JP4089778B2 - Energy supply equipment - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an energy supply apparatus and method for supplying electrical energy to a predetermined device in a non-contact manner, and more specifically, an electric current is supplied to a secondary coil provided in the device by flowing a current through a primary coil. The present invention relates to an energy supply apparatus and method for inducing dynamic energy.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been proposed an energy supply device that supplies energy from outside the body to a capsule medical device inserted into a patient's body using electromagnetic waves (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This conventional energy supply device radiates electromagnetic waves from the radiation antenna constituted by a loop coil to the entire circumference of the patient's body into which the medical device is inserted. A medical device staying in the body receives the electromagnetic wave irradiated to a patient with an antenna, and stores electrical energy obtained from the received electromagnetic wave in a storage battery.
[0003]
Conventionally, another energy supply device that supplies energy to a medical device inserted into the body using electromagnetic waves has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 2). This conventional energy supply device uses a wire coil (telemetry) electromagnetically coupled to a wire coil (telemetry) provided in a medical device that stays in the body to supply power without piercing the skin. is there.
[0004]
According to each energy supply apparatus as described above, energy can be supplied in a non-contact manner to a medical device that stays in the body. For this reason, it is not necessary to provide a special power source for the medical device to be inserted into the body, and the medical device can be downsized.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-9-135832 (page 5, left column, paragraphs 0046-6, left column, paragraph 0059, FIG. 7, FIG. 8)
[Patent Document 2]
JP-T 9-503933 (page 20, FIG. 1)
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, the antenna provided in the medical apparatus which receives energy supply from the former energy supply apparatus mentioned above has some directivity. Therefore, in the energy supply device that induces electrical energy in the antenna provided in the medical device that stays in the body using electromagnetic waves generated from a single radiation antenna that is fixedly provided, In some cases, energy cannot be efficiently supplied to a device (antenna) whose direction can change three-dimensionally.
[0007]
Further, even in the latter energy supply device described above, when the medical device changes its direction three-dimensionally in the body, the wire coil (telemeter) provided on the energy supply device side and the medical device side are provided. There are cases where the electromagnetic coupling relationship of the wire coil (telemeter) changes and energy cannot be supplied efficiently.
[0008]
The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and an energy supply device that can efficiently supply energy to a device in a non-contact manner regardless of the orientation of the device. It is to provide.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The energy supply device according to the present invention generates magnetic fields in different directions. Wrapped around the body A plurality of primary coils to be installed; and a power supply device that supplies a voltage that changes at a predetermined cycle to the plurality of primary coils, and a magnetic field generated from the plurality of primary coils. Stay in the body An energy supply device configured to induce electrical energy in a secondary coil provided in the device, wherein the energy supply amount detection means detects the amount of energy supplied from each of the plurality of primary coils; The voltage supplied from the power supply device to the plurality of primary coils so that the maximum voltage is supplied to the primary coil having the maximum energy supply amount based on the detection result of the energy supply amount detection means. And a control means for controlling.
[0010]
According to such a configuration, Wrapped around the body Each of the plurality of primary coils has a direction of the generated magnetic field and Stay in the body Magnetically coupled to the secondary coil with a degree according to the direction of the secondary coil provided in the device, 2 Electric energy is induced in the next coil. In addition, since the voltage supplied from the power supply device to the plurality of primary coils is controlled so that the maximum voltage is supplied to the primary coil having the maximum energy supply amount, Outside the body From the plurality of primary coils In the body It becomes possible to supply energy more efficiently to the equipment.
[0011]
Moreover, the energy supply device according to the present invention is configured such that the plurality of primary coils include three primary coils installed so as to generate a magnetic field parallel to each axis of a predetermined three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system. be able to.
[0012]
With this configuration, the equipment stays In the body Electrical energy is induced in the secondary coil provided in the device by three magnetic fields parallel to the respective axes of predetermined three-dimensional orthogonal coordinates to be set.
[0015]
In the energy supply device according to the present invention, the plurality of primary coils are connected in parallel to the power supply device, and a voltage is supplied in parallel from the power supply device to the plurality of primary coils. Can be configured.
[0016]
With such a configuration, the power supply device can supply a voltage in consideration of the inductance of the primary coil to each of the plurality of primary coils.
[0017]
Furthermore, the energy supply device according to the present invention can be configured such that the power supply device has a plurality of power supply units that individually supply voltages to the plurality of primary coils.
[0018]
With such a configuration, voltage is individually supplied from each power supply unit to the corresponding primary coil. Thereby, the voltage to be supplied to each of the plurality of primary coils can be individually controlled.
