# US 2016/0249918 A1 · Charging system that enables emergency resolutions for charging a battery

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- Number: US 2016/0249918 A1
- Document ID: US20160249918A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 14/633,566
- Filed: 2015-02-27
- Published: 2016-09-01
- Earliest claimed: 2015-02-27
- Assignees: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
- Applicants: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LLC
- Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV; Jerome R. Morgan; David C. Yates; Chester O. Baxter, III; Andrew T. Beckman
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20160249918A1

## CPC

- A61B 17/072: for applying a row of staples in a single action, e.g. the staples being applied simultaneously
- A61B 17/068: Surgical staplers {, e.g. containing multiple staples or clamps}({staplers containing only one staple A61B17/10; magazines or containers for staples A61B17/105;} for performing anastomosis A61B17/115; {staplers in general B25C5/00})
- A61B 17/07207: {the staples being applied sequentially}
- A61B 17/105: {Wound clamp magazines (for packaging sharps A61B50/3001)}
- A61B 17/1155: {Circular staplers comprising a plurality of staples}
- A61B 17/1628: {Motors; Power supplies}
- A61B 17/2909: {Handles}
