Sterile battery charging

Abstract

The present invention provides a sterile battery charging device and assembly for charging within a sterile area. The battery charging assembly includes a base unit having a first interface and a second interface. The assembly further includes a high-capacity battery capable of connecting to the first interface and a low-capacity battery capable of connecting to the second interface. The base unit obtains power from the high-capacity battery and transmits the power to the low-capacity battery. The high-capacity battery and the low-capacity battery can be interchangeably connected to the base unit.

Description

[0001] Cross - Reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims priority and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 790,076, filed on January 9, 2019, titled "Sterile Battery Charging" and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 812,276, filed on March 1, 2019, titled "Sterile Battery Charging". Background of the Invention 1. Field of the Technology

[0004] The present invention relates to surgical power systems, and more particularly to sterile battery charging devices and components.

[0005] 2. Related Art

[0006] Batteries used to power surgical devices are typically sterilized before use so that they can be used in a sterile area. When the battery runs out of power, a new battery is replaced. For small devices, the battery life may be unreasonably short, requiring replacement one or more times during a surgical procedure. Since this can be time - consuming, it would be useful to recharge the battery during a surgical procedure when the surgical instrument is not in use. This would effectively extend the operating time of the surgical instrument before the battery needs to be replaced.

[0007] Placing a wired battery charger in a sterile area to accomplish this task presents several undesirable challenges. The power cord connected to the charger and plugged into a power outlet can pose a tripping hazard to people (such as surgeons and surgical nurses) who often walk between the sterile area and the wall. Another challenge is the sterile area itself. Using a power cord between a sterile charger and a non - sterile power outlet can cause contamination.

[0008] Accordingly, there is a need for a stand - alone battery charger that does not have an external connection.

[0009] Disclaimer of Related Art Section Description: With respect to the specific patents / publications / products described in the related art section above or elsewhere in this disclosure, these discussions should not be construed as an admission that the discussed patents / publications / products are prior art for the purposes of patent law. For example, some or all of the discussed patents / publications / products may not be early enough in time, may not reflect a subject matter that has developed early enough in time, and / or may not be sufficient to constitute prior art for the purposes of patent law. With respect to the specific patents / publications / products described in the related art section above and / or discussed throughout the application, their descriptions / disclosures are hereby incorporated by reference in their respective entireties into this application. Summary of the Invention

[0010] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a sterile battery charging device and assembly for charging within a sterile area. According to one aspect, the device includes a base unit having a first interface and a second interface. The first interface is configured to receive a first battery, and the second interface is configured to receive a second battery. The base unit obtains power from the first battery and transmits the power to the second battery. The first battery and the second battery can be interchangeably attached to the base unit.

[0011] According to another aspect, the assembly includes a base unit having a first interface and a second interface. The assembly further includes a high-capacity battery that can be connected to the first interface and a low-capacity battery that can be connected to the second interface. The base unit obtains power from the high-capacity battery and transmits the power to the low-capacity battery. The high-capacity battery and the low-capacity battery can be interchangeably connected to the base unit.

[0012] According to yet another aspect, the present invention is a method for charging a surgical battery. The method includes the steps of: (i) providing power to the base unit in a sterile area; (ii) sterilizing the battery; (iii) placing the battery in the sterile area after sterilization; (iv) charging the battery with power from the base unit in the sterile area; (v) using the battery in a surgical procedure in the sterile area; and (vi) recharging the battery with power from the base unit in the sterile area.

[0013] These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent and be elucidated with reference to the embodiments described below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The present invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The drawings only show typical embodiments of the disclosed subject matter and are not considered to limit its scope as the disclosed subject matter may permit other equivalent embodiments. Now briefly refer to the drawings, wherein:

[0015] Figure 1 is a perspective schematic view of a base unit according to one embodiment;

[0016] Figure 2 is a perspective schematic view of an adapter connected to the base unit according to one embodiment;

[0017] Figure 3 is connected to Figure 2 a perspective schematic view of a low-capacity (instrument) battery of the adapter;

[0018] Figure 4 is a flowchart of a wireless charging platform according to one embodiment;

