Operating Room Power Manager Circuit for Safe Medical Equipment Cycling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In medical facilities, particularly operating rooms, there is a challenge in safely and efficiently power cycling complex integrated systems without disrupting critical operations, as existing power management solutions can lead to unintended power loss or equipment damage, and are often inaccessible or inoperable by remote service agents.
Innovation Solution
A power manager circuit is introduced that includes multiple relays and user inputs for controlled power cycling, allowing for sequential power management and remote operation, ensuring safe and efficient rebooting of medical suite systems while preventing file corruption and maintaining system integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If simple power switches are used for front-of-rack applications, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to unintended contact or misconduct causing improper power deprivation to systems in use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary power management system with controlled access mechanisms between the user and the power distribution system. This intermediary layer prevents direct, uncontrolled power switching while maintaining ease of operation through authorized interfaces and protocols, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and system power stability
Solution Approach 2:
The power management system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor system status, user credentials, and power state before allowing power switching operations. This feedback control ensures that power is only interrupted when safe and authorized, preventing unintended contact or misconduct while maintaining operational ease through guided procedures
2Productivity
If power is interrupted to a computer platform running a modern operating system, then productivity is improved through system reset, but reliability deteriorates due to file corruption from improper shutdown
Solution Approach 1:
The power management system performs preliminary actions by checking system shutdown readiness, completing or suspending critical tasks, and ensuring proper shutdown procedures are followed before interrupting power. This preliminary preparation prevents file corruption while maintaining the ability to reset systems when needed for productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback to monitor whether the computer platform is ready for power interruption by checking operating system shutdown status, task completion states, and data integrity indicators. Power is only interrupted when feedback confirms safe shutdown conditions, thus maintaining data integrity while enabling system reset capability
3Ease of operation
If mechanical switches are used for local service access, then ease of operation is improved for local technicians, but adaptability deteriorates because they are inaccessible to remote service agents and supervisory software
Solution Approach 1:
The power management system is designed with multi-functionality to serve both local and remote users through different interfaces. Local technicians can use physical switches for immediate access, while remote service agents and supervisory software can control the same system through network interfaces, making the system universal and adaptable to multiple user types and access scenarios
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a virtual copy or representation of the physical power switching functionality in the digital realm. Remote service agents can interact with a software interface that mirrors the capabilities of physical switches, enabling remote control without requiring physical presence, thus maintaining ease of operation while adding remote access capability
4Reliability
If the entirety of a large distributed system is rebooted, then reliability is improved through system-wide reset, but loss of time increases due to extensive downtime affecting multiple components
Solution Approach 1:
The power management system divides the large distributed system into manageable segments or zones, allowing selective power cycling of only the affected components rather than the entire system. This segmentation maintains reliability by resetting problematic areas while minimizing loss of time by keeping other segments operational
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different power management strategies to different parts of the distributed system based on local conditions. Affected subsystems receive power cycling treatment while unaffected areas continue operating normally, achieving system-wide reliability improvement through targeted local actions rather than blanket system resets
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 power manager circuit enables safe and controlled power cycling of medical suite systems, ensuring continuous operation and minimizing the risk of data loss, while allowing remote access for maintenance, thus addressing the limitations of existing power management solutions.
Implementation Method 1
multiple relays configured to selectively connect power to the medical equipment
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are provided for managing power to various devices within a suite or room, such as an operating room. In an example, an apparatus can include a first input configured to couple to a system controller of an operating room, multiple outputs configured couple to control inputs of one or more power relays, and a controller configured to control the one or more power relays via the multiple outputs in response to a power status of the system controller. The first input can be indicative of the power status of the system controller. Each power relay of the one or more power relays can be configured to selectively connect power to medical equipment of the operating room.