Telemetry Head Power Management for Medical Device Communication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current medical device communication systems face challenges in maintaining continuous wireless communication between external programmers and implantable medical devices, particularly due to power source limitations in telemetry head devices, which can lead to suspended or interrupted data transfer sessions.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a system where an external medical device communicates with an implantable medical device via a telemetry head device that includes a power source, allowing for temporary suspension of communication when the power level falls below a threshold, enabling recharging or replacement, and resuming communication when the power level is sufficient, thereby ensuring uninterrupted data transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wireless communication is maintained continuously between external programmer and implantable medical device, then data transfer completeness is improved, but power source depletion risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transfer completenessVSAvoidpower source depletion

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by detecting power source levels before complete depletion occurs and proactively suspending communication sessions. The external programmer monitors the telemetry head's power status and interrupts communication when power falls below a threshold, preventing data loss while avoiding complete power exhaustion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the external programmer continuously monitors power source levels during communication sessions and dynamically adjusts communication continuity based on real-time power status. This feedback loop enables the system to balance data transfer completeness with power conservation by resuming sessions when power is replenished.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Duration of action of stationary object

If communication is suspended to recharge power source, then power source longevity is improved, but communication session continuity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower source longevityVSAvoidcommunication session interruption

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system suspends communication sessions at predetermined power thresholds before complete power depletion, allowing time for power source replacement or recharging. This preliminary action prevents complete session loss while minimizing interruption time by acting before power exhaustion occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts communication session continuity based on real-time power source status. Communication sessions are adaptively suspended and resumed according to power availability, transforming a static communication protocol into a dynamic system that responds to power conditions to optimize both longevity and continuity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If all data is retransmitted after power interruption, then data integrity is improved, but communication time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata integrityVSAvoidcommunication session duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pausing communication sessions at defined checkpoints rather than allowing complete power depletion. This enables resumption from the pause point without requiring full retransmission, maintaining data integrity while significantly reducing the time penalty compared to complete retransmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system maintains continuity of useful action by preserving the state of communication sessions across power interruptions. Data transfer resumes from the exact point of suspension rather than restarting, ensuring data integrity is maintained while minimizing communication time loss through seamless continuation of the transfer process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS9566450B2Medical device communication with wireless telemetry head

Publication Date: 2017.02.14 MEDTRONIC INC

AI summary

In some examples, a method including wirelessly communicating, using an external medical device, with an implantable medical device via a telemetry head device, wherein the telemetry head device includes a power source configured to supply operational power to the telemetry head device; determining a first power level of the power source while the external medical device wirelessly communicates with the implantable medical device via the telemetry head device; suspending wireless communication between the implantable medical device and the external medical device based on the determined first power level. The wireless communication may be resumed, e.g., at the point communication was suspended, upon determining that the power level of the power source has been increased after the communication was suspended.