Electronic modular system with variable power for generating electrical pulses and associated uses thereof

Abstract

The disclosure relates to variable power modular electronic systems for generating unipolar and bipolar electrical pulses and associated uses thereof. In an embodiment, such a system includes one or more pulse generators for generating electrical pulses that can be connected in series; a charging circuit for charging the pulse generators; and a controller communicatively coupled to the pulse generators and the charging circuit. Advantageously, each pulse generator may include an AC/DC rectifier and a DC/AC inverter connected to said AC/DC rectifier in a bridge configuration to generate bipolar output electrical pulses or pulse trains. In addition, the charging circuit may include a DC/DC step-up converter connected to an indirect DC/AC inverter. The system provided in various embodiments of the disclosure also provides a great versatility for adaptation to various applications and high output voltage and current values.

Claims

1. A variable power modular electronic system for generating unipolar or bipolar electrical pulses, comprising: two or more inter-connectable pulse generation modules electrically coupled to one another in parallel or in series, the two or more inter-connectable pulse generation modules, in use, generate the unipolar or bipolar electrical pulses such that when the two or more inter-connectable pulse generation modules are coupled to one another in series, an output voltage is a sum of individual output voltages of each pulse generation module, and when the two or more inter-connectable pulse generation modules are coupled to one another in parallel, a total output current is the sum of the current of each pulse generation module; one or more AC/DC rectifiers coupled to electric mains and containing an isolation transformer, and wherein each of the pulse generation modules includes a DC/AC inverter having a bridge configuration and coupled with one AC/DC rectifier, wherein the DC/AC inverter, in use, outputs the unipolar or bipolar electrical pulses; a system controller, programmed to control activation and deactivation of the pulse generation modules for generating the unipolar or bipolar electrical pulses, and for varying at least one magnitude of the unipolar or bipolar electrical pulses.

2. The variable power modular electronic system according to claim 1, wherein at least one pulse generation module has an individual isolated AC/DC rectifier.

3. The variable power modular electronic system according to claim 1, comprising a common isolated AC/DC rectifier in common for the pulse generation modules, such that the pulse generation modules are coupled to the common isolated AC/DC rectifier.

4. The variable power modular electronic system according to claim 1, at least one step-up or step-down device connected between the common isolated AC/DC rectifier and the DC/AC inverter.

5. The variable power modular electronic system according to claim 4, wherein the step-up device includes a transformer and a voltage multiplier.

6. The variable power modular electronic system according to claim 1, wherein at least one pulse generation module comprises one or more pulse controllers, which in use, control activation and deactivation of the DC/AC inverter.

7. The variable power modular electronic system according to claim 6, wherein the pulse controller includes drivers for the DC/AC inverter.

8. The variable power modular electronic system according to claim 6, wherein the pulse controllers comprise a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), configurable programmable logic device (CPLD), application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), microcontroller, single-board computer, or a combination thereof.

9. The variable power modular electronic system according to claim 6, wherein one system controller is further programmed to communicate with the pulse controller, and to distribute instructions to the pulse generation modules.

10. The variable power modular electronic system according to claim 1, wherein one or more system controllers comprise a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), configurable programmable logic device (CPLD), application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), microcontroller, single-board computer, or a combination thereof.

11. The variable power modular electronic system according to claim 1, wherein one or more system controllers are integrated into one or more pulse generation modules.

12. The variable power modular electronic system according to claim 6, wherein a pulse controller and system controller are integrated into the same pulse generation module.

13. The variable power modular electronic system according to claim 1, wherein one or more system controllers are coupled to the pulse generation modules via direct, wireless, or optical connections.

14. The variable power modular electronic system according to claim 1, wherein the system controller is further programmed, such that the amplitude between sequential unipolar or bipolar pulses is variable based on the number of pulse generation modules that are activated by the system controller during a given pulse.

15. The variable power modular electronic system according to claim 1, wherein the system controller is further programmed, such that the duration between sequential unipolar or bipolar pulses is variable based on the activation timing pattern created by the system controller.

16. The variable power modular electronic system according to claim 1, wherein the system controller is programmed to set a unipolar or bipolar pulse duration within the range 10 nanoseconds to 1 millisecond.

17. The variable power modular electronic system according to claim 1, wherein the system controller is programmed to set a delay between unipolar or bipolar pulses within the range 10 nanoseconds to 100 millisecond.

18. The variable power modular electronic system according to claim 1, wherein one or more parameters of the unipolar or bipolar electrical pulses includes at least one of a polarity, an amplitude, a number, or a repetition frequency of the unipolar or bipolar electrical pulses.

19. The variable power modular electronic system according to claim 1, wherein the system controller is programmed such that in event that one or more of the pulse generation modules is short-circuited, the remaining operable pulse generation modules are switched open to block the output.

20. The variable power modular electronic system according to claim 19, wherein the pulse generation modules incorporate a current monitoring device, which in use detects a short-circuit state of the pulse generation modules.