[0021]
Moreover, the energy supply device according to the present invention is such that the energy supply amount detection means is provided to each of the plurality of primary coils in a state where a predetermined voltage is supplied from the power supply device to each of the plurality of primary coils. It can be set as the structure provided with the electric current detection means to detect as the quantity of the energy which supplies the electric current value which flows.
[0022]
With such a configuration, by using the fact that the current flowing through the primary coil increases as the degree of magnetic coupling with the secondary coil provided in the device increases, a predetermined voltage is applied to each of the plurality of primary coils. In this state, the value of current flowing through each of the plurality of primary coils is detected as the amount of energy supplied.
[0023]
Furthermore, the energy supply device according to the present invention provides the energy supply. Salary The amount detection means is configured to repeatedly detect the amount of energy supplied from each of the plurality of primary coils in a predetermined cycle.
[0024]
With such a configuration, even if the energy supply amount from each of the plurality of primary coils changes in accordance with the change in the orientation of the device (secondary coil), the amount of energy accurately supplied from each of the plurality of primary coils. Can be detected.
[0025]
The predetermined period can be determined as appropriate in accordance with an assumed change in the orientation of the device.
[0026]
In the energy supply apparatus according to the present invention, the control unit detects a primary coil having a maximum energy supply amount among the plurality of primary coils based on a detection result of the energy supply amount detection unit. And selective voltage supply control means for cutting off voltage supply to primary coils other than the primary coil detected by the detection means.
[0027]
With such a configuration, voltage is supplied from the power supply device only to the primary coil that maximizes the amount of energy supplied. For this reason, it becomes possible to perform more efficient energy supply to the equipment.
[0028]
The energy supply apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the selective voltage supply control means switches whether or not to supply a voltage to each of the plurality of primary coils, and a detection result of the detection means. And switching control means for controlling the switch means based on the above.
[0029]
With such a configuration, the switching control means controls the switch means so as to cut off the voltage supply to the primary coils other than the primary coil that maximizes the amount of energy detected by the detection means. Thus, voltage is supplied from the power supply device only to the primary coil that maximizes the amount of energy supplied.
[0030]
Furthermore, in the energy supply device according to the present invention, the control means sets the voltage supplied from the power supply device to the primary coil that maximizes the amount of energy detected by the energy supply amount detection means. And the voltage supplied from the power supply device to the other primary coil is controlled to a second value smaller than the first value.
[0031]
With such a configuration, the value of the voltage supplied from the power supply device to the primary coil that maximizes the amount of energy supplied is greater than the value of the voltage supplied from the power supply device to the other primary coils. Thereby, it becomes possible to perform more efficient energy supply to the device from a plurality of primary coils.
[0032]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0033]
A plurality of primary coils of an energy supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention are arranged as shown in FIGS. This energy supply device supplies energy to a small medical device (such as an endoscope) that stays in the abdomen of the body.
[0034]
FIG. 1 shows the arrangement of the primary coils as viewed from the front of the body B. In FIG. 1, this energy supply device includes a set of z-direction primary coils 11a and 11b having a Helmholtz structure, a set of x-direction primary coils 12a and 12b having a Helmholtz structure, and a set of y having a Helmholtz structure. Directional primary coil 13a, 13b And have. The z-direction primary coils 11a and 11b are wound around a body part sandwiching the abdomen where the small medical device 100 is expected to stay. The x-direction primary coils 12a and 12b are disposed on the right and left sides of the abdomen where the small medical device 100 is expected to stay. In addition, the y-direction primary coils 13a and 13b are arranged before and after the abdomen where the small medical device 100 is expected to stay. Each primary coil pair (11a, 11b), (12a, 12b), (13a, 13b) having the Helmholtz structure is equal to the distance between the two coils in which the diameter of the coil (annular coil) is a pair. Designed to be
[0035]
Due to the arrangement of the primary coils 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b, 13a, and 13b, the z axis extending from the toes of the body B to the head in the region (abdomen region) surrounded by the primary coils, the right side of the body B It is possible to generate a magnetic field parallel to each axis (x, y, z) of the three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system composed of the x-axis extending from the left to the left and the y-axis extending from the front to the back of the body B. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, a magnetic field can be formed in the direction parallel to the z-axis by the z-direction primary coils 11a and 11b, and a magnetic field can be formed in the direction parallel to the x-axis by the x-direction primary coils 12a and 12b. In addition, a magnetic field can be formed in a direction parallel to the y-axis from the y-direction primary coils 13a and 13b.