[0019] Figure 5 is a flowchart of a wireless charging method according to one embodiment;

[0020] Figure 6 is a perspective schematic view of a surgical power system according to one embodiment;

[0021] Figure 7A is a perspective schematic view of a high-capacity battery slid into a base unit according to one embodiment;

[0022] Figure 7B is a perspective schematic view of a high-capacity battery connected to a base unit according to one embodiment;

[0023] Figure 8 is a perspective schematic view of a high-capacity battery according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0024] Figure 9 is a perspective schematic view of a high-capacity battery attached to a large surgical instrument according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0025] Figure 10 is Figure 2 a perspective schematic view of the adapter of; and

[0026] Figure 11 is a perspective schematic view of a low-capacity electromagnet according to an exemplary embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Aspects of the present invention and certain of its features, advantages, and details are explained more fully below with reference to the non-limiting examples shown in the accompanying drawings. Descriptions of well-known structures are omitted so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention in detail. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and the specific non-limiting examples, while indicating aspects of the present invention, are given by way of illustration only and not by way of limitation. Various substitutions, modifications, additions, and / or arrangements within the spirit and / or scope of the basic concepts of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0028] Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout, Figure 1 there is shown a base unit 12 of a sterile battery charging device 10. The base unit 12 is shown as being removably attached or fixed to a surgical power system 14. An exemplary surgical power system 14 is a powered instrument system. In the depicted embodiment, the surgical power system 14 is a lithium charger ( Figure 6 ). The surgical power system 14 has one or more base units 12 connected thereto. According to which the surgical power system 14 is An embodiment of a lithium charger has four base units 12 connected to a lithium charger 14, as Figure 6 shown. The surgical power system 14 can be positioned on a tabletop or wall-mounted for surgical procedures.

[0029] Still referring to Figure 1 , the base unit 12 is generally planar and rectangular. In the depicted embodiment, the base unit 12 has a plate 16 connected to a surface 18 of the surgical power system 14. The base unit 12 also includes a first interface 20 and a second interface 22. The first interface 20 is for connecting to a high-capacity battery 24 to obtain power from the battery 24. Thus, the first interface 20 serves as a power source for the sterile battery charging device 10 and is responsible for providing charging power. The second interface 22 is for connecting to a low-capacity battery 26. Due to the interchangeable attachment of the high-capacity battery 24 and the low-capacity battery 26 to the base unit 12, power can be drawn from the high-capacity battery 24 and then transferred to the low-capacity battery 26.

[0030] In an embodiment, the first interface 20 is one or more battery rails. Specifically, as Figure 1 shown, the first interface 20 is a pair of spaced-apart battery rails connected to the plate 16 of the base unit 12. The battery rails 20 extend generally parallel to each other along and / or above the plate 16 of the base unit 12. The battery rails 20 are designed to connect to a high-capacity battery 24 that can be sterilized. The high-capacity battery 24 is used with large surgical instruments (such as a saw-type handpiece). This large surgical instrument provides consistent and lasting power for large bone and total joint replacement surgeries. An exemplary sterilizable high-capacity battery 24 is shown in Figure 8 . The high-capacity battery 24 (including Figure 8 the embodiment shown) is fully autoclaveable and can be a lithium battery.

[0031] To draw power from the high-capacity battery 24, the high-capacity battery 24 is attached to the base unit 12. Specifically, as Figure 7A and Figure 7B shown, the high-capacity battery 24 slides between the battery rails 20 on the base unit ( Figure 7A ), until the high-capacity battery 24 locks in place or otherwise reaches the discharge / charging position on the base unit 12 ( Figure 7B ). The battery rails 20 hold the high-capacity battery 24 in place while the base unit 12 draws power from the high-capacity battery 24.

