Event-Driven Sensor Power Management for Patient Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing patient monitoring systems with central monitors tend to be large and costly, and there is a need for sensors that can analyze and wirelessly transmit physiological information with reduced power consumption to facilitate easier introduction and longer monitoring periods.
Innovation Solution
A sensor attached to a subject with a processor, communication interface, and power supplying member that supplies different power levels to the communication interface based on the detection of events, using lower power when no events are detected to conserve energy and transmit information only when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the sensor is equipped with wireless transmission function and analysis function, then the monitoring capability is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor performs wireless transmission periodically or event-driven rather than continuously. The communication interface is activated only when physiological information needs to be transmitted, allowing the system to maintain monitoring capability while significantly reducing average power consumption of the communication module.
Solution Approach 2:
The power supplying member dynamically adjusts the power supplied to the communication interface based on operational requirements. When transmission is needed, full power is supplied; when not needed, power is reduced or cut off, optimizing the balance between monitoring capability and power consumption.
2Loss of information
If the sensor transmits physiological information continuously, then the data availability is improved, but the battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous transmission, the sensor transmits physiological information periodically or when specific conditions are met. This ensures data availability at regular intervals or when clinically relevant events occur, while extending battery life by minimizing unnecessary transmission operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor autonomously determines when transmission is necessary based on its own monitoring of physiological parameters. The processor evaluates the acquired physiological information and triggers transmission only when appropriate, eliminating the need for continuous external control and optimizing both data availability and power usage.
3Quantity of substance
If a central monitor is used to monitor multiple patients, then the monitoring coverage is improved, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring and analysis functions are extracted from the central monitor and embedded directly into each sensor unit. Each sensor independently acquires, analyzes, and transmits its own physiological information, eliminating the need for a complex centralized system and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining monitoring coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring system is segmented into independent sensor units, each capable of autonomous operation. Rather than one central monitor handling all patients, each patient's sensor operates independently, simplifying the overall system architecture and reducing the complexity of data management and processing.
Data Source
AI summary
A patient monitoring system is provided. A sensor is attached to a subject. A processor acquires physiological information of the subject, and detects an occurrence of an event. A communication interface is wirelessly communicable with a remote device through a communication network. When the processor detects an occurrence of the event, a power supplying member supplies a first electric power that is necessary for transmission of physiological information to the remote device, to the communication interface. When an occurrence of the event is not detected, the power supplying member supplies a second electric power that is lower than the first electric power, to the communication interface.