[0036]
In place of the Helmholtz z-direction primary coils 11a and 11b, as shown in FIG. 3, a solenoid type primary coil 11 wound around the abdomen where the small medical device 100 is expected to stay may be used. it can. Further, the arrangement of the primary coils viewed from directly above the body B is as shown in FIG. 4A, and the direction of the magnetic field that can be generated from each primary coil is as shown in FIG. 4B. Furthermore, the arrangement of the primary coils viewed from the left side of the body B is as shown in FIG. 5A, and the direction of the magnetic field that can be generated from each primary coil is as shown in FIG. 5B.
[0037]
The small medical device 100 that stays in the abdomen of the body B has an energy receiving unit that has a structure including a secondary coil 101 having a predetermined number of turns and a core 102 inserted into the secondary coil 101. The core 102 is preferably formed of a magnetic material such as ferrite having a high magnetic permeability (for example, 1000 or more is desirable). The integrated secondary coil 101 and core 102 can be provided inside the housing of the medical small device 100 or can be provided outside thereof. Further, the secondary coil 101 may be wound around the housing of the small medical device 100 without providing the core 102.
[0038]
A first configuration example of the power supply device that supplies voltage to each primary coil arranged as described above is as shown in FIG.
[0039]
In FIG. 6, the power supply apparatus includes a DC power supply 15 such as a battery and a switching circuit 16. The switching circuit 16 performs an on / off operation with respect to the DC voltage from the DC power supply 15 at a predetermined frequency in the range of several kHz to several MHz, and generates a voltage changing with the frequency (hereinafter referred to as a high frequency voltage). To do. Each primary coil 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b, 13a, 13b and the resonance capacitor 17 arranged as described above are connected in series, and each primary coil 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b, 13a connected in series is connected. , 13b and the resonance capacitor 17 are applied with a high-frequency voltage output from the switching circuit 16. The capacitance value of the resonance capacitor 17 is set so that each primary coil 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b, 13a, 13b and the resonance capacitor 17 are in series resonance when the high-frequency voltage is applied. . Thereby, it becomes possible to transmit large energy efficiently.
[0040]
On the other hand, in the small medical device 100 staying in the abdomen of the body B, the secondary coil 101 and the resonance capacitor 103 are connected in series, and further, the secondary coil 101 and the resonance capacitor 103 connected in series are four. It is connected to a rectifier circuit 104 including diodes D1 to D4, an inductance L, and a capacitor C. With such a configuration, the alternating current induced in the secondary coil 101 is converted into direct current by the rectifier circuit 104, and the direct current is used as electrical energy in the small medical device 100. The capacitance value of the resonance capacitor 103 is set so that series resonance is performed between the secondary coil 101 and the resonance capacitor 103 as in the case of the primary coil. Thereby, large energy can be extracted efficiently.
[0041]
From the energy supply device including the primary coils 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b, 13a, 13b (see FIGS. 1 to 5) and the power supply device (see FIG. 6) arranged as described above to the abdomen of the body B Energy is supplied to the stagnant medical device 100 as follows.
[0042]
When the high-frequency voltage from the switching circuit 16 is applied to the series circuit of the primary coils 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b, 13a, 13b and the resonance capacitor 17, they are in a series resonance state, and each primary coil 11a, 11b. , 12a, 12b, 13a, and 13b form magnetic fields in directions parallel to the respective axes of the three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system (x, y, z) (FIGS. 2, 4B, and 5B). reference). In this state, the secondary coil 101 of the small medical device 100 that stays in the abdomen of the body B in an arbitrary direction corresponds to the degree of magnetic coupling between the secondary coil 101 and the z-direction primary coils 11a and 11b. The amount of current, the amount of current according to the degree of magnetic coupling between the secondary coil 101 and the x-direction primary coils 12a and 12b, and the magnetic coupling between the secondary coil 101 and the y-direction primary coils 13a and 13b. A current is induced by superimposing an amount of current corresponding to the degree. Thus, the current induced in the secondary coil 101 is converted into direct current by the rectifier circuit 104 and used as energy of the medical small device 100.
[0043]
According to such an energy supply device, magnetic fields formed in three directions always act on the secondary coil 101 in a superimposed manner regardless of the orientation of the medical small device 100 (secondary coil 101). A current is induced in the secondary coil 101 by the magnetic field in the three directions. For this reason, energy can be efficiently supplied to the small medical device 100 without interruption regardless of the orientation of the small medical device 100.
[0044]
FIG. 7 shows a second configuration example of the power supply apparatus that supplies voltage to each primary coil (see FIGS. 1 to 5) arranged as described above. The second configuration example is that the voltage is supplied in parallel to the z-direction primary coils 11a and 11b, the x-direction primary coils 12a and 12b, and the y-direction primary coils 13a and 13b. This is different from the configuration example.
