OPTIMIZATION OF ALTERNATIVE VOLTAGE VARIATORS FOR MEDICAL APPLICATIONS

Iov Jan-Catalin
Technical University of Iasi, Iasi, Romania, Email: iovcatalin@yahoo.com
All the electronic devices and installations used in the medical domain represents an electromedical system, which is influenced by different types of perturbations. Considering the low level of biomedical signals comparing the noise voltage levels, the first are usually covered by noise, and then errors appear during the process, and difficulties appear, too, when we want to extract the information from this type of signal. Some of the most powerful perturbations are those created by the power devices used in the force circuits from the medical instrumentation which use this type of circuits, particularly, the circuits that are varying the alternative voltage on the load resistance (which can be an engine for actioning a mechanical system in a radiology laboratory, or thermal control system in a sterilization room, or light intensity regulator in an operating block, e.t.c.). The paper is discussing the alternative voltage variators (AVV), both monofazic and trifazic, for different load cases (resistive or inductive). The analyze is computerized, harmonic, using a special program which shows the loadness degree of alternative voltage network with harmonics that will disturb the next medical installations, undesired when we work with small signals. For each analyzed variator type will be given the medical application depending on load. The variator features are as good as the distortion factor and the harmonic content is lower. s Keywords: harmonics, perturbations, simulation, variator, power spectrum, medical applications. INTRODUCTION The medical systems work with very low power signals, generated by the human body. These systems content small signal amplifiers, preamplifiers, and power supplies, results computing and displaying devices. Along the pacient-output unit way, there is, in the most cases, the danger that the biomedical signals from a human subject to be disturbed by different external or internal factors. The perturbations are based on the characteristic noises of the circuits and devices that are represented by the aleator voltage and currents fluctuations in the electrical network of amplifier and these are overplaced on the good signal. Another perturbation category appears in the small signal amplifier circuits, due to power supplies. Some residual ondulation from the 50-hertz, can go through amplifier for an unsatisfied filtering, for longer exposures [4], this can have influences over the human body. The power supply perturbations are generated by different power consumers instruments and go through the small signal circuits, both on the network lines and wires, and as radio perturbations. The electrical phenomenons in atmosphere can generate perturbations, sometimes big enough, for medical installations and instruments, like it could be electrical discharges on stormy weather, as thunder; these can produce perturbations and damages in electromedical instruments, and they can put in danger the pacients who are connected. During its work, the power electronic circuits are loading the power supply network, determining a wrong functioning for medical instruments. In the power supply network are introduced different frequency harmonics [8], which can be rejected by the small signal devices. These can determine erronated commands t for other apparatuses that contain power circuits, producing different values for thyristor command angles s versus the desired values. A used power circuits category, for the electromedical systems, is represented by the alternative voltage variators, useful in the halls where there are large mobile pieces, and where are necessary powerful engines to move these pieces [6], for what position has to be exactly (radiology rooms use this engine type to

move the table where the pacient is positioned; in operation rooms for the control of the lighting system; for the temperature control in the sterilization rooms). The alternative voltage parameters could be better if the distortion factor and the low harmonics content are lower. To reduce the weight and the cost price it should be used some sophisticated command techniques, as the wave form reconstruction for interesting electrical parameter using the flight of steps or pulses with modulated. These techniques lead to the increases commutations number, or the harmonic content of waveforms is getting better. So, it looks important the frequency analysis of the power circuits. The frequency analysis means the development in Fourier series or the Fourier transform of the analyzed signal [5]. The programs used for the electronic circuits simulation apply a Fourier transformation to the base signal. Often, the signals that require a representation as the Fourier series have not an analytic form, but these represent a data set provided by a program pack. In these situations, the Euler-Fourier integrals will be performed using approximative methods. For this approximative calculus, the interval is divided in 2m equal parts, m being an integer number. After we know the coordinate system (x, y), we consider the signal samples as values y0, y1, ,y(2m-1), as parts of a function in the points x0,x1,x2, ,x(2m-1), like in figure 1.

