Surgical Instrument Battery Pack With Automatic Discharge Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Many governing bodies require batteries to be fully discharged before disposal, but existing battery-operated surgical instruments often do not ensure complete discharge when the battery is removed from the device, leading to waste stream energy inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A surgical instrument with a battery assembly that includes a discharge circuit board, which is configured to move between positions to ensure full discharge of the battery cell, either when connected to or disconnected from the handle assembly, using a mechanism involving contact pads and a switch to form a circuit for discharging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a removable battery pack is used in surgical instruments, then ease of operation and device versatility are improved, but the battery may not be fully discharged before disposal, leading to energy waste and regulatory non-compliance
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge circuit board is pre-configured with discharge circuitry and is automatically activated when the battery pack is removed from the instrument housing. This preliminary setup ensures that as soon as the battery becomes removable, the discharge process begins automatically, eliminating the need for manual intervention and guaranteeing energy dissipation before disposal.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery pack system performs self-service through automatic detection and activation of the discharge circuit. When the battery is removed, the system autonomously initiates the discharge process without requiring user action, and the battery pack itself serves as both the power source and the trigger for its own discharge mechanism.
2Loss of energy
If a discharge mechanism is added to ensure full battery discharge, then energy waste is reduced and regulatory compliance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge circuit board combines multiple functions into a single integrated component: it serves as both a circuit board with discharge circuitry and as an automatic activation mechanism. The board is electrically coupled to the battery cell and automatically activates when the battery pack is removed, merging the discharge function with the battery interface without requiring separate activation controls or additional mechanical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The discharge circuit board serves multiple functions: it provides the discharge pathway for the battery cell, acts as an automatic activation trigger upon battery removal, and can potentially serve as a interface for future battery management functions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function.
3Reliability
If the discharge circuit board remains in the instrument housing, then circuit integrity is maintained, but the battery can be reconnected and used again, preventing proper disposal
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge circuit board is extracted from the instrument housing and placed within the battery pack itself. This extraction ensures that when the battery pack is removed from the instrument, the discharge circuit board is removed with it, physically preventing any possibility of reconnection and ensuring the battery cannot be reused after disposal initiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery pack serves as an intermediary that houses the discharge circuit board and mediates between the instrument housing and the battery cell. By placing the discharge circuit board within the battery pack, the system uses the battery pack itself as the carrier and protector of the discharge mechanism, ensuring proper disposal while maintaining circuit integrity during operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Guarantees the full discharge of the battery, ensuring that no electrical energy remains when the battery is disposed of, meeting regulatory requirements and optimizing waste management.
Implementation Method 1
a battery cell disposed in the battery housing, first and second battery contacts electrically coupled to the battery cell, and a discharge circuit board. The discharge circuit board is configured to discharge the battery cell
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical instrument includes a handle assembly and a battery assembly configured to removably couple to the handle assembly. The handle assembly includes a handle housing, an electronic component within the housing, a handle finger extending from the handle housing, and an electrical contact electrically coupled to the electronic component. The battery assembly includes a battery housing, a battery disposed in the battery housing, a battery contact electrically coupled to the battery, and a discharge circuit board. The discharge circuit board is configured to discharge the battery and is movable within the battery housing from a first position to a second position by the handle finger upon coupling the battery assembly to the handle assembly.