Wireless charging system and charging station for recharging batteries in a medical environment

Abstract

A wireless charging system for recharging batteries in a medical environment includes a charging station (100). The charging station can include an opening (116) for receiving a battery (112) packaged within a sterile barrier (114) and an exit (118) for dispensing a charged battery, wherein the exit includes a slot in a front cover. The charging station further includes a wireless power transmitter having a transmit antenna.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority and benefit to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 977,517, filed February 17, 2020, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. Background Technology

[0003] This disclosure generally relates to medical devices, and more specifically, to a battery charging system for wirelessly charging batteries across sterile barriers in a medical setting.

[0004] Medical environments such as hospitals, operating centers, emergency care centers, and clinical care centers utilize batteries to power equipment such as endoscopes, cameras, surgical instruments, and various power tools and accessories. These devices typically require cleaning, sterilization, or disinfection before or between uses. Recharging the batteries in these devices presents a challenge in medical environments. The remainder of this disclosure addresses solutions in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The following summarizes certain embodiments that are proportionate to the originally claimed subject matter. These embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. In fact, this disclosure may cover various forms that are similar to or different from the embodiments set forth below.

[0006] In one embodiment, a wireless charging system for recharging batteries in a medical setting includes a charging station. The charging station includes a housing comprising a rear panel, a sliding front cover, and a base; an inlet at the top of the housing for depleting the battery, wherein the inlet includes an opening between the rear panel and the sliding front cover; an outlet below the inlet for charging the battery, wherein the outlet includes a slot in the sliding front cover; a vertical channel extending between the inlet and the outlet; a wireless power transmitter within the rear panel, wherein the wireless power transmitter includes a transmitting antenna; a status light on the housing; and a power source connected to the housing. The wireless charging system also includes at least two rechargeable batteries in different orientations within the vertical channel, each battery having a wireless power receiver including a receiving antenna, and each battery being sealed within a sterile barrier, wherein the transmitting antenna has a vertical length longer than its horizontal width, and wherein the horizontal width increases in the middle section of the transmitting antenna to create a convex shape, the transmitting antenna being sized to simultaneously charge at least two rechargeable batteries in different orientations.

[0007] In one embodiment, a charging station for recharging batteries in a medical environment includes a housing containing an inlet for batteries at the top of the housing, an outlet for charging batteries below the inlet, and a vertical channel extending between the inlet and the outlet; a wireless power transmitter within the housing, wherein the wireless power transmitter includes a transmitting antenna configured to simultaneously wirelessly charge multiple rechargeable batteries by transmitting wireless power to wireless power receivers of each of the multiple batteries, and wherein the transmitting antenna charges the multiple batteries in operation independently of orientation within the charging station; status lights on the housing; and a power source connected to the housing.

[0008] A method for wirelessly recharging a battery within a sterile barrier includes the following steps: receiving a first battery through an inlet at the top of a charging station, the first battery being sealed within a first sterile barrier; receiving a second battery through the inlet and onto the first battery to form a battery stack within the charging station, the second battery being sealed within a second sterile barrier; wirelessly transmitting power to the first battery through the first sterile barrier and simultaneously wirelessly transmitting power to the second battery through the second sterile barrier; providing the first battery in a charging state through an outlet at the bottom of the charging station; and subsequently, providing the second battery in a charging state through the outlet. Attached Figure Description

[0009] The advantages of the disclosed technology will become apparent from the following detailed description and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 This is a front view of a wireless charging system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0010] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of a charging station according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0011] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A perspective view of the internal components of the charging station.

[0012] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of a battery insertion in a wireless charging system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0013] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of a wireless charging system with multiple inserted batteries according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0014] Figure 6 A perspective view of removing a battery from a wireless charging system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] Figure 7 This is a perspective view of a wireless charging system with a sliding removable cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] Figure 8 This is a perspective view of a wireless charging system with a sliding removable cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] Figure 9 for Figure 7-8 A top view of a wireless charging system.

[0018] Figure 10A This is a front view of a wireless charging system with a removable cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the size of which is designed to accommodate a battery sealed within a sterile barrier.

