Wireless Medical Tool Power Management via Motion-Triggered Sensor Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Battery-operated wireless medical tools face challenges in power management, as they consume battery life when constantly providing location indications during non-use periods, leading to reduced operational duration and inefficient power usage.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that powers on location sensors only when motion is detected and switches to a low power or hibernation mode when motion is not detected, using a processor to correlate motion and location information to manage power effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the location sensor is constantly powered on to provide location indications, then the location tracking accuracy is improved, but the battery life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The location sensor is activated periodically based on motion detection events rather than continuously. The accelerometer detects motion, triggers the location sensor to take a reading, then the sensor enters sleep mode until the next motion event, creating a periodic activation pattern that reduces power consumption while maintaining location tracking capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The accelerometer autonomously monitors for motion and automatically triggers the location sensor when motion is detected, without requiring continuous processor intervention. This self-service mechanism allows the system to switch between active and sleep states efficiently, extending battery life while maintaining location awareness.
2Loss of information
If the location sensor is powered on during non-use periods, then the location information is continuously available, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous operation, the location sensor operates periodically only when motion is detected. The system checks for motion at intervals and activates the sensor only when needed, reducing power consumption during non-use periods while ensuring location information is captured when the tool is actually moved.
Solution Approach 2:
The location sensing function is extracted from continuous operation and separated into event-driven activation. Only the necessary portion (motion-triggered location reading) is executed, while the rest of the time the sensor remains powered down, eliminating unnecessary power consumption.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the sensor is powered off to save battery, then the power consumption is reduced, but the location tracking responsiveness is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The accelerometer continuously monitors for motion in advance, so when movement occurs, the location sensor is already triggered immediately without delay. The motion detection acts as a preliminary alert that prepares the system for immediate location sensing, eliminating the delay that would occur from a cold start.
Solution Approach 2:
The continuous mechanical/power-intensive operation of the location sensor is replaced with an event-triggered activation system using the accelerometer. This substitution allows the sensor to remain off during idle periods but activate instantly when motion occurs, maintaining responsiveness while reducing power consumption.
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 approach extends the battery life of wireless medical tools by conserving power during non-use periods, ensuring extended operation and reducing unnecessary power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
The detector may be an accelerometer, and may be used to detect motion of the wireless medical tool
Implementation Method 2
The sensor may be an inductor, for example a magnetic field inductor. The sensor may receive a signal from a field generator. For example, the signal may be a magnetic signal from a magnetic field generator
Data Source
AI summary
A method, system, and device for selective power saving may be used in medical procedures. The device may be configured to receive motion information from a detector and location information from a sensor. A processor may correlate the motion information and the location information to determine whether to maintain power to the sensor. The determination of whether to maintain power to the sensor may be based on the correlation of the motion information and the location information. The processor may determine whether the location of the device has changed and the degree of that change. The processor may also determine whether the motion information is less than a duration threshold. The duration threshold may be a user configurable threshold. The processor may power off the sensor if a duration threshold is met and/or the location of the wireless tool has not changed.