Patent Publication Number: US-2009218982-A1

Title: Rechargable power supplies for portable medical equipment

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
     In general, the inventive arrangements relate to portable medical equipment. More specifically, they relate to systems and methods for recharging portable medical devices using natural energy. 
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     Healthcare facilities in rural areas need to be developed for improving the health status of people in rural areas. Improvements in health status can be achieved by making medical equipment available in rural areas. Portable medical devices play an important role in improving healthcare facilities, and particularly so in many rural areas. However, portable medical devices are often only backed up by a small internal battery to enable remote use of the medical equipment. The users of these portable devices must provide adequate power to their devices, and currently, they are often forced to use rechargeable batteries. To recharge their rechargeable batteries, however, the operators typically need access to a reliable and convenient source of electricity. 
     However, there can be certain areas and/or situations where there is not a convenient and/or sufficient electrical power supply readily available to recharge the batteries for many portable medical devices. Where there is no electricity, or a shortage thereof, the operator often needs to carry multiple sets of batteries. Oftentimes, however, this is not feasible, as power shortages are often, by their nature, unpredictable. Moreover, batteries utilized by portable devices are often expensive, thus requiring a substantial investment to carry multiple batteries. Additionally, batteries appropriate for use by portable medical devices can often be harmful to the environment, and even hazardous when disposed of. Furthermore, batteries of the type used in portable medical devices are often bulky and heavy, causing both discomfort and inconvenience during transport. 
     Also due, at least in part, to environmental concerns, it would be particularly beneficial to charge a power source for portable medical devices using natural resources, such as solar power, wind power, and/or the like. 
     Several existing solutions for charging lower power devices, such as laptop computers, mobile phones, etc., use solar panels to recharge their batteries. However, the power requirements for many portable medical devices are often relatively and/or moderately high, and there are no mechanisms to charge their types of batteries without direct access to electrical power. For example, portable medical equipment might typically require electrical power in a range of 100-240 volts. Thus, it would often be advantageous to be able to naturally recharge the batteries for portable medical devices when there is not otherwise direct access to electricity. 
     Therefore, a need exists for an efficient, compact, natural, and/or reliable battery charging mechanism for providing uninterrupted power supplies of sufficient power to adequately power portable medical equipment. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     The above-mentioned shortcomings, disadvantages and problems are addressed herein, which will be understood by reading and understanding the following specification. 
     One embodiment of the inventive arrangements provides a portable power supply unit for portable medical devices. The power supply unit includes a portable solar charging system having at least one flexible solar panel and an interface coupled to the solar charging system. The interface is configured to make the output of the solar charging system compatible for powering the portable medical device. 
     In another embodiment, a portable medical system is disclosed, comprising a medical imaging device having an imager and a power storage device, as well as a detachable solar charging system, capable of recharging the power storage device. In this same or a different embodiment, the system can further comprise an interface connecting the imager with the solar charging system and configured to stabilize the output of the solar charging system to make it usable for recharging the power storage device. 
     In yet the same or another embodiment, a method of providing uninterrupted power to a portable medical device is disclosed, providing a power storage device integrated with a portable medical device and recharging the power storage device using a detachable solar charging system. Preferably, the solar charging system is provided with a flexible solar panel. 
     Various other features, objects, and advantages of the inventive arrangements will be made apparent to those skilled in the art from the accompanying drawings and detailed description thereof. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a representative block diagram of a power supply unit that can be used with portable medical devices according to the inventive arrangements; 
         FIG. 2  is a representative block diagram of a portable medical system for use with a medical imaging device according to the inventive arrangements; 
         FIG. 3  is a diagrammatic representation of charging portable medical equipment using a power supply unit according to the inventive arrangements; and 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing uninterrupted power to portable medical equipment according to the inventive arrangements. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION 
     In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments that may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical, electrical, and/or other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken as limiting the scope of the inventive arrangements. 