21. The variable power modular electronic system according to claim 1, configured for its use in electroporation applications.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of the versatile power electronic modular system of the disclosure according to one or more embodiments thereof.

(2) FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of the versatile power electronic modular system of the disclosure according to another embodiments thereof.

(3) FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of the versatile power electronic modular system of the disclosure according to another embodiments thereof.

(4) FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of the versatile power electronic modular system of the disclosure according to another embodiments thereof.

(5) FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of the versatile power electronic modular system of the disclosure according to another embodiments thereof.

(6) FIG. 6 shows an exemplary waveform of the output voltage/current, obtained by the interconnection of a two or more pulse generation modules.

(7) FIG. 7 shows a comparation of several output voltages generated by several pulse generation modules, and the behavior of the system when one of the modules is short circuited.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(8) A detailed description of the disclosure is provided below with reference to one or more embodiments thereof based on FIG. 1 of this document. Said embodiments are provided for purposes of illustrating the claimed disclosure and is not meant to limit the same.

(9) As described in preceding sections, the high-voltage generator disclosed by the present disclosure is based on a versatile power modular electronic system that allows adapting the design to the required output voltage and characteristics of the pulses, according to the specific application or treatment to provide.

(10) Said FIG. 1 shows the general block diagram for the modular electronic power system of the disclosure, where said system essentially comprises a charging unit (1), one or more pulse generation modules (2) with a rectifier-inverter configuration, and a control unit (3). The pulse generation modules (2) are connected to the charging unit (1) by magnetic coupling through an isolation transformer (4).

(11) The charging unit (1) may include a high-frequency indirect DC/AC inverter (5) connected to a previous DC/DC step-up converter (6). The main purpose of said charging unit (1) is to charge each of the generator modules (2) at the required voltage with the isolation transformer (4) through which they are coupled. It should be noted that the coupling via the transformer (4) provides the required insulation (greater than 15 kV); moreover, due to the high operating frequency (typically 200 kHz), a compact implementation of the system is achieved.

(12) In addition to the aforementioned elements, the charging unit (1) comprises an auxiliary DC/DC block (7) that provides a power supply voltage V.sub.aux,p, to control the DC/AC inverter (5) and the DC/DC step-up converter (6).

(13) In addition, the pulse generation modules (2), arranged in the secondary side of the system isolation transformer (4), are in charge of generating the output voltage applied during the electroporation treatment. Each module (2) may include an AC/DC rectifier (8) and a DC/AC inverter (9) based on a bridge configuration, in order to enable the generation of output voltage bipolar pulses at each module (2).

(14) Analogously to the arrangement of elements of the charging unit (1), each pulse generation module (2) can comprise an AC/DC auxiliary block (10) that is also powered from the secondary side of the isolation transformer (4), in charge of generating the power supply voltages V.sub.aux,s of the AC/DC rectifier (8) and the DC/AC inverter (9).

(15) The pulse generation modules (2) of the system of the disclosure can be connected to one another in series, providing an output voltage that is the sum of the voltages generated by each of the individual generation modules (2). Similarly, the modules can be connected in parallel such that the current delivered is the sum of the currents of each module. In this way the disclosure provides a variable power stage that can adapt to the needs of the treatment to be performed in order to generate the required voltages and currents.

(16) As described above, the system of the disclosure also comprises a control unit (3) that controls the electronic power system comprised of the charging unit (1) and each of the pulse generation modules (2). The control signals of the generation modules (2) are emitted using a programmable logic device (FPGA) integrated in each control unit (3). It should be noted that the generation of control signals by FPGA increases the versatility and adaptability of the output voltage pulses to the treatment to be performed. This is not possible in current commercial systems, which have severe restrictions regarding the types of voltage pulses that can be generated.

(17) As mentioned in preceding sections, the control unit (3) may be configured with a programming means for the number of active generation modules (2) of the system during the application of the pulses, thereby allowing to change quickly the magnitude of the pulses or pulse trains applied, configuring the shape thereof.

(18) In addition, due to the strict insulation requirements imposed by use and safety regulations for electroporation devices, the control signals may be insulated by optic fibers (11,12).

(19) FIG. 2 represents an exemplary embodiment of variable power modular electronic system for generating unipolar or bipolar electrical pulses, wherein the system comprises two or more inter-connectable pulse generation modules (2) that can be electrically coupled to one another in parallel or in series, depending on the desired voltage and current output for each particular application. The two or more inter-connectable pulse generation modules (2), in use, generate the unipolar or bipolar electrical pulses such that when the two or more inter-connectable pulse generation modules (2) are coupled to one another in series an output voltage is a sum of individual output voltages of each pulse generation module, and when the two or more inter-connectable pulse generation modules (2) are coupled to one another in parallel a total output current is the sum of the current of each pulse generation module (2).

(20) Each pulse generation module (2) also includes an isolated AC/DC rectifier (8) containing an isolation transformer (4), and a DC/AC inverter (9) having a bridge configuration, and preferably a step-up or step-down device (13) connected between the AC/DC rectifier (8) and the DC/AC inverter (8), so that the step-up or step-down device (13) can supply high voltage (HV) at the input of the DC/AC inverter (9). The DC/AC inverter (9) converts a DC voltage into the unipolar or bipolar electrical pulses.

