuit to generate resonance, such as a square wave control signal. The resonant drive branch effectively enhances the signal's driving capability, ensuring that the LC resonant sensing circuit can respond accurately and quickly to the microcontroller's commands.

[0035] Furthermore, such as Figure 2 As shown, the resonant drive branch includes an isolation chip, a gate drive chip, and a switching transistor unit; The input terminal of the isolation chip is electrically connected to the output terminal of the microcontroller, and the output terminal of the isolation chip is electrically connected to the switching transistor unit through the gate driver chip.

[0036] An isolation chip between the microcontroller and the gate driver chip electrically isolates the microcontroller from subsequent circuits, preventing interference and signal reflection between different circuits and ensuring the stability and reliability of signal transmission. The gate driver chip generates appropriate voltage and current to drive the switching transistor unit based on the signal output from the isolation chip. Upon receiving the drive signal, the switching transistor unit performs a switching action, thereby controlling the current flow and providing a suitable excitation signal for the LC resonant induction circuit.

[0037] Specifically, isolation chips can be optical isolation chips or magnetic isolation chips, etc. Optical isolation chips use optical signals to achieve electrical isolation, have good anti-interference capabilities and insulation performance, and can effectively avoid electrical interference between upstream and downstream circuits. Magnetic isolation chips are based on the transformer principle and transmit signals through magnetic field coupling. They are fast, reliable, and can adapt to the transmission of high-frequency signals.

[0038] Specifically, the gate driving chip is a half-bridge driving chip or an H-bridge driving chip.

[0039] Half-bridge driver chips and H-bridge driver chips each have their unique advantages. A half-bridge driver chip typically includes an upper bridge arm switch and a lower bridge arm switch, enabling single-ended output drive functionality. Its structure is relatively simple, and its cost is low, making it suitable for applications in steam generators with less complex drive requirements and relatively low power consumption. Based on the half-bridge driver chip, the conduction and cutoff of the switching transistor unit can be effectively controlled, providing the necessary drive signal for the LC resonant induction circuit.

[0040] H-bridge driver chips typically include four switching transistors, enabling full-bridge drive functionality. They can output drive signals with variable polarity, providing greater flexibility in controlling the heating power and direction of the induction heating tube. Compared to half-bridge driver chips, H-bridge driver chips can provide twice the voltage swing to the resonant cavity at the same input DC voltage (e.g., from +Vdc to -Vdc, while half-bridge driver chips provide a voltage swing from +Vdc to 0 or from +Vdc / 2 to -Vdc / 2). This means that at the same impedance, H-bridge driver chips can output four times the power, making them more suitable for applications requiring instantaneous bursts of high energy to generate steam.

[0041] In practical steam generator design, the selection of gate driver chips requires comprehensive consideration of multiple factors. Besides the power requirements and operational complexity of the steam generator itself, factors such as cost budget and space constraints in circuit layout must also be considered. If cost control is stringent and the steam generator's operational mode is relatively fixed, a half-bridge driver chip can be used; however, if finer power regulation and more flexible operational modes are required, an H-bridge driver chip should be selected.

[0042] Specifically, the switching transistor unit can be selected from MOSFETs (Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistors) or IGBTs (Insulated-Gate Bipolar Transistors). MOSFETs have advantages such as fast switching speed, high input impedance, and low drive power, making them suitable for high-frequency, low-power applications; IGBTs combine the advantages of MOSFETs and bipolar transistors, possessing high voltage and high current carrying capacity, making them suitable for high-power steam generators. The specific number and structure of the switching transistor unit depend on the type of driver chip.

[0043] In practical applications, appropriate isolation chips, gate driver chips, and switching transistor units are selected based on a comprehensive consideration of factors such as the power, operating frequency, and cost of the steam generator to ensure the efficient and stable operation of the entire steam generator.

[0044] In this embodiment, the design diagram of the resonant drive branch is as follows: Figure 3 As shown, in Figure 3 In the diagram, U refers to the overall structure of the isolation chip and the gate driver chip, and Q refers to the switching transistor unit (this should be understood). Figure 3 The entire switching unit is represented by only one MOSFET; the specific number and connection of MOSFETs depend on the type of gate driver chip.

