# US 11,026,682 B2 · Surgical instrument battery pack with voltage polling > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,026,682 B2 - Document ID: US11026682B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/964,427 - Filed: 2018-04-27 - Published: 2018-11-01 - Granted: 2021-06-08 - Earliest claimed: 2014-10-15 - Assignees: Cilag GmbH International - Applicants: Ethicon LLC - Inventors: David C. Yates; Frederick E. Shelton, IV - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11026682B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/07207: {the staples being applied sequentially} - A61B 17/072: for applying a row of staples in a single action, e.g. the staples being applied simultaneously - H01M 10/425: {Structural combination with electronic components, e.g. electronic circuits integrated to the outside of the casing (printed circuits H05K1/00)} - H01M 10/4257: {Smart batteries, e.g. electronic circuits inside the housing of the cells or batteries} - H01M 50/597: Protection against reversal of polarity - H02J 7/00: Circuit arrangements for charging or discharging batteries or for supplying loads from batteries - H02J 7/685: {using connection detecting circuits (H02J7/68 takes precedence)} - H02J 7/731: {specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries (H02J7/751 takes precedence)} - H02J 7/751: {concerning the insertion or the connection of the batteries} - H02J 7/80: including monitoring or indicating arrangements - H02J 7/855: {with circuits adapted for supplying loads from the battery} - H02J 7/94: in response to battery current - A61B 2017/00017: {Electrical control of surgical instruments} - A61B 2017/00115: {with audible or visual output} - A61B 2017/00398: {using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids} - A61B 2017/00407: {Ratchet means} - A61B 2017/0046: {with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable} - A61B 2017/00734: {battery operated} - A61B 2017/07271: {characterised by its cartridge} - A61B 2017/2927: {the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft} - A61B 2090/0814: {Preventing re-use} - G01R 31/36: Arrangements for testing, measuring or monitoring the electrical condition of accumulators or electric batteries, e.g. capacity or state of charge [SoC] - G01R 31/3828: using current integration - G01R 31/3842: combining voltage and current measurements - H01M 10/0525: Rocking-chair batteries, i.e. batteries with lithium insertion or intercalation in both electrodes; Lithium-ion batteries - H01M 10/4221: {with battery type recognition} - H01M 10/48: Accumulators combined with arrangements for measuring, testing or indicating the condition of cells, e.g. the level or density of the electrolyte (constructional details of current conducting connections for detecting conditions inside cells or batteries, e.g. details of voltage sensing terminals, H01M50/569) - H01M 2010/4271: {Battery management systems including electronic circuits, e.g. control of current or voltage to keep battery in healthy state, cell balancing} - H01M 2010/4278: {Systems for data transfer from batteries, e.g. transfer of battery parameters to a controller, data transferred between battery controller and main controller} - H01M 2200/30: Preventing polarity reversal - H01M 2220/30: Batteries in portable systems, e.g. mobile phone, laptop - H02J 1/06: Two-wire DC power distribution systems - H02J 7/50: acting upon multiple batteries simultaneously or sequentially - H02J 7/585: {Sequential battery discharge in systems with a plurality of batteries} - H02J 7/82: Control of state of charge [SOC] - H02J 2007/0067 - H02J 2105/46: Medical devices, medical implants or life supporting devices - H04Q 9/00: Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom - Y02E 60/10: Energy storage using batteries - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - H01M: PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY - H02J: ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY - G01R: MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES (indicating correct tuning of resonant circuits H03J3/12) - H04Q: SELECTING (switches, relays, selectors H01H; wireless communication networks H04W) - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## Abstract A method of operating a medical device comprises electrically connecting a power device to the medical device. The method further comprises sensing at least one characteristic of the medical device with the power device. The method further comprises adjusting or maintaining one or more characteristics of an electrical connection feature of the power device according to the at least one observed characteristic such that the electrical connection feature of the power device is operationally compatible with an electrical connection feature of the medical device. The method further comprises operating the power device according to an operational profile associated with the medical device. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A power device configured to provide power to a medical device, comprising: (a) a housing, wherein the housing is removably attachable to a medical device; (b) a battery supported by the housing; (c) an electrical connection feature operable to electrically couple with a complementary connection feature of the medical device, wherein the electrical connection feature is operable to deliver an output signal from the battery to the medical device, wherein the electrical connection feature is further operable to receive a return signal from the medical device; and (d) a processor, wherein the processor is operable to change a polarity of the electrical connection feature based at least in part on an electrical characteristic of at least one of the output signal or the return signal. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The power device of claim 1, further comprising a sensor in communication with the processor, wherein the sensor is operable to sense and generate a sensor signal based on an electrical characteristic of at least one of the output signal or the return signal, wherein the processor is operable to change the polarity of the electrical connection feature based at least in part on the sensor signal. