Adaptive Self-Testing Frequency for Defibrillator Battery Life

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Solution Overview

Problem

Automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) face challenges in efficiently identifying latent defects and minimizing battery consumption during self-testing, as current protocols either consume excessive energy or run infrequently, leading to delayed detection of failures and potential premature device failure.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a self-testing method that adjusts the frequency of high voltage (HV) and low voltage (LV) self-tests based on detected conditions, such as elapsed time, environmental factors, and usage rates, allowing for more frequent HV self-testing when necessary to uncover latent defects while conserving battery life by reducing frequency as needed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If high voltage self-tests are performed frequently to detect latent defects, then reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedefect detection capabilityVSAvoidbattery consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adjustment of self-test frequency based on device age and operational conditions. The system transitions from frequent testing in early device life when latent defects are most likely to occur, to less frequent testing as the device ages, thereby optimizing the balance between defect detection and energy conservation throughout the device lifecycle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of test frequency over time based on device age and operational history. By adjusting this parameter dynamically rather than maintaining a fixed frequency, the system achieves better energy efficiency while maintaining adequate defect detection capability during critical periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If high voltage self-tests are performed at maximum stress conditions, then measurement precision is improved, but device durability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedefect detection accuracyVSAvoidcomponent lifespan

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial stress conditions during self-testing rather than always using maximum stress. By using reduced stress levels for routine testing and reserving maximum stress conditions for less frequent comprehensive tests, the system achieves adequate defect detection while reducing cumulative stress damage to components over time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements periodic high-stress testing interspersed with lower-stress testing. This periodic application of maximum stress conditions allows for thorough defect detection at intervals while reducing overall component wear compared to continuous maximum stress testing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS11129997B2Adaptive self-testing and stress analysis of medical devices

Publication Date: 2021.09.28 EVEREST ACQUISITION ENTITY LLC

AI summary

An improved self-testing method is described which is incorporated into a defibrillator. The method performs a self-testing protocol which operates on a first frequency until a threshold condition is reached. When the threshold condition is reached, the self-testing protocol switches to a second frequency. Such a method enables quicker identification of a failure mode in a population of defibrillators, while maintaining acceptable battery life in the device.