[0032] Still referring to Figure 1, the second interface 22 is one or more battery contacts. In the depicted embodiment, there are two battery contacts 22 on the base unit 12. The battery contacts 22 are adapted to connect to a low-capacity battery 26 that can be sterilized. The low-capacity battery 26 is used with small, precision surgical instruments (such as drills, razor blades, and burs). These low-capacity batteries 26 are compact and lightweight. The low-capacity battery provides powerful and reliable power for surgical procedures including orthopedics, sports medicine, and minor trauma. An exemplary sterilizable low-capacity battery 26 is shown in Figure 11 . The low-capacity battery 26 (including the embodiment shown in Figure 11 ) is fully autoclaveable and can be a lithium battery.

[0033] In an alternative embodiment, the base unit 12 is adapted for wireless charging (e.g., inductive charging via a primary coil in the base unit 12). (As would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, a secondary coil would extend through the low-capacity (instrument) battery 26). Using wireless charging is advantageous because the low-capacity (instrument) battery 26 can remain connected to the surgical instrument (such as a razor blade) during charging. A surgical instrument with a connected low-capacity (instrument) battery 26 must simply be placed near the sterile battery charging device 10 (i.e., the base unit 12) for charging.

[0034] Now turning to Figure 4 , a flowchart of a wireless charging platform 100 according to an embodiment is shown. The wireless charging platform 100 can be powered by a universal USB 102, a common wall adapter power supply (such as AC-DC) 104, a rechargeable battery power pack 106, or an independent power supply integrated into the platform hardware 100A. The above power alternatives supply power to the wireless charging platform 100 via the wireless platform power input 108. Although this technology can involve the use of cables or wires, it allows for flexible use of various input power arrangements. The platform hardware can be incorporated into support devices such as operating tables and instrument stands (such as a Mayo stand). Wireless charging accessories can include (but are not limited to): battery-powered foot controls, tablets and / or laptops for sterile use, remote controls for console control (such as cameras, pumps, light sources), and surgical lights and LEDs (such as handpiece illumination, helmets, and spacesuits).

[0035] Referring to Figure 5The flowchart in [FIGURE] shows and describes a method 200 for wireless charging in a sterile area. First, a non-sterile battery (or other power source), such as one of the high-capacity battery 24 and the low-capacity battery 26, is obtained (step 202) and cleaned outside the sterile area (at step 204). The batteries 24, 26 can then be charged outside the sterile area (step 206). Thereafter, the batteries 24, 26 are sterilized (step 208). Sterilization can be accomplished using an autoclave or any other similar, approved sterilization technique. After sterilization, when the batteries 24, 26 are rechargeable near the base unit 12, the batteries are charged in the sterile area (step 210). Thereafter, the batteries 24, 26 can be used for a surgical procedure (step 212). When the batteries 24, 26 have low power or are otherwise at a low energy level, the batteries 24, 26 are placed within the rechargeable vicinity of the base unit 12 for recharging within the sterile area (steps 214, 210).

[0036] Alternatively, the physical size of the battery pack can be reduced by using a hybrid power system. The hybrid power system includes smaller rechargeable single cells or batteries, where a supercapacitor boost circuit is connected to the single cell or battery. The supercapacitor can be charged quickly (<10 seconds) when compared to a rechargeable single cell or battery. This type of electrosurgical system can be charged on a typical instrument stand with a charger platform.

[0037] Now turning to Figure 2 , a perspective schematic view of an adapter 28 according to an embodiment is shown. The adapter 28 allows connection of the low-capacity battery 26 to be charged (if necessary; in another embodiment, the low-capacity battery 26 can be connected directly). In Figure 2 the embodiment shown, the adapter 28 is an L3500 small bone lithium power adapter( Figure 10 ). The adapter 22 is configured to connect to the low-capacity battery 26 for charging. In Figure 10 the embodiment shown, the L3500 small bone lithium power adapter 28 is adapted to connect to a low-capacity (instrument) battery 26 that can be sterilized, such as Figure 11 shown in

[0038] Now referring to Figure 3, shows a perspective schematic view of a low-capacity battery 26 connected to an adapter 28. The partially discharged low-capacity (instrument) battery 26 is connected to the adapter 28, thereby triggering a charging effect. In one embodiment, due to the number of high-capacity batteries 24 attached to and available for the base unit 12 on the surgical power system 14, the high-capacity batteries 24 are depleted while the low-capacity battery 26 is charging. Multiple high-capacity batteries 24 can be used to increase the runtime of a single low-capacity battery 26. Alternatively, multiple low-capacity batteries 26 can be charged at one time. The connection to the low-capacity battery 26 can be by physical connection (e.g., pins on the base unit 12) or by wireless connection. A wireless connection does not require removal of the low-capacity battery 26 from the surgical instrument, while a wired connection does.