[0045] Preferably, such as Figure 2 As shown, the power control circuit also includes a phase detection branch and a phase-locked loop branch; The input terminal of the phase detection branch is electrically connected to the output terminal of the LC resonant sensing circuit, and the output terminal of the phase detection branch is electrically connected to the input terminal of the microcontroller through the phase-locked loop branch. The phase detection branch is used to detect the phase change information of the resonant current signal generated by the LC resonant induction circuit, and generate a corresponding phase change electrical signal based on the phase change information. The phase-locked loop branch is used to receive the phase change electrical signal, generate a phase adjustment signal corresponding to the PWM control signal based on the phase change electrical signal, and send the phase adjustment signal to the microcontroller. The microcontroller is used to receive the phase adjustment signal and generate a PWM adjustment signal based on the phase adjustment signal.

[0046] The phase detection branch is used to detect the phase information (specifically, phase change information) of the output signal of the LC resonant induction circuit. During the operation of the steam generator, the phase of the output signal of the LC resonant induction circuit changes with the operating state. For example, when the load on the induction heating tube changes, the phase of the resonant current also changes accordingly. The phase detection branch can capture these phase changes in real time and convert them into corresponding electrical signals.

[0047] The phase-locked loop (PLL) branch receives the electrical signal output from the phase detection branch (specifically, the electrical signal corresponding to the phase change, i.e., the phase change signal). Through internal components such as a phase detector, loop filter, and voltage-controlled oscillator, it tracks and locks the signal phase. The PLL branch compares the detected phase signal with a preset reference phase inside the microcontroller. When a phase difference exists, the PLL branch generates a corresponding control signal (i.e., a phase adjustment signal) to adjust the phase of the PWM control signal generated by the microcontroller. Based on the phase adjustment signal, the microcontroller can accurately generate the corresponding PWM adjustment signal, ensuring that the phase of the output signal regenerated by the LC resonant sensing circuit remains consistent with the reference phase under the control of the PWM adjustment signal.

[0048] The aforementioned phase tracking and locking are crucial for the stable operation of the steam generator. On one hand, it ensures that the LC resonant induction circuit always operates in its optimal resonant state, improving energy conversion efficiency and avoiding energy loss and reduced heating efficiency due to phase deviation. On the other hand, precise phase control allows for more accurate adjustment of the induction heating tube power, meeting the steam generation speed and quantity requirements of different ablation procedures.

[0049] For example, in some ablation surgeries where the rate of steam generation is critical, phase detection and phase-locked loops can enable the LC resonant induction circuit to quickly reach and maintain its optimal resonance state, rapidly increasing the heating power of the induction heating tube and thus generating a large amount of steam in a short time. In surgical scenarios where precise control of steam volume and temperature is required, the heating power can be precisely controlled by adjusting the phase, preventing excessively high temperatures or unstable steam volume from affecting the surgery.

[0050] The phase detection branch and phase-locked loop branch in the power control circuit work together with the microcontroller, resonant drive branch, and other components to form a complete power regulation and control system. This system achieves efficient, stable, and precise control of the LC induction heating-based steam generator through accurate detection and processing of phase information, providing strong support for improving the performance of ablation equipment in clinical applications.

[0051] Specifically, the circuit design of the phase detection branch and the phase-locked loop branch in this embodiment can adopt conventional design, and the specific details will not be repeated here.

[0052] Preferably, such as Figure 2 As shown, the LC resonant induction circuit includes a power input branch, an LC resonant output branch, and an induction coil; The input terminal of the power supply input branch is electrically connected to the output terminal of the DC power supply circuit and the output terminal of the power control circuit. The output terminal of the power supply input branch is electrically connected to the input terminal of the LC resonant output branch. The output terminal of the LC resonant output branch is electrically connected to the induction coil. The induction coil is coupled to the induction heating tube through electromagnetic induction. The power input branch is used to receive the DC bus voltage output by the DC power supply circuit and the drive signal output by the power control circuit, and to process the DC bus voltage and the drive signal respectively to obtain the optimized DC bus voltage and the optimized drive signal. The LC resonant output branch is used to receive the optimized DC bus voltage and the optimized drive signal, and under the action of the optimized DC bus voltage and the optimized drive signal, it generates resonance and generates the resonant current. The induction coil is used to induce the alternating magnetic field signal under the action of the resonant current.

