Power Supply with Potential Use in Magnetic Stimulation

Abstract

A power supply with potential use in the magnetic stimulation of biological systems is presented in this paper. The effect of the magnetic stimulation depends on the geometry and orientation of the induced electric field, as well as on the current pulse waveform delivered by the stimulator (coil). These factors are very important to define the equipment requirements and characteristics, namely the topology of the power supply and the size and geometry of the coil. The proposed solution is able to generate current pulses with variable amplitude and duration, according to a user- defined input. The main characteristics and the working principle, including the strategy of control, are described. In order to design, to analyse and to verify the performance of the developed power supply, both simulation and experimental results are presented. The proposed solution is based on a topology that uses elements to store and transfer energy from the power source to the load. With the proposed topology, an adequate control strategy and right set of the power circuit parameters it is possible to obtain either unipolar waves or bipolar waves.