[0019] Figure 10B This is a front view of a wireless charging system with a removable cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the size of which is designed to accommodate a battery not within a sterile barrier.

[0020] Figure 11 This is a perspective view of a wireless charging system with a status indicator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] Figure 12 This is a perspective view of a wireless charging system with a status indicator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] Figure 13 This is a rear view of a charging station with a wall-mounted component according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] Figure 14 This is a front perspective view of a charging station with an upright rack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] Figure 15 An exploded view of a rechargeable battery according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] Figure 16 This is a schematic diagram of a method for wirelessly charging a battery according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] Figure 17 This is a front perspective view of a charging station mounted on a metal cabinet according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] Figure 18 This is a cross-sectional view of the components of the shielding arrangement of a charging station according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] Figure 19 This is a cross-sectional view of the components of the shielding arrangement of a charging station according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0029] This disclosure generally relates to medical devices, and more specifically, to a battery charging system for wirelessly charging batteries across sterile barriers in a medical setting. Figure 1 The image depicts a wireless charging system 100 according to one embodiment. The wireless charging system 100 includes a charging station 110 and a plurality of rechargeable batteries 112. Each battery is sealed within a sterile barrier 114. However, the wireless charging system 100 is also capable of charging batteries 112 that are not sealed within the sterile barrier 114. The charging station 110 wirelessly transmits power to the batteries 112 across the sterile barrier 114, so the batteries do not require sterilization after charging. Batteries enter the charging station through an inlet 116 at the top and then exit the charging station at an outlet 118 at the bottom in a first-in, first-out order, such that the first battery to enter exits first. This order is based on the amount of time the batteries spend within the charging station 110 to reduce the chance of batteries 112 being removed from the charging station 110 before they have time to charge.

[0030] like Figure 1 As shown, batteries 112 are typically horizontally oriented within the charging station, forming a vertical stack of batteries that move from inlet 116 toward outlet 118 when the batteries at the outlet are used. Batteries 112 can receive power wirelessly regardless of their orientation within the charging station 110; charging batteries 112 within the charging station 110 does not depend on any particular orientation of batteries 112 (rotation, tilt, rotation, etc.). The stacked batteries 112 may all have the same overall orientation within the charging station 110, or some or all of the batteries 112 may have different orientations relative to the other batteries 112. In any case, the charging station 110 charges the batteries in operation independently of their orientation within the charging station 110. Furthermore, the charging station 110 can be installed or arranged in other orientations and charge the batteries 112.

[0031] Charging station 110 Figure 2 The image shows the battery in an empty or unloaded state, with no batteries 112 being charged. In one embodiment, the charging station 110 includes a housing 120 having a rear panel 122, a front cover 124, and a base 126. The base 126 includes or is attached to a power source, such as a battery, generator, or power cord 130 (attached to an external power source, such as a wall outlet). An inlet 116 is an opening formed between the front cover 124 and the rear panel 122. An outlet 118 is formed as a horizontal slot in the front cover below the inlet 116 and above the base 126. The top of the base 126 may also serve as a tray 132 for holding batteries. The housing 120 also includes indicator lights 134, such as vertical or horizontal light bars or shaped light indicators (e.g., circular, star, triangular), LED lights or strips, illuminated surfaces, or other suitable visible indicators. Figure 1-3 In the middle, indicator light 134 is a horizontal light strip at the bottom of base 126.

[0032] Figure 3 Some internal components of the charging station 110 are also shown. A wireless power transmitter 136 is located within the rear panel 122. In one embodiment, the wireless power transmitter 136 includes a transmitting antenna formed on a printed circuit board (PCB). The charging station 110 also includes a motherboard 128 located in the base 126. The motherboard 128 includes a processor, memory, and other components for operating the charging station 110.

