Nurse Call Pillow Speaker With Brownout Backup Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional hospital pillow speakers and handheld pendants are vulnerable to power interruptions, known as brownouts, due to their reliance on the nurse call system's limited power supply, which can be disrupted during emergency power tests or natural events, and do not have independent backup power, leading to potential loss of functionality and patient communication disruptions.
Innovation Solution
A pillow speaker system with a patient interface device (PID) that includes a galvanically isolated energy storage device, such as a battery or supercapacitor, and a detection circuit to switch to backup power during power interruptions, ensuring continuous operation and communication during brownouts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the pillow speaker draws power from the nurse call system, then the device can operate with a simple power connection, but it is subject to power interruptions during brownouts
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply system is segmented into two independent parts: the primary power connection to the nurse call system and a secondary independent power source (battery or external adapter). This segmentation allows the device to maintain communication functionality through the nurse call system while obtaining power stability from an independent source, resolving the contradiction between simple connection and reliable power supply.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediary power management component is introduced that can switch between primary power from the nurse call system and secondary power from alternative sources. This intermediary manages the power transition during brownouts, maintaining device operation without requiring complex reconfiguration of the communication connection.
2Reliability
If the pillow speaker uses a secondary power source separate from the nurse call system, then it gains protection from power interruptions, but it loses the benefit of the nurse call system's brownout protection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the advantages of both power sources by allowing the pillow speaker to draw power from either the nurse call system or an independent secondary source. The power management circuitry combines these options intelligently, selecting the appropriate source based on availability and stability, thus achieving both reliability and maintained connection to the nurse call system's communication infrastructure.
3Reliability
If the energy storage device is galvanically isolated from the wired communication link, then it prevents direct current path interference, but it requires additional isolation components
Solution Approach 1:
A galvanic isolator serves as an intermediary component between the energy storage device and the wired communication link. This isolator provides electrical isolation while maintaining functional connectivity, allowing the system to achieve electrical stability and noise reduction without completely disconnecting the power sources. The isolator manages the electrical interface, enabling both isolation and communication.
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 provides seamless transition between primary and backup power sources, maintaining functionality and communication during brownouts without the need for rebooting, ensuring continuous operation and patient care.
Implementation Method 1
an energy storage device for providing backup power to the PID. The energy storage device is galvanically isolated from the wired communication link
Implementation Method 2
The energy storage device may be a battery and/or a supercapacitor
Implementation Method 3
the PID may include a detection circuit configured to detect an interruption in electrical power received by way of the power port
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure may be embodied as a pillow speaker system. The pillow speaker system includes a nurse call patient station and a patient interface device (PID). The PID is in electronic communication with the nurse call patient station, and includes a wired communication link connected to the nurse call patient station and an energy storage device for providing backup power to the PID. The energy storage device is galvanically isolated from the wired communication link. The PID is configured to receive audio signals from the nurse call patient station by way of the wired communication link. The PID may also include a power port for receiving electrical power from an external source. The power port is galvanically isolated from the wired communication link.