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  • Author Author: balearicdynamics
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Meditech: Powering the unit

balearicdynamics

Powering Meditech

As Meditech is almost complex several power levels should be provided. To simplify the scenario the elements that should be powered in the base architecture are listed below

 

  • Storage: hard disk(s) will be low power 2.5 inches devices but it is to exclude the adoption of some kind of static SDD due the too high price per gigabyte. Maybe in the future these prices dramatically decrease so this kind of reliable solution become affordable.
  • Processor units (at least two): we should take in account that the RPI devices are equipped with some add-on electronic that consumes power too, e.g. Wi-Pi, ChipKit PI and other custom interface components.
  • Probes: should be powered to operate and not always it is possible to adopt low-energy profiles, as in the case of the blood pressure that should be equipped with  a reliable yet small air-pump.
  • Thermal printer: not used continuously, this device power consumption affect the system power performances.
  • Network switch: just another power-consumption device.

 

Power supply architecture

The more reliable solution I can see is the adoption of a multiple power-source solution:

 

  • A small ATX power supply gives the power when a 110-240V AC source is available. When Meditech is powered with AC the internal battery is under charge, despite if it is in use or not.
  • A car 12V power plug converter to be used for normal work and battery charge should be available as an alternative to the ATX power suppply
  • A laptop 18V CC should be sufficient to power all the components for a reasonable period of time (at least 2-4 hours)

 

Until now it should be possible to provide only +12V and +5V to power the entire system. A dedicated power control unit, including power level indicator and some logic, current regulators and battery to main power switch should be designed.

 

Add-on modules

As mentioned in some previous post the Meditech architecture can host add-on modules. To avoid to limit the module usage due to power limitations, especially when the system is used outdoor and is battery-operated, every module should include an autonomous battery powering system that is under charge when the module is connected to the main device and an external power source is provided.

  • Sorry if I'm missing something but do you realize that any medical device attached to a patient must meet very stringent requirements for electrical safety and that an ordinary PC power supply will not meet these requirements. This isn't my field of work so I have no idea what regulations apply to battery powered devices. You can buy power supplies that meet medical requirements for leakage etc. but you should make sure you understand the rules.

     

    Apologies if you have already taken care of this but it isn't mentioned in your blog.

     

    MK