[0033] The power transmitter 136 wirelessly transmits power to the battery 112 inside the charging station. For example... Figure 14 As shown in more detail (and described below), each battery includes a power receiver 140, such as a receiving antenna, which receives wirelessly transmitted power and stores it in the battery cell 142. A power transmitter 136 is designed to simultaneously transmit power wirelessly to multiple batteries 112. (See reference...) Figure 1-3 In one embodiment, the charging station 110 can charge at least four batteries 112 simultaneously. The charging station 110 is large enough to contain at least four batteries 112 within it, and the size of the power transmitter 136 is designed to simultaneously transmit power to all four batteries, such that all four batteries receive power at the same time. This is achieved through the relative size and orientation of the power transmitter 136 and the power receiver 140. In one embodiment, both the power transmitter 136 and the power receiver 140 are elongated, meaning one dimension is longer than the other. The power transmitter 136 is oriented within the rear panel 122 such that the longer dimension 136a is vertical, while the shorter dimension 136b is horizontal. This shape and orientation of the power transmitter 136 generates a charging field (such as a magnetic field) within the charging station, and the batteries 112 pass through this charging field as they pass through the charging station. In one embodiment, the batteries are oriented such that their longer dimensions are generally horizontal (see [link to relevant documentation]). Figure 1 This allows at least four batteries 112 to be assembled within the charging field generated by the power transmitter 136. However, the batteries 112 receive charge in any orientation within the charging field.

[0034] Despite Figure 1 The diagram shows four batteries, but in other embodiments, different numbers of batteries can be charged simultaneously, such as two, three, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten or more batteries.

[0035] Refer again Figure 3The power transmitter 136 has a rectangular shape, taller than its width, and a central protrusion 138. The shorter dimension 136b of the power transmitter is widened at the center to create the protrusion 138. This protrusion shape compensates for the loss of charging field strength along the longer dimension of the rectangle. The charging field is relatively strong at the corners of the rectangle (power transmitting antenna) and relatively weak along the longer ends. Therefore, the rectangular charging antenna produces an hourglass-shaped (narrower in the middle) charging field. The protrusion 138 is an inverted hourglass shape, which compensates for the shape of the charging field and produces a more uniform charging field along the length of the charging antenna.

[0036] In one embodiment, the transmitting antenna on the power transmitter 136 has a horizontal length 136b that is longer than the longest dimension of the receiving antenna 140 in the battery 112. This shape generates a larger charging field than the receiving antenna of the battery, and the battery 112 can receive charging in any orientation within the charging station. The battery 112 can rotate or turn in any orientation within the charging station 110 and still effectively receive power to charge the battery. Figure 1 As shown, the batteries 112 in the battery stack are tilted away from the horizontal in different directions, and they all receive power simultaneously. The batteries 112 do not need to be aligned in a specific way to receive charge in the charging station 110. They can face inward toward the plate 122 or outward toward the cover 124. In one embodiment, the size and shape of the charging station are designed to receive batteries in a generally horizontal orientation, such that the batteries are placed in a vertical stack within the charging station and arrive at the exit in a first-in, first-out order. However, if a battery moves through the charging station in a different orientation (vertical or tilted), it will still receive power. Batteries can be quickly and easily placed into the charging station without requiring precise alignment.

[0037] An example of a wireless charging system 100 in use is shown in Figure 4-6 As shown in [the image]. Figure 4 In this configuration, a depleted first battery 112 is stored in a charging station 110 through an inlet 116 at the top. If the charging station 110 is empty, the first battery 112 passes through the charging station to a base 126, where it rests on a tray 132. If the charging station 110 is turned on and operational, it wirelessly transmits power to the first battery 112.

[0038] exist Figure 5 In this configuration, additional batteries 212, 312, 412, and 512 are inserted into the charging station through inlet 116, thus forming a vertical stack of batteries. In this example, the charging station is large enough to contain at least five batteries and can charge at least four batteries simultaneously.

[0039] exist Figure 6In this configuration, the first battery 112 is removed from the charging station through an outlet 118, which forms a horizontal groove above the base 126. Battery 112 enters the charging station first (before batteries 212, 312, 412, and 512) and exits first (before batteries 212, 312, 412, and 512). The shape of the housing 120 orients the batteries in this order, such that the batteries arrive at the outlet in the same order in which they entered the inlet. This means that the battery that spends the longest time in the charging station and therefore receives the longest amount of charging time is the first usable battery.