[0053] In the aforementioned LC resonant induction circuit, the power input branch receives the DC bus voltage from the DC power supply circuit and the drive signal output from the power control circuit. It then performs preliminary processing and integration of these signals (including filtering and regulating the DC bus voltage, and amplifying and level-shifting the drive signal) to provide suitable input conditions for the LC resonant output branch. Through the power input branch, the input voltage and signal can be adjusted and matched according to actual operating conditions, ensuring the stable operation of subsequent circuits.

[0054] The LC resonant output branch utilizes the signal provided by the input branch to form an LC resonant circuit. In this circuit, the inductor and capacitor interact to produce resonance, converting the input electrical energy into high-frequency AC energy. By properly designing the parameters of the inductor and capacitor, the LC resonant output branch can reach a resonant state at a specific frequency, thereby improving energy conversion efficiency.

[0055] The induction coil and the induction heating tube are coupled together via electromagnetic induction. When the LC resonant output branch generates high-frequency alternating current, the induction coil generates an alternating magnetic field. According to the principle of electromagnetic induction, this alternating magnetic field will generate eddy currents in the induction heating tube, thereby causing the induction heating tube to heat up rapidly and thus heating the liquid.

[0056] The number of turns, shape, and material of the induction coil all affect the electromagnetic induction effect, which in turn affects the heating efficiency and steam generation rate. Therefore, in practical applications, the number of turns, shape, and material of the induction coil can be set according to the actual situation.

[0057] The LC resonant induction circuit described above can improve the heating efficiency and performance stability of steam generators based on LC induction heating, better meeting the needs of ablation equipment in clinical applications.

[0058] Specifically, such as Figure 3 As shown, the power input branch includes a power inductor and a parallel capacitor; The first end of the feeding inductor is electrically connected to the output end of the DC power supply circuit, the second end of the feeding inductor is electrically connected to the input end of the LC resonant output branch, and the second end of the feeding inductor is also grounded through the parallel capacitor; the output end of the resonant drive circuit is connected to the common connection end between the second end of the feeding inductor and the parallel capacitor.

[0059] In the aforementioned input power supply branch, the inductor serves as both an energy storage and filter, smoothing the DC bus voltage output from the DC power supply circuit and reducing the impact of voltage fluctuations on subsequent circuits. Simultaneously, when the drive signal from the power control circuit arrives, the inductor stores energy and releases it at the appropriate time, providing a stable energy input for the LC resonant output branch. The parallel capacitor, in conjunction with the inductor, forms a simple LC filter circuit, further filtering out high-frequency noise in the DC bus voltage and improving the quality of the input signal. Furthermore, the parallel capacitor also acts as a buffer and energy storage element in the circuit; when the current in the circuit changes, the parallel capacitor can quickly absorb or release energy, maintaining stable circuit operation.

[0060] When the steam generator is operating, the DC bus voltage output by the DC power supply circuit becomes smoother and more stable after being processed by the feeding inductor and parallel capacitor. The drive signal output by the power control circuit is superimposed on the processed DC bus voltage through the common connection between the second terminal of the feeding inductor and the parallel capacitor, and then input into the LC resonant output branch.

[0061] The aforementioned power input branch design enables the DC bus voltage and drive signal to work effectively together, providing favorable input conditions for the LC resonant output branch. By appropriately selecting the parameters of the power inductor and parallel capacitor, circuit performance can be optimized, energy conversion efficiency improved, and the heating efficiency and performance stability of the entire steam generator further enhanced.

[0062] In practical design, the parameters of the feed inductor and parallel capacitor can be precisely calculated and selected based on the specific power requirements, operating frequency, and other performance indicators of the steam generator. For example, for high-power steam generators, a feed inductor with a larger inductance value needs to be selected to meet the requirements of energy storage and filtering; at the same time, the capacitance value of the parallel capacitor also needs to be increased accordingly to improve buffering and energy storage capabilities. Furthermore, the withstand voltage and current characteristics of the feed inductor and parallel capacitor must be considered to ensure safe and stable operation in the actual working environment of the steam generator.

[0063] exist Figure 3 In the middle, the inductor RFC and the capacitor C sh These are the power supply inductor and the parallel capacitor, respectively, and products with appropriate parameters can be selected according to the actual situation.

[0064] Specifically, such as Figure 3 As shown, the LC resonant output branch includes a resonant inductor and a resonant capacitor connected in series; The first end of the resonant inductor is electrically connected to the output end of the power input branch, and the second end of the resonant inductor is electrically connected to the induction coil through the resonant capacitor.