     In various embodiments, a power supply unit for portable medical equipment is disclosed. Representative portable medical equipment include devices such as portable ultrasound imaging systems, portable patient monitoring systems, portable drug delivery systems, portable life monitoring systems, portable non-ultrasound imaging systems, and hand-held medical diagnostic image devices, etc. Their power supply units may recharge batteries in different portable medical diagnostic and/or portable medical therapeutic devices. 
     In one embodiment, the inventive arrangements provide an environmentally friendly portable battery charger that uses natural energy resources to recharge batteries. 
     In various embodiments, a portable medical system is also disclosed. Preferably, the portable medical system includes a medical imager and a detachable and/or flexible solar panel so that a charging mechanism is also able to be portable along with the portable medical system. Preferably, the portable medical system is a medical imaging system. 
     In various embodiments, the inventive arrangements also disclose a method of providing uninterrupted power to portable medical devices. The portable medical devices can also be provided with a regular power source in association with rechargeable batteries for carrying out normal, non-battery operations. Whenever there is a shortage of electrical power to recharge the batteries associated with the power source, a portable solar panel, for example, along with a suitable interface, can be used to thus recharge the batteries. 
     In one embodiment, environmentally conscious alternatives for charging batteries associated with portable medical equipment are disclosed. 
     In one embodiment, the inventive arrangements also provide a method for recharging the batteries of portable imaging systems using natural energy resources. 
     Now then,  FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a portable power supply unit that can be used with portable medical devices, as described in various embodiments of the inventive arrangements. The portable medical devices can include devices such as portable ultrasound imaging systems, portable patient monitoring systems, portable drug delivery systems, portable life monitoring systems, portable non-ultrasound imaging systems, and hand-held medical diagnostic image devices, etc. However these examples of portable medical devices need not be limited to these. 
     In the figure, the portable power supply unit includes a solar charging system  110  coupled with a portable medical device  150  through an interface  120 . The solar charging system  110  is used for recharging batteries for the portable medical device  150 . Preferably, the solar charging system  110  includes an energy conversion device  112 , such as a solar panel and/or photovoltaic module, configured to convert, for example, the solar energy and/or the like into electrical energy. Preferably, such energy conversion devices  112  may be operable to produce one or more levels of power. For example, one solar panel module may be used to produce several watts of power at several different voltage and current levels, such as 2.2 watts at 7.6 volts and 290 milliamps, 2-12 volt levels, 300 watts, etc. Additionally, each solar panel may include at least two conductive elements, such as positive and negative reference terminals, for directing current and/or power provided by using solar energy to an output port. 
     In one embodiment, the energy conversion device  112  is operable to receive solar energy and convert solar energy into a direct current or voltage. For example, the energy conversion device  112  may include a rigid solar panel and/or a flexible solar panel. Flexible solar panels, for example, advantageously allow for increased durability and easy of use, particularly with portable systems. Several different types of solar energy panels may be used to output the energy as needed, and they may be operable to output several different levels of energy sufficient to charge various portable medical devices  150 . 
     In one embodiment, the solar charging system  110  is preferably configured to be portable. For example, a flexible solar panel would be highly portable for charging the portable medical device  150 . In one embodiment, at least one foldable and detachable solar panel can be used, so that the user can separate and/or detach the solar charging system  110  from the portable medical device  150  and, for example, fold the solar panel and carry it separately. Multiple foldable solar panels can also be connected together to provide sufficient power to recharge the portable medical devices  150 . 
