Vital Signs Patch Processor Power Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vital sign monitoring systems in hospitals are intrusive, difficult to use continuously, and require frequent manual measurements, which can lead to missed observations and increased workload for nurses, especially in busy environments like emergency rooms.
Innovation Solution
A battery-powered vital-signs monitoring patch with a low power consumption design that includes a processor to selectively turn on and off components, allowing continuous monitoring for several days without the need for reattachment and minimizing interference with patient mobility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If continuous monitoring is implemented using battery-powered devices, then patient mobility is improved and manual measurements are reduced, but battery capacity becomes insufficient due to high power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring device alternates between active measurement periods and sleep modes, periodically activating sensors and processors only when needed to collect and transmit vital sign data, thereby significantly reducing average power consumption while maintaining continuous monitoring capability
Solution Approach 2:
The device dynamically adjusts its operational state based on monitoring needs, transitioning between different power consumption levels (active, standby, sleep) to optimize the balance between monitoring effectiveness and battery life
2Reliability
If the processor and radio remain continuously active for data collection and transmission, then monitoring reliability is improved, but battery power is depleted too quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The processor and radio operate in periodic cycles, activating at scheduled intervals to collect sensor data and transmit it to the server, rather than remaining continuously active, which extends battery life while maintaining reliable monitoring coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous monitoring capability through periodic data collection and transmission cycles, ensuring that vital signs are continuously tracked and transmitted to the server without requiring constant processor and radio operation
3Measurement precision
If the monitoring device operates at high power levels for accurate vital sign detection, then measurement precision is improved, but battery consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
High-precision sensors and processors are activated periodically at scheduled intervals to collect and analyze vital sign data, rather than operating continuously, thereby achieving accurate measurements while significantly reducing average power consumption
Data Source
AI summary
A vital-signs patch for a patient monitoring system is disclosed. The patch consists of a housing that is configured to be worn on the skin of a patient. The housing contains a radio, one or more sensor interfaces, a processor, and a battery. The processor can selectably turn portions of the processor off and on and selectably turn power off and on to at least a portion of the sensor interfaces and radio. The processor includes a timer that, each time the timer times out, will turn all the parts of the processor on and start a new timing period. When the processor receives a signal, the processor will turn off power to at least a portion of the processor and at least a portion of the sensor interfaces.