Sensor Array Power Management for Medical Plunger Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for determining the position of a plunger in medical devices, such as syringes, are not energy-efficient, leading to battery drain and device bulkiness, especially during long medical procedures, and do not effectively conserve power throughout the entire range of plunger travel.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method where only the necessary sensor sets are powered based on the position of the plunger, with a controller selectively controlling the power state of each sensor set, using a shift register circuit to manage power distribution, and powering all sensors when the position is lost to maintain accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If all sensors are kept powered on to maintain continuous position tracking accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but use of energy deteriorates (battery drain increases)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition tracking accuracyVSAvoidbattery consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor array is divided into multiple independently controllable sensor sets that can be selectively powered on or off. Instead of powering all sensors continuously, the system segments the sensing function across multiple modular units, allowing only the necessary segments to be active at any given time based on plunger position, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining measurement precision where needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The power state of sensor sets is made dynamic rather than static. The controller continuously adjusts which sensor sets are powered based on real-time plunger position feedback. When the plunger is near an end position, only nearby sensors remain powered; when the plunger moves toward the middle, additional sensors are activated. This dynamic adaptation maintains measurement accuracy while optimizing energy usage throughout the procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Duration of action of moving object

If larger batteries are used to extend operation duration during long procedures, then duration of action is improved, but weight increases (device bulkiness)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation durationVSAvoiddevice bulkiness

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the energy consumption problem from its root cause rather than addressing it by simply increasing battery capacity. By removing unnecessary sensors from active duty through selective powering, the system reduces overall power demand, thereby extending operation duration without requiring larger batteries and avoiding the associated weight and bulk increases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Use of energy by moving object

If middle sensors are powered off to conserve energy, then use of energy is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates (position detection capability)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidposition detection capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs periodic auditing of magnet position by temporarily powering on middle sensors to confirm magnet position even when they are generally powered off. This periodic verification ensures measurement precision is maintained when needed, while the majority of the time, energy is conserved by keeping middle sensors in a low-power state. The periodic check prevents loss of position tracking accuracy without requiring continuous operation of all sensors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 battery consumption by up to 50% compared to systems that keep all sensors powered, allowing for more efficient and prolonged device operation without bulkiness, while maintaining accurate position tracking.

Implementation Method 1

using a shift register circuit to manage power distribution

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPower distribution control:

Implementation Method 2

the sensor boards and associated firmware of these products include configurations to conserve battery life of the product by placing the product in a power savings mode when a plunger of the device is in either the completely empty or completely full position. In particular, the end sensors of an array of Hall Effect sensors remain powered on

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHall Effect: Hall Effect

Data Source

PatentUS11499841B2Energy-efficient position determining with multiple sensors

Publication Date: 2022.11.15 OSPREY MEDICAL INC

AI summary

An example position determining apparatus, includes a power source, position sensors, and a controller. The position sensors are each selectively powered by the power source and configured to provide a respective sensor reading indicating a proximity of a tracked object. The controller is configured to receive respective sensor readings from the position sensors and identify a position sensor that provided an extremum sensor reading. Based on the sensor readings, the controller selectively cause powering of certain position sensors and prevents powering of other position sensors. The position sensor that provided the extremum sensor reading is one of the powered position sensors. A position output based on the sensor readings is also provided.