All-in-one capacitor charging and power platforms for medical applications

Advanced Energy Industries, Inc. has announced the FlexiCharge FC2500, extending its industry-leading portfolio of all-in-one, intelligent system power and capacitor charger platform that simplifies and speeds the design of medical laser systems and electrosurgery applications such as Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Therapy and Pulsed Magnetic (PM) Therapy.

IPL and PM systems generally have capacitors in aesthetic and surgical lasers that are charged to high voltages and then discharged to generate high-current pulses. Traditionally, charging was delivered by a separate power supply to the system power supply. The company is the industry’s first and only business to deliver a single integrated platform for providing high-voltage inputs for capacitor charging and multiple output low-voltage AC/DC conversion for system electronics such as touch panels, pumps, cooling elements and other treatments.

The device combines high-voltage capacitor charging to 2.5kJ with multiple-output, low-voltage AC/DC power up to 800W and delivers constant power overcharge voltages from 250V to 1,000V. This ensures faster charging at lower voltages, which allows shorter treatment times and increases the number of patients that can be treated. Using a single power supply for capacitor charging and system power decreases application development times and complexity, lowers size and weight by up to 30%, and simplifies compliance with safety and EMI standards.

“This latest addition to Advanced Energy’s revolutionary FlexiCharge series of capacitor chargers underscores our continued commitment to developing innovative solutions that meet the power and performance demands for next-generation laser, IPL and pulsed power systems,” said Shrinidhi Chandrasekharan, senior vice president of medical products at Advanced Energy. “With the introduction of FC2500, Advanced Energy continues its leadership in new technology and power solutions for medical applications - enabling faster time to market for medical OEMs.”

Designed for optimum flexibility, the device provides configuration and programming of outputs and charge voltages and enables the connection of outputs in series and parallel to support higher voltages and currents. Intelligent analog and digital control via the PMBus with ‘set and forget’ features and storage capabilities enables faster time-to-market for medical OEMs and can be used in the field to simplify system maintenance and servicing, resulting in longer-term reliability and reduced downtime.

The device is compliant with IEC60601-1 (3rd edition) and IEC60601-1-2 (4th edition).