Figure 1. Analyzed signal sampling The Fourier series of signal form by these samples can be expressed in this way:
y2 = A0 + 2

(A
n =0

sin

2p q n 2p q n , where q=0 to 2m-1 and n represents the harmonic s ) + B n cos 2m 2m

order. From the Shannon sampling theorem, that says the sampling frequency fe (samples prelevation s frequency yq), must be at least double versus spectrum maximum frequency fM, fM=fe-2, results the distinct spectral lines number obtained in the analyzed signal spectrum is m. It obtains
yq = A0 + 2

(A n sin

n =1

2p q n 2p q n , which represents a numerical approximation for + B n cos ) 2m 2m

2m 1

the Fourier series. The relations determine the next Fourier coefficients:
A0 = 1 y i (for 0 Hz), 2m q =0 1 nqp y q cos , m q =0 m
2m 1

and A n =

Bn =

1 n q p y q sin m q=0 m

2m 1

These equations allow a simple analysis. The yq samples being performed previously for q=0, 2m-1, t period and the sampling rate, it will be determined the arguments =q n+m and the harmonic functions sine and cosine. It will be perform the multiplication yq () and yq (), for the known values of q and it will sin cos be summed after index q, which represents temporal integration variable. For the n order harmonic, it will be determinate the module and phase:

An . Bn If we have a large number of harmonics, we will obtain a long period needed to perform the calculations. For this reason, some analyses programs used for the power electronic circuits, determine just a little number of low frequency harmonics. New PSpice versions allow the choice of a big number of calculated harmonics. If we will know the module or the effective value of harmonics, we can perform the distortions total coefficient. We have to mention that in the calculation we consider the last time interval of transient analysis. The Fourier transformation can be obtained using Fourier integral that can be considered as an extension of Fourier series. By expending to the infinite the fundamental harmonic period T, the harmonics components are getting closer in the frequency domain; to the limit, the Fourier series become an integral. So the Fourier transformation converts a time definite function in a frequency function

U(n) = A 2 + B 2 and f n n

= arctg

S(n ) =

1 f(t) e T T
2

T 2

jn? n

dt ,

where n is included in the interval (-, ). S (n) is also called spectral function. By using the inverse transformation we can obtain the time function f (t):
f(t) =

n =

S(n ) e

jn? n

For an easier numerical calculation, the spectral function can be expressed as an equivalent. If we know the signal sample f (K k and we consider T=K e, dt=Te, we will obtain: T)=f T
S(n ) =
1 f(k) e K Te k =0

K 1

jnk? K

Te

S(n ) =

1 f(k) e K k =0

jkn? T K

Based on the sampling theorem, for the k samples it can be evidentiated only (K positive spectral 2)-1 lines and so much negative lines, and also the spectral line n=0 for the continuous component. METHOD Computerized aided simulation means a system modelation using some tools provided to the final user by the soft producer firm. For a biomedical system, this can be divided in three main components [7], sensors, interconnections, and the signal conditioner microchip. Such systems modelation is based on the SPICE program. This program studies the performance parameters of the system, the unpredictable situations which can appear along the biomedical signal acquisition and processing, and returns the results as graphic or numerical data. After simulation process and results interpretation, the next step is the hardware implementation of the analyzed systems. First, it was analyzed the case of two monofazic alternative voltage variators for purely resistive loads, and for inductive loads. In figure 2 these are represented the schemes of two alternative voltage variators: The scheme presented in figure 2.a), works like a commanded rectifier [6]. Connecting the load resistance in series with one of the alternative current inputs of the rectifier bridge PR, we obtain an alternative voltage variator. If we connect the load resistance in series with thyristor T, we will obtain an adjustable pulsating voltage, which is always positive. The power variation on the load is made by the potentiometer P. The scheme presented in figure 2.b), is discussing alternative voltage variator realized also with a thyristor [6], but commanded by a relaxing oscillator circuit with an unijonction transistor (UJT); the oscillator is synchronized with the alternative current network. After switching on the power, the condenser C1 is loading with plus up, and minus down through the potentiometer P, tending to the supply power voltage. When Vc=Ec (= intrinsic divisation factor), the transistor commutes, the resistance between emitter and terminal connected to R3, suddenly. As a result, C1 is unloading on R3, producing the output impulse which is commands the thyristor in the gate terminal, through R4, which it will limit the gate current. The decreasing is

