Wireless Patient Sensor Local Processing for Battery Conservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless patient sensors face limitations due to battery power constraints and wireless communication congestion in medical environments, as they typically lack adequate processing circuitry for complex algorithms, leading to rapid battery depletion and excessive data transmission.
Innovation Solution
Equipping wireless patient sensors with low-power processors and memory to calculate physiological parameters locally, reducing data transmission to only the calculated values and using the patient monitor for complex signal processing when necessary, thereby conserving battery power and minimizing wireless traffic.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If wireless patient sensors transmit all measurement data continuously, then the patient monitor receives complete information for processing, but battery power is depleted rapidly and wireless network congestion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data processing function between the wireless patient sensor and the patient monitor. The sensor performs local preprocessing of measurement data, segmenting the full processing workload from the monitor. This allows the sensor to transmit only essential or processed data rather than all raw measurements, reducing transmission frequency and data volume while maintaining information quality for clinical decision-making.
2Measurement precision
If wireless patient sensors are equipped with advanced processing circuitry for complex algorithms, then signal processing capability improves, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the processing complexity between two devices: the wireless patient sensor handles basic preprocessing and simple algorithms, while the patient monitor performs complex signal processing and advanced algorithms. This segmentation allows the sensor to maintain low complexity and power consumption while the system as a whole achieves high measurement precision through the monitor's advanced processing capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary approach where the wireless sensor acts as a data collection and preliminary processing node, transmitting processed data to the monitor which serves as the primary processing center. This intermediary role allows the sensor to reduce data transmission burden without requiring full processing capability, balancing measurement precision needs with device complexity constraints.
3Speed
If wireless patient sensors transmit data frequently, then the patient monitor receives real-time information, but wireless network interference and congestion increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by having the wireless patient sensor transmit data at optimized intervals rather than continuously. The sensor processes measurements locally and transmits updated information only when significant changes occur or at predetermined time intervals, reducing the frequency of wireless transmissions. This periodic transmission pattern maintains real-time monitoring capability while significantly reducing wireless network interference and congestion.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates generally to patient monitoring systems and, more particularly, to wireless patient sensors and patient monitors. In an embodiment, a patient sensor device includes an emitter configured to emit light into a tissue of a patient as well as a detector configured to detect the light from the tissue of the patient and produce a corresponding electrical signal. The patient sensor also includes signal processing circuitry configured to receive and convert the electrical signal of the detector into detector signal data. The patient sensor also includes a wireless module communicatively coupled to a patient monitor and configured to transmit a physiological parameter value, the detector signal data, or both, to the patient monitor. The patient sensor also includes a processor configured to determine whether the patient sensor or the patient monitor should calculate the physiological parameter value based, at least in part, on the detector signal data. The processor is also configured to calculate the physiological parameter value for the patient based, at least in part, on the detector signal data, if the processor determines that the patient sensor should calculate the physiological parameter value. The processor is also configured to send the detector signal data to the patient monitor, via the wireless module, to calculate the physiological parameter value for the patient based, at least in part, on the detector signal data, if the processor determines that the patient monitor should calculate the physiological parameter value.