Infusion Pump Wireless Communication Protocol for Battery Conservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable infusion pumps face significant battery life challenges due to frequent wireless communications with external devices, such as smartphones and continuous glucose monitors, which strain their power and reduce efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Implementing communication protocols that coordinate wireless interactions between infusion pumps, smartphones, and dedicated remote controllers to conserve battery power by routing communications through the remote controller when both are present, and separating data transmission to reduce the burden on the pump's battery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the infusion pump maintains simultaneous wireless connections to both smartphone and remote controller, then communication functionality is improved, but battery life deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts connection topology based on operational context. When the remote controller is available, it becomes the primary communication interface for the pump, while the smartphone connects to the remote controller instead. This dynamic reconfiguration reduces the pump's wireless communication burden while maintaining full functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The remote controller serves as an intermediary device between the smartphone and the infusion pump. Communications from the smartphone are routed through the remote controller to reach the pump, eliminating the need for the pump to maintain simultaneous direct connections to both devices. This intermediary role preserves battery life while enabling versatile communication.
2Loss of information
If the infusion pump communicates frequently with external devices, then data synchronization is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The communication workload is segmented between devices. The remote controller handles data synchronization with the smartphone, while maintaining a separate, optimized connection with the infusion pump. This segmentation allows the pump to communicate less frequently with external devices while still achieving data synchronization through the coordinated efforts of both communication partners.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the pump maintains multiple simultaneous connections, then system versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The remote controller acts as an intermediary that simplifies connection management. It handles the complexity of coordinating communications between the smartphone and pump, reducing the pump's connection management burden. The pump only needs to manage its connection to the remote controller, while the intermediary handles smartphone interactions and protocol coordination.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are methods for establishing communication protocols between wireless devices in infusion pump systems. Infusion pump systems can include a number of components capable of wireless communication with one or more other components including an infusion pump, a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system, a smartphone or other multi-purpose consumer electronic device and/or a dedicated remote controller for the infusion pump. Communications among these devices can be coordinated to increase efficiency and conserve battery power.