[0045]
In FIG. 7, the power supply device includes a first switching circuit 21, a second switching circuit 23, and a third switching circuit 25, and a direct current from a direct current power supply 15 is supplied to each switching circuit 21, 23, 25. Voltage is supplied in parallel. Each switching circuit 21, 23, 25 outputs a high-frequency voltage based on the DC voltage from the DC power supply 15, similarly to the switching circuit 16 in the first configuration example described above. The z-direction primary coils 11a and 11b and the resonance capacitor 22 connected in series are connected to the first switching circuit 21, and the x-direction primary coils 12a and 12b and the resonance capacitor 24 connected in series are second switched. The y-direction primary coils 13 a and 13 b and the resonance capacitor 26 are connected to the third switching circuit 25.
[0046]
In the energy supply device having such a configuration, when the high-frequency voltage from the first switching circuit 21 is applied to the series circuit of the z-direction primary coils 11a and 11b and the resonance capacitor 22, they are in a series resonance state. A magnetic field in a direction parallel to the z-axis is generated from the z-direction primary coils 11a and 11b (see FIGS. 2, 4B, and 5B). Further, when the high-frequency voltage from the second switching circuit 23 is applied to the series circuit of the x-direction primary coils 12a and 12b and the resonance capacitor 24, they enter a series resonance state, and the x-direction primary coils 12a and 12b. Generates a magnetic field in a direction parallel to the x-axis (see FIGS. 2, 4B, and 5B). Furthermore, when the high-frequency voltage from the third switching circuit 25 is applied to the series circuit of the y-direction primary coils 13a and 13b and the resonance capacitor 26, they enter a series resonance state, and the y-direction primary coils 13a and 13b. Generates a magnetic field in a direction parallel to the y-axis (see FIGS. 2, 4B, and 5B).
[0047]
In this case as well, as in the first configuration example described above, the magnetic fields formed in the three directions are always superimposed in a secondary manner regardless of the orientation of the small medical device 100 (secondary coil 101). Acting on the coil 101, a current is induced in the secondary coil 101 by the magnetic field in the three directions. For this reason, similarly to the first configuration example, energy can be efficiently supplied to the medical small device 100 without interruption regardless of the orientation of the medical small device 100.
[0048]
Further, in the energy supply device as the second configuration example having the above-described structure, the self-inductance of the primary coil connected to each switching circuit 21, 23, 25 is connected to the switching circuit 16 in the first configuration example described above. Therefore, the output voltage of the DC power source 15 can be made relatively small. For this reason, the DC power supply 15 can be reduced in size.
[0049]
FIG. 8 shows a third configuration example of the power supply device that supplies voltage to each primary coil (see FIGS. 1 to 5) arranged as described above. This third configuration example is different from the first and second configuration examples described above in that the voltage applied to each primary coil is controlled in accordance with the amount of energy supplied from each primary coil.
[0050]
In FIG. 8, z-direction primary coils 11 a and 11 b connected in series, a resonance capacitor 22, and a current detection resistor 27 are connected to the first switching circuit 21. Further, the x-direction primary coils 12 a and 12 b, the resonance capacitor 24, and the current detection resistor 29 connected in series are connected to the second switching circuit 23. Further, the y-direction primary coils 13 a and 13 b, the resonance capacitor 26 and the current detection resistor 31 connected in series are connected to the third switching circuit 25. The first switching circuit 21 is supplied with a DC voltage from the DC power supply 15 via a switch SW1, the second switching circuit 23 is supplied with a DC voltage from the DC power supply 15 via a switch SW2, and A DC voltage is supplied from the DC power supply 15 to the third switching circuit 25 via the switch SW3.
[0051]
The power supply device further includes current detectors 28, 30 and 32, a timer 35 and a comparator 36. The current detector 28 detects the voltage across the current detection resistor 27 as the value of the current flowing through the z-direction primary coils 11a and 11b. The current detector detects the voltage across the current detection resistor 29 as the value of the current flowing through the x-direction primary coils 12a and 12b. Furthermore, the current detector 32 detects the voltage across the current detection resistor 31 as a current value flowing through the y-direction primary coils 13a and 13b. Detection signals (corresponding to detection current values) from the respective current detectors 28, 30 and 32 are supplied to the comparator 36.
[0052]
Assuming that the load is a constant resistance, the amount of energy that can be supplied to the load is determined by the degree of matching between the primary coil and the secondary circuit. When the matching is achieved (when the matching degree is maximum), the primary coil current is also maximized, and the amount of energy supply is also maximized. From this, the value of the current flowing through the primary coil represents the amount of energy supplied from the primary coil. That is, the detection signals from the current detectors 28, 30, and 32 represent the amount of energy supplied from the primary coils (11a, 11b), (12a, 12b), and (13a, 13b).
