Pulse Oximeter Adaptive Power Conservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pulse oximeters consume excessive power during prolonged use, particularly when battery-powered, necessitating large battery supplies and inefficient energy management.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a power conservation engine that switches between high and low power modes based on predefined data profiles indicative of non-critical situations, such as stable patients or patient movement, to reduce power consumption by adjusting sampling rates, signal-to-noise ratios, data processing algorithms, and light source usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the pulse oximeter operates continuously in high power mode to maintain high measurement precision and rapid response, then measurement quality is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pulse oximeter dynamically adjusts its operating mode between high power mode and low power mode based on real-time analysis of plethysmogram data quality and patient condition. The system transitions from static continuous high-power operation to dynamic adaptive operation, switching modes to optimize the balance between measurement precision and power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by switching between different power modes. In high power mode, the system uses higher sampling rates, multiple light sources, and more complex algorithms to maintain high measurement precision. In low power mode, the system reduces sampling rates, uses fewer light sources, and applies simplified algorithms to conserve energy while maintaining adequate measurement quality for stable patients.
2Reliability
If the pulse oximeter uses high sampling rates and multiple light sources to improve measurement accuracy, then measurement reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different measurement qualities to different clinical situations. For stable patients in low power mode, the system uses reduced sampling rates and fewer light sources (lower measurement quality) which is sufficient for monitoring stable conditions. For unstable or moving patients in high power mode, the system uses full sampling rates and all light sources (higher measurement quality) to ensure accurate measurements during critical events.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses partial action by selectively activating only the necessary number of light sources and using reduced sampling rates during low power mode operation. This partial operation is sufficient for maintaining measurement reliability in stable patients, while conserving power. The system activates all resources (excessive action) only when needed during high power mode for unstable or moving patients.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If the pulse oximeter processes data at high resolution continuously to detect critical changes, then detection capability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic analysis of plethysmogram data quality and patient stability, switching between high power mode with full-resolution processing and low power mode with reduced processing. This periodic evaluation allows the system to maintain high detection capability when needed while conserving energy during stable periods.
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 approach significantly reduces power consumption, extending battery life and improving the operational efficiency of pulse oximeters by adapting power usage to the specific conditions of the patient, thereby enhancing their usability in medical settings.
Implementation Method 1
by comparing the intensities of two wavelengths when a pulse occurs, it is possible to determine blood oxygen saturation of hemoglobin in arterial blood. This relies on the observation that highly oxygenated blood will relatively absorb more red light and less infrared light than blood with a lower oxygen saturation.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments disclosed herein may include systems and methods for reducing power consumption of a pulse oximeter. The disclosure describes method for measuring oxygen saturation of a patient's blood with a pulse oximeter that switches between a high power mode of operation and one or more low power modes of operation based at least in part upon the data obtained from the patient or otherwise generated by the pulse oximeter. In one embodiment, the disclosure describes a operating a pulse oximeter in a high power mode, the pulse oximeter using a sensor to generate data indicative of the oxygen saturation of the patient's blood at a first resolution and switching the pulse oximeter to a low power mode upon detection of data indicative of a non-critical situation. The low power mode may be selected from a set of available low power modes based at least in part upon the data generated by the pulse oximeter.