     Preferably, the solar charging system  110  is connected to the portable medical device  150  using an interface  120 , which is configured to regulate the output of the solar charging system  110  and make it usable for powering the portable medical device  150 . In one embodiment, the interface  120  preferably includes one or more of an amplifier  122 , converter  124 , and/or connector  126 . The output of the solar charging system  110  can be a low-power output, and hence, may need to be voltage, current, and/or power amplified to make it usable for recharging the batteries in the portable medical devices  150 . For example, the amplifier  122  may amplify the output of the solar charging system  110 , as per the requirements of the portable medical device  150 . It can also be done as single or multiple stages of amplification. Once the output, current, voltage, and/or power output of the solar charging system  110  has been amplified, the amplified signal can then be converted into a different format, if desired, again as per the requirements of the portable medical device  150 . For example, if the output of the solar charging system  110  is direct current (DC) and the portable medical device  150  operates on alternating current (AC), then the converter  124  may need to convert the DC output of the solar charging system  110  into an AC signal for the portable medical device  150 . In different embodiments, the amplification and/or conversion stages may also be interchanged, as needed and/or desired. The connector  126  can also be configured to establish a connection between the solar charging system  110  and the portable medical device  150  and ensure appropriate voltage, power, and/or current is supplied to the portable medical device  150 . For example, the connector  126  could include a USB connector, a DC connector, an AC connector, and/or the like. The connector  126  may also vary depending on the various configurations of the solar charging system  110  and the portable medical device  150 , as needed and/or desired. 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a portable medical system  200 , as described in one embodiment of the inventive arrangements. One example of such a portable medical system  200  is an imaging system, such as a portable ultrasound imaging system. However, it could also be other portable medical systems  200  as well. Preferably, the portable medical system  200  includes a medical imaging device  210 , a solar charging system  220 , and an interface  230  therebetween. Preferably, the medical imaging device  210  comprises an imager  212  for imaging a patient. The images acquired by the imager  212  are fed to a processor  214  for processing the images and can then be displayed if desired. A power source  216  is also provided to supply power to all of the electrical components, such as the imager  212 , processor  214 , and/or other interface circuitry in the medical imaging device  210 . Preferably, the power source  216  also comprises a standard cord and plug for insertion into a typical electrical outlet. For example, a standard outlet providing 120 or 210 volts is typical. A three-phased power source  216  may also be used. Preferably, the power source  216  is further coupled to a power storage device  218  for charging the same. In one example, the power storage device  218  comprises rechargeable batteries. Preferably, the power source  216  provides electrical power to components in the medical imaging device  210  and also charges the rechargeable batteries and/or power storage device  218 . 
     In one embodiment, the solar charging system  220  is also provided as an alternative for charging the power storage device  218  within the medical imaging device  210 . Preferably, the solar charging system  220  includes at least one solar panel  222 . The solar panel  222  may also include an array of cells and be arranged in the form a panel. Different types of solar panels  222  may include photovoltaic cells, mono crystalline cells, poly crystalline cells, amorphous cells, and/or the like. Preferably, the solar panel  222  is provided with a folding mechanism  224  to make it flexible and/or portable. In one embodiment, multiple solar panels  222  can also be connected together using the folding mechanism  224 . 
     In one embodiment, the medical imaging device  210  is connected with the solar charging system  220  through the interface  230 . The interface  230  may include an amplifier  232 , converter  234 , and/or connector  236 . Preferably, the amplifier  232  is configured to voltage, current, and/or power amplify the solar charging system  220  output, as needed and/or required. For example, the solar panel  222  may not provide an output that is sufficient to charge the medical imaging device  210 , and hence, it may need to be amplified. In various embodiments, the converter  234  may also include electronic components configured to convert the energy output from the solar charging system  220  to a specific level based on a charge specification of the medical imaging device  210 . Additionally, other devices, such as current limiting devices, e.g., fuses and blocking diodes, may also be provided to safely charge the medical imaging device  210  without risking damage to and/or depleting energy within the portable medical system  200 . Preferably, the connector  236  is configured to provide an appropriate power and/or current supply to the medical imaging device  210 . As such, the connector  236  could include a USB connector, DC connector, AC connector, Ethernet port, and/or the like. Various connectors  236  may vary depending on the solar charging system  220  and the medical imaging device  210 . 
     In one embodiment, the components and configuration of the interface  230  may also vary depending on the configuration of the portable medical system  200 . 
     In one embodiment, the interface  230 , and/or various components thereof, such as the amplifier  232 , converter  234 , and/or connector  236 , may also be provided as a part of the solar charging system  220 . For example, the amplifier  232  and/or converter  234  may be provided as a part of the solar charging system  220  and the connector  236  could also be associated with the solar charging system  220 . Alternatively, the interface  230  may be a cable connecting the solar charging system  220  directly to the medical imaging device  210 . 