[0053]
The comparator 36 receives detection signals from the current detectors 28, 30, and 32, and outputs three control signals (1), (2), and (3) corresponding to the states of the input detection signals. . The control signal (1) performs on / off control of the switch SW1, the control signal (2) performs on / off control of the switch SW2, and the control signal (3) performs on / off control of the switch SW3. The comparator 36 compares the detection signals from the current detectors 28, 30, 32, and when the detection signal from the current detector 28 represents the largest detection current value, the control signal (ON) for turning on the switch SW1. 1) is output, and control signals (2) and (3) for turning off the other switches SW2 and SW3 are output. When the detection signal from the current detector 30 represents the largest detected current value, the comparator 36 outputs a control signal (2) for turning on the switch SW2 and other switches SW1 and SW3. Control signals (1) and (3) for turning off are output. Further, when the detection signal from the current detector 32 represents the largest detected current value, the comparator 3 6 From the control signal (3) for turning on the switch SW3 and the control signals (1) and (2) for turning off the other switches SW1 and SW2.
[0054]
The timer 35 outputs an ON control signal for a predetermined time t ′ every predetermined period t. The ON control signal from the timer 35 is supplied to each switch SW1, SW2, and SW3. Each of the switches SW1, SW2, SW3 is forcibly set at every predetermined period t regardless of the control signals {circle around (1)}, {circle around (2)}, {circle around (3)} from the comparator 36 by the ON control signal from the timer 35. It is turned on for a certain time t ′.
[0055]
The operation of the energy supply apparatus having the power supply apparatus configured as described above will be described with reference to a timing chart shown in FIG.
[0056]
The switches SW1, SW2, and SW3 are turned on for a predetermined time t ′ every predetermined period t by an on control signal (timer output) from the timer 35. At this time, a DC voltage is applied from the DC power supply 15 to the switching circuits 21, 23, and 25. By applying this DC voltage, a high frequency voltage is applied from each switching circuit 21, 23, 25 to each primary coil 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b, 13a, 13b. Thus, a magnetic field parallel to the z-axis is generated by the z-direction primary coils 11a and 11b for the predetermined time t ′, a magnetic field parallel to the x-axis is generated by the x-direction primary coils 12a and 12b, and further, the y-direction primary is generated. A magnetic field parallel to the y-axis is generated by the coils 13a and 13b.
[0057]
In this state, the detection signal corresponding to the current value flowing in the z-direction primary coils 11a and 11b from the current detector 28 corresponds to the detection signal corresponding to the current value flowing in the x-direction primary coils 12a and 12b from the current detector 30. However, detection signals corresponding to the current values flowing from the current detector 32 to the y-direction primary coils 13a and 13b are supplied to the comparators 36, respectively. The comparator 36 compares these detection signals and, for example, turns on the switch SW2 when the detection signal from the current detector 30 (corresponding to the current value flowing in the x-direction primary coils 12a and 12b) represents the maximum current value. The control signal {circle over (2)} for outputting the control signal and the control signals {circle over (1)} and {circle over (3)} for turning off the switches SW1 and SW3 are output (see the comparator output in FIG. 9).
[0058]
Thus, after the predetermined time t ′ has elapsed, the switch SW2 is kept on and the switches SW1 and SW3 are turned off (see SW1, SW2, SW3 in FIG. 9). This state is maintained until the next predetermined period t is started. As a result, the small current medical device 100 in which only the magnetic field parallel to the x-axis generated from the x-direction coils 12a and 12b having the maximum flowing current value, that is, the maximum amount of energy supply, is retained in the abdomen of the body B. Acting on the secondary coil 101. Then, the current induced in the secondary coil 101 by the magnetic field is used as electrical energy of the medical small device 100.
[0059]
The operation as described above is repeated every predetermined period t. In this process, for example, the comparator 36 indicates that the detection signal from the current detector 32 (corresponding to the current value flowing in the y-direction primary coils 13a and 13b) at the predetermined time t ′ from time T1 represents the maximum current value. Is determined, the comparator 36 outputs a control signal (3) for turning on the switch SW3 and also outputs control signals (1) and (2) for turning off the switches SW1 and SW2 (in FIG. 9). (See Comparator output). As a result, the switch SW3 switched to the on state by the on control signal from the timer 35 at time T1 remains on after the predetermined time t ', and the switch SW2 that has been maintained on until now is off. Further, the switch SW1 is switched to the off state in the same manner as the operation described above.