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The power device of claim 2, wherein the sensor is in communication with the electrical connection feature, wherein the sensor is operable to receive the return signal from the electrical connection feature. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The power device of claim 2, wherein the sensor comprises a current sensor operable to measure a current of at least one of the output signal or the return signal. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The power device of claim 4, wherein the current sensor is operable to measure a current of the output signal, wherein the processor is operable to decrease a voltage of the output signal when the measured current differs from a predetermined current. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The power device of claim 5, further comprising a warning device, wherein the warning device is operable to provide an indication to a user when the measured current differs from the predetermined current. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The power device of claim 5, wherein the processor is operable to increase a voltage of the output signal when the measured current is equal to the predetermined current. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The power device of claim 1, further comprising a voltage regulator in communication with the processor, wherein the voltage regulator is operable to regulate a voltage of the output signal between a first level and a second level in response to a command from the processor, wherein the first level is insufficient to operate the medical device and the second level is sufficient to operate the medical device. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The power device of claim 1, wherein the electrical interface is arranged at a distal end of the housing. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The power device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of switches in communication with the electrical connection feature, wherein the controller is operable to selectively open and close the switches to change the polarity of the electrical connection feature. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The power device of claim 1, wherein the power device is operable to sense a characteristic of the medical device, wherein the processor is operable to confirm an identity of the medical device based on the sensed characteristic. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The power device of claim 11, wherein the power device further comprises a warning device in communication with the processor, wherein the warning device is operable to provide an indication to a user when the processor is unable to confirm the identity of the of the medical device based on the sensed characteristic. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The power device of claim 1, wherein the power device further comprises a memory having a database of characteristics associated with a plurality of known medical devices, wherein the processor is operable to compare the sensed characteristic to the characteristics of the known medical devices, wherein the processor is operable to identify the medical device based on the comparison. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The power device of claim 1, wherein the processor is operable to determine whether a reverse-polarity protection circuit of the medical device is activated in response to the output signal being delivered to the medical device. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The power device of claim 1, wherein the power source is operable to collect and store data associated with a response of the medical device to the output signal. ### Claim 16 A power device configured to provide power to a medical device, comprising: (a) a housing, wherein the housing is removably attachable to a medical device; (b) a battery supported by the housing; (c) an electrical connection feature configured to electrically couple with a complementary connection feature of the medical device; (d) a sensor operable to sense a characteristic of the medical device; and (e) a processor in communication with the sensor, wherein the processor is operable to identify the medical device based on the sensed characteristic, wherein the processor is further operable to change a polarity of the electrical connection feature based on the identification. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The power device of claim 16, wherein the processor is operable to access a database of characteristics of known medical devices, wherein the processor is operable to identify the medical device by comparing the sensed characteristic to the characteristics of the known medical devices. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The power device of claim 16, wherein the sensor is operable to sense an electrical characteristic of the medical device, wherein the processor is operable to identify the medical device based on the sensed electrical characteristic. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The power device of claim 16, wherein the sensor is operable to sense a physical characteristic of the medical device, wherein the processor is operable to identify the medical device based on the sensed physical characteristic. ### Claim 20 A power device configured to provide power to a medical device, comprising: (a) a housing, wherein the housing is removably attachable to a medical device; (b) a battery supported by the housing; (c) an electrical connection feature configured to electrically couple with a complementary connection feature of the medical device; (d) a sensor operable to sense a characteristic associated with the medical device; and (e) a processor in communication with the sensor, wherein the processor is operable to change a polarity of the electrical connection feature based on the sensed characteristic.