6467 results about "Rechargeable cell" patented technology

A spinal cord stimulation (SCS) system includes multiple electrodes, multiple, independently programmable, stimulation channels within an implantable pulse generator (IPG) which channels can provide concurrent, but unique stimulation fields, permitting virtual electrodes to be realized. The SCS system includes a replenishable power source (e.g., rechargeable battery), that may be recharged using transcutaneous power transmissions between antenna coil pairs. An external charger unit, having its own rechargeable battery can be used to charge the IPG replenishable power source. A real-time clock can provide an auto-run schedule for daily stimulation. An included bi-directional telemetry link in the system informs the patient or clinician the status of the system, including the state of charge of the IPG battery. Other processing circuitry in the IPG allows electrode impedance measurements to be made. Further circuitry in the external battery charger can provide alignment detection for the coil pairs.

A method and system for authenticating a smart battery having a smart battery and an electronic device. Both the device and the smart battery generate encrypted random strings using key material based by A / D noise bits as a seed value. A pseudo random number is generated from the A / D noise that is transmitted to both the electronic device and the smart battery. The pseudo random number is used by both devices as a key index to select one of a plurality of keys stored in separate key libraries. The keys, or key material, is used to execute an encryption algorithm. The two encryption data streams are then compared to authenticate the smart battery.

A rechargable battery with an internal microcontroller. The microcontroller contains a memory in which data regarding the environment to which the battery is exposed are stored. These data are read by a processor integral with the charger used to charge the battery. If these data indicates the battery may have been subjected to a harsh environment for an excessive period of time, the charger performs a complete state of health evaluation of the battery.

One or more implantable system control units (SCU) apply one or more stimulating drugs and / or electrical pulses to one or more predetermined areas affecting circulatory perfusion. The SCU preferably includes a programmable memory for storing data and / or control parameters, and preferably uses a power source / storage device, such as a rechargeable battery. If necessary, periodic recharging of such a power source / storage device is accomplished, for example, by inductive coupling with an external appliance. The SCU provides a means of stimulating a nerve(s) or other tissue with electrical and / or infusion pulses when desired, without the need for external appliances during the stimulation session. When necessary, external appliances are used for the transmission of data to and / or from the SCU(s) and / or for the transmission of power. In a preferred embodiment, the system is capable of open- and closed-loop operation. In closed-loop operation, at least one SCU includes a sensor, and the sensed condition is used to adjust electrical and / or drug stimulation parameters.

A system includes an electric appliance, which is operated with replaceable and rechargeable batteries, a charging station and two or more battery units. The charging station has two or more receptacles for holding and charging the battery units. A first coupling is provided between a battery unit and the appliance and a second coupling is provided between a battery unit and the charging station such that a battery unit connected to the appliance can be uncoupled from the appliance by one-handed operation and can be coupled to the charging station for charging by one-handed operation. Similarly, a battery unit connected to the charging station can be coupled to the appliance and uncoupled from the charging station by one-handed operation.

The present invention is a wireless power system which includes components which can be recharged by harvesting wireless power, wireless power transmitters for transmitting the power, and devices which are powered from the components. Features such as temperature monitoring, tiered network protocols including both data and power communication, and power management strategies related to both charging and non-charging operations, are used to improve performance of the wireless network. Rechargeable batteries which are configured to be recharged using wireless power have unique components specifically tailored for recharging operations rather than for providing power to a device. A wireless power supply for powering implanted devices benefits from an external patient controller which contains features for adjusting both power transmission and harvesting provided by other components of the wireless power network.

A battery assembly with a housing that contains a removable battery pack. The housing, which is sterilizable, has a head designed to couple to a power consuming device. The battery pack, which is not sterilizable, contains at least one rechargeable cell. The battery pack has a head dimensioned to fit the same charger socket that can receive a sterilizable battery. The battery pack has contacts that abut charger contacts. The housing has internal contacts. Collectively, the housing and battery pack are shaped so that, when the battery pack seats in the housing, the battery pack contacts abut the housing internal contacts. The housing internal contacts are connected to the housing external contacts for supply power to the power consuming device. A cover selectively holds the battery pack in the housing chamber.

