Medical Apparatus Load Modeling for Energy-Use Transparency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical devices, particularly MRI and CT systems, consume high amounts of energy, leading to significant greenhouse gas emissions and operational inefficiencies due to non-transparent energy consumption and load profiles, which current methods fail to optimize.
Innovation Solution
A method and system using a load or energy consumption model, based on virtual parameters, to estimate and simulate energy consumption and load profiles, allowing for optimization and visualization through graphical interfaces and neural networks trained on real device data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high power is used for magnetic field generation and cooling in MRT devices, then imaging quality and therapeutic performance are improved, but energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by systematically varying examination parameters (such as gradient strength, pulse sequence duration, field of view) to find optimal settings that maintain imaging quality while reducing energy consumption. The system evaluates different parameter combinations to identify configurations that minimize power usage during high-field generation and cooling operations.
2Loss of energy
If complex parameter settings are used to optimize energy efficiency, then energy consumption is reduced, but device complexity and difficulty of operation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by automatically calculating and recommending optimized parameter settings based on the selected examination protocol. The energy optimization function autonomously analyzes the examination requirements and proposes parameter configurations that reduce energy consumption without requiring manual intervention or complex user input, thus maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms that provide users with information about the energy consumption implications of different parameter settings. The system displays energy efficiency ratings and comparisons for various examination configurations, enabling users to make informed decisions while keeping the interface simple and intuitive.
3Loss of information
If comprehensive energy monitoring is implemented, then energy consumption transparency is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary software layer that processes raw energy consumption data from various device components and presents it in a simplified, meaningful format to users. This mediator translates complex electrical measurements into understandable metrics such as energy consumption per examination protocol, enabling transparency without requiring complex monitoring hardware or sophisticated user interpretation.
Data Source
AI summary
Energy data and load profiles of a medical apparatus are to be obtained in a simple manner. For this purpose, a method is provided for determining an energy consumption or a load profile of a medical apparatus. The method is based on a load or energy consumption model. A virtual parameter of the load or energy consumption model is set. The virtual parameter corresponds to at least one real parameter of the medical apparatus. The energy consumption or the load profile of the medical apparatus is determined in dependence upon the virtual parameter.