Handheld Electroporation Power Supply With Supercapacitor Pulse Charging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Handheld electroporation devices require reliable power sources, which are often limited by battery life and compatibility issues, making them less effective for remote, mass treatment, and long-term storage scenarios, particularly evident during events like the coronavirus pandemic.
Innovation Solution
A handheld electroporation device with a power supply unit that includes interchangeable batteries and a supercapacitor energy storage system, controlled by an integrated circuit to optimize charging and energy discharge for efficient electroporation pulses, allowing for rapid charging, long-term storage, and use in diverse settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If internal permanent batteries are used in handheld electroporation devices, then the device can provide sufficient power delivery for multiple in vivo electroporation treatments, but the device has limited shelf life and is not suitable for stockpiling or long-term storage
Solution Approach 1:
The power system is segmented into two separate components: a permanent battery for power delivery and a rechargeable battery for extended operation. This segmentation allows each battery type to fulfill its optimal function - the permanent battery provides sufficient power for electroporation treatments while the rechargeable battery extends operational duration, resolving the contradiction between power delivery capability and shelf life limitations.
2Power
If handheld electroporation devices require wired connection to power source or bulky battery assembly, then sufficient power can be delivered, but the device becomes less effective for remote treatment settings
Solution Approach 1:
The device merges two battery systems into a single integrated power supply unit. The permanent battery provides the necessary power delivery capability while the rechargeable battery extends operational life. This combination eliminates the need for wired connections or bulky external power sources, maintaining portability for remote treatment settings while ensuring sufficient power delivery.
3Ease of operation
If conventional battery-powered handheld electroporation devices are designed, then the device can be made portable, but the device lacks reliability for mass treatment and long-term storage scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The power system is segmented into two separate components: a permanent battery for power delivery and a rechargeable battery for extended operation. This segmentation allows each battery type to fulfill its optimal function - the permanent battery provides sufficient power for electroporation treatments while the rechargeable battery extends operational duration, resolving the contradiction between power delivery capability and shelf life limitations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters by introducing a rechargeable battery that can be recharged multiple times. This parameter change transforms the device from single-use or limited-use to reusable and reliable for mass treatment scenarios, while maintaining portability through the compact integrated design.
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
The device provides a reliable, efficient, and portable means for delivering electroporation treatments, capable of mass production and use in various settings, including remote areas and mass vaccination scenarios, with enhanced battery life and compatibility with multiple battery types.
Implementation Method 1
A handheld electroporation device with a power supply unit that includes interchangeable batteries and a supercapacitor energy storage system
Implementation Method 2
Incorporating electroporative pulses of electric energy at or near the injection site is known to facilitate delivery of such vaccines or agents directly into the cells within the tissue
Data Source
AI summary
A method for preparing an electroporation device to deliver an electroporation treatment includes steps of delivering a charge current from at least one battery through a charge circuit to a supercapacitor unit and charging the supercapacitor unit with the charge current. The charging step includes measuring one or more input parameters of the charge current while the charge current is in at least one charge state of a plurality of charge states of charging the supercapacitor unit. The charging step also includes at least one step of transitioning the charge current between charge states of the plurality of charge states responsive to the one or more measured input parameters. Transitioning the charge current includes adjusting a magnitude of the charge current. In this method, the measuring and transitioning steps are automatically controlled by a control unit executing machine-readable instructions.