Wireless Terminal Power Management for Implantable Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Implantable medical devices face challenges in power management due to limited battery life, requiring frequent battery replacements that can increase patient burden and risk of infection, necessitating reduced power consumption and alternative energy harvesting methods.
Innovation Solution
A wireless terminal with a sensor unit, wireless communication unit, main power supply, determination unit, and control unit that dynamically manages power usage by inhibiting the main power supply for low-urgency data transmission and utilizing an auxiliary power supply, such as a rechargeable battery, to conserve primary battery life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If wireless transmission is performed using the main power supply unit (primary battery), then data can be transmitted wirelessly, but the power consumption of the main power supply unit increases, reducing battery life
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply system is segmented into multiple independent power sources: a main power supply unit (primary battery) and auxiliary power supply units (secondary batteries or capacitors). Each power source operates independently and can be selected based on transmission urgency, allowing the main battery to be preserved for critical transmissions while auxiliary sources handle routine data transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of power supply selection based on transmission urgency levels. For high-urgency data, the main power supply is used; for low-urgency data, auxiliary power supplies are used. This dynamic parameter change optimizes battery life by adapting power source selection to the actual transmission needs.
2Reliability
If all data is transmitted immediately using the main power supply, then data transmission reliability is high, but the main battery is depleted quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the power supply selection based on real-time conditions including data urgency, auxiliary battery charge levels, and main battery remaining capacity. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain transmission reliability when needed while conserving main battery life through flexible power source switching.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary power supply units automatically charge themselves when receiving electromagnetic waves, providing self-service capability. This reduces the burden on the main battery by enabling auxiliary sources to independently replenish their own energy reserves, ensuring reliable transmission capability without depleting the main power supply.
3Duration of action of moving object
If auxiliary power supply is used for low-urgency data transmission, then main battery life is extended, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A control unit acts as an intermediary that manages power supply selection based on simple decision logic: assess transmission urgency, check auxiliary battery charge levels, and select appropriate power sources. This intermediary layer simplifies the complexity by providing a clear decision-making framework rather than requiring complex power management circuitry.
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless terminal may include a sensor unit that generates data, a wireless communication unit that wirelessly transmits the data, a main power supply unit that supplies power to the sensor unit and the wireless communication unit, a determination unit that determines a level of transmission urgency of wireless transmission of the data; and a control unit that controls the wireless communication unit to wirelessly transmit the data, the control unit executing control to inhibit the wireless communication unit from using power supplied from the main power supply unit when causing the wireless communication unit to wirelessly transmit the data of which the transmission urgency is determined to be low by the determination unit.