[0065] In the aforementioned LC resonant output branch, the resonant inductor and resonant capacitor connected in series form the key resonant structure. When the signal from the power input branch is input to this branch, the resonant inductor stores magnetic field energy, while the resonant capacitor stores electric field energy. At a specific frequency, periodic energy exchange occurs between the two, resulting in resonance. Through this resonance phenomenon, the LC resonant output branch can efficiently convert the input electrical energy into high-frequency AC electrical energy.

[0066] By precisely designing the parameters of the resonant inductor and capacitor, the branch can achieve optimal resonance at a specific operating frequency, thereby improving the energy conversion efficiency of the entire circuit. The inductance value of the resonant inductor affects the resonant frequency and the strength of the magnetic field. A larger inductance value lowers the resonant frequency while enhancing the energy storage capacity of the magnetic field; a smaller inductance value raises the resonant frequency, but the energy storage capacity of the magnetic field is relatively weaker. Therefore, the parameters of the resonant inductor need to be rationally selected according to the specific operating frequency and energy requirements of the steam generator. The capacitance value of the resonant capacitor also has a significant impact on the resonance characteristics. The capacitance value changes the resonant frequency and the energy storage capacity of the electric field. A suitable capacitance value ensures that the resonant output branch operates stably at the target frequency and achieves efficient energy conversion.

[0067] In this embodiment, the performance and reliability of the steam generator based on LC induction heating can be further improved through the LC resonant output branch designed above, so as to better meet the stringent requirements of ablation equipment in clinical applications.

[0068] exist Figure 3 In the middle, inductor L r and capacitor C r These are resonant inductors and resonant capacitors, respectively. Similarly, products with appropriate parameters can be selected based on the actual situation.

[0069] exist Figure 3 In this system, the frequency of the microcontroller's PWM control signal is typically set between 300 kHz and 1 MHz to match the resonant characteristics of the induction coil. coil It is an induction coil.

[0070] Preferably, such as Figure 2 As shown, the steam generator also includes an impedance matching network; The impedance matching network is electrically connected to the LC resonant induction circuit.

[0071] An impedance matching network is connected between the LC resonant output branch and the induction coil in an LC resonant induction circuit, ensuring good impedance matching between them. In practice, when the output impedance of the LC resonant induction circuit mismatches with the input impedance of the induction coil, some electrical energy cannot be effectively transferred to the induction coil, causing energy reflection and loss, and reducing the overall energy conversion efficiency of the steam generator. The impedance matching network adjusts the circuit parameters to match the output impedance of the LC resonant induction circuit with the input impedance of the induction coil (typically 50Ω). This maximizes the transfer of high-frequency AC energy generated by the LC resonant induction circuit to the induction coil, improving heating efficiency and reducing energy waste. Simultaneously, good impedance matching reduces voltage and current fluctuations in the circuit, improving circuit stability and reliability, and reducing the risk of circuit failures and component damage caused by impedance mismatch. By setting up an impedance matching network and performing reasonable design and optimization, the performance and efficiency of LC induction heating-based steam generators can be further improved, providing a more reliable steam supply for ablation equipment in clinical applications and meeting the needs of different surgical scenarios.

[0072] Specifically, impedance matching networks can be implemented using various circuit structures. Common types include L-type, π-type, and T-type matching networks. These networks adjust the impedance characteristics of the circuit by appropriately selecting the parameters of components such as inductors and capacitors. For example, an L-type matching network consists of an inductor and a capacitor. The inductor is connected in series between the resonant capacitor and the induction coil of an LC resonant induction circuit, while the capacitor is connected in parallel between the inductor and the induction coil. This type is typically suitable for applications where matching accuracy requirements are not high. π-type and T-type matching networks, on the other hand, provide more precise impedance matching and are suitable for steam generators that require higher energy conversion efficiency and stability.

[0073] In the actual design of steam generators, it is necessary to select appropriate impedance matching network structures and component parameters based on the output characteristics of the LC resonant induction circuit and the load characteristics of the induction heating tube.