[0040] In one embodiment, the charging station housing 120 is configured as a cabinet or box that receives depleted batteries within the housing. The housing receives batteries one at a time through the inlet and holds them in the aforementioned order as they pass through the housing to the outlet.

[0041] Figure 7-8 An embodiment is shown in which the front cover 124 can slide vertically along the outer casing 120. Figure 7 In the middle, the front cover 124 slides upward to expose the base 126, and... Figure 8 In this embodiment, the front cover 124 slides downward to expose the top of the rear panel 122. The front cover 124 includes an opening at the top and bottom, allowing it to slide in either direction. This sliding motion facilitates access to either end of the housing 120 (such as the base 126 or the panel 122) for inspection or cleaning. In one embodiment, the front cover 124 is fully or partially transparent, allowing the battery 112 within the charging station to be visible through the front cover 124. Figure 7 As shown, in one embodiment, the outlet 118 is formed as a cut edge that creates a horizontal groove in the front cover 124.

[0042] Top view of cover 124 and plate 122 Figure 9 As shown in the figure. The cover 124 has a support shape with a rear wing 140 that hooks around the plate 122 to hold the cover 124 in place. Figure 9 The space formed between the rear panel 122 and the front cover 124 is also shown to receive the battery 112 into the charging station. A channel 144 through the charging station is formed in the space between the rear panel 112 and the front cover. The size and shape of the channel 144 are designed to receive the battery 112 in a horizontal orientation, allowing multiple batteries to be assembled within the charging station, forming a vertical stack of batteries along the channel 144. In one embodiment, the channel 144 is a vertical channel extending along the vertical plate 122.

[0043] In one embodiment, housing 120 includes a corrugated surface 142 along channel 144. In one example, corrugated surface 142 is the front surface of rear panel 122. In this example, corrugated surface 142 widens in the middle to accommodate the width of battery 112. Corrugated surface 142 includes a recessed center in which the depth of channel 144 increases. In one embodiment, channel includes a vertical length, a horizontal width, and a depth perpendicular to the width, wherein the vertical length is longer than the horizontal width, and the horizontal width is longer than the depth. The depth of channel increases at the recessed center. Figure 9 As shown, this groove helps guide the battery 112 into the channel 144 in a normally horizontal orientation.

[0044] The charging station 110 can be used to charge batteries 112 that are in a sterile barrier 114 or are not sterile, and therefore has a small footprint. Figure 10A A first arrangement of a configurable charging station 110 is shown, having a first cover 124a sized to accommodate a large sealed battery 112 within a corresponding sterile barrier 114. The cover 124a is fitted onto a base 126, which is typically smaller (narrower) than the cover 124a, such that the first cover 124a extends beyond the lateral edges of the base 126. That is, the width 145 of the base 126 is smaller than the width 146 of the cover 124a. The larger cover 124a is removed and replaced with a smaller cover 124b (…). Figure 10B The charging station 110 is then converted to a second arrangement, sized to better accommodate non-sterile batteries 112 not located within the sterile barrier 114. In one embodiment, the width of the second cover 124b is approximately the same as the width 145 of the base 126. The configurable charging station 110 can be provided as a kit with different covers 124a, 124b, which can be removed and replaced as needed by the user, depending on whether the battery is typically being charged as sterile or non-sterile. It should be understood that both sterile and non-sterile batteries 112 are housed within the cover 124a of the first arrangement.

[0045] Figure 11-12 The different states of indicator light 134 are shown. Figure 11 In the first state, indicator light 134 is illuminated, such as a pure first color. This first color can be white, green, blue, or other colors, and solid means the color does not flicker. This state of the indicator light indicates that charging station 110 is connected and operating normally. Figure 12 In this configuration, indicator light 134 has changed to a second color (such as red, orange, yellow, or another color) and is flashing. This indicates an error state, alerting the user that charging station 110 is not operating correctly. When indicator light 134 dims (not connected), it means that charging station 110 is not powered. Different combinations of colors, flashing patterns, and visible indicators (brightness, etc.) correspond to various system states to convey information to the user.