[0039] The advantages of using an existing high-capacity battery 24 as a charger power source are twofold. First, the high-capacity battery 24 is already available due to its use in a complementary device. Second, it is designed to be sterilizable. Thus, the number of batteries 24, 26 used for surgery can be reduced because depleted batteries 24, 26 can be replaced with fully charged batteries 24, 26, thereby reducing the time required to replace the batteries 24, 26 during surgery and interrupting the procedure.

[0040] Although embodiments of the present invention have been specifically shown and described with reference to certain exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that various details may be changed therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims that can be supported by the written description and the drawings. Additionally, in cases where an exemplary embodiment is described with reference to a certain number of elements, it will be understood that the exemplary embodiment can be practiced using fewer or greater than a certain number of elements.

Claims

1. A battery charging device, the battery charging device comprising: A plurality of base units, each base unit having a first interface and a second interface, the first interface being configured to receive a first battery and the second interface being configured to receive a second battery; Wherein each base unit is configured to obtain power from the sterilized first battery in a sterile area and transmit the power to the sterilized second battery; And Wherein the first battery and the second battery can be interchangeably attached to each base unit, whereby due to the plurality of base units, the first battery is discharged while the second battery is being charged in the sterile area, and thereafter the second battery can be used for surgical operations, Wherein the first battery and the second battery are sterilizable.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the base unit is substantially planar.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the base unit is substantially rectangular.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first interface is a pair of spaced-apart and substantially parallel guide rails extending along the base unit.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the first battery can slide within the pair of spaced-apart and substantially parallel guide rails.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the second interface is one or more battery contacts.

7. A battery charging assembly, the battery charging assembly comprising: A plurality of base units, each base unit having a first interface and a second interface; A high-capacity battery that can be connected to the first interface; A low-capacity battery that can be connected to the second interface; Wherein each base unit is configured to obtain power from the sterilized high-capacity battery in a sterile area and transmit the power to the sterilized low-capacity battery; And Wherein the high-capacity battery and the low-capacity battery can be interchangeably connected to each base unit, whereby due to the plurality of base units, the high-capacity battery is discharged while the low-capacity battery is being charged in the sterile area, and thereafter the low-capacity battery can be used for surgical operations, Wherein the high-capacity battery and the low-capacity battery are sterilizable.

8. The assembly according to claim 7, further comprising an adapter connected between the second interface and the low-capacity battery.

9. The assembly according to claim 8, wherein the low-capacity battery is an instrument battery that can be connected to the adapter.

10. The assembly according to claim 7, wherein the first interface is a pair of spaced-apart and substantially parallel guide rails extending along the base unit.

11. The assembly according to claim 10, wherein the high-capacity battery can slide within the pair of spaced-apart and substantially parallel guide rails.

12. The assembly according to claim 7, wherein the second interface is one or more battery contacts.

13. A method for charging a surgical battery using the battery charging device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the method comprising the following steps: Providing power to the base unit in a sterile area; Sterilizing the battery; After sterilization, place the battery in the sterile area; Charge the battery with power from the base unit in the sterile area; Use the battery in a surgical procedure in the sterile area; and Recharge the battery with power from the base unit in the sterile area.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the base unit includes a primary coil and the battery has a secondary coil.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the primary coil wirelessly charges the secondary coil.

16. The method according to claim 13, wherein the battery is connectable to the base unit.

17. The method according to claim 13, further comprising the step of connecting the battery to a surgical instrument.

18. The method according to claim 13, further comprising the steps of: Placing a charged battery in the sterile area; Attaching the charged battery to the base unit in the sterile area; and Obtaining power from the charged battery via the base unit to recharge the battery.

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