Feedback-Controlled High-Voltage Pulser for nsPEF Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current nanosecond pulsed electric field (nsPEF) technologies lack effective control over electrical characteristics, such as voltage, pulse width, and frequency, which is crucial for safe and efficient cancer treatment, particularly for internal tumors.
Innovation Solution
A nanosecond pulsed electric field generator with a feedback control system that adjusts supply voltage, pulse width, number of pulses, frequency, and duty cycle based on measured parameters like current, voltage, and temperature to generate controllable high-voltage short-duration pulses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high voltage pulses are generated for nsPEF treatment, then cancerous tumor cells can be induced to undergo apoptosis, but control over electrical characteristics (voltage, pulse width, frequency) is insufficient leading to safety and effectiveness issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system that continuously monitors output voltage, current, and temperature parameters, then adjusts pulse generation parameters in real-time to maintain precise control over electrical characteristics delivered to tumor tissue
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts pulse width, voltage amplitude, and frequency based on real-time feedback from tissue impedance measurements and temperature sensors, allowing adaptive control that responds to changing treatment conditions
2Ease of operation
If nsPEF pulses are applied to treat internal tumors, then cancer treatment can be achieved without surgery, but precise control and monitoring of treatment parameters is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual surgical intervention with an automated electronic control system that uses microprocessors and feedback loops to precisely control pulse parameters, eliminating the need for manual adjustment while maintaining high measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-adjustment of treatment parameters by automatically monitoring tissue impedance and temperature, then modifying pulse characteristics without external intervention, enabling precise control while simplifying operation
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 system enables precise control of nsPEF pulses, effectively inducing apoptosis in cancerous tumors while minimizing impact on normal tissue, with adjustable parameters ensuring safe and effective treatment.
Implementation Method 1
a feedback control system that adjusts supply voltage, pulse width, number of pulses, frequency, and duty cycle based on measured parameters like current, voltage, and temperature
Implementation Method 2
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.