Wireless Charging Bay for Sterile Medical Device Batteries
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical device batteries face challenges such as formation of impedance layers due to sterilization processes, exposure to adverse environmental conditions, and gradual charge loss, which affect charging efficiency and reliability in critical settings.
Innovation Solution
A wireless charging system with a charging device and container that maintains a sterile environment, using antennas for communication and power transfer, ensuring batteries remain sterile and functional during charging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If batteries are sterilized through autoclaving to eliminate infection risk, then sterility is improved, but the battery contacts form metal oxide layers that reduce charging efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is divided into two separate components: a sterilizable housing that can withstand autoclaving and a non-sterile battery pack that remains protected from sterilization processes. This segmentation allows the housing to be sterilized without exposing the battery to damaging conditions that would form oxide layers on contacts.
Solution Approach 2:
A sterile barrier or sterile drape is introduced as an intermediary between the sterilization process and the battery. The barrier allows the battery to remain protected during autoclaving while still enabling wireless charging through the barrier material, thus preventing oxide formation while maintaining sterility where required.
2Strength
If batteries are made autoclave-resistant to withstand sterilization, then durability is improved, but charging efficiency decreases due to oxide layer formation on contacts
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the autoclave-resistant function into the housing only, while the battery pack itself remains non-autoclave-resistant. This allows the housing to withstand sterilization without requiring the battery contacts to be exposed to autoclaving, thus maintaining both durability and charging efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces wired charging (which requires direct contact and would be affected by oxide layers) with wireless charging technology. This substitution eliminates the need for physical contact between charging elements, thereby avoiding the charging efficiency problems caused by oxide layer formation on contacts.
3Reliability
If wireless charging is implemented to maintain sterility during charging, then sterility is preserved, but system complexity increases due to multiple antennas and communication protocols
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless charging system uses a single antenna that performs multiple functions: it serves as both the communication antenna for establishing contactless power transfer and the power transfer antenna. This multi-functionality reduces system complexity compared to having separate dedicated communication and power antennas.
Solution Approach 2:
The system includes automatic detection and authentication mechanisms that operate without manual intervention. The charging controller automatically detects when a battery is placed in the charging bay, authenticates it through wireless communication, and initiates charging without requiring complex manual setup or configuration.
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
Ensures reliable and efficient charging of medical device batteries while maintaining sterility, reducing damage from autoclaving, and preventing charge loss, thereby enhancing their readiness for surgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a first antenna configured to establish communication with a battery controller of a battery disposed within a receptacle of the container
Implementation Method 2
a second antenna configured to provide charging power to the battery disposed in the receptacle
Data Source
AI summary
A system for charging a battery is provided. The system including a battery, a sterile barrier for encasing the battery, a charging device including a charging bay, and a charging controller. The battery includes a battery controller. The charging bay includes a first antenna for establishing communication with a battery controller of the battery encased in the sterile barrier in response to the battery being within a proximity of the charging bay and a second antenna for providing charging power to the battery encased in the sterile barrier. The charging controller establishes communication with the battery controller while the second antenna is deactivated, activates the second antenna after the first antenna establishes communication with the battery controller, and provides charging power to the battery via the second antenna.