High-Frequency Power Supply with Harmonic Detection for Current Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

High-frequency treatment instruments face challenges in accurately controlling output, particularly when electrodes touch metal objects, leading to excessive current flow, which can disrupt treatment processes.

Innovation Solution

A power supply device with an output section, a characteristic detector, and a stop signal generator that identifies a characteristic signal with a higher frequency than the output frequency and generates a stop signal to prevent excessive current flow, incorporating a CPU, ASIC, electric parameter detector, and low-pass filters to control the output accurately.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the high-frequency treatment instrument outputs power to perform treatment, then the treatment effectiveness is improved, but excessive current may flow when the electrode touches metal objects, causing unintended behaviors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment safetyVSAvoidexcessive current flow
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of characteristic signals (harmonic frequencies) before excessive current occurs. The detection unit continuously monitors the output signal for characteristic frequencies that indicate impending electrode-metal contact, and the control unit preemptively adjusts or stops power output before dangerous current levels are reached.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs feedback control by detecting the characteristic signal from the output signal and using this information to control the power output. The detection unit monitors the output signal for specific frequency characteristics, and when detected, the control unit adjusts the power output accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that prevents excessive current flow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If the output power is increased to improve treatment efficiency, then the treatment speed is improved, but the risk of excessive current and unintended behaviors increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment efficiencyVSAvoidoutput control accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit uses feedback from the detection unit to continuously monitor and adjust the power output. The detection unit identifies characteristic signals in the output signal that indicate specific conditions, and the control unit responds by adjusting the power level, creating a self-regulating system that maintains both efficiency and safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual monitoring and adjustment of power output with an automated electronic detection and control system. The detection unit electronically analyzes the output signal for characteristic frequencies, and the control unit automatically adjusts power levels, substituting mechanical/manual control with electronic automation to improve both precision and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3266397B1Power source device for high-frequency treatment tool, high-frequency treatment system, and control method for power source device
Publication Date: 2023.12.13 OLYMPUS CORPORATION(JP)
  • EP3266397B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3266397B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3266397B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A power supply device (10) for a high-frequency treatment instrument includes an output section (112), a characteristic detector (130), and a stop signal generator (170). The output section (112) outputs power having a first frequency supplied to the high-frequency treatment instrument. The characteristic detector (130) detects a characteristic signal generated before the power outputted from the output section becomes excessive, the characteristic signal having a second frequency higher than the first frequency and being included in a signal related to the power. The stop signal generator (170) outputs a stop signal to stop or reduce an output of the power from the output section (112) when the characteristic signal is detected.