[0060]
As a result, the small current medical device 100 in which only the magnetic field parallel to the y-axis generated from the y-direction coils 13a and 13b having the maximum flowing current value, that is, the maximum amount of energy supply, is retained in the abdomen of the body B. Acting on the secondary coil 101. Then, the current induced in the secondary coil 101 by the magnetic field is used as electrical energy of the medical small device 100.
[0061]
According to the energy supply device having the power supply device as the third configuration example as described above, the amount of energy supplied from each primary coil 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b, 13a, 13b is detected every predetermined period t. Based on the detection result, a magnetic field is generated from the primary coil that always supplies the maximum energy. As a result, the generation of the magnetic field from the primary coil having a large loss in energy supply is stopped, so that more efficient energy supply to the medical small device 100 becomes possible.
[0062]
The predetermined period t, which is the measurement period of the energy supply amount from each primary coil, is determined based on the expected behavior of the small medical device 100 in the body B. Further, the fixed time t ′, which is the measurement time of the energy supply amount (current value), can be determined from the processing capability of the power supply device, the relationship with the predetermined period t, and the like. For example, the predetermined period t can be determined to be about several seconds, and the predetermined time can be determined to be about several milliseconds.
[0063]
FIG. 10 shows a fourth configuration example of the power supply device. This fourth configuration example is common to the third configuration example described above in that the voltage applied to each primary coil is controlled in accordance with the amount of energy supplied from each primary coil, but continuously from each primary coil. The difference is that a magnetic field is generated.
[0064]
In FIG. 10, the power supply device includes a first switching circuit 21, a second switching circuit 23, and a third switching circuit 25, as in the third configuration example described above. A DC voltage from the first DC power supply 15a is applied to the first switching circuit 21 via the switch SW1, and a DC voltage from the second DC power supply 15b is applied to the second switching circuit 23 via the switch SW2. Further, a DC voltage from the third DC power source 15c is applied to the third switching circuit 25 via the switch SW3.
[0065]
The first switching circuit 21, the z-direction primary coils 11a and 11b, the resonance capacitor 22, the current detection resistor 27 and the current detector 28, the second switching circuit 23, the x-direction primary coils 12a and 12b, The connection relationship of the resonance capacitor 24, the current detection resistor 29 and the current detector 28, and the third switching circuit 25, the y-direction primary coils 13a and 13b, the resonance capacitor 26, the current detection resistor 31 and the current The connection relationship of the detectors 32 is the same as that in the third configuration example described above. Similarly to the case of the third configuration example described above, the timer 35 also supplies an ON control signal for a predetermined time t ′ to each switch SW1, SW2, SW3 at every predetermined period t.
[0066]
A first control element 42 is connected in parallel to the switch SW1, a second control element 43 is connected in parallel to the switch SW2, and a third control element 44 is connected in parallel to the switch SW3. Yes. The power supply device further includes a control unit 41. The control unit 41 inputs the detection signals (1), (2), (3) from the current detectors 28, 30, 32, and responds to the detection signals (1), (2), (3). Control signals (1) ′, (2) ′, and (3) ′. The control signal (1) ′ is supplied to the first control element 42, and the control signal (2) 'Is supplied to the second control element 43, and the control signal (3)' is supplied to the third control element 44. Each control element 42, 43, 44 is supplied from each DC power source 15a, 15b, 15c to each switching circuit 21, 23, 25 in accordance with the supplied control signals (1) ', (2)', (3) '. Controls the applied DC voltage.
[0067]
The control unit 41 levels the control signal corresponding to the detection signal representing the maximum current value among the detection signals (1), (2), and (3) input from the current detectors 28, 30, and 32. L1 And other control signals at the level L1 Lower level L2 (For example, 1/2 · L1). Then, when the control signal of level 1 is supplied to each control element 42, 43, 44, the DC voltage from the corresponding DC power supply is applied to the switching circuit as it is, and the control signal of level 2 is supplied. If it does, it will operate | move so that the DC voltage (for example, DC voltage of 1/2) smaller than the DC voltage from a corresponding DC power supply may be applied to a switching circuit.
[0068]
The operation of the energy supply apparatus having the power supply apparatus configured as described above will be described with reference to a timing chart shown in FIG.