The present invention is a wireless power system which includes components which can be recharged by harvesting wireless power, wireless power transmitters for transmitting the power, and devices which are powered from the components. Features such as temperature monitoring, tiered network protocols including both data and power communication, and power management strategies related to both charging and non-charging operations, are used to improve performance of the wireless network. Rechargeable batteries which are configured to be recharged using wireless power have unique components specifically tailored for recharging operations rather than for providing power to a device. A wireless power supply for powering implanted devices benefits from an external patient controller which contains features for adjusting both power transmission and harvesting provided by other components of the wireless power network.

An implantable stimulator(s), small enough to be located near or within an area of the spine responsible for sensations in a region experiencing chronic pain uses a power source / storage device, such as a rechargeable battery. Periodic recharging of such a power source / storage device is accomplished, for example, by inductive coupling with an external appliance. The small stimulator provides a means of stimulating a nerve(s) or other tissue when desired, without the need for external appliances during the stimulation session. When necessary, external appliances are used for the transmission of data to and / or from the stimulator(s) and for the transmission of power, it necessary. In a preferred embodiment, the system is capable of open- and closed-loop operation. In closed-loop operation, at least one implant includes at least one sensor, and the sensed condition is used to adjust stimulation parameters.

An intelligent rechargeable battery pack having a battery management system for monitoring and controlling the charging and discharging of the battery pack is described. The battery management system includes a memory for storing data related to the operation of the battery, and the battery management system is also configured to communicate the data related to the operation of the battery to other processors for analysis.

An intelligent rechargeable battery pack having a battery management system for monitoring and controlling the charging and discharging of the battery pack is described. The battery management system includes primary and secondary protection circuits for monitoring the charging and discharging of the battery. Individual battery cells forming the battery pack are connected by a main bus to a connector for connection to a battery charger or a device to be powered, and the main bus may be interrupted by a switch controlled by the battery management system to prevent damage to the battery during charging or discharging of the battery.

An apparatus for delivering power to an electrically powered medical device includes a package and an electrical coupling feature. The package comprises an interior portion and a wall. The interior portion of the package is able to hold a sterile, electrically powered medical device having a rechargeable battery. The package is able to maintain sterility of the interior portion of the package. The electrical coupling feature may be in communication with the wall of the package and in further communication with the medical device. The electrical coupling feature may be able to deliver power from an external power source to the medical device to charge the battery of the medical device without compromising the sterility of the package or the sterility of the medical device.

There is disclosed a system and method for transferring power without requiring direct electrical conductive contacts. There is provided a primary unit having a power supply and a substantially laminar charging surface having at least one conductor that generates an electromagnetic field when a current flows therethrough and having an charging area defined within a perimeter of the surface, the at least one conductor being arranged such that electromagnetic field lines generated by the at least one conductor are substantially parallel to the plane of the surface or at least subtend an angle of 45° or less to the surface within the charging area; and at least one secondary device including at least one conductor that may be wound about a core. Because the electromagnetic field is spread over the charging area and is generally parallel or near-parallel thereto, coupling with flat secondary devices such as mobile telephones and the like is significantly improved in various orientations thereof.

According to certain aspects, the invention allows a person to manage some of the functions of a cell phone without having to actually have the phone in her hands. For example, the invention allows the user to know of the incoming call and further allows the user to send a user-specified message to the caller and / or otherwise manage how the call should be handled through a remote device. In certain embodiments, the invention is comprised of: a decorative watch-like or bracelet-like case; a decorative wrist band; a vibrating incoming call indicator; a partial or full face display; touch screen input capability, accelerometer for wrist flick input capability, and / or side buttons for user inputs; a Bluetooth antenna; a Bluetooth transmitter and receiver; a rechargeable battery; a connector or wireless charging element; a display / general purpose control unit with firmware; and standard Bluetooth link and application software on an associated cellular phone.

