Medical Device Clock Synchronization via Digital Pulse
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical device systems face challenges in synchronizing internal clocks of multiple medical devices communicating via a standard digital interface, which is essential for accurate signal registration, especially when multiple devices interface simultaneously with a single console.
Innovation Solution
A synchronization message in the form of a single pulse is transmitted over the digital interface from the console to all medical devices, allowing them to reset and synchronize their internal clocks, ensuring precise timing and accurate data correlation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple medical devices communicate simultaneously with a single console via standard digital interface, then system flexibility and ease of operation are improved, but synchronization precision of internal clocks deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The console transmits synchronization pulses in advance before data acquisition begins. Each medical device receives and processes these preliminary synchronization signals to reset its internal clock before actual measurement, ensuring all devices are time-synchronized at the start of data collection without requiring continuous synchronization during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the console monitors the synchronization status of multiple medical devices and adjusts synchronization pulses accordingly. The console receives acknowledgment signals from devices confirming receipt of synchronization pulses, allowing real-time coordination and precise timing across all devices.
2Ease of operation
If wireless communication is used to reduce cabling and improve ease of operation, then ease of operation is improved, but synchronization precision deteriorates due to variable signal transmission times
Solution Approach 1:
The console transmits synchronization pulses wirelessly to all medical devices before data acquisition begins. These preliminary synchronization signals allow each device to reset its internal clock in advance, compensating for variable wireless transmission times. The synchronization pulse is sent to all devices simultaneously from the console's perspective, and each device processes it at its local time, ensuring precise synchronization despite wireless communication delays.
3Ease of manufacture
If standard digital interfaces are used to reduce costs and improve ease of manufacture, then ease of manufacture is improved, but synchronization precision deteriorates due to lack of dedicated sync protocols
Solution Approach 1:
The synchronization function is implemented using the existing standard digital interface protocol that all medical devices already use for data communication. The console utilizes the same digital interface hardware and communication protocol for both data transfer and synchronization pulse transmission. This multi-functional approach allows the system to achieve precise synchronization without requiring dedicated synchronization hardware or complex proprietary protocols, maintaining ease of manufacture while improving synchronization precision.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for device control includes bringing a plurality of medical devices into contact with a body of a patient. The medical devices are coupled to communicate with a console via a digital interface. A message is transmitted over the digital interface from the console, to be received simultaneously by the plurality of the medical devices. The medical devices are synchronized with one another responsively to receiving the message.