Highly precise and low level signal-generating drivers, systems, and methods of use

• US 8,613,695 B2
• Filed: 07/09/2009
• Issued: 12/24/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Applied Magnetics, LLC
• Original Assignee: Applied Magnetics, LLC
• Inventors: Von Ohlsen, Jon, Schoonover, Dale, Braswell, Allen Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Matthews, Christine
• Assistant Examiner(s): LANNU, JOSHUA DARYL DEANON
• Application Number:
  US12/500,284
• Publication Number:
  US 20100010288A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,629 Days
• Field of Search: 600/9, 600/13, 600/14, 600/301, 128897-899, 361139-210
• US Class Current: 600/9
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2/02 using magnetic fields produced by coils, including single turn loops or electromagnets A61N2/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/022 Waveform generators, i.e. devices for generating periodical functions of time, e.g. direct digital synthesizers G06F1/025, G06F1/03 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H03B 28/00 Generation of oscillations by methods not covered by groups H03B5/00 - H03B27/00, including modification of the waveform to produce sinusoidal oscillations analogue function generators for performing computing operations G06G7/26; use of transformers for conversion of waveform in ac-ac converters H02M5/18
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 3/01 Details

Abstract

Apparatus and method for providing and using a highly precise and low level driver. In one described embodiment, a driver for a magnetic field generating device is provided, the driver including a first digital to analog converter and a second digital to analog converter; a differential amplifier configured to receive a first signal from the first digital to analog converter and receive a second signal from the second digital to analog converter and output a third signal; and an attenuator to configured to receive the third signal from the differential amplifier.

Claims

1. A driver for a magnetic field generating device comprising:

a programmable signal generator configured to receive a control signal from a processor, and based on the control signal, output a driver signal;

a first digital to analog converter configured to receive the driver signal and output a first output signal;

a second digital to analog converter configured to receive the driver signal and output a second output signal;

a differential amplifier configured to receive the first output signal and the second output signal and output a third signal;

an attenuator configured to receive the third signal and output a fourth signal; and

one or more coils configured to receive the fourth signal and generate a magnetic field to provide a magnetic resonance treatment to a subject.

2. The driver of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to receive the first and second signals and calibrate the signal generator based on the first and second signals.

3. The driver of claim 1, further comprising at least one relay device connected to at least one of the first or second digital to analog converters.

4. The driver of claim 3, further comprising a voltage reference source connected to the at least one relay device.

5. The driver of claim 4, wherein the at least one relay device is used to relay output from the voltage reference source to the second digital to analog converter.

6. The driver of claim 3, wherein the signal generator is coupled to the at least one relay device.

7. The driver of claim 6, wherein the at least one relay device is used to relay output from the signal generator to the first digital to analog converter.

8. The driver of claim 1, further comprising at least one sensor configured to monitor physical parameters of the subject receiving the magnetic field.

9. The driver of claim 8, wherein the sensor comprises one or more of:

an EGK, an EEG, a heart rate monitor, or a blood pressure monitor.

10. The driver of claim 1, further comprising a magnetometer.

11. The driver of claim 10, wherein the magnetometer is configured to sense an ambient magnetic field.

12. The driver of claim 1, wherein the signal generator comprises a low noise, low frequency, sinusoidal signal generator.

13. The driver of claim 1, wherein the control signal comprises one or more waveform parameters.

14. The driver of claim 13, wherein the one or more waveform parameters comprise one or more of frequency and waveform type.

15. The driver of claim 1, wherein the subject comprises a human.