Method and apparatus for providing a disposable power supply source integrated into the housing of the transmitter unit mount that is placed on the skin of the patient, and configured to receive the transmitter unit is disclosed. The transmitter unit mount is configured to be disposable with the analyte sensor so that power supply providing power to the transmitter unit is also replaced. The transmitter unit may include a rechargeable battery that is recharged by the power supply unit of the transmitter unit mount when the transmitter is mounted to the transmitter unit mount. Other energy store configurations including single large capacitor (supercap) or a capacitor and DC / DC converter configurations are disclosed.

An electric-cigarette undertaking nanometer dimension fineness space heating pulverization to nicotine solution comprises a cigarette pole and a cigarette holder connected with the front end of the cigarette pole. The cigarette pole is a hollow rod shape cigarette pole welded with a plug at the back end. The intracavity of the cigarette pole is provided with a rechargeable battery, a liquid storage tank for storing nicotine solution, an imbibition liquid core arranged at the front end of the liquid storage tank and contacted with the nicotine solution, and a heater of space heating pulverization arranged inside the heating cavity positioned in the front part of the cigarette pole. The wall of the cigarette pole corresponding to the liquid storage tank is provided with a liquid inlet communicated with the liquid storage tank. Any place of the wall of the cigarette pole is provided with an electric heating switch. The center of the cigarette holder is provided with a hollow pipe which extends into the cigarette pole. The wall of front part of the cigarette holder is provided with a piezoelectric press sensor. The back end of the cigarette pole is provided with a recharging connection device which can charge the rechargeable battery through outer power. The piezoelectric press sensor is communicated with the rechargeable battery all the time. The electric heating switch, the piezoelectric press sensor and the rechargeable battery constitute a circuit loop. The invention has the advantages of convenient assembly and installation, easy carry, wide application and convenient use.

A rechargeable battery energized unmanned aerial vehicle having surveillance capability and an ability to clandestinely collect propulsion and other energy needs from a conveniently located and possibly enemy owned energy transmission line. Energy collection is by way of a parked vehicle engagement with the transmission line in a current flow dependent, magnetic field determined, rather than shunt, voltage dependent, conductor coupling. Surveillance during both a parked or docked condition and during aerial vehicle movement is contemplated.

A driver drill may have two battery attachment portions to which two rechargeable batteries can be attached. Therefore, the driver drill can meet a need for an increased voltage or an increased discharge capacity. Further, the two battery attachment portions may be constructed as slide-fitting battery attachment portions. A combined gravity center of the rechargeable batteries attached to the first and second battery attachment portions may be positioned on a vertical line through a gravity center of a tool main body in a condition in which the two rechargeable batteries are detached therefrom.

The present invention relates to a contact-less power supply magnetically coupled to a battery device having a receiving coil therein, for contact-less charging the battery device, the contact-less power supply having a sending coil array including a plurality of sending coils for inducing a charging power to the receiving coil; and a driving means for detecting a sending coil magnetically coupled to the receiving coil and selectively driving only the detected sending coil.

An ultrasonic surgical assembly for connection to an ultrasonic surgical handle includes a reusable exterior body defining an internal compartment and having a connection operable to removably secure the body in a body-holding compartment within the ultrasonic surgical handle, a reusable cordless ultrasonic-movement-generation assembly disposed in the compartment and having an output couple removably attachable to an ultrasonic waveguide and operable to impart ultrasonic movement to the ultrasonic waveguide, and a reusable and rechargeable battery disposed in the compartment and electrically connected to and powering the assembly.

Apparatus and methods to wirelessly charge batteries within a radius of a power source. A power transmitter generates a power signal of specific configuration which is received by the power charger. The power charger harvests the received power signal and stores the energy contained within for the purpose of charging target battery or batteries. The typical uses of this invention are but not limited to the home, car, office, and work place. Anywhere where rechargeable batteries are used in a device where they need to be placed or physically removed from the device for recharge by conventional wired chargers, this invention provides method to prolong battery life in such a way to extend the time between a physical wired recharge or eliminate such events all together.

