DOI: 10.3390/electronics15215124 ISSN: 2079-9292

A High-Efficiency Bipolar Pulse Generator Based on a Push–Pull Inverter for Tissue Welding

Zhongzhen Hu, Caihui Zhu, Zhaohui Jin, Xin Chen, Cheng Liu, Zewen Dong, Jian Qiu, Hui Zhao, Kefu Liu, Tingfeng Wang

The push–pull inverter topology inherently incorporates a transformer, making it suitable for electrosurgical generators without requiring an additional transformer. However, conventional push–pull topologies exhibit limitations, including high switch stress and the absence of a dedicated path for releasing transformer leakage-inductance energy, which may increase switching losses at high frequencies. This paper presents a bipolar pulse generator based on a push–pull inverter topology, offering a new engineering approach for electrosurgical applications. The prototype achieves soft-switching operation over a load range of 30–1000 Ω, reducing design complexity, extending load adaptability, and improving system reliability while meeting the stringent pulse-width control requirements of bipolar electrosurgical applications. In addition, based on an equivalent-impedance model of tissue welding, the operating modes and soft-switching mechanisms of the push–pull inverter under different dynamic load conditions are analyzed, and strict constraints relating to dead time, load resistance, and circuit parameters are derived. A bipolar pulse-generator prototype operating at 400 kHz was developed to validate the theoretical analysis. Experimental results show a conversion efficiency of 86–94% over a dynamic load range of 25–250 Ω. At a moderate nominal load, the system maintains an efficiency above 93% over an output-power range of 4.92–183.69 W, achieving high-efficiency operation across a power range relevant to electrosurgical applications. While maintaining tissue-welding quality, the proposed system improves overall efficiency, demonstrating the feasibility and engineering value of the topology and control strategy for bipolar electrosurgical generators.

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