Piezoelectric Pump Control for Wound Therapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wound therapy devices are bulky, noisy, and inefficient, with pumps generating audible noise and having limited battery life, especially when faced with air leaks or temperature changes, leading to premature battery depletion and reduced therapeutic pressure delivery.
Innovation Solution
A wound therapy device with a controller that operates the pump in multiple modes, including a boost mode for rapid pressure generation, a normal power mode for efficient battery use, and a reduced power mode to conserve energy and extend usage time, using silent piezoelectric pumps to maintain therapeutic pressure despite leaks or low battery conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If diaphragm pumps are used to provide therapeutic pressure, then the pump can generate audible noise, but the device becomes discreet in terms of sound
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical diaphragm pumps with piezoelectric pumps that utilize piezoelectric effect to generate pressure. This substitution eliminates the audible mechanical noise while maintaining the therapeutic pressure delivery capability, enabling discreet wearable use
2Volume of moving object
If small rechargeable batteries are used to power discreet therapy devices, then the device can be worn discreetly, but the battery life is limited to 12-18 hours under normal conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multiple operating modes (boost mode with higher voltage/frequency, normal mode, and reduced power mode with lower voltage/frequency) that dynamically change the pump's operational parameters. This allows the system to extend battery life by operating in lower-power modes when full therapeutic pressure is not required, while still providing short bursts of high-power operation when needed
3Speed
If the pump operates at high power to quickly reach therapeutic pressure, then the pressure is reached faster, but the battery depletes more quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic duty cycling where the pump operates in alternating high-power and low-power intervals. The controller monitors pressure levels and battery status, activating boost mode only when therapeutic pressure needs to be reached or restored, and switching to reduced power mode for maintenance, thereby balancing speed of pressure generation with energy conservation
4Use of energy by moving object
If the pump operates in normal power mode, then efficient battery use is achieved, but the ability to quickly reach therapeutic pressure is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a dynamic operating system that can transition between multiple power modes based on real-time conditions. The controller continuously monitors pressure sensors and battery status, dynamically switching between normal power mode for efficient operation and boost mode for rapid pressure generation when clinically indicated, optimizing both efficiency and performance
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 device provides discreet, silent, and efficient wound therapy for extended periods, maintaining therapeutic pressure and battery life, even with leaks or low battery conditions, by dynamically adjusting operating modes and duty cycles, ensuring continuous treatment.
Implementation Method 1
piezoelectric pumps generate a high frequency noise that is above the range of frequencies that humans can hear
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure describes devices, systems, and methods related to therapy devices including pumps that are operable in multiple operating modes. An exemplary wound therapy device includes a pump configured to be worn by a user and a controller coupled to the pump and configured to transition the pump from operating in a first operating mode to operating in a second operating mode responsive to a pressure of the wound therapy device satisfying a first pressure threshold. The first operating mode is associated with a first drive voltage that is different from a second drive voltage associated with the second operating mode.