A battery charger may include a charger connector to be coupled to a corresponding device connector of a portable device including a rechargeable battery. The battery charger may also include a charging circuit connected to the charger connector, and a controller connected to the charger connector and the charging circuit. The controller may be for causing a portable device connected to the charger connector to identify its corresponding portable device type and its corresponding rechargeable battery type from among a plurality of different portable device types and different battery types, and for causing the charging circuit to charge the rechargeable battery based thereon.

A method and system to provide electrical pulses for neuromodulating vagus nerve(s) to provide therapy for autism, comprises implantable and external components. The pulsed electrical stimulation to vagus nerve(s) may be provided using one of the following stimulation systems, such as: a) an implanted stimulus-receiver with an external stimulator; b) an implanted stimulus-receiver comprising a high value capacitor for storing charge, used in conjunction with an external stimulator; c) a programmer-less implantable pulse generator (IPG) which is operable with a magnet; d) a microstimulator; e) a programmable implantable pulse generator; f) a combination implantable device comprising both a stimulus-receiver and a programmable implantable pulse generator (IPG); and g) an implantable pulse generator (IPG) comprising a rechargeable battery. In one embodiment, the external components such as the programmer or external stimulator may comprise a telemetry means for networking. The telemetry means therefore allows for interrogation or programming of implanted device, from a remote location over a wide area network.

A user-friendly, network-connected learning thermostat is described. The thermostat is made up of (1) a wall-mountable backplate that includes a low-power consuming microcontroller used for activities such as polling sensors and switching on and off the HVAC functions, and (2) separable head unit that includes a higher-power consuming microprocessor, color LCD backlit display, user input devices, and wireless communications modules. The thermostat also includes a rechargeable battery and power-stealing circuitry adapted to harvest power from HVAC triggering circuits. By maintaining the microprocessor in a “sleep” state often compared to the lower-power microcontroller, high-power consuming activities, such as learning computations, wireless network communications and interfacing with a user, can be temporarily performed by the microprocessor even though the activities use energy at a greater rate than is available from the power stealing circuitry.

The present invention relates to an electronic cigarette case, includes a case body, a charging device disposed in the case body for charging electronic cigarettes. The charging device includes a charging base, a rechargeable battery, and a control circuit board integrated with a circuit processing unit. The charging base has an electrode support where first and second electrode elements, and a trigger element spaced apart from the second electrode element are all disposed on the electrode support. The second electrode element is flexibly deformable when one of the electronic cigarettes is inserted into the case body to create a charging circuit. The circuit processing unit automatically controls the rechargeable battery for charging the electronic cigarette being inserted until it is full of power, whereby the electronic cigarette case is readily to be assembled and to sue, and has a reliable electrical connection with an outer power source.

A lithium ion battery electrode includes silicon nanowires used for insertion of lithium ions and including a conductivity enhancement, the nanowires growth-rooted to the conductive substrate.

Electrochemical cells, and more specifically, rechargeable batteries comprising lithium anodes for use in water and / or air environments, as well as non-aqueous and non-air environments, are presented. In one embodiment, an electrochemical cell includes an anode comprising lithium and a multi-layered structure positioned between the anode and an electrolyte of the cell. A multi-layered structure can include at least a first single-ion conductive material layer (e.g., a lithiated metal layer), and at least a first polymeric layer positioned between the anode and the single-ion conductive material. The invention also can provide an electrode stabilization layer positioned within the electrode, i.e., between one portion and another portion of an electrode, to control depletion and re-plating of electrode material upon charge and discharge of a battery. Advantageously, electrochemical cells comprising combinations of structures described herein are not only compatible with environments that are typically unsuitable for lithium, but the cells may be also capable of displaying long cycle life, high lithium cycling efficiency, and high energy density.