Biopsy Driver Control Circuit Battery Power Conservation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Battery-powered biopsy driver assemblies face challenges in prolonged use due to high power consumption, leading to potential malfunctions from battery depletion during extended procedures.

Innovation Solution

A biopsy driver assembly with a control circuit that includes a motion detector, timer circuit, and battery dwell circuit, which conserves battery power by turning off non-essential components after a predetermined time of inactivity and reactivating them upon detection of physical movement, ensuring power is only provided when the device is in use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the biopsy driver assembly remains powered on for the duration of prolonged procedures, then the device is ready for immediate use and can respond to operational commands, but the battery power is depleted faster leading to potential malfunctions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice readinessVSAvoidbattery power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts its operational state based on detected motion. When motion is detected, the system transitions to a fully powered state with all components active. When no motion is detected for a predetermined time, the system transitions to a power-saving state where non-essential components are turned off, while maintaining the ability to quickly reactivate upon new motion detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The motion detector enables the system to automatically detect its own usage state and self-regulate power consumption accordingly. The control circuit monitors motion signals and autonomously switches between power consumption modes without requiring manual user intervention, allowing the device to serve itself in power management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Duration of action of moving object

If non-essential components are turned off to conserve battery power, then battery life is prolonged, but the device may not be ready for immediate operation when needed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery lifeVSAvoidimmediate operational readiness
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The motion detector continuously monitors for motion signals even when the system is in power-saving mode. This preliminary detection capability ensures that when the device is needed again, the system can quickly transition from power-saving mode to full operational mode by detecting the motion signal and reactivating components without requiring manual user activation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs periodic motion detection sampling to monitor for usage signals. The motion detector periodically checks for motion, and when motion is detected after a period of inactivity, it triggers the reactivation sequence, creating a periodic monitoring cycle that balances power conservation with operational readiness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Loss of energy

If the control circuit continuously monitors for motion and manages power states, then battery power is conserved during inactivity, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower conservationVSAvoidcontrol circuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control circuit is designed to perform multiple functions: it monitors motion signals, determines usage states, manages power distribution to various components, and controls transitions between operational modes. By making the control circuit multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for separate dedicated circuits for each function, thereby managing complexity while achieving power conservation goals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution effectively prolongs battery life and prevents malfunctions by minimizing power consumption during periods of inactivity, allowing for extended use without battery depletion.

Implementation Method 1

The control circuit has a motion detector, a timer circuit and a battery dwell circuit. The control circuit is configured to conserve the battery by providing electrical power only to the motion detector after a predetermined time following a last detected physical movement of the biopsy driver assembly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMotion detection: Accelerometer

Data Source

PatentEP3689253B1Biopsy driver assembly having a control circuit for conserving battery power
Publication Date: 2023.08.02 CR BARD INC
  • EP3689253B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3689253B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3689253B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A biopsy driver assembly (12) includes a biopsy driver housing (24). An electrical assembly (200) is coupled to the biopsy driver housing. The electrical assembly includes at least one electrical drive (361, 362) configured for drivably engaging a biopsy probe assembly. A battery (34) is coupled to the biopsy driver housing. A control circuit (702) is coupled to the biopsy driver housing. The control circuit is electrically coupled to the battery and to the electrical assembly (700). The control circuit has a motion detector (704), a timer circuit (706) and a battery dwell circuit (708). The control circuit is configured to conserve the battery by providing electrical power only to the motion detector after a predetermined time following a last detected physical movement of the biopsy driver assembly and to provide electrical power from the battery also to the electrical assembly when a physical movement of the biopsy driver assembly is detected.