Wireless AED Docking for Off-Power Status Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
The timely and efficient servicing of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) is hindered by the difficulty in determining when they require maintenance, leading to potential delays in their readiness for emergencies, which can impact patient survival rates during cardiac arrests.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a removable interface module with a processor, low-power radio transceiver, and wireless power receiver for AEDs, which allows for wireless communication and power transfer, enabling the transmission of status information and software updates even when the AED is powered off, and a wireless dock that transmits this information to a network for centralized management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the AED is continuously powered on to maintain readiness, then it can immediately respond to emergencies, but it consumes more energy and requires more frequent battery replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-diagnostics and status reporting before the AED is actually needed. The interface module continuously monitors AED status and communicates with the dock, so when an emergency occurs, the AED is already verified to be ready without having been continuously powered on. This preliminary monitoring action reduces the need for continuous power while maintaining reliability.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the AED is powered off to conserve energy, then battery life is extended, but it cannot immediately respond to emergencies and requires status monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The interface module acts as an intermediary between the AED and the dock. It can operate in low-power mode when the AED is off, periodically checking status and communicating with the dock. This intermediary maintains system awareness and readiness verification without requiring the AED itself to remain powered on, thus extending battery life while maintaining reliability through the intermediate monitoring capability.
3Device complexity
If manual inspection methods are used to determine AED servicing needs, then the system is simple, but it takes more time to determine when servicing is required
Solution Approach 1:
The AED system performs self-diagnostics automatically through the interface module, which continuously monitors its own status, battery levels, and operational readiness. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual inspection by healthcare providers, significantly reducing the time required to determine when servicing is needed while adding automated monitoring complexity that pays for itself through time savings.
4Loss of time
If automated status monitoring is implemented, then servicing determination time is reduced, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system is segmented into separate functional components: the interface module for local monitoring, the dock for data aggregation, and the network system for remote communication. This segmentation allows the complexity to be distributed and managed in modules rather than concentrated in a single complex unit, making the system easier to implement and maintain while achieving automated status monitoring that reduces servicing determination time.
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 solution ensures that AEDs are regularly monitored and maintained without disrupting their availability, improving their readiness for emergencies and potentially increasing patient survival rates by facilitating prompt and efficient servicing.
Implementation Method 1
a wireless power transmitter configured to be coupled with a power source and transmit power wirelessly to the removable interface module when the removable interface module is within range
Implementation Method 2
a wireless power receiver configured to receive power wirelessly from the wireless power transmitter and store the power in the rechargeable energy storage device
Data Source
AI summary
According to an embodiment of the present invention, a system comprises a removable interface module and wireless dock for an automated external defibrillator. The removable interface module includes a first processor, a first memory and first low-power radio transceiver communicatively coupled with the first processor and configured to receive status information from the automated external defibrillator. The removable interface module further includes a wireless power receiver and a rechargeable energy storage device electrically coupled with the wireless power receiver and configured to receive power wirelessly for the removable interface module. The wireless dock includes a second processor, a second memory and second low-power radio transceiver communicatively coupled with the second processor and configured to receive the status information from the removable interface module when the automated external defibrillator is powered off and transmit the status information through a networking interface. The wireless dock further comprises a wireless power transmitter.