Electrostatic treatment device

Abstract

This invention relates to an electrostatic discharge (ESD) handling device, comprising: a digital isolation circuit disposed between a first processor in the application section of a medical electrical device and a second processor in the non-application section of the same device for signal transmission and electrical isolation between the first and second processors; a power isolation circuit disposed between a first power supply in the application section and a second power supply in the non-application section for electrical isolation between the first and second power supplies; and a safety capacitor, one end of which is connected to the floating ground of the application section and the other end of which is connected to the ground of the non-application section, to release electrostatic charges generated in the application section and block power frequency signals. This ESD handling device can achieve electrical isolation while ensuring effective signal transmission between the application and non-application sections, and can also release electrostatic charges, thereby improving the application safety and reliability of the medical electrical device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of electrostatic treatment, and more specifically to an electrostatic treatment device. Background Technology

[0002] In the medical field, some medical electrical devices (e.g., electrocardiographs) typically include active and passive sections, with the active section coming into contact with the patient's body. To ensure patient safety, floating ground isolation circuits are commonly used to prevent accidental electric shock. However, this design reveals deficiencies in electrostatic discharge (ESD) testing. Because the active section is floating, charge cannot be released through a grounding loop, leading to charge accumulation that can cause device logic malfunctions or even break down the isolation circuit, resulting in device failure. The current GB / T 17626.2-2018 standard requires ESD testing of equipment to assess its electromagnetic compatibility. However, existing equipment is vulnerable to damage in both direct and indirect discharge tests, affecting equipment performance and patient safety.

[0003] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a technical solution to address the stability and safety issues of medical electrical equipment during ESD testing and to improve the reliability of the equipment. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of the above-mentioned defects or improvement needs of the prior art, the present invention provides an electrostatic treatment device that can achieve electrical isolation while ensuring effective signal transmission between the application part and the non-application part, and can release electrostatic charge, thereby improving the application safety and reliability of medical electrical equipment.

[0005] Specifically, the present invention is achieved through the following technical solutions: In a first aspect, the present invention provides an electrostatic discharge (ESD) treatment device for medical electrical equipment, the medical electrical equipment including an application portion with a floating ground and a non-application portion with a grounded ground. The ESD treatment device includes: a digital isolation circuit disposed between a first processor in the application portion and a second processor in the non-application portion for signal transmission and electrical isolation between the first processor and the second processor; a power isolation circuit disposed between a first power supply in the application portion and a second power supply in the non-application portion for electrical isolation between the first power supply and the second power supply; and a safety capacitor, one end of which is connected to the floating ground terminal of the application portion and the other end of which is connected to the ground terminal of the non-application portion, to release electrostatic charges generated by the application portion and block power frequency signals.

[0006] Furthermore, the electrostatic treatment device also includes a high-voltage resistor connected in parallel with the safety capacitor for releasing the DC voltage generated by the accumulation of electrostatic charge.

[0007] Furthermore, the digital isolation circuit includes an optocoupler isolator and a first protection section, the first protection section being disposed between the optocoupler isolator and the second processor.

[0008] Furthermore, the digital isolation circuit includes a magnetically coupled isolator or a capacitively coupled isolator and a second protection section, the second protection section being disposed between the digital isolation circuit and the second processor.

[0009] Furthermore, the first protection portion is configured as a common-mode inductor to dissipate the electrostatic charge generated by the application portion.

[0010] Furthermore, the second protection section is configured in combination with a common-mode inductor and a ferrite bead filter to dissipate the electrostatic charge generated by the application section.

[0011] Furthermore, the electrostatic treatment device is located in an electrically isolated area, which is electrically isolated from the outside.

[0012] Furthermore, the application portion comes into contact with the patient.

[0013] Furthermore, the electrostatic treatment device also includes an electrostatic guiding component, which is electrically connected to the safety capacitor and is used to guide the electrostatic charge of the application portion to the safety capacitor.

[0014] Furthermore, the ferrite bead filter releases energy through thermal conversion to protect the communication interface of the magnetic or capacitive isolator.

