Controller Switching Inductive Sensing and Electromagnetic Emissions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current portable handheld devices, such as smartphones, emit electromagnetic radiation at levels exceeding medical device regulations, and require direct contact for vital sign measurements, making them unsuitable for medical sensing applications, especially in environments where compliance with electromagnetic compliance (EMC) regulations is necessary.
Innovation Solution
A controller that switches between two modes: deactivating electromagnetic emissions and activating an inductive sensing circuit for medical sensing, and reactivating emissions for normal device functionality, ensuring safe and compliant medical sensing on portable handheld devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a portable handheld device with electromagnetic emitting functions is used for medical sensing, then the device can be readily accessible and mobile, but the electromagnetic emissions exceed medical device regulations and may interfere with inductive sensing signals
Solution Approach 1:
The device dynamically switches between two operational modes: a sensing mode where electromagnetic emissions are deactivated and inductive sensing is activated, and a normal mode where electromagnetic emissions are active and inductive sensing is deactivated. This dynamic switching allows the device to adapt its functionality based on the operational context, enabling both mobile accessibility and regulatory compliance for medical sensing applications
2Adaptability or versatility
If electromagnetic emissions are activated for normal device functionality, then communication and other functions work properly, but inductive sensing cannot be performed
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs periodic switching between electromagnetic emission mode and inductive sensing mode. The controller alternates between activating electromagnetic emissions for normal communication functions and deactivating them to enable inductive sensing, with each mode being active during specific time periods. This periodic action ensures that both communication and medical sensing functions can be performed reliably, just not simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The switching mechanism ensures continuous availability of both functions by rapidly alternating between modes. The useful action of electromagnetic communication and the useful action of inductive sensing both continue to be available to the user, just at different times, maintaining overall system utility while preventing signal interference
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
Enables safe and compliant medical sensing on portable handheld devices by automatically disabling harmful electromagnetic emissions during vital sign measurements, ensuring regulatory compliance and preventing interference with inductive sensing signals.
Implementation Method 1
an inductive sensing circuit for sensing electromagnetic signals returned from a body responsive to application of electromagnetic excitation signals to said body
Data Source
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AI summary
A switching mechanism is for enabling use of an inductive sensing circuit (16) in association with a portable handheld device (14) having electromagnetic transmission functionality in a manner that avoids harmful interference of the electromagnetic transmissions of the portable device with the subject when medical sensing is being performed. In particular, embodiments provide a controller (12) arranged to control switching between two modes: a first mode in which at least a portion of the transmission functionality of the portable device is deactivated and concurrently the inductive sensing circuit is activated; and a second mode in which the electromagnetic transmission functionality of the portable device is fully activated, and the inductive sensing circuit is deactivated. Thus embodiments provide a means of toggling between two modes, the modes configured to avoid simultaneous inductive sensing and full-power electromagnetic transmission of the portable handheld device.