Medical Information Request Signaling for Low-Power Data Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical device systems face challenges in efficiently managing power consumption and ensuring accurate, timely transmission of medical information while preventing unintended data transfer and maintaining device simplicity.

Innovation Solution

A medical device system that includes an information device and a medical device, where the information device transmits a request signal to the medical device, which responds by transmitting medical information, utilizing wireless communication methods such as sound waves or electromagnetic waves, and includes features like notification units and identification verification to manage power consumption and data transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If medical information is constantly transmitted from the medical device, then the information availability is improved, but the power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation availabilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The medical device transmits information only at periodic intervals when triggered by a request signal from the information device, rather than continuously transmitting. This periodic transmission mode ensures information is available when needed while allowing the device to enter low-power states between transmissions, thus resolving the contradiction between information availability and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Device complexity

If the medical device uses simple configuration with sound wave transmission, then the device complexity is reduced, but the transmission reliability may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice configurationVSAvoidtransmission reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses sound waves as an intermediary medium for transmitting medical information from the medical device to the information device. This acoustic intermediary allows simple device configuration without complex wireless communication hardware, while maintaining reliable transmission through the physical properties of sound wave propagation and reception.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of time

If the request signal reception unit receives signals continuously, then the response time is improved, but the power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse timeVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The request signal reception unit operates periodically or on-demand rather than continuously monitoring for signals. The device can enter sleep modes between request signal cycles, reducing power consumption while still maintaining the capability to respond promptly when a request signal is transmitted by the information device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

4Reliability

If the medical device transmits identification information for every request, then the security is improved, but the communication overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidcommunication overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The medical device performs preliminary authentication by verifying identification information before transmitting medical information in response to a request signal. This preliminary security check ensures that only authorized information devices can retrieve data, while the authentication process is integrated into the request-response workflow to minimize additional communication overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

The system reduces power consumption, ensures accurate and timely medical information transmission, prevents unintended data transfer, and allows for simple device configuration, enabling efficient management of multiple devices and secure data acquisition.

Implementation Method 1

the request signal reception unit receives the request signal when illuminance of the light is equal to or greater than a threshold value

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic wave reception: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

the request signal reception unit receives the request signal when illuminance of the light is equal to or greater than a threshold value

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIlluminance detection: Photoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 3

the medical information may be supplied using a sound wave

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSound wave transmission: Sound

Implementation Method 4

the request signal may be supplied using an electromagnetic wave, and the electromagnetic wave may be light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic wave transmission: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4712090A1Medical device system, medical information acquisition method, medical device, information device, and program
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 TERUMO KK
  • EP4712090A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4712090A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4712090A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A medical device system (10) comprises an information device (14) and a medical device (12). The information device comprises a request signal transmission unit (68) that transmits a request signal to the medical device. The medical device comprises a request signal reception unit (44) that receives the request signal transmitted by the request signal transmission unit, and an information transmission unit (46) that transmits medical information held by the medical device in response to the reception of the request signal by the request signal reception unit. The information device further comprises an information acquisition unit (70) that can acquire the medical information transmitted by the information transmission unit.