[0015] The electrostatic discharge device provided by this invention, by setting up digital isolation circuits, power isolation circuits, and safety capacitors between the application part and the non-application part of medical electrical equipment, can achieve electrical isolation while ensuring effective signal transmission between the application part and the non-application part, and can release electrostatic charge, thereby improving the application safety and reliability of the electrical equipment. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in this invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a structural block diagram of an electrostatic discharge treatment device applied between the application part and the non-application part of a medical electrical device according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2This is a first schematic diagram of the digital isolation circuit of an electrostatic treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a second schematic diagram of the digital isolation circuit of an electrostatic treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure label: 100. Static electricity handling device; 110. Digital isolation circuit; 120. Power isolation circuit; 130. Safety capacitor; 140. High voltage resistor; 121. Optocoupler isolator; 122. Magnetic or capacitive coupler isolator; 123. First protection section; 124. Second protection section; Detailed Implementation

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

[0020] Before describing the electrostatic treatment apparatus of the present invention, it is necessary to explain the characteristics of medical electrical equipment. Medical electrical equipment (e.g., electrocardiographs or electroencephalographs) typically include an application part and a non-application part, wherein the application part is in contact with the patient and therefore needs to be floating-grounded, while the non-application part is used inside the electrical equipment and is typically protected-grounded.

[0021] When the human body comes into contact with the applied part of medical electrical equipment, it will come into contact with conductive parts at different potentials. At this time, the potential difference will cause current to flow through the human body, forming an electrical contact. Depending on the magnitude of the current and the duration, the current generated by the potential difference will have different effects on the human body. When the current is small, it is harmless to the human body. However, when the current is large and the duration is long, the current effect can cause harm to the human body, and may cause pathological physiological effects such as ventricular fibrillation, cardiac arrest, and organ damage. In this case, the electrical contact is called electric shock, which endangers personal safety and is extremely dangerous.

[0022] By incorporating isolation measures into medical electrical equipment to separate the patient connection from the equipment's grounding and other accessible parts, the amount of current flowing through the patient's body and between the patient connection and the ground can be controlled when an external power source is accidentally connected to the patient. This design protects the patient from electric shock.

[0023] The electrostatic treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0024] Figure 1This is a structural block diagram of an electrostatic discharge handling apparatus 100 applied between the application portion and non-application portion of a medical electrical device according to an embodiment of the present invention. (Refer to...) Figure 1 According to an embodiment of the present invention, an electrostatic discharge (ESD) treatment device 100 includes: a digital isolation circuit 110 disposed between a first processor in the application portion of a medical electrical device and a second processor in the non-application portion of the medical electrical device for signal transmission and electrical isolation between the first processor and the second processor; a power isolation circuit 120 disposed between a first power supply in the application portion and a second power supply in the non-application portion for electrical isolation between the first power supply and the second power supply; and a safety capacitor 130, one end of which is connected to the floating ground terminal of the application portion and the other end of which is connected to the ground terminal of the non-application portion to release electrostatic charges generated in the application portion and block power frequency signals.

[0025] Specifically, the electrostatic discharge treatment device 100 can be set in an electrically isolated area between the application part and the non-application part. The electrically isolated area is electrically isolated from the outside, that is, the electrically isolated area has no network and no copper grounding.

[0026] The digital isolation circuit 110 can be connected to the communication interfaces of a first processor (e.g., a microcontroller) in the application section and a second processor (e.g., a CPU) in the non-application section, respectively. This allows signal transmission between the first and second processors via the communication interfaces, while also electrically isolating them. Furthermore, the digital isolation circuit 110 effectively suppresses electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio frequency interference (RFI), thereby enhancing the safety and reliability of the electronic system.

[0027] The power isolation circuit 120 is connected to the first power supply of the application section and the second power supply of the non-application section, thereby establishing electrical isolation between the first power supply and the second power supply. Power isolation circuits generally have strong electrostatic discharge (ESD) withstand capabilities, which can improve equipment safety, reduce the dangers of power contact, and also protect each circuit in the equipment from problems such as power surges.

