Sterile-Barrier Wireless Battery Charging for Medical Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Recharging batteries in medical environments poses a challenge due to the need for sterilization, which complicates the process and requires innovative solutions for wireless charging across sterile barriers.
Innovation Solution
A wireless charging system with a charging station that includes a housing, a wireless power transmitter with a transmitting antenna, and rechargeable batteries sealed inside sterile barriers, allowing for simultaneous charging of multiple batteries in various orientations without the need for sterilization after charging, using a vertical channel and power supply with a status light for operation monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If batteries are recharged in a medical environment, then operational efficiency is improved, but sterilization requirements increase device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the charging function from the sterile medical environment by providing a dedicated charging station that accepts batteries in sterile containers. The charging process occurs outside the sterile field, eliminating the need to maintain sterility during charging while keeping batteries readily available for medical devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a sterile container as an intermediary between the battery and the charging station. The container maintains sterility during the charging process, allowing the battery to be charged without compromising the sterile barrier. The container acts as a mediator that enables charging while preserving sterility requirements.
2Productivity
If multiple batteries are charged simultaneously, then productivity is improved, but ensuring correct charging order becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates status lights that provide visual feedback about the charging status of each battery. The system displays which batteries are charging, which are complete, and their relative positions in the charging sequence. This feedback mechanism eliminates the need for manual tracking and ensures correct charging order is maintained automatically.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging station automatically manages the charging sequence and order of multiple batteries without requiring user intervention. The system self-regulates which battery charges first, monitors charging progress, and manages the overall charging process, freeing users from the complexity of tracking multiple batteries.
3Ease of operation
If wireless charging is used across sterile barriers, then ease of operation is improved, but power transmission efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless charging system is designed to work universally with different types of sterile containers and battery configurations. The transmitting antenna can charge batteries through various sterile barriers without requiring physical contact or opening the sterile seal, maintaining ease of operation while accommodating different container types.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a bulged transmitting antenna design that dynamically adapts to the presence of sterile containers. The bulged shape positions the antenna optimally relative to the battery regardless of container variations, maintaining efficient power transmission through the sterile barrier while preserving ease of 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
Enables efficient and orientation-independent wireless charging of multiple batteries within a medical environment, ensuring that batteries are charged in the correct order and reducing the risk of premature removal, while maintaining sterility and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a wireless power transmitter inside the rear plate, wherein the wireless power transmitter comprises a transmitting antenna; and at least two rechargeable batteries in different orientations inside the vertical channel, each battery having a wireless power receiver which comprises a receiving antenna
Data Source
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AI summary
A wireless charging system for recharging batteries in a medical environment includes a charging station (100). The charging station may include an opening (116) to receive batteries (112) enclosed inside sterile barriers (114) and an outlet (118) for dispensing charged batteries, wherein the outlet comprises a slot in a front cover. The charging station also includes a wireless power transmitter having a transmitting antenna.