High-Voltage Pulse Discharge Circuit for Controlled nsPEF Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current nanosecond pulsed electric field (nsPEF) generators lack effective control over pulse generator charge state, posing risks to operators, patients, and test subjects, and are inefficient in delivering high voltage pulses due to limitations in switch technology, leading to low impedance and reduced energy delivery.
Innovation Solution
A nanosecond pulsed electric field generator system with a discharge circuit and Marx generator apparatus, utilizing power MOSFETs and a Marx-switch stack hybrid circuit to achieve high voltage output with fewer stages, allowing for controlled pulse duration and increased efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If conventional switch technology is used to generate high voltage pulses, then the pulse generator can deliver high voltage, but the impedance is low and energy delivery is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The pulse generator is divided into multiple stages, with each stage containing series-connected switches and energy storage capacitors. This segmentation allows each stage to contribute incrementally to the overall high voltage output, enabling high power delivery while maintaining proper impedance matching through the staged architecture.
2Power
If more stages are used in the pulse generator, then high voltage output can be achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple energy storage capacitors are connected in series within each stage, and multiple stages are combined to achieve the desired high voltage output. This merging approach consolidates the voltage multiplication function across stages while reducing the total number of individual switch components needed compared to conventional single-stage designs.
3Power
If energy storage devices are charged to high voltage, then nsPEFs can be generated, but the risk of damage to the pulse generator and harm to operators increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system monitors the charge state of energy storage devices and the operational status of switches, providing feedback to prevent unsafe conditions. This feedback mechanism enables the system to discharge energy storage devices when voltage thresholds are exceeded or when faults are detected, thereby preventing damage to the pulse generator and protecting operators while maintaining nsPEF generation capability.
4Ease of operation
If conventional pulse generators are used, then they can operate, but they lack effective control over charge state
Solution Approach 1:
The pulse generator employs dynamic control of switch conduction states based on real-time monitoring of energy storage device voltages. The control system can adjust switching patterns, enable/disable specific stages, and trigger discharge operations dynamically, providing effective control over charge state while ensuring safety for operators and patients through automated protection mechanisms.
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 provides safer and more controlled delivery of nsPEFs, reducing the risk of damage and improving energy delivery to loads, enabling effective treatment of cancerous tumors through apoptosis induction without affecting normal tissue.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of inductive elements configured to generate the control signals for the serially connected switches, where each inductive element is configured to generate a control signal for one of the serially connected switches in response to one or more input signals at one or more of the control input terminals
Data Source
AI summary
A pulse generator discharge circuit is disclosed. The circuit includes one or more discharge stages, each discharge stage including a plurality of control input terminals. The circuit also includes first and second discharge terminals, and a plurality of serially connected switches electrically connected between the first and second discharge terminals, where a conductive state of each of the switches is controlled by a control signal. The circuit also includes a plurality of inductive elements configured to generate the control signals for the serially connected switches, where each inductive element is configured to generate a control signal for one of the serially connected switches in response to one or more input signals at one or more of the control input terminals, and where each of the serially connected switches is configured to receive a control signal from a respective one of the inductive elements.