[0028] A safety capacitor 130 refers to a safety capacitor that will not cause electric shock or endanger personal safety even if it fails. It has high voltage withstand capability and its cross-connection isolation between its two ends can meet the safety requirements of medical electrical equipment. In this embodiment, one end of the safety capacitor 130 is connected to the floating ground of the application section, and the other end is connected to the grounding terminal of the non-application section. This releases the static electricity generated by the high-frequency, high-voltage AC voltage in the application section, reducing the impact of electrostatic discharge on the application section. The capacitor has low impedance to high-frequency signals and high impedance to low-frequency signals. The bandwidth of electrostatic signals is generally between 17.5 MHz and 350 MHz. The capacitor can discharge high-frequency electrostatic interference signals while blocking 50Hz power frequency signals, preventing electric shock.

[0029] To reduce electrostatic charge generated by the floating ground, a high-voltage resistor of 140Ω can be connected in parallel with the safety capacitor to release the accumulated charge from electrostatic discharge and prevent excessive charge accumulation. Specifically, the capacitor cannot completely discharge all electrostatic charge, which accumulates at the floating ground, causing a high DC voltage difference across the isolation terminals. Adding a resistor can slowly release the DC voltage, thus protecting the isolation circuit. In this embodiment, a high-voltage resistor is selected because its high voltage withstand capability and bridging the isolation terminals meet the safety requirements of medical electrical equipment. Furthermore, medical electrical equipment typically has leakage current requirements; for example, an electrocardiograph (ECG) requires a patient leakage current of less than 10µA. This needs to be done according to… I = U / X, X = Xc + R, Xc = 1 / 2πfc Calculation. For electrocardiographs, the actual leakage current needs to meet the following requirements. I≥U / (1 / 2πfc + R) , I=10 uA , f=50 Hz , U=242 V The high-voltage resistor selected in this embodiment 100 M+22 pF Calculated I = 0.989 uA To meet actual needs.

[0030] The digital isolation circuit 110 is generally configured with an optocoupler 121, a magnetic coupler, or a capacitive coupler 122. Figure 2 This is a first schematic diagram of the digital isolation circuit 110 of an electrostatic discharge treatment apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. (Refer to...) Figure 2 If the digital isolation circuit 110 uses an optocoupler 121, in order to effectively release the electrostatic charge generated by the floating ground, a first protection section 123 can be added between the signal transmission end of the optocoupler 121 and the signal transmission end of the first processor. This protection section uses a common-mode inductor to consume the electrostatic charge generated by the floating ground. Specifically, the electrostatic signal is a common-mode interference on the communication transmission line. The common-mode inductor can generate a large inductive reactance when a common-mode current flows through it. At this time, the magnetic flux in the magnetic ring is superimposed to achieve a suppression effect. However, when a differential-mode current flows through the two coils, the magnetic flux in the magnetic ring cancels each other out, and there is almost no inductance. Therefore, the differential-mode current is unaffected. The common-mode inductor can effectively suppress common-mode interference signals in the line without affecting the differential-mode signal transmitted normally, thereby protecting the signal transmission section from interference.

[0031] Figure 3 This is a first schematic diagram of the digital isolation circuit 110 of an electrostatic discharge treatment apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. (Refer to...) Figure 3If the digital isolation circuit 110 uses a magnetic isolator or capacitive isolator 122, in order to effectively release the electrostatic charge generated by the floating ground, a second protection section 124 is added between the signal transmission end of the magnetic isolator or capacitive isolator 122 and the signal transmission end of the first processor. This protection section uses a combination of common-mode inductor and ferrite bead to dissipate the electrostatic charge generated by the floating ground. While the common-mode rejection of magnetic isolators or capacitive isolators is generally good, their electrostatic protection capability is insufficient. Ferrite beads, which release energy through thermal conversion, can better protect the communication interface of magnetic isolators or capacitive isolators. For some sensitive paths, cascading common-mode inductors can also achieve better results. Ferrite beads, also known as ferrite bead filters, are anti-interference components that primarily protect the communication interface of magnetic isolators or capacitive isolators by releasing energy through thermal conversion. Ferrite beads have high resistivity and permeability, equivalent to a resistor and inductor in series, but both the resistance and inductance values ​​change with frequency. As the frequency increases, the permeability of the magnetic core decreases, leading to a decrease in the inductance and reactance of the inductor. However, at this point, the core loss increases, the resistive component increases, resulting in an increase in the overall impedance. When a high-frequency signal passes through the ferrite core, electromagnetic interference is absorbed and dissipated as heat.