[0046] In one embodiment, battery 112 also includes an indicator light 146. This is a visible indicator showing the charging status of battery 112. A first state of indicator 146 (a combination of color, flashing pattern, brightness, or visual indication) indicates that the battery is depleted and receiving power. A second state (different colors, etc.) indicates that the battery is fully charged. A third state indicates that the battery is faulty or not charging correctly. A dark state indicates that the battery is not currently charging.

[0047] Figure 13-14 Two options for installing the charging station 110 in a medical environment are shown. Figure 13 The illustration shows a wall mount 150 including a bracket 152 for attaching the housing 120 to a wall. Figure 14 A supporting housing 120 and an upright rack or shelf 154 are shown, which can be placed on a horizontal surface such as a table or counter. This represents two options for placing the charging station 110 in medical environments such as hospitals, operating rooms, surgical centers, emergency care centers, clinical care centers, etc. While the disclosed embodiments show a generally vertical mounting arrangement and the channel 114 is oriented vertically (perpendicular to the floor), the charging station 110 can be mounted in other orientations, such as at an angle or horizontally. For example, in a horizontal mounting arrangement, the battery 112 can be pushed through the channel 144.

[0048] Figure 15 An exploded view of a rechargeable battery 112 according to one embodiment is shown. In one embodiment, the battery 112 is rechargeable, meaning it can be recharged after being depleted. The battery 112 includes a power receiver 140, such as a printed circuit board with a power receiving antenna. The power receiver 140 is coupled to a battery cell 142, which stores the received power. In one embodiment, the battery cell 142 is a lithium cell. Among other components, the battery 112 also includes a top cover or cap 156, a main printed circuit board 158, a flexible circuit 160, and a rear cover or cap 162. In one embodiment, the indicator light 146 is a light-emitting diode (LED) carried by the flexible circuit 160 and visible through the front cover 156.

[0049] Figure 16 A method for wirelessly charging the battery of a medical device, in this case a video laryngoscope, is shown. At point 1, battery 112 is removed from the outlet of the charging station (also known as a power transmitting unit, PTU). At point 2, battery 112 is removed from sterile barrier 114 for insertion into the medical device. Figure 16In this example, battery 112 is used for video laryngoscope 164. At point 3, battery 112 is inserted or plugged into a medical device (such as video laryngoscope 164), and a medical professional (such as a doctor, therapist, nurse, or other practitioner) uses the medical device during a medical procedure (such as intubation—inserting an endotracheal tube or other airway device into a patient's airway, such as the trachea). At point 4, battery 112 is cleaned after use. In one example, battery 112 is cleaned or sterilized with a cleaning solution. At point 5, the cleaned battery 112 is placed within a sterile barrier 114 and sealed. At point 6, the depleted battery 112 is returned to the top of the charging station, where it passes through the charging field in the vertical stack of batteries 112 and receives power from the charging station 110. Battery 112 appears at the outlet in a charging state, returning to its charging state. Figure 16 The number 1 in the text is repeated cyclically.

[0050] Batteries 112 can be received into the inlet in any state—charged, partially charged, or depleted. Depending on the specific environment in which the batteries are used, batteries 112 may be fully depleted before being cleaned and returned to charging station 110, or they may be only partially depleted. Figure 16 In one example, intubation performed using a video laryngoscope 164 may only partially deplete the battery 112, and then the battery 112 moves through steps 4, 5, and 6 and is fully recharged in the charging station 110. For instance, if a particular video laryngoscope examination 164 procedure takes an extended period of time, the battery 112 in use may be further depleted or completely depleted. The charging station 110 may accept the battery 112 under either of these conditions for full recharging.

[0051] In one embodiment, the sterile barrier 114 is a plastic or paper bag that is sealed around the battery 112, such as by vacuum or heat sealing, thereby creating a sterile single or double barrier within the battery. The barrier 114 is compatible with sterilization methods such as chemical, temperature, or radiation methods and does not obstruct the magnetic charging field from the power transmitter 136.

