Patient Support Standby Power Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems for patient support systems in medical settings, particularly those using lead-acid batteries, require frequent replacement due to repeated charge/discharge cycles, leading to high running costs, while ultracapacitors are too expensive to provide the necessary capacity for prolonged power backup during treatment.

Innovation Solution

A UPS-like device that reduces the load on the energy source by delivering power downstream of the control circuitry, allowing for a smaller or longer-lasting energy storage option, such as a lead-acid battery or capacitive energy store, with a dedicated UPS control system and switch to manage power distribution between the main and standby sources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a lead-acid battery is used to power the entire patient support system during power failure, then the system can maintain full functionality, but the battery requires frequent replacement due to repeated charge/discharge cycles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebackup power capabilityVSAvoidbattery service life

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The power system is segmented into two separate functions: the UPS battery powers only the control circuitry and inverter, while the patient support table motors are powered directly from mains AC when available. This segmentation reduces the battery's workload and discharge depth, extending its service life while maintaining backup capability for critical control functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The heavy power consumption of the patient support table motors is extracted from the UPS battery system. The motors are disconnected from the battery-powered inverter and connected directly to mains AC power, removing the burden of powering high-load components from the limited-capacity backup battery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Duration of action of stationary object

If an ultracapacitor is used to reduce replacement frequency, then the service life is extended, but the cost increases significantly due to the large capacity required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy storage device service lifeVSAvoidsystem cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system accepts that the lead-acid battery will have a limited service life due to repeated cycling, but this is acceptable because the battery only needs to power critical control functions during brief power outages, not the entire high-power system. The cost-effective lead-acid battery is replaced periodically, while the overall system remains economical compared to ultracapacitor alternatives.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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

This configuration minimizes the capacity and cost of the energy storage needed, potentially extending the replacement interval of lead-acid batteries or enabling the use of cost-effective capacitive energy stores, reducing the overall operational expenses and maintenance frequency.

Implementation Method 1

These consist of a lead-acid battery together with control and sensing circuitry. When the primary power source is online, the lead-acid battery is charged. When the sensing circuitry detects a power loss, the lead-acid battery powers an inverter to provide AC power

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBattery (electricity): Battery (electricity)

Implementation Method 2

the lead-acid battery powers an inverter to provide AC power to replace the primary power source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical energy conversion:

Data Source

PatentUS9216002B2Patient support

Publication Date: 2015.12.22 ELEKTA AB

AI summary

Standby power supplies for patient tables need frequent replacement of the lead-acid batteries on which they depend. We propose to feed the emergency power direct to the drive motors, subsequent to the control circuitry. This will reduce the load on the standby power system, allowing greater design freedom to select longer-lasting or less expensive energy stores.