a very short process, it the ration depends on R3 and C1. The synchronization circuit is realized using the s diodes D1 D4.

a) Figure 2.

b)

a) Alternative voltage variator working as commanded rectifier b) Alternative voltage variator synchronized with the alternative current network For those cases from figure 2, it heave been realized simulations using a computer, for different command angles, and it heave been observed the load currents spectrums and it has been measured the harmonics amplitudes generated.

a) Figure 3. Load current power spectrum, for figure 2.

b)

It has been made simulations both for resistive load case and for inductive load case. In figure 3, there are presented the load currents power spectrums, for both cases presented in figure 2. As we can see, the corresponding spectrums are different, and this fact determines that each scheme to be dedicated for

supplying a special type of medical instrumentation, corresponding to these instruments sensibility at network perturbations. In figure 4 there are given, graphically, the results obtained after simulating the schemes from figure1, for purely resistive load. Referring to figure 4, P symbolizes the potentiometer which it is varying the command angle for the thyristors. A variation of P from 0 to 100 percents is equivalent with a command angle variation from 0to, theoretically, 180 In fact, it will be obtained results for, at most, 160 . -170due to the big commutation time of the thyristor.

a)

b)

Figure 4. The main harmonics distribution for a purely resistive load (the legend is in Hz) From figure 4 it will be observed a linear dependence (all most) for load current versus the command angle for the 50 Hz frequency and it will be observed the high order harmonics appearance, which disturbs, those being strong enough in load currents frequency spectrum, and those are distributed in the power supply network and they can produce malfunctions to the medical instrumentation which are sensitive to network noises. This could be a cardiac defibrillator case, and it is giving to pacient an electrical signal with 100 volts amplitudes [10]. To obtain a good effect in defibrillation process, the waveform must be a special one that can be modified by the overplacing of some network perturbations, and can degenerate the benefic effect of the process. Some harmonics can be overplacing on the useful biomedical signals, disturbing the determination for the right diagnostic. We observe that the most important harmonic is the third one, that has a frequency of one 150 Hz, and it is the most disturbing harmonic. It has been realized simulations for the case when we have an inductive load in circuit. For this case we present in figure 5 the results obtained for the schemes from figure 2.

a)

b) Figure 5. The distribution of the main harmonics in inductive loads case (legend is in Hz)

From the graphic corresponding to figure 2.a) it can be observed that a little inductive feature of the load leads to the aplatization of the harmonics amplitudes, or to its vanish (450, 350 Hz, has disappeared, 250 Hz, 100 Hz are reduced and the third harmonic 150 Hz is little reduced). For high values of the thyristor command angle, the third harmonic is almost equal to the fundamental harmonic. If there is a strong inductive character of the load, the circuit is not working anymore as a commanded rectifier but as a simple rectifier, and the thyristor can not be turned off. So, this scheme is providing best results for resistive loads and little inductance (maximum 110 H) works like a filter for higher order harmonics. For the second scheme we can see a strong decrease for the high order harmonics; the third and the second harmonics are decreasing much, related to the fundamental harmonic. For the second case, the higher order harmonics are comparable with the fundamental harmonic level. This scheme can be used for inductive loads.

