Design and Testing of a Novel Transcranial Magnetic Stimulator with Adjustable Pulse Dynamics and High Current Capability (>2 kA) based on a Modular Cascaded H-Bridge Inverter Topology
Conference: PCIM Europe digital days 2021 - International Exhibition and Conference for Power Electronics, Intelligent Motion, Renewable Energy and Energy Management
05/03/2021 - 05/07/2021 at Online
Proceedings: PCIM Europe digital days 2021
Pages: 8Language: englishTyp: PDF
Authors:
Schwitzgebel, Florian; Kuder, Manuel; Weyh, Thomas (Bundeswehr University Munich, Germany)
Kersten, Anton (Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden)
Meisl, Christina (Charite, Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Germany & Technical University Berlin, Germany)
Abstract:
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is an important technology in neurological diagnostics and therapy. The limited output voltage shape of modern TM stimulators constrains the research about the targeted stimulation of individual brain parts. This paper introduces a novel TM stimulator based on a cascaded H-bridge inverter topology. Using a large number of sub-modules (e.g., ten), a nearly arbitrary output voltage waveform can be generated. Within the frame of this paper, the design and testing of an individual H-bridge module, using low-voltage MOSFETs, is explained in detail. To achieve a high current capability, the switching waveforms of the paralleled MOSFETs are synchronized by individual time delays introduced by an integrated CPLD. The H-bridge module is used for different experimental pulse tests. Using a DC link voltage of 180 V a maximum current peak of about 2.1 kA is achieved.