(21) Each pulse generation module (2) also includes a pulse controller (16), which in use, control activation and deactivation of the DC/AC inverter (9).

(22) In a preferred embodiment the step-up or step-down device (13) includes a transformer and voltage multiplier.

(23) The system also includes at least one system controller (3), programmed to control activation and deactivation of the pulse generation modules (2) to generate the unipolar or bipolar electrical pulses, and for varying at least one magnitude of the unipolar or bipolar electrical pulses. One or more system controllers (3) can be integrated into one or more pulse generation modules (2).

(24) One or more parameters of the unipolar or bipolar electrical pulses includes at least one of: a polarity, an amplitude, a number, or a repetition frequency of the unipolar or bipolar electrical pulses.

(25) The one or more system controllers (3) are coupled to the pulse generation modules (2) via direct, wireless, or optical connections.

(26) In the embodiment of FIG. 3, instead of having an individual AC/DC rectifier (8) for each module (2), the system includes a charging circuit (1) which, in use, charges or supplies power to all the pulse generation modules (2). The charging circuit (1) is fed from AC mains, and it includes an isolated AC/DC rectifier (8) in common for all the pulse generation modules (2). In this embodiment, each pulse generation module (2) comprises a step-up or step-down device (13) connected between the isolated AC/DC rectifier (8) and the DC/AC inverter (9), and a pulse controller (16).

(27) The system controllers (3) can be implemented as one of: a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), configurable programmable logic device (CPLD), application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), microcontroller, or a single-board computer.

(28) The pulse controller (16) preferably is fed from the output of the AC/DC rectifier (8), and it is adapted to control activation and deactivation of the DC/AC inverter (9). Preferably, each pulse controller (16) includes drivers for the DC/AC inverter (9).

(29) The pulse controllers (16) can be implemented as at least one of: field-programmable gate array (FPGA), configurable programmable logic device (CPLD), application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), microcontroller, or a single-board computer.

(30) In the embodiment of FIG. 4, one step-up or step-down device (13) is also part of the charging circuit (1), such that all the modules (2) share, the common AC/DC rectifier (8) and a step-up or step-down device (13) coupled with the common isolated AC/DC rectifier (8), such that the pulse generation modules (2) are coupled to the common isolated AC/DC rectifier by means of the step-up or step-down device (13).

(31) In the embodiment of FIG. 5, a system controller (3) is integrated in a pulse generation module (2).

(32) Preferably, in the embodiments of FIGS. 2 to 5, the pulse controller (16) is communicated with system controller (3), and the system controller (3) is programmed to distribute instructions to the pulse generation module (2).

(33) The system controller (3) is programmed, such that the amplitude between sequential unipolar or bipolar pulses is variable, based on the number of pulse generation modules (2) that are activated by a controller during a given pulse.

(34) Preferably, the system is adapted for its use in electroporation applications.

(35) In addition, the duration between sequential unipolar or bipolar pulses is variable based on the activation timing pattern created by the controller (3).

(36) In a preferred embodiment, the controller (3) is programmed to set a unipolar or bipolar pulse duration within the range 10 nanoseconds to 1 millisecond.

(37) In a preferred embodiment, the controller (3) is programmed to set a delay between unipolar or bipolar pulses within the range 10 nanoseconds to 100 milliseconds.

(38) FIG. 6 represents an exemplary waveform and pulse duration generated with the system of this disclosure. As shown in FIG. 6, the waveform is asymmetric and charge balanced, that is, positive and negative areas of the waveform have the same value. In the waveform, the initial high-voltage peak induce electroporation, and the subsequent lower-voltage prevent muscle/nerve stimulation.

(39) In a preferred embodiment, the controller (3) is programmed such that in event that one or more of the pulse generation modules (2) fails in a short-circuit state, the remaining operable pulse generation modules (2) are switched open (turned-off) to block the output, so the total output voltage is null.

(40) This feature of the system is illustrated in FIG. 7, wherein it is noted that when a short-circuit state (SC) of a pulse generation module (2) (Cell 1) is detected, remaining module (Cell 2) is turned-off (open circuit) to block the total output voltage (output voltage is null).

(41) This short-circuit detection can be made either by hardware current comparison, or by software after processing measurements in the control unit.

(42) For that purpose, at least one the pulse generation module (2) incorporates a current monitoring device, configured to detect in use a short-circuit state of any one of the pulse generation modules (2) and communicates the failure of a particular module (2) to the controller (3).

(43) Finally, the system of the disclosure may communicate using wireless means, for example a WiFi network connected to a remote computer (not shown) through which the polarity, amplitude, number of pulses in each burst, number of bursts and repetition frequency thereof are configured.

(44) The system of the disclosure provides satisfactory results in both treatment of plant tissues and treatment of live animal tissues.

(45) The various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of the above-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not limited by the disclosure.