Deactivating Button Cell Casings for Ingestion Injury Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing batteries pose a significant risk of esophageal and gastrointestinal damage if accidentally ingested, as they can cause electrolysis and generate hydroxide ions in biological fluids, leading to severe tissue damage and potentially life-threatening injuries.
Innovation Solution
The development of a battery with a cathode or anode case made from a deactivating metal, such as niobium (Nb), tantalum (Ta), or their alloys, which suppresses or reduces injuries by forming a metal oxide layer or reducing electrolytic current when exposed to a conductive aqueous medium.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If traditional battery materials are used, then battery power and energy density are improved, but the risk of tissue damage upon ingestion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the battery case from traditional metals (steel, aluminum, zinc) to biocompatible metals (titanium, niobium, tantalum). This material substitution maintains battery power while fundamentally altering the electrochemical behavior in biological environments, preventing harmful hydroxide ion generation and tissue damage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful interaction between battery metals and biological fluids into a beneficial outcome. By selecting specific biocompatible metals, the electrochemical reactions that would normally produce harmful effects are transformed into safe interactions, where the battery case becomes inert or produces beneficial oxide layers that protect surrounding tissue
2Duration of action of stationary object
If battery casing thickness is increased to prevent corrosion, then durability is improved, but the battery size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the battery case to biocompatible metals with superior corrosion resistance properties. This allows for thinner casing designs that achieve the same or better durability without increasing battery volume, as materials like titanium and niobium form protective oxide layers that prevent further corrosion
3Ease of manufacture
If reactive metals are used for battery case, then manufacturing ease is improved, but the generation of hydroxide ions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from reactive metals to biocompatible metals that have different electrochemical properties. These materials either resist corrosion or produce benign oxide layers instead of harmful hydroxide ions, eliminating the harmful effect while maintaining manufacturability through established metal forming processes
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
The use of deactivating metals in the battery cases significantly reduces the risk of tissue damage by rapidly deactivating the battery upon ingestion, minimizing the generation of hydroxide ions and electrolytic current in biological environments.
Implementation Method 1
forming a metal oxide layer or reducing electrolytic current when exposed to a conductive aqueous medium
Implementation Method 2
Current flow in conductive GI fluids can cause electrolysis and generate hydroxide ions, thereby creating long-term tissue damage in the digestive tract
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides batteries that have a reduced risk or no risk of esophageal or gastrointestinal damage in a conductive aqueous environment, such as when accidentally swallowed. The batteries are, in some embodiments, nominally 9V, 3V or 1.5V coin or button cell-type batteries.