[0069]
The switches SW1, SW2, and SW3 are turned on for a predetermined time t ′ every predetermined period t by an on control signal (timer output) from the timer 35. At this time, the DC voltage from each DC power supply 15a, 15b, 15c is directly applied to each switching circuit 21, 23, 25 via each switch SW1, SW2, SW3. In this state, the amount of energy supplied from each primary coil is detected as in the third configuration example described above. That is, the detection signals {circle around (1)}, {circle around (2)}, {circle around (3)} corresponding to the current value flowing through the corresponding primary coil from each of the current detectors 28, 30, 32 are input to the control unit 41 (control in FIG. 11). Input reference). Then, the control unit 41 outputs control signals {circle around (1)}, {circle around (2)}, {circle around (3)} corresponding to the input detection signals {circle around (1)}, {circle around (2)}, {circle around (3)} (controls in FIG. 11). See output).
[0070]
For example, from current detector 30 detection When the signal (2) represents the maximum current value, the control unit 41 outputs the control signal (2) ′ at the level L1 and the control signals (1) ′ and (3) ′ at the level L2. When the control signals (1) ′, (2) ′, (3) ′ having such levels are supplied to the first control element 41, the second control element 42, and the third control element 43, The second control element 42 operates to apply the direct current voltage from the second direct current power supply 15b to the second switching circuit 23 as it is, and the first and third control elements 41 and 43 are the first and second control elements 41 and 43, respectively. The first and third switching circuits 21 and 25 operate so as to apply a DC voltage smaller than the DC voltage from the three DC power supplies 15a and 15c.
[0071]
As a result, when the switches SW1, SW2, SW3 are switched to the off state after the lapse of the predetermined time t ′, the DC voltage applied to the first switching circuit 21 and the third switching circuit 25 decreases, while the first The DC voltage applied to the second switching circuit 23 is maintained (see the switching circuit input in FIG. 11). This state is maintained until the next predetermined period t is started. As a result, a high-frequency voltage corresponding to the DC voltage from the second DC power supply 15b is applied to the x-direction primary coils 12a and 12b in which the flowing current value is maximum, that is, the energy supply amount is maximum. The primary coils (11a, 11b), (13a, 13b) are applied with a high-frequency voltage corresponding to a DC voltage smaller than the DC voltage from the first and third DC power supplies 15a, 15b.
[0072]
In such a situation, the magnetic field parallel to the x-axis generated from the x-direction primary coils 12a and 12b is changed to the magnetic field parallel to the z-axis generated from the z-direction primary coils 11a and 11b and the y-direction primary coils 13a and 13b. From the magnetic field parallel to the y-axis generated from Magnetic fields parallel to the z-axis, x-axis, and y-axis that have such a magnitude relationship act on the secondary coil 101 of the small medical device 100 that stays in the abdomen of the body B in a superimposed manner. The current induced in the secondary coil 101 by the magnetic field is used as electrical energy in the medical small device 100.
[0073]
The operation as described above is repeated every predetermined period t. In the process, for example, when the detection signal (3) from the current detector 32 represents the maximum current value at the predetermined time t ′ from time T1, the control unit 41 outputs the control signal (3) ′. level L2 To level L1 And control signal (2) 'to level L1 To level L2 To level control signal (1) ' L2 To maintain. By the operation of the control elements 41, 42, 43 based on these control signals (1) ′, (2) ′, (3) ′, the DC voltage applied to the third switching circuit 25 is changed to the third DC power source. While the DC voltage supplied from 15c is increased, the DC voltage applied to the second switching circuit 23 is decreased from the DC voltage supplied from the second DC power supply 15b. Further, the first switching circuit 21 is maintained in a state where a DC voltage lower than the DC voltage supplied from the first DC power supply 15a is applied.
[0074]
As a result, a magnetic field parallel to the y-axis generated from the y-direction primary coils 13a and 13b that generates a maximum current value, that is, a maximum energy supply amount is generated from the z-direction primary coils 11a and 11bk. Greater than the magnetic field parallel to the z-axis and the magnetic field parallel to the x-axis generated from the x-direction primary coils 12a and 12b. Accordingly, magnetic fields parallel to the z-axis, x-axis, and y-axis whose magnitude relationship has changed as described above at time T1 are superimposed on the secondary coil 101 of the small medical device 100 that stays in the abdomen of the body B. The current induced in the secondary coil 101 by each magnetic field is used as electrical energy in the small medical device 100.
[0075]
According to the energy supply device having the power supply device as the fourth configuration example as described above, the amount of energy supplied from each primary coil 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b, 13a, 13b is detected every predetermined period t. Based on the detection result, the maximum magnetic field is generated from the primary coil that always supplies the maximum energy, and a smaller magnetic field is generated from the other primary coils. As a result, energy is supplied while maintaining a state in which three magnetic fields parallel to the three axes (z axis, x axis, and y axis) always act on the secondary coil 101 of the small medical device 100 in a superimposed manner. Since the supply voltage to the primary coil having a large loss is suppressed, more efficient energy supply to the small medical device 100 becomes possible.