Figure 6. Trifazic voltage variator

We saw what kind of perturbations can be introduced in the power supply network by the monofazic alternative voltage variators. In the next paragraph we analyzed trifazic variator, realized with six thyristors, that is connected two by two on each phase. The maximum power allowed on the load impedance is 10 kWatt, for a power factor cos ()=0.8. In figure 6 is given the scheme of the variator force circuit. For the proposed design theme it have been obtained, by calculations, the values 9.26 , for the resistive feature of load and a value of 23.6 mH for it inductive feature. To varying the power on the load s impedance, the command angle should be varying between (given by load inductance) and 180. =arccosine(0,8)=36,63 so has a minimum value of 36.63 for smaller values the circuit is , ; working like a noncommanded rectifier. It has been developed simulations for command angles values of 30 45 90 120 200 , , , , .

Figure 7. The distributions of the main harmonics for a trifazic variator (legend is in Hz) From figure 7 it can be seen that the trifazic circuit is much more clean from the point of view of harmonic loading of the alternative current network comparative with monofazic circuits, but it still exists semnificative high order harmonics which can disturb the next devices. For this circuits it have been realized simulations for load values proposed as designed theme. It can be observed that for angles smaller then =36.63 the harmonics level is reduced; the circuit becomes a noncommanded rectifier, and so the scheme is working independently by the electrical command system, and it is an undesired fact in medical laboratories. CONCLUSIONS Comparing the performances of the three schemes analyzed, it can be observed the large number of harmonics that are generated as a consequence of the commutation processes. Each scheme is working properly for a single type of applications. After analysis, the first scheme is working better for purely resistive loads, and the second accepts loads that have some inductive features. Such circuit can be supply loads up to 500 W. For the first scheme, the medical applications are especially in laboratories where are been used thermal installations, which have electrical resistance as load resistance, in sterilization rooms, in thermal treatment rooms, or for the light control in operator block. The linear dependence of current through the load resistance for the fundamental harmonic, by the thyristor command angle, it makes the command part of the circuit to be extremely simple.

Comparing with fundamental amplitude, the other harmonic amplitudes are reduced enough; using passive filters on the power supply network like in next figure [3] can reduce these.

Figure 8. The filter connection on the power supply network The filters connected on the alternative current side between power supply network and alternative voltage variator are resonant filters regulated on the main harmonics of the currents used by the load impedance, as to prevent the propagation of these harmonics through the power supply wires to the next medical devices. From this point of view the variator can be seen as current harmonics generator. The second scheme, also monofazic, supports little inductive loads, like low alternative current engines, used for electromechanical actioning needed in medical laboratories. To prelevate the small signals, are used preamplifier circuits with a high common mod rejection (up to 120-130 dB) [1]. For visual analyses with the oscilloscope or for recording or processing by computer, this type of signals must be amplified with an amplifier factor up to a couple of thousand. It can appear problems when you wants to extract the information from such of signal, problems that are referring to the possibility that the signal can be covered by the noise provided by different external or internal sources of the electric circuit. It can appear interference due to electromagnetic perturbations generated by the power circuits [3], which can be summed with the biomedical signal before the preamplifier input, and propagating to the results display system, and it will affect the final diagnostic. An acquisition system, a processing, transmitioning, and biomedical data displaying system has to be structured and realized so it can provide high immunity at perturbations and to offer a good electromagnetic compatibility. The determination of the electric signal harmonics, for a load impedance current, is very important in the medical electronics domain, due to the implications of this fact to the pacient security rules. The electrical influences, that have a frequency almost equal with biologic signal frequency, can produce confusions when these interfering with human body signal, determining the information loose, due to the noise. The consumers who can generate these type a perturbations are: convertisors, static switches with thyristors, continuous current engines, the fluorescent lights, etc. There are medical instruments that can generate perturbations, especially that are working with high voltages and with commutation devices, such as transcranial magnetic stimulators [9], that needs kilovolts order voltages, and that are built with thyristor or triacs, and these can disturb the alternative current power supply network. These instruments represent a noninvasive excitation mode for the human cerebral cortex. The intense current pulses are transmitted through the stimulation coil placed next to the head, generating an electromagnetic time-varying field, and it induces in the brain a current flow. As secondary effects of the transcranial magnetic stimulation, there can be mentioned the head muscles warming, and the auditiv cortex become more active. The secondary effects can be painful for longer and closer exposures to the skinhead. In many cases, the negative effects of the perturbations can be dangerousness, like the case of an electromechanical arm used in intracranial surgery [2]. It is used an articulated arm that presents a big trajectory flexibility and a small interference with closer surgical field. For current peaks in the power supply network due to the perturbations, it can appears deviations from the initial trajectory, and this fact can determine irreversible physiologic effects over the next tissues. In the power circuits big quantities of energy are lost in the commutation processes. Due to the functional discrete character of the switches within v v a, the input and output currents and voltages waveforms contain many harmonics. Beside the power supply network the v v a is working as an energy consumer and as energy generator beside the load impedance. It is supplied with sinusoidal voltages, but the currents are not sinusoidal. The harmonics injected in power supply network is determining perturbations as: interference with networks and television systems and scopic display systems for the medical signals,

