Infusion Pump Power Management via PWM and Charge Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Infusion pump systems face challenges in efficiently managing power usage, particularly in predicting remaining battery life without direct charge detection, which can lead to excessive power consumption and reduced battery life.
Innovation Solution
The infusion pump system employs a rechargeable energy source and a pulse-width modulation controller to maintain a charge level above a threshold, estimating remaining power without direct battery charge detection and conserving energy by delivering voltage pulses that match the energy requirement profile of the drive system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If direct battery charge detection is used to predict remaining battery life, then measurement precision is improved, but use of energy increases due to continuous monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the charge detection function from continuous operation and performs it only when necessary (e.g., when battery voltage drops below a threshold or at specific intervals). This selective extraction of the detection function reduces continuous power consumption while maintaining adequate charge level monitoring capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary charge detection at defined intervals or threshold triggers rather than continuously. By detecting charge levels in advance at strategic moments, the system maintains measurement precision where needed while avoiding unnecessary continuous monitoring that would waste energy.
2Productivity
If excessive power is used during pump operation, then productivity is improved, but loss of energy increases reducing battery life
Solution Approach 1:
The pump drive system dynamically adjusts its power consumption based on real-time battery charge level feedback. When charge levels are high, the pump can operate at higher productivity rates. When charge levels drop, the system automatically reduces power consumption to extend battery life, creating a dynamic balance between productivity and energy conservation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control where battery charge level information is continuously monitored and used to adjust pump operation parameters. This feedback loop ensures that the pump operates at optimal power levels that balance productivity requirements with available battery energy, preventing excessive power consumption that would deplete the battery prematurely.
3Ease of manufacture
If non-rechargeable battery is used in pump device, then ease of manufacture is improved, but loss of substance increases due to battery waste
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a system where the non-rechargeable battery in the disposable pump device is used to recharge a rechargeable battery in the reusable controller. This allows the valuable rechargeable battery and controller electronics to be recovered and reused with new pump devices, while only the inexpensive non-rechargeable batteries are discarded, significantly reducing material waste.
4Reliability
If rechargeable energy source is maintained above threshold charge level, then reliability is improved, but use of energy increases due to continuous charging
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary charging of the rechargeable battery using the non-rechargeable battery before the pump device is activated. By pre-charging the rechargeable battery to above threshold levels, the system ensures reliable power supply during operation without needing to continuously top-up the charge, thereby reducing unnecessary energy consumption while maintaining reliability.
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 approach allows for reliable prediction of battery life, conserves energy, and extends the operational time of the infusion pump by avoiding unnecessary power usage, while also enabling the reuse of rechargeable components and reducing waste.
Implementation Method 1
The controller device can include a rechargeable energy source that outputs electrical energy to the drive system of the pump device
Implementation Method 2
The rechargeable energy source may receive electrical energy from the non-rechargeable battery of the pump device
Implementation Method 3
The controller device can include a pulse-width modulation controller that delivers a pattern of voltage pulses from the rechargeable energy source to the drive system
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments of an infusion pump system can employ a number of power management techniques to avoid using substantially excessive power during operation of the pump drive system. Thus, the infusion pump system can draw upon the energy supply in an efficient manner that extends the useful life on the power supply. Furthermore, the infusion pump system can be configured estimate an amount of power remaining to operate the pump system without the requirement of directly detecting the remaining charge on power supply device (e.g., without detecting the remaining charge on a battery). As such, the infusion pump system can readily inform a user of a particular estimated amount of time remaining for medicine dispensing operations.