High-Voltage Analog Pulser With Feedback-Controlled nsPEF Output
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current nanosecond pulsed electric field (nsPEF) technologies lack effective control over electrical characteristics, making them inefficient for safe and precise cancer treatment, particularly in controlling pulse duration, amplitude, and temperature effects on treated tissues.
Innovation Solution
A nanosecond pulsed electric field generator with a feedback control system that adjusts supply voltage, pulse width, frequency, and duty cycle based on measured parameters such as current, voltage, and temperature, utilizing a controller and power supply to generate controllable high-voltage short-duration pulses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If conventional nsPEF technologies are used to generate high-voltage pulses, then high peak voltages (10-500 kV/cm) can be achieved, but precise control over pulse characteristics (duration, amplitude, frequency) is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control systems that continuously monitor pulse characteristics and adjust generation parameters in real-time. Sensors detect actual pulse voltage, current, and duration, comparing them against target values, with control algorithms automatically correcting deviations to achieve precise pulse delivery while maintaining high voltage output
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables dynamic adjustment of multiple pulse parameters including voltage amplitude, pulse width, frequency, and duty cycle through programmable control. This allows optimization of pulse characteristics for different treatment scenarios while maintaining the capability to generate high peak voltages when needed
2Reliability
If high peak voltages are applied to induce apoptosis in cancer cells, then effective tumor treatment can be achieved, but thermal effects may damage normal surrounding tissues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic pulsed delivery rather than continuous high-voltage application. Pulses are delivered in controlled sequences with specific duty cycles and inter-pulse intervals, allowing tissue cooling between pulses and preventing cumulative thermal damage while maintaining apoptotic effectiveness through repeated sub-lethal stimulation
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses extremely short pulse durations in the nanosecond range, delivering high voltage energy so quickly that thermal diffusion is minimized. The rapid pulse delivery 'skips' before significant heat can propagate to surrounding normal tissues, confining thermal effects primarily to the target tumor region
3Reliability
If multiple periodic pulses are delivered at high frequency (0.1 Hz to 10,000 Hz), then enhanced apoptosis induction can be achieved, but system complexity and control difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal control architecture that can generate pulses across a wide frequency range (0.1 Hz to 10,000 Hz) using a single programmable system. The control device can adapt to different treatment protocols and frequency requirements without requiring separate hardware systems, simplifying overall system complexity while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness
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
Enables precise and safe nsPEF treatments by actively controlling pulse characteristics, inducing apoptosis in cancer cells while minimizing impact on normal tissues, with potential for immune system stimulation and tumor reduction without the need for drugs.
Implementation Method 1
a feedback control system for compensating or adjusting one or more characteristics of the nsPEF pulses generated. For example, one or more of supply voltage, pulse width, number of pulses, frequency of pulses, duty cycle, or another characteristic may be adjusted in response to a measured parameter.
Implementation Method 2
circuits and systems for generating electric pulses, including the use of an energy-accumulating element discharged through a load by a relatively low voltage transistor and for controlling the discharge
Implementation Method 3
NsPEFs have been found to trigger apoptosis in cancerous tumors. Selective treatment of such tumors with nsPEFs can induce apoptosis within the tumor cells without substantially affecting normal cells in the surrounding tissue due to its non-thermal nature.
Data Source
AI summary
A sub-microsecond pulsed electric field generator is disclosed. The field generator includes a controller, which generates a power supply control signal and generates a pulse generator control signal, and a power supply, which receives the power supply control signal and generates one or more power voltages based on the received power supply control signal. The field generator also includes a pulse generator which receives the power voltages and the pulse generator control signal, and generates one or more pulses based on the power voltages and based on the pulse generator control signal. In some embodiments, the controller receives feedback signals representing a value of a characteristic of or a result of the pulses and generates at least one of the power supply control signal and the pulse generator control signal based on the received feedback signals.