Voltage Multiplier Booster for Lightweight Electromagnetic Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electromagnetic stimulation apparatuses require high voltage and current, leading to large size and weight, making them unsuitable for household use and limiting their accessibility for patients needing frequent neuromodulation treatments.
Innovation Solution
A multi-stage booster device using basic voltage multipliers with current direction limiting elements and energy storage elements to convert low voltage into high-voltage DC, reducing weight and size while maintaining effective stimulation intensity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a linear transformer is used to generate high voltage and current for electromagnetic stimulation, then the stimulation intensity is sufficient, but the equipment weight and size increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional linear transformer (mechanical/electromagnetic system with metal core) with an electronic voltage multiplier circuit using diodes, capacitors, and resistors. This substitution eliminates the need for heavy metal transformer components while achieving the same high voltage output through electronic component arrangements, directly resolving the contradiction between sufficient stimulation intensity and reduced equipment weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters by using high-frequency AC current (0.5-50 Hz) combined with voltage multiplication stages instead of traditional low-frequency high-voltage transformation. By multiplying the voltage through sequential capacitor charging and discharging stages, the system achieves thousands of volts output from lower voltage inputs without requiring a heavy linear transformer, thus maintaining stimulation effectiveness while reducing weight.
2Power
If a linear transformer is used to achieve high voltage output, then the stimulation threshold is met, but the device complexity and metal component requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the complex metal-based linear transformer structure with a simpler electronic voltage multiplier circuit using discrete components (diodes, capacitors, resistors). This replacement reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for heavy metal cores, laminations, and associated mechanical structures, while achieving the same high voltage transformation through electronic component configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the voltage transformation function into multiple sequential stages, where each stage (comprising diodes, capacitors, and resistors) performs a portion of the voltage multiplication. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high voltage output through a series of simpler, modular stages rather than requiring a single complex linear transformer, thereby reducing overall device complexity and metal component requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the stimulation frequency is increased to 0.5-50 Hz for effective neuromodulation, then the therapeutic effectiveness improves, but the compatibility with existing transformers decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal voltage generation system that can operate across a wide frequency range (0.5-50 Hz) by using an electronic voltage multiplier circuit instead of a frequency-specific linear transformer. The electronic circuit design with diodes, capacitors, and resistors allows the system to adapt to different stimulation frequencies and targets (brain, nerves, muscles) without requiring different transformer designs, thus achieving multi-functionality and broad adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables frequency parameter changes by using an electronic circuit architecture that responds dynamically to input frequency variations. The voltage multiplier circuit can process AC inputs across the 0.5-50 Hz range and convert them to the required high-voltage DC output, allowing the system to adapt to different therapeutic requirements (different targets, depths, and conditions) by simply adjusting the input frequency parameter without changing the hardware configuration.
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 device achieves lightweight, compact electromagnetic stimulation with sufficient voltage and frequency for neuromodulation, overcoming the limitations of traditional linear transformers by using common components like diodes and capacitors to enhance stability and reduce costs.
Implementation Method 1
a multi-stage booster device using basic voltage multipliers with current direction limiting elements and energy storage elements to convert low voltage into high-voltage DC
Implementation Method 2
The electromagnetic stimulation apparatus uses alternating magnetic fields to stimulate electrical signals that affect various parts of a living organism, such as the transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) apparatus, which is a non-invasive neuromodulation technique that affects brain activity by generating varying magnetic fields through a magnetic field coil
Data Source
AI summary
An electromagnetic stimulation apparatus with a booster device using first and second current direction limiting elements and first and second energy storage elements to generate electromagnetic stimulation. The first current direction limiting element and the first energy storage element are electrically connected to an power supply in series, the first current direction limiting element is connected to the second current direction limiting element in parallel, and the second current direction limiting element is connected to the second energy storage element in series. The first and second current direction limiting elements are electrically connected or disconnected to switch the current direction and charge the first and second energy storage elements respectively at different periods. When charging the second energy storage element, the external power supply and the first energy storage element connected to the second energy storage element in series provide a cross-voltage doubling that of the first energy storage element.