[0076]
In the power supply device of the fourth configuration example described above, the voltage applied to each primary coil is controlled in two stages according to the amount of energy supplied from each primary coil, but the voltage applied to each primary coil. Can be controlled in three or more stages or in an analog manner according to the amount of energy supplied from each primary coil.
[0077]
In each of the power supply devices of the third configuration example and the fourth configuration example, a current detection resistor is inserted between each switch SW1, SW2, SW3 and the corresponding switching circuit, and the DC power supply 15 (15a , 15b, 15c) to detect the current supplied to each switching circuit 21, 23, 25 as the amount of energy supplied from each primary coil (11a, 11b), (12a, 12b), (13a, 13b) May be.
[0078]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, each of the plurality of primary coils is magnetically coupled to the secondary coil with a degree according to the direction of the generated magnetic field and the direction of the secondary coil provided in the device. Since the electric energy is induced in the secondary coil as described above, energy can be efficiently supplied to the device in a non-contact manner regardless of the orientation of the device.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the arrangement of primary coils in an energy supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the front of the body.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the direction of a magnetic field that can be generated by each primary coil arranged as shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram of the arrangement of each primary coil when a solenoid type coil is used as the z-direction primary coil, as viewed from the front of the body.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the arrangement of each primary coil in the energy supply device viewed from directly above the body and the direction of the magnetic field that can be generated by each primary coil arranged in that way.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the arrangement of each primary coil in the energy supply device viewed from the left side of the body and the direction of the magnetic field that can be generated by each primary coil arranged in that way.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a first configuration example of a power supply device in the energy supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a second configuration example of the power supply device in the energy supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a third configuration example of the power supply device in the energy supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
9 is a timing chart showing the operation of the power supply device shown in FIG.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a fourth configuration example of the power supply device in the energy supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
11 is a timing chart showing the operation of the power supply device shown in FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
11, 11a, 11b z direction primary coil
12a, 12b x direction primary coil
13a, 13b y direction primary coil
15, 15a, 15b, 15c DC power supply
16 Switching circuit
17 Resonant capacitor
21, 23, 25 switching circuit
22, 24, 26 Resonant capacitor
27, 29, 31 Current detection resistors
28, 30, 32 Current value detector
35 timer
36 Comparator
41 Control unit
42 First control element
43 Second control element
44 Third control element
SW1, SW2, SW3 switch

Claims (9)

A plurality of primary coils installed around the body to generate magnetic fields in different directions,
A power supply device that supplies a voltage that changes at a predetermined cycle to the plurality of primary coils,
An energy supply device that induces electrical energy in a secondary coil provided in a device that stays in the body by a magnetic field generated from the plurality of primary coils,
Energy supply amount detection means for detecting the amount of energy supplied from each of the plurality of primary coils;
The voltage supplied from the power supply device to the plurality of primary coils so that the maximum voltage is supplied to the primary coil having the maximum energy supply amount based on the detection result of the energy supply amount detection means. And an energy supply device.   The energy supply device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of primary coils include three primary coils installed so as to generate a magnetic field parallel to each axis of a predetermined three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system.   The plurality of primary coils are connected in parallel to the power supply device, and a voltage is supplied in parallel to the primary coil from the power supply device. Energy supply device. The energy supply apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the power supply apparatus includes a plurality of power supply units that individually supply voltages to the plurality of primary coils. The energy supply amount detection means is an energy amount that supplies a current value flowing through each of the plurality of primary coils in a state where a predetermined voltage is supplied from the power supply device to each of the plurality of primary coils. energy supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a current detecting means for detecting. The energy supply amount detection means, according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that in order to detect repeatedly the amount of energy which is supplied from each of said plurality of primary coil at a predetermined period Energy supply device. The control means detects, based on the detection result of the energy supply amount detection means, a primary coil having a maximum energy supply amount among the plurality of primary coils;
Energy supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it has a selective voltage supply control means for interrupting the voltage supply to the primary coil of the non-primary coil which is detected by the detecting means. The selective voltage supply control means is a switch means for switching whether to supply a voltage to each of the plurality of primary coils,
The energy supply apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a switching control unit that controls the switch unit based on a detection result of the detection unit. The control means controls the voltage supplied from the power supply device to a first value with respect to the primary coil that maximizes the amount of energy detected by the energy supply quantity detection means, and controls the other primary coils. The energy supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein a voltage supplied from the power supply device is controlled to a second value smaller than the first value.

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