negative effects over the good functioning of other devices: electrical machines (it can appear parasite couple, additional speed losses), lightening equipment premature growing old, command equipment (it can appear commands errors). The perturbations propagating in the power supply network, and the distance attenuates these. For the transformer supplied instruments, the perturbations are transmitted in the primer, and this can be attenuated by the transformation ratio. REFERENCES [1] Burke, M, J, and Gleeson, D, T, A micropower dry-electrode ECG preamplifier, IEEE Trans. On Biomedical Engineering, Feb. 2000, vol. 47, no. 2, pp. 155-162 [2] Galloway, R, L, Maciunas, Jr. R, J, and Edwards Ii, C, A, Interactive image-guided neurosurgery, IEEE Trans. on Biomedical Engineering, Dec. 2000, vol.39, no.12, pp. 1226-1231 [3] Ionescu, F, Floricau, D, Nitu, S, Jean-Paul Six, Delarue, F, Bogus, C, Electronica de putere-convertoare statice (in Romanian), Technical Editor, Bucharest, 1998 [4] King, R, W, P, Nerves in a human body exposed to low-frequency electromagnetic fields, IEEE Trans. on Biomedical Engineering, Dec.1999, vol.46, no.12, pp. 1426-1431 [5] Loosfet, P, Desplanques, P, et. Cherradi, A, Transforme de Fourier rapide par quart de priode, Traitement du signal, vol. 10, no. 4, 4trimestre, 1993, pg. 331-335 [6] Lucanu, M, T, Electronica Industriala, cap. VI, Variatoare de tensiune alternativa, pp. 193-211, CAP. VIII, Comutatoare statice de curent (in Romanian), IPI, Iasi,1978 [7] Mundt, C, W, and Nagle, H, T, Applications of SPICE for modeling miniaturized biomedical sensor system, IEEE Trans. on Biomedical Engineering, Feb. 2000, vol. 47, no.2, pp.149-154 [8] Radoi C., Electronica Industriala (in Romanian), LITO UPB, Bucharest, 1994 [9] Ruohonen, J, Ollikaimen, M, Nikouline, V, Virtanen, J, and Ilomoniem, R, J, Coil designed for real and sham transcranial magnetic stimulation, IEEE Trans. on Biomedical Engineering, Feb. 2000, vol. 47, no. 2, pp. 145-148 [10] Wang, Y, Schimpf, P, H, Haynor, D, R, Bardy, G, H, and Kim, Y, Analysis of defibrillation efficacy from myocardial voltage gradient with finite element, IEEE Trans. on Biomedical Engineering, Sept. 1999, vol. 46, no. 9, pp. 1025-1036