Fetal Heart Rate Monitor Acceleration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fetal heart rate monitors (FHRMs) with movable Doppler transducers often emit ultrasound energy unnecessarily during movement, leading to inaccurate readings and potential harm to the fetus and mother, as they continue to transmit energy even when the transducer is in motion, which is harmful and ineffective.
Innovation Solution
A fetal heart rate monitor with a movable Doppler transducer that is operably coupled to an accelerometer, switching to a transceiving configuration only when the acceleration is within a predetermined optimal range, ensuring safe and effective energy transmission during stable positioning and deactivating during excessive movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the Doppler transducer continues to transmit ultrasound energy throughout the examination, then the device is always ready to acquire signals, but unnecessary radiation accumulates in the body and energy is wasted when the transducer is moving above certain velocity
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the transducer operation state based on real-time acceleration feedback. The accelerometer continuously monitors transducer movement, and the control circuit switches between active and inactive states according to whether acceleration exceeds the threshold, optimizing both safety and functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback control where the accelerometer provides real-time information about transducer acceleration to the control circuit. This feedback loop enables the system to automatically adjust its operation state based on actual movement conditions, preventing harmful radiation while maintaining signal acquisition readiness when appropriate
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the Doppler transducer is activated during movement to maintain monitoring continuity, then no signal loss occurs during motion, but inaccurate readings are obtained and energy transmission continues unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system dynamically responds to movement conditions by switching states. During excessive movement detected by the accelerometer, the system transitions to an inactive state, preventing inaccurate readings while maintaining the ability to resume accurate monitoring when movement subsides
Solution Approach 2:
The system temporarily skips monitoring during periods of excessive movement when accurate measurements cannot be obtained. By pausing operation during these intervals and resuming when conditions improve, the system avoids collecting useless data while maintaining overall monitoring continuity
3Productivity
If the transducer is moved quickly to locate the fetal heartbeat, then the search time is reduced, but no signal can be acquired and radiation accumulates without benefit
Solution Approach 1:
The system adapts its operational state to the current movement phase. During rapid positioning maneuvers, the accelerometer detects high acceleration and automatically deactivates the transducer, preventing energy waste. When the transducer is properly positioned and acceleration decreases, the system automatically reactivates for signal acquisition
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own accelerometer to automatically determine when it is appropriate to activate or deactivate the transducer, without requiring external control. This self-regulating mechanism ensures energy is only transmitted when the transducer is stationary enough to be useful
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 ensures the FHRM operates safely and effectively by preventing unnecessary energy transmission during movement, reducing exposure to harmful ultrasound and improving the accuracy of fetal heart rate readings by activating the transducer only when it is within a specific range of acceleration, thereby enhancing patient safety and monitoring efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a movable Doppler transducer which transceives ultrasound energy
Implementation Method 2
ultrasound (US) radiation penetrates the body
Implementation Method 3
said movable Doppler transducer is operably coupled to at least one accelerometer; wherein said FHRM is configured to switch the at least one movable Doppler transducer is in said transceiving configuration when an acceleration measured by said at least one accelerometer is within a predetermined range
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2D
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention generally relates to a medical device including a movable instrument (MI) which is activated only when its movement is within an optimal range of acceleration. More particularly the invention relates to a fetal heart rate monitor (FHRM) having a movable Doppler transducer which transceives ultrasound energy only when found within a certain optimal range of acceleration.