Sterile Medical Device Charging via Segmented Battery
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Medical devices requiring electrical power face challenges with traditional power sources, as tethering to outlets is cumbersome and battery packs can compromise sterility, leading to contamination risks and charge loss.
Innovation Solution
A sterilized charging system that uses capacitive, inductive, or direct coupling to recharge medical device batteries within a sealed package, maintaining sterility and preventing contamination, with components like capacitive patches, inductive coils, and embedded leads to transfer power without direct contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a battery pack is used with a sterile medical device, then the device can be untethered and maneuvered freely, but the battery may become exposed to the device and compromise sterility
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the battery into two distinct states: a non-sterile rechargeable battery housed in an external charging cradle, and a sterile battery component integrated into the medical device. The sterile battery can be detached and transferred to the device while the non-sterile battery remains in the cradle for recharging, thus maintaining device sterility while enabling free maneuverability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a sterile battery as an intermediary component that transfers energy from the non-sterile rechargeable battery to the medical device. This sterile battery acts as a mediator that allows the non-sterile battery to power the device without directly contacting it, thereby maintaining sterility while enabling untethered operation.
2Ease of operation
If a non-sterile battery is used with a sterile medical device, then the device can be powered portably, but the device may become contaminated
Solution Approach 1:
The power system is segmented into a non-sterile rechargeable battery for portable power and a sterile battery component for device operation. The rechargeable battery remains in an external cradle and never contacts the sterile device, eliminating contamination risk while maintaining portable power capability.
Solution Approach 2:
A sterile battery serves as an intermediary that receives charge from the non-sterile rechargeable battery through inductive coupling or other non-contact methods, then provides power to the medical device. This intermediary prevents direct contact between non-sterile and sterile components, eliminating contamination risk.
3Reliability
If the medical device is tethered to a wall outlet for power, then sterility is maintained, but maneuverability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The power system is divided into a stationary non-sterile rechargeable battery in a wall-mounted or table-top cradle, and a mobile sterile battery in the medical device. The cradle provides tethered power to the battery, while the battery itself provides untethered power to the device, combining the sterility benefits of tethering with the maneuverability benefits of portability.
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 and sterile power delivery to medical devices, reducing contamination risks and maintaining battery charge during storage and use, while allowing for convenient charging without compromising the sterility of the device.
Implementation Method 1
A sterilized charging system that uses capacitive, inductive, or direct coupling to recharge medical device batteries within a sealed package
Implementation Method 2
A sterilized charging system that uses capacitive, inductive, or direct coupling to recharge medical device batteries within a sealed package
Data Source
AI summary
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.