High-Voltage Analog Pulser for Feedback-Controlled nsPEF Pulses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current nanosecond pulsed electric field (nsPEF) generators lack effective control over electrical characteristics, such as duration, amplitude, and temperature, 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, 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 therapeutic effect on cancerous tumors is achieved, but control over electrical characteristics (duration, amplitude, temperature) is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control systems that continuously monitor electrical characteristics (voltage, current, temperature, pulse width) and automatically adjust parameters to maintain desired treatment conditions. Sensors detect actual values and feed this information back to control circuits that modify pulse generation in real-time, ensuring precise control over duration, amplitude, and temperature during nsPEF treatment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic parameter adjustment where pulse width, amplitude, and frequency are not fixed but can be varied in real-time based on treatment requirements and measured responses. The control system allows continuous modification of electrical characteristics during operation, enabling adaptation to different tumor types, sizes, and locations while maintaining safe operating parameters.
2Adaptability or versatility
If nanosecond pulsed electric field is applied to induce apoptosis in cancerous tumors, then selective treatment of tumors is achieved, but lack of control over pulse parameters limits treatment optimization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes systematic parameter changes to optimize treatment outcomes. The system allows independent adjustment of multiple parameters including pulse width (nanosecond range), amplitude (voltage and current levels), frequency (pulse repetition rate), and duty cycle. Each parameter can be modified to match specific treatment requirements for different tumor types and locations, enabling customized treatment protocols while maintaining precise control through feedback mechanisms.
3Productivity
If multiple periodic pulses are used for nsPEF treatment, then therapeutic efficacy is improved, but control over frequency and duty cycle is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic pulse delivery with controllable frequency and duty cycle parameters. Multiple pulses are delivered in sequences with adjustable intervals, allowing optimization of therapeutic efficacy through frequency modulation. The duty cycle (ratio of pulse duration to total cycle time) can be independently controlled to manage energy delivery and heat generation, enabling effective treatment while maintaining safety margins.
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 over nsPEF pulses, effectively inducing apoptosis in cancerous tumors while minimizing impact on normal tissue, with adjustable parameters to optimize treatment efficacy and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a feedback control system that adjusts supply voltage, pulse width, 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.