[0052] According to one embodiment, a method is provided for wirelessly recharging a battery (e.g., battery 112) within a sterile barrier (e.g., sterile barrier 114). The method includes receiving a first battery in a depleted state through an inlet at the top of a charging station (e.g., charging station 110). The first battery is sealed within the first sterile barrier. The method includes receiving a second battery in a depleted state through the inlet and receiving it onto the first battery to form a vertical stack of batteries within the charging station. The second battery is sealed within a second sterile barrier. The method includes wirelessly transmitting power to the first battery through the first sterile barrier and simultaneously wirelessly transmitting power to the second battery through the second sterile barrier, such that both batteries are charged simultaneously. The method includes providing the first battery in a charging state through an outlet at the bottom of the charging station, and subsequently providing the second battery in a charging state through the outlet.

[0053] The charging station 110 can be mounted on a rack, surface, or wall as described herein, or installed on equipment in a medical environment. Figure 17 A charging station system 200 is shown, wherein a charging station 110 is mounted (e.g., directly mounted, coupled to) a medical cabinet 202. The charging station 110 may be close to or in direct contact with a metal surface 204 of the medical cabinet 202, and the metal surface 202 may act as a power transmitter 136 of the charging station 110. Figure 3 The electrical drain electrode on the charging field generated by the current. Figure 18-19 An example of a shielding arrangement for a charging station 110 is shown, which prevents or reduces power leakage away from the charging battery 112 that may be caused by a metal mounting surface located near the power transmitter.

[0054] Figure 18 A cross-sectional view of the charging station 110 for installation of system 200. The metal surface 204 is directly coupled to the housing 120 of the charging station 110. However, it should be understood that other mounting arrangements may involve intermediate mounting brackets or structures positioned between the housing 120 and the metal surface 204. To facilitate the emission of the charging field of the power transmitter 136 toward any inserted battery 112, as indicated by the arrows, one or more shielding layers are positioned between the power transmitter and the metal surface 204 to form a shielded power transmitter assembly 220. The shielding arrangement prevents leakage of the charging field in the direction of the metal surface 204, or in a direction opposite to the desired direction of the charging field. Therefore, the charging field is emitted in the direction of the inserted battery 112.

[0055] In one embodiment, the shielded power transmitter assembly 220 includes a non-ferromagnetic layer 224 separated from the power transmitter 136 by a ferrite or ferromagnetic layer 226. The non-ferromagnetic layer 224 may be a non-ferromagnetic metal, such as gold, silver, platinum, aluminum, copper, nickel, zinc, titanium, or a combination thereof. The non-ferromagnetic layer 224 may be a graphite layer. The ferrite or ferromagnetic layer 226 may be ferrite or ferrihydride, cobalt, or nickel. The ferrite or ferromagnetic layer 226 may be in direct contact with a surface of the power transmitter opposite to the direction of the charging field.

[0056] Figure 19 This is a view of an embodiment of a shielded power transmitter assembly 220 including a curved non-ferromagnetic layer 224. Assembly 220 also includes a first ferrite or ferromagnetic layer 226a and a second ferrite or ferromagnetic layer 226b separated by an air gap 230. In the depicted embodiment, the power transmitter 136 is adjacent to the second ferrite or ferromagnetic layer 226b.

[0057] While this disclosure is open to various modifications and alternatives, specific embodiments are illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings and are described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the embodiments provided herein are not intended to limit one to the specific forms disclosed. Rather, various embodiments may cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of this disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A wireless charging system for recharging a battery in a medical setting, comprising: The charging station includes: The housing includes a back panel, a sliding front cover, and a base; An inlet for depleting the battery at the top of the housing, wherein the inlet is contained in an opening between the rear panel and the sliding front cover; An outlet for a rechargeable battery is located below the inlet, wherein the outlet is contained in a slot in the sliding front cover; A vertical passage extending between the inlet and the outlet; A wireless power transmitter within the rear panel, wherein the wireless power transmitter includes a transmitting antenna; Status lights on the housing; and The power supply connected to the housing, and Within the vertical channel are at least two rechargeable batteries in different orientations, each battery having a wireless power receiver including a receiving antenna, and each battery is sealed within a sterile barrier. The transmitting antenna has a vertical length longer than its horizontal width, and the horizontal width is increased in the middle section of the transmitting antenna to create a convex shape. The transmitting antenna is sized to charge the at least two rechargeable batteries simultaneously in the different orientations.

