Wireless Medical Device Network Subnetwork Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional infusion systems for managing diabetes, such as insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitoring devices, operate in isolated local environments and lack efficient wireless data communication protocols, limiting their ability to effectively route control signals, patient data, and alerts across a network.
Innovation Solution
A medical device system is developed with multiple devices configured in a wireless network topology, enabling efficient RF data communication between devices using synchronized timing schemes, allowing for concurrent operation of subnetworks and supporting communication with external devices like networked computers and smartphones, using techniques like dynamic data packet transmission and variable time indicators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional infusion systems operate in isolated local environments, then device simplicity is maintained, but network communication efficiency and data routing capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the wireless network into multiple subnetworks, each with its own synchronized timing scheme. This segmentation allows complex network communication to be broken down into manageable subnetworks that can operate independently yet concurrently, improving overall network efficiency without requiring the entire system to handle full complexity at once.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts timing schemes between different subnetworks to enable concurrent operation. By making the timing configuration dynamic rather than fixed, the system can optimize network communication efficiency for each subnetwork while managing complexity through adaptive control rather than rigid predetermined structures.
2Reliability
If synchronized timing schemes are used for wireless communication, then data transmission reliability is improved, but timing coordination complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The timing coordination problem is segmented by creating separate synchronized timing schemes for different subnetworks. Each subnetwork manages its own timing independently, which reduces the overall coordination complexity compared to a single monolithic timing system, while still achieving reliable data transmission within each subnetwork.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces timing scheme adjustments as an intermediary mechanism between subnetworks. This intermediary layer handles the coordination complexity by managing timing relationships between subnetworks, allowing reliable communication without requiring direct complex interactions between all devices.
3Productivity
If multiple subnetworks operate concurrently, then network capacity and data exchange efficiency are improved, but interference and synchronization conflicts may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic timing scheme adjustments to manage concurrent subnetwork operation. By dynamically configuring timing parameters, the system enables multiple subnetworks to operate concurrently at high capacity while minimizing interference through adaptive timing coordination that prevents synchronization conflicts.
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid infusion system as described herein includes a number of local “body network” devices, such as an infusion pump, a handheld monitor or controller, a physiological sensor, and a bedside or hospital monitor. The body network devices can be configured to support communication of status data, physiological information, alerts, control signals, and other information between one another. In addition, the body network devices can be configured to support networked communication of status data, physiological information, alerts, control signals, and other information between the body network devices and “external” devices, systems, or communication networks. The networked medical devices are configured to support a variety of wireless data communication protocols for efficient communication of data within the medical device network. In addition, the wireless medical devices may be configured to support a number of dynamically adjustable wireless data communication modes to react to current operating conditions, application-specific data content, or other criteria.