Electrohydraulic Shockwave Therapy Device Voltage Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrohydraulic shock-wave therapy devices face limitations in maintaining stable pressure and effective therapeutic surface area due to electrode erosion, requiring complex and costly adjustments or equipment.
Innovation Solution
An automatically adjustable charging voltage electrohydraulic therapy apparatus that compensates for electrode burnout by continuously adjusting the voltage, maintaining desired pressure levels without physical electrode movement, using methods like measured shock pressure control or calibration graphs to optimize shock-wave generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual adjustment of electrode position is used to compensate for electrode erosion, then the shock-wave pressure can be maintained, but the device complexity and operation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical electrode position adjustment system with an electrical parameter adjustment system. Instead of physically moving electrodes to compensate for erosion, the system adjusts the charging voltage of the capacitor to maintain consistent shock-wave energy output, thereby eliminating complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms while preserving pressure stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the electrical parameter (charging voltage) to compensate for electrode erosion effects. By dynamically adjusting the voltage applied to the electroacoustic transducer, the system maintains optimal shock-wave generation despite changes in electrode geometry, replacing physical adjustment with parameter optimization
2Reliability
If mechanical adjustment of electrode distance is automated to maintain spark gap, then pressure stability improves, but device complexity and cost increase due to delicate equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for automatic mechanical control systems by substituting them with an electrical control approach. The charging voltage is automatically adjusted based on operational parameters or pre-set protocols, replacing the need for delicate mechanical measurement and adjustment equipment while maintaining spark gap effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-adjustment of charging voltage based on operational conditions without requiring external mechanical intervention or complex control mechanisms. The voltage adjustment can be based on simple counters of discharged pulses or basic feedback, allowing the system to maintain optimal performance autonomously with minimal complex equipment
3Duration of action of stationary object
If piezoelectric transducers are used to extend service life, then electrode erosion is eliminated, but equipment complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the service life of electrohydraulic transducers by optimizing electrical parameters, specifically adjusting the charging voltage and pulse characteristics to reduce electrode erosion rates. This allows the simpler electrohydraulic system to achieve extended durability without switching to more complex piezoelectric technology
Solution Approach 2:
The patent accepts that electrohydraulic electrodes are consumable components with limited life, but optimizes their usage through parameter adjustment to maximize their service life. This approach maintains the simplicity and cost-effectiveness of electrohydraulic systems while extracting maximum value from each electrode set before replacement
4Device complexity
If fixed charging voltage is used in electrohydraulic devices, then device simplicity is maintained, but therapeutic effectiveness decreases due to pressure fluctuations and limited surface area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from fixed charging voltage to dynamic voltage adjustment. The charging voltage is varied during operation based on operational parameters, allowing the system to adapt to electrode erosion and maintain optimal shock-wave characteristics, thereby expanding the effective therapeutic surface area while preserving system simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the charging voltage parameter dynamically to optimize therapeutic output. By adjusting voltage levels during treatment, the system maintains consistent pressure and expands the effective therapeutic surface area, achieving improved productivity without significant increase in device complexity
Data Source
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AI summary
An electrohydraulic shock-wave therapy apparatus comprising a variable voltage source and a controller that controls said voltage source for accurate adjustment of the shock wave pressure. The invention, in various embodiments, also includes various methods, optionally closed loop as well as open loop based, for determining the shock pressure while compensating for burnout and or erosion that normally suppress the pressure after some thousands of sparks. This way the effective lifetime of the electrodes is dramatically extended. Said control is further used for significantly increasing the effective therapeutic area of the apparatus by adjusting the shock pressure value close to the maximal safe value.