Adjustable Resistor Circuit for Cell Treatment Impedance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for treating cells with electric fields face challenges in ensuring safe and controllable application of electric pulses due to varying electric conductivity of the cell material, leading to unstable operation.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of an adjustable resistor in the electric circuit connecting the pulse generation unit and electrodes, allowing for automatic adjustment of impedance to maintain consistent resistance values regardless of the cell material's conductivity, ensuring safe and controlled treatment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If cell material is treated in a conventional parallel plate capacitor setup, then electric pulses can be applied to the cell material, but the operation becomes unsafe and uncontrollable due to varying electric conductivity of the cell material modifying the capacitor's impedance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafe and controllable operationVSAvoidimpedance stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

A matching resistor is introduced as an intermediary element in the electric circuit between the pulse generation unit and the capacitor. This resistor acts as a mediator that absorbs impedance variations caused by different cell materials, maintaining stable operation conditions. The resistor is positioned in series with the capacitor so that total circuit impedance remains constant regardless of cell material conductivity changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The circuit design incorporates a resistor whose value is specifically selected to compensate for expected impedance variations. By changing the circuit parameters (adding the resistor) before operation, the system maintains stable total impedance across different cell materials. The resistor value is chosen based on anticipated conductivity ranges of various cell materials to be treated.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the electric conductivity of cell material varies, then different cell materials can be treated with the same device, but the load applied onto the material to be treated varies leading to inconsistent treatment results

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment of different cell materialsVSAvoidtreatment consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The matching resistor serves as a buffer that decouples the relationship between cell material conductivity and treatment load. By positioning the resistor in series with the capacitor, it mediates the impedance variations, ensuring that the voltage pulses applied to different cell materials remain consistent despite differences in their electric conductivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The circuit is designed with a pre-calculated resistor value that anticipates and compensates for impedance variations before treatment begins. This beforehand cushioning ensures that even when different cell materials with varying conductivity are introduced, the total circuit impedance remains stable, preventing load variations and ensuring consistent treatment outcomes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution enables safe and controlled application of electric pulses, independent of the cell material's conductivity, ensuring consistent treatment conditions and homogeneous stimulation of cell growth or inactivation.

Implementation Method 1

a treatment space (3) arranged between said electrodes or plates so that the treatment space can be penetrated by the emitted electric pulses and an electric field resulting therefrom

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectric Field: Electric Field

Implementation Method 2

at least one additional resistor, preferably an adjustable resistor, is arranged in said electric circuit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical Resistance: Electrical Resistance

Data Source

PatentEP3861863B1Conductivity-adjusted device for treating cells
Publication Date: 2024.10.09 BUHLER AG
  • EP3861863B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3861863B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3861863B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention is related to a device (1), comprising a unit (2) for generating and emitting electric pulses, two or more electrodes or plates (2a, 2b) of a capacitor that are arranged in one electric circuit with said unit (2), and a treatment space (3) arranged between said electrodes or plates (2a, 2b) so that the treatment space (3) can be penetrated by the emitted electric pulses and an electric field resulting therefrom, characterized in that at least one adjustable resistor (9) is arranged in said electric circuit.