Inductive Battery Charging Across Sterile Barriers in Medical Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Recharging or replacing batteries in medical devices within sterile environments poses challenges due to space constraints and the need for sterilization, leading to inefficiencies and waste generation.
Innovation Solution
A wireless charging system using inductive coupling across a sterile barrier, with a charging station and rechargeable batteries equipped with specific antenna configurations, allowing for efficient and flexible charging of multiple batteries without the need for direct contact or additional sterilization steps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If batteries are recharged or replaced in medical devices within sterile environments, then the medical devices can be operated without space and range constraints, but additional sterilization steps and waste disposal are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the battery charging function from the sterile medical device. The charging station operates outside the sterile field, while only the battery itself needs to be sterilized once, eliminating repeated sterilization requirements and reducing time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging station acts as an intermediary between the power source and the battery in the sterile environment. It provides wireless charging through a sterile barrier, allowing battery recharging without breaking sterility or requiring additional sterilization steps.
2Ease of operation
If disposable batteries are used in medical devices, then replacement is simple, but additional waste is generated that needs disposal per hospital guidelines
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of discarding disposable batteries after use, the system recovers them through wireless charging. The charging station automatically recharges used batteries, converting waste into reusable resources and eliminating the need for continuous disposal and replacement.
3Duration of action of moving object
If batteries are replaced during use in a patient, then continuous operation is maintained, but additional steps within a sterile field are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the mechanical action of physically replacing batteries in the sterile field with wireless electromagnetic energy transfer. The charging station transmits power through a sterile barrier, eliminating the need for complex sterile field procedures while maintaining operation continuity.
4Ease of operation
If wireless charging is implemented across a sterile barrier, then charging can occur without direct contact, but transmission efficiency may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The charging station is designed with a universal wireless charging capability that works through sterile barriers without requiring direct contact. The system maintains adequate transmission efficiency by using electromagnetic fields that can penetrate non-metallic barriers, providing both convenience and acceptable energy transfer.
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
Enables efficient, flexible, and user-friendly battery charging across sterile barriers, reducing waste and improving operational efficiency in medical environments by allowing multiple batteries to be charged simultaneously and maintaining sterility throughout the process.
Implementation Method 1
A wireless charging system using inductive coupling across a sterile barrier
Implementation Method 2
a metallic sheet (e.g., ferrite sheet) disposed on a second surface of the substrate opposing the first surface, wherein the metallic sheet increases a transmissivity of the plurality of transmitting coils
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates generally to a wireless charging system for charging batteries in a medical environment. The wireless charging system may include a power transmitter and a power receiver. The power transmitter produces a strong near-distance magnetic field and transmits the magnetic field via a transmitting antenna to a power receiver. The power receiver may receive the transmitted magnetic field via a power receiver antenna. The converted electrical power may charge multiple rechargeable batteries (e.g., lithium batteries) simultaneously with high efficiency (e.g., more than hundreds of charge/discharge cycles).