     In another embodiment, the interface  230 , or parts of the interface  230 , may also be provided as a part of the medical imaging device  210 . 
     Once the rechargeable battery or batteries need to be charged or re-charged, the solar charging system  220  can be attached to the medical imaging device  210  using the interface  230 . Then, the solar panel  222  will convert the solar energy and/or the like into electrical energy. The electrical energy thus generated is fed to the medical imaging device  210  through the interface  230 . The interface  230  regulates the electrical power generated by the solar charging system  220  to make it usable to charge the power storage device  218  within the medical imaging device  210 . Thus, the medical imaging device  210  can be operated in an environment where there is unpredictable or little or no electricity. 
       FIG. 3  is a diagrammatic representation of charging portable medical equipment using a portable power supply unit as described by the inventive arrangements. The portable medical device  310  includes portable devices, such as portable ultrasound imaging systems, portable patient monitoring systems, portable drug delivery systems, portable life monitoring systems, portable non-ultrasound imaging systems, and hand-held medical diagnostic image devices, etc. Generally the portable medical devices  310  can be provided with a power source (not shown) for powering the same. The power source may comprise a standard cord and plug for insertion into a typical electrical outlet. For example, a standard outlet providing 120 or 210 volts is typical. A three-phased power source, or any other specialized outlets and plugs, may also be provided. Preferably, the portable medical device  310  is further provided with a power storage device, such as rechargeable batteries. Preferably, a solar charging system  320  is provided to charge the rechargeable batteries of the portable medical device  310 , particularly when the regular power supply provided by the power source is not available to power the portable medical device  310 . Preferably, the solar charging system  320  includes at least one foldable solar panel that can be attached to the portable medical device  310  as and when the portable medical device  310  needs to be charged. Preferably, the solar panels may be used to produce several watts of power at several different voltage and current levels. The solar panel may also include photovoltaic cells, mono crystalline cells, poly crystalline cells, amorphous cells, and/or the like. Preferably, the potable medical device  310  is connected to the solar charging system  320  using an interface  330 . Preferably, the interface  330  is configured to make the output of the solar charging system  320  compatible with the power requirements of the portable medical device  310 . The interface  330  may also include a voltage regulator, amplifier, converter, connector, and/or any other devices (not shown), which could be used to make the voltage, current, or power output of the solar charging system  320  usable to charge the batteries in the portable medical device  310 . However, the configuration of the interface  330  may change depending upon the power requirements of the portable medical device  310 . 
       FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing uninterrupted power to portable medical devices. At step  410 , a portable medical device is provided with a power storage device integrated within the system. The power storage device is used to store power, so that the devices can work even if they are not connected to an external power source. In an example, portable medical devices are provided with rechargeable batteries as a power storage device, so that the devices can work even if they are not directly connected to another power supply for a limited time. Generally, electrical power is used to recharge the batteries. At step  420 , a solar charging system is instead attached to the portable medical device for charging the power storage device within the portable medical device. Preferably, the solar charging system includes e.g. a foldable solar panel and is connected to the portable medical device though an interface, as previously described. Preferably, the interface is configured to regularize the power generated by the solar charging system, so that it is or becomes useable to charge the batteries in the portable medical equipment. 
     Some of the advantages of the inventive arrangements include the ability to efficiently utilize the capacity of portable medical devices. The arrangements facilitate extending the usage of medical facilities to rural areas where there is little or no electricity to otherwise power the portable medical devices. They also present an environmentally friendly method for providing power to portable devices. They also present a portable power supply mechanism that can be used with many portable imaging systems. The arrangements also provide compact, efficient, and nature friendly techniques for charging rechargeable batteries in portable medical equipment environments. 
     Thus, various embodiments disclosed herein describe various techniques for providing uninterrupted power to portable medical devices using natural sources of energy. 
     While the inventive arrangements have been described with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain substitutions, alterations, and/or omissions may be made to the embodiments without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description is meant to be exemplary only and should not limit the scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.