2. The wireless charging system according to claim 1, wherein the charging station includes a shielded wireless power transmitter assembly, the shielded wireless power transmitter assembly comprising: The wireless power transmitter; Non-ferromagnetic layer; and At least one ferrite or ferromagnetic layer.

3. The wireless charging system of claim 2, wherein the wireless power transmitter is positioned between the at least one ferrite or ferromagnetic layer and the at least two rechargeable batteries.

4. The wireless charging system according to claim 2, wherein the at least one ferrite or ferromagnetic layer is positioned between the non-ferromagnetic layer and the wireless power transmitter.

5. The wireless charging system of claim 2, wherein the at least one ferrite or ferromagnetic layer of the shielded wireless power transmitter assembly comprises a first ferrite or ferromagnetic layer separated from the second ferrite or ferromagnetic layer by an air gap.

6. The wireless charging system according to claim 1, wherein the sliding front cover is transparent.

7. The wireless charging system of claim 1, wherein the at least two rechargeable batteries are arranged in a vertical stack.

8. A charging station for recharging batteries in a medical setting, comprising: The housing includes an inlet for a battery at the top of the housing, an outlet for a rechargeable battery below the inlet, and a vertical channel extending between the inlet and the outlet. A wireless power transmitter within the housing, wherein the wireless power transmitter includes a transmitting antenna configured to simultaneously wirelessly charge the plurality of rechargeable batteries by transmitting wireless power to a wireless power receiver of each of the plurality of rechargeable batteries, and wherein the transmitting antenna charges the plurality of rechargeable batteries in operation independently of orientation in the charging station; Status lights on the housing; and A power source connected to the housing.

9. The charging station of claim 8, wherein the housing includes a removable cover and a plate, and wherein the vertical channel is formed between the removable cover and the plate.

10. The charging station of claim 9, wherein the removable cover is transparent and can slide vertically along the plate.

11. The charging station of claim 9, wherein the removable cover can be replaced with different removable covers of different sizes.

12. The charging station of claim 11, wherein the size of the removable cover is designed to accommodate a battery sealed with a corresponding sterile barrier, and wherein the sizes of the different removable covers are designed to accommodate non-sterile batteries.

13. The charging station of claim 8, wherein the vertical channel comprises a vertical length, a horizontal width and a depth perpendicular to the horizontal width, and wherein the vertical length is longer than the horizontal width, and wherein the horizontal width is longer than the depth.

14. The charging station of claim 13, wherein the vertical channel includes a recessed center with increased depth in the vertical channel.

15. The charging station of claim 8, wherein the status light comprises an illuminated surface, an illuminated horizontal bar, and / or an illuminated vertical bar.

16. The charging station according to claim 8, wherein the transmitting antenna is vertically oriented along the vertical channel.

17. The charging station of claim 16, wherein the transmitting antenna has a vertical length longer than its horizontal width, and wherein the horizontal width is increased in the middle section of the transmitting antenna to create a convex shape.

18. The charging station of claim 16, wherein the vertical length of the transmitting antenna is longer than the vertical stack of four horizontally oriented rechargeable batteries inserted into the charging station.

19. The charging station of claim 16, wherein the housing comprises a vertical plate, and wherein the transmitting antenna is located within the vertical plate.

20. The charging station of claim 8, wherein the housing comprises a rear plate, a slidable front cover and a base, wherein the inlet is comprised of an opening between the rear plate and the slidable front cover, and wherein the outlet is comprised of a groove in the slidable front cover.

21. The charging station of claim 8, wherein the outlet is contained in a horizontal groove at the bottom of the vertical channel.

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