[0074] Example 2 This embodiment provides a control method for a steam generator based on LC induction heating, used in an ablation device, which generates steam using the steam generator based on LC induction heating described in Embodiment 1. like Figure 4 As shown, the control method includes: A PWM control signal is generated using a power control circuit, and a corresponding drive signal is generated based on the PWM control signal. The driving signal is received using an LC resonant induction circuit, and a resonant current in a resonant state is generated based on the driving signal; and an alternating magnetic field signal is generated based on the resonant current. Using an induction heating tube, an eddy current signal is generated under the action of an alternating magnetic field signal to heat the liquid and generate steam.

[0075] In this embodiment, the power control circuit generates a PWM control signal. Based on the PWM control signal, the resonant operating state of the LC resonant induction circuit can be controlled, thereby precisely adjusting the heating power of the induction heating tube. The LC resonant induction circuit can efficiently convert electrical energy into magnetic energy, and then the magnetic energy generates eddy current signals in the induction heating tube, causing the induction heating tube to heat up quickly and achieving efficient heating of the liquid. The control method of this embodiment, based on LC induction heating, effectively solves the problems of low heating efficiency and slow heating speed of existing ablation equipment heating technology. It can generate sufficient steam within hundreds of milliseconds. Compared with traditional resistance heating, it has the advantages of fast response speed, high energy density, non-contact heating, and easy precise control, meeting the performance requirements of ablation equipment in clinical application scenarios and providing strong support for the further application of steam ablation technology in the medical field.

[0076] The steam generator based on LC induction heating in the control method described in this embodiment has the same structure as the steam generator based on LC induction heating described in Embodiment 1. Therefore, for details not covered in this embodiment, please refer to Embodiment 1 and... Figures 1 to 3 The specific details will not be repeated here.

[0077] Example 3 This embodiment provides an ablation device, such as Figure 5 As shown, the steam generator based on LC induction heating, as described in Embodiment 1, further includes: A liquid delivery device is connected to the liquid inlet of an LC induction heating-based steam generator via a fluid pipeline, and supplies liquid for generating steam to the LC induction heating-based steam generator. The steam output device is connected to the steam outlet of the LC induction heating-based steam generator via a steam pipeline, and outputs the steam generated by the LC induction heating-based steam generator.

[0078] In this embodiment, the liquid delivery device supplies liquid to the steam generator according to the actual needs of the ablation procedure. The steam generator converts the liquid into steam, which is then safely and effectively delivered to the surgical site via the steam output device. Through the coordinated operation of the liquid delivery device, the steam output device, and the LC induction heating-based steam generator, the ablation equipment in this embodiment provides a stable and efficient steam supply for clinical procedures, meeting the needs of different ablation surgeries and providing strong support for patient treatment.

[0079] Specifically, in this embodiment, the liquid delivery device can use different types of pumps, such as precision micro pumps (usually stepper motor driven reciprocating pumps or peristaltic pumps), to deliver liquids (specifically sterile water).

[0080] A stepper motor-driven reciprocating pump uses the precise control of the stepper motor to make the piston reciprocate, thereby achieving the intake and discharge of liquid. Its flow rate can be precisely adjusted by controlling the number of steps and frequency of the stepper motor. A peristaltic pump, on the other hand, delivers liquid by squeezing and releasing a flexible tube with rollers. It has the characteristics of being non-contact and non-polluting, and is suitable for scenarios where the purity of the liquid is required.

[0081] Furthermore, the liquid delivery device can be equipped with its own control system, which can communicate and coordinate with the steam generator and other parts of the ablation equipment. For example, when the steam generator needs more liquid to produce a large amount of steam, the control system of the liquid delivery device will increase the operating frequency of the liquid delivery device and increase the liquid delivery volume; while when the surgical demand for steam decreases, the control system of the liquid delivery device will correspondingly reduce the liquid delivery speed to avoid liquid waste.

[0082] In addition, the liquid conveying device can be equipped with a liquid level monitoring device to monitor the liquid level in the storage container in real time. When the liquid level is too low, the liquid level monitoring device will issue an alarm signal to remind the operator to replenish the liquid in time to ensure the normal operation of the steam generator. At the same time, the liquid level monitoring device can also be linked with its own control system. When the liquid level is too low, the control system will automatically reduce the operating frequency of the liquid conveying device or stop operating to prevent the steam generator from being damaged due to lack of liquid.

[0083] To ensure the quality and safety of the liquid during delivery, the liquid delivery system can also be equipped with a filtration device. This filtration device removes impurities, particles, and microorganisms from the liquid, preventing these substances from entering the steam generator and affecting the steam quality and surgical outcome. The filtration device typically employs a multi-layer filtration structure, efficiently filtering impurities of different sizes to ensure that the liquid delivered to the steam generator meets the requirements of the surgical procedure.

[0084] Specifically, in this embodiment, the steam output device includes a steam conduit, a flow regulating valve, and a nozzle. The steam conduit guides steam from the steam generator to the surgical site and can be made of a high-temperature resistant and flexible material to ensure that steam does not leak or condense during delivery, while also facilitating flexible operation by the surgeon during surgery. The flow regulating valve controls the steam output flow rate. The surgeon can precisely adjust the steam flow rate according to the actual needs of the surgery by operating the flow regulating valve. For example, when performing ablation on a small area of ​​tissue, the steam flow rate can be appropriately reduced; while when treating a larger area of ​​lesion tissue, the steam flow rate can be increased. The flow regulating valve can be interconnected with the control system of the liquid delivery device. When the steam flow rate is adjusted, the liquid delivery device will adjust the liquid delivery volume accordingly to ensure the stable operation of the steam generator. The nozzle is located at the end of the steam conduit, and its design and material directly affect the steam spraying effect and coverage area. The nozzle adopts a special structure that can evenly spray steam onto the surgical site, allowing the tissue to fully contact the steam and improving the ablation effect. Meanwhile, the nozzle material has good biocompatibility, will not have adverse effects on body tissues, and is easy to clean and disinfect to meet the hygiene requirements of surgery.

[0085] Preferably, such as Figure 5 As shown, it also includes: The temperature detection device is electrically connected to the input of the power control circuit in the LC induction heating-based steam generator.

[0086] The temperature detection device monitors the temperature of the steam generator in real time. During steam generation, if the temperature detection device detects that the temperature of the steam generator is too high, it will send a signal to the power control circuit. Upon receiving the signal, the power control circuit will adjust the output PWM control signal accordingly, reducing the energy input to the induction coil, thereby lowering the temperature of the steam generator and preventing damage due to overheating. This also ensures the stability and safety of the output steam. Conversely, if the temperature detection device detects that the temperature of the steam generator is too low, it will also transmit this information to the power control circuit. The power control circuit will increase the strength of the PWM control signal, increasing the energy supply to the induction coil, causing the steam generator to heat up, ensuring that the steam reaches a suitable temperature to meet the needs of clinical surgery.

[0087] The temperature detection device can employ high-precision temperature sensors, such as thermocouples and thermistors. These sensors feature fast response and high measurement accuracy, enabling them to accurately capture temperature changes in the steam generator. They can be installed at critical locations within the steam generator, such as near the induction heating tubes or the steam outlet, to ensure timely and accurate temperature information acquisition.

[0088] The steam generator based on LC induction heating in the ablation device described in this embodiment has the same structure as the steam generator based on LC induction heating described in Embodiment 1. Therefore, for details not covered in this embodiment, please refer to Embodiment 1 and... Figures 1 to 3 The specific details will not be repeated here.

[0089] Although embodiments of the invention have been described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and such modifications and variations all fall within the scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A steam generator based on LC induction heating, characterized in that, In ablation equipment, the steam generator includes a power control circuit, an LC resonant induction circuit, and an induction heating tube; The output terminal of the power control circuit is electrically connected to the input terminal of the LC resonant induction circuit, and the output terminal of the LC resonant induction circuit is coupled to the induction heating tube through electromagnetic induction. The power control circuit is used to generate a PWM control signal and generate a corresponding drive signal based on the PWM control signal; The LC resonant sensing circuit is used to receive the driving signal, generate a resonant current in the resonant state according to the driving signal, and generate an alternating magnetic field signal based on the resonant current. The induction heating tube is used to generate an eddy current signal for heating liquid to produce steam under the action of an alternating magnetic field signal.

2. The steam generator based on LC induction heating according to claim 1, characterized in that, The steam generator also includes a DC power supply circuit; The DC power supply circuit is electrically connected to the input terminal of the power control circuit and the input terminal of the LC resonant induction circuit. The DC power supply circuit is used to provide operating voltage for the power control circuit and also to provide DC bus voltage for the LC resonant induction circuit.

3. The steam generator based on LC induction heating according to claim 2, characterized in that, The LC resonant induction circuit includes a power input branch, an LC resonant output branch, and an induction coil. The input terminal of the power supply input branch is electrically connected to the output terminal of the DC power supply circuit and the output terminal of the power control circuit. The output terminal of the power supply input branch is electrically connected to the input terminal of the LC resonant output branch. The output terminal of the LC resonant output branch is electrically connected to the induction coil. The induction coil is coupled to the induction heating tube through electromagnetic induction. The power input branch is used to receive the DC bus voltage output by the DC power supply circuit and the drive signal output by the power control circuit, and to process the DC bus voltage and the drive signal respectively to obtain the optimized DC bus voltage and the optimized drive signal. The LC resonant output branch is used to receive the optimized DC bus voltage and the optimized drive signal, and under the action of the optimized DC bus voltage and the optimized drive signal, it generates resonance and generates the resonant current. The induction coil is used to induce the alternating magnetic field signal under the action of the resonant current.

4. The steam generator based on LC induction heating according to claim 3, characterized in that, The power input branch includes a power inductor and a parallel capacitor; The first end of the feeding inductor is electrically connected to the output end of the DC power supply circuit, the second end of the feeding inductor is electrically connected to the input end of the LC resonant output branch, and the second end of the feeding inductor is also grounded through the parallel capacitor; the output end of the resonant drive circuit is connected to the common connection end between the second end of the feeding inductor and the parallel capacitor.

5. The steam generator based on LC induction heating according to claim 3, characterized in that, The LC resonant output branch includes a resonant inductor and a resonant capacitor connected in series. The first end of the resonant inductor is electrically connected to the output end of the power input branch, and the second end of the resonant inductor is electrically connected to the induction coil through the resonant capacitor.

6. The steam generator based on LC induction heating according to claim 1, characterized in that, The power control circuit includes a microcontroller and a resonant drive branch; The output terminal of the microcontroller is electrically connected to the input terminal of the LC resonant sensing circuit through the resonant drive branch. The microcontroller is used to generate the PWM control signal that controls the LC resonant sensing circuit to resonate. The resonant drive branch is used to receive the PWM control signal and generate the corresponding drive signal according to the PWM control signal.

7. The steam generator based on LC induction heating according to claim 6, characterized in that, The resonant drive branch includes an isolation chip, a gate drive chip, and a switching transistor unit; The input terminal of the isolation chip is electrically connected to the output terminal of the microcontroller, and the output terminal of the isolation chip is electrically connected to the switching transistor unit through the gate driver chip; Specifically, the gate driving chip is a half-bridge driving chip or an H-bridge driving chip.

8. The steam generator based on LC induction heating according to claim 6, characterized in that, The power control circuit also includes a phase detection branch and a phase-locked loop branch; The input terminal of the phase detection branch is electrically connected to the output terminal of the LC resonant sensing circuit, and the output terminal of the phase detection branch is electrically connected to the input terminal of the microcontroller through the phase-locked loop branch. The phase detection branch is used to detect the phase change information of the resonant current signal generated by the LC resonant induction circuit, and generate a corresponding phase change electrical signal based on the phase change information. The phase-locked loop branch is used to receive the phase change electrical signal, generate a phase adjustment signal corresponding to the PWM control signal based on the phase change electrical signal, and send the phase adjustment signal to the microcontroller. The microcontroller is used to receive the phase adjustment signal and generate a PWM adjustment signal based on the phase adjustment signal.

9. A control method for a steam generator based on LC induction heating, characterized in that, For ablation equipment, steam is generated using a steam generator based on LC induction heating as described in any one of claims 1 to 8; The control method includes: A PWM control signal is generated using a power control circuit, and a corresponding drive signal is generated based on the PWM control signal. The driving signal is received using an LC resonant induction circuit, and a resonant current in a resonant state is generated based on the driving signal; and an alternating magnetic field signal is generated based on the resonant current. Using an induction heating tube, an eddy current signal is generated under the action of an alternating magnetic field signal to heat the liquid and generate steam.

10. An ablation device, characterized in that, The steam generator based on LC induction heating as described in any one of claims 1 to 8 further includes: A liquid delivery device is connected to the liquid inlet of an LC induction heating-based steam generator via a fluid pipeline, and supplies liquid for generating steam to the LC induction heating-based steam generator. The steam output device is connected to the steam outlet of the LC induction heating-based steam generator via a steam pipeline, and outputs the steam generated by the LC induction heating-based steam generator.

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