Modular Medical Device Power Sharing for Remote Module Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing modular medical devices face challenges in efficiently managing power distribution between separable modules, particularly when one module requires charging while executing medical tasks, leading to inefficiencies and design tradeoffs between size, weight, and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A power charging scheme where the primary medical module conditionally charges the remote medical module based on its own power availability and task requirements, ensuring it has sufficient power for its functions before initiating charging, and optionally addressing power insufficiency in the remote module.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the remote medical module is made smaller and lighter, then ease of handling and portability is improved, but the battery capacity and power availability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The remote medical module autonomously monitors its own battery power levels and initiates charging requests when power becomes insufficient. The module's controller detects low power conditions and automatically establishes a charging connection with the primary module, eliminating the need for manual intervention and ensuring continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The primary medical module serves multiple functions: it performs its own medical therapy tasks and simultaneously acts as a mobile charging station for the remote module. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain two smaller batteries instead of requiring one large battery in the remote module, achieving portability while ensuring adequate power availability.
2Ease of manufacture
If identical batteries are used in both modules, then manufacturing and maintenance is simplified, but power distribution flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically determines the charging direction and power flow based on real-time power needs rather than using a fixed charging architecture. Either module can serve as the power source depending on which module has sufficient power and which module requires charging, providing flexibility despite using identical battery types.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging relationship between modules is not fixed but can be inverted based on power conditions. Instead of always having the primary module charge the remote module, the system allows either module to charge the other when conditions permit, maximizing the utility of identical batteries while maintaining operational flexibility.
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
Facilitates efficient power management, allowing smaller and lighter batteries for remote modules, ensuring continuous operation and ease of handling, while maintaining functionality of both modules.
Implementation Method 1
a power interface of the primary medical module power connects to a power interface of the remote medical module
Data Source
AI summary
A modular medical device (e.g., modular defibrillator/monitor) employs a primary medical module including a primary power source (e.g., battery(ies) and/or power supply) for powering an execution of a primary medical task assigned to the primary medical module (e.g., electrical therapy), and a remote medical module including a remote power source (e.g., battery(ies) and/or power supply) for powering an execution of a remote medical task assigned to the remote medical module (e.g., patient parameter monitoring). In operation, primary medical module ascertains if primary power source has sufficient power or insufficient power for the execution of the primary medical task, and remote medical module controls a charging of remote power source by primary power source if primary medical module ascertains primary power source has sufficient power for the execution of the primary medical task.