[0032] Preferably, the electrostatic discharge (ESD) treatment device 100 further includes an ESD guiding component 150, which is electrically connected to the safety capacitor 130 and is used to guide the ESD charge of the application section to the safety capacitor 130. Taking an electrocardiograph (ECG) as an example: During ESD testing of an ECG, the device is typically affected by contact discharge at the banana plug interface of the lead wires and air discharge at the lead wire connector. The ESD guiding path design generally leaves a restricted area on the PCB of the floating ground section, isolating it from other circuits in the floating ground section using a narrower non-copper-clad area. Then, full copper plating is applied, and the network is floating ground. The path starts from the discharge ground of the interface ESD protection device and the outer casing ground of the external interface, directly connecting to the safety capacitor in the safety isolation area, and then connecting to other circuits in the floating ground circuit. Interference signals from contact discharge typically act directly on the lead signals. ESD protection devices on the board (e.g., varistors, TVS diodes) can discharge the electrostatic signal to the floating ground. Then, through an electrostatic discharge path, most of the interference can be discharged directly to the protective ground via a safety capacitor, preventing it from affecting the actual ECG signal acquisition or interfering with the communication between the ECG signal processing microcontroller and the CPU. The other path, air discharge, typically acts on the interface's outer casing ground and can be directly discharged through an electrostatic discharge path, following the same principle.

[0033] This technical solution provides an electrostatic discharge (ESD) treatment device that releases accumulated static charge by bridging the non-application section and the application section with a safety capacitor and a high-voltage resistor. At the same time, in order to protect the digital isolation circuit, a protection section is established between the signal transmission end of the digital isolation circuit and the signal transmission end of the microcontroller to consume the static charge generated by the floating ground, thereby enabling effective signal transmission between the non-application section and the application section and improving the application reliability of the electrical equipment.

[0034] Furthermore, in this invention, the terms "embodiment," "this embodiment," "yet another embodiment," etc., refer to specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment or example, which are included in at least one embodiment or example of the invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. Furthermore, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of different embodiments or examples.

[0035] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electrostatic discharge treatment device for use in medical electrical equipment, said medical electrical equipment comprising a floating application portion and a grounded non-application portion, characterized in that, include: A digital isolation circuit is provided between a first processor in the application section and a second processor in the non-application section to perform signal transmission and electrically isolate the first processor from the second processor. A power isolation circuit is provided between the first power supply of the application section and the second power supply of the non-application section to electrically isolate the first power supply from the second power supply. as well as A safety capacitor, one end of which is connected to the floating ground of the application section and the other end of which is connected to the ground of the non-application section, to release the electrostatic charge generated by the application section and block power frequency signals.

2. The electrostatic treatment apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: A high-voltage resistor, connected in parallel with the safety capacitor, is used to release the DC voltage generated by the accumulation of electrostatic charge.

3. The electrostatic treatment apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that, The digital isolation circuit includes an optocoupler isolator and a first protection section, wherein the first protection section is disposed between the optocoupler isolator and the second processor.

4. The electrostatic treatment apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that, The digital isolation circuit includes a magnetic coupling isolator or a capacitive coupling isolator and a second protection section, the second protection section being disposed between the digital isolation circuit and the second processor.

5. The electrostatic treatment apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first protection section is configured as a common-mode inductor to dissipate the electrostatic charge generated by the application section.

6. The electrostatic treatment apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that, The second protection section is configured in combination with a common-mode inductor and a ferrite bead filter to dissipate the electrostatic charge generated by the application section.

7. The electrostatic treatment apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The electrostatic treatment device is located in an electrically isolated area, which is electrically isolated from the outside.

8. The electrostatic treatment apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The application part comes into contact with the patient.

9. The electrostatic treatment apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, It also includes an electrostatic discharge guiding component, which is electrically connected to the safety capacitor and is used to guide the electrostatic charge of the application portion to the safety capacitor.

10. The electrostatic treatment apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that, The ferrite bead filter releases energy through thermal conversion to protect the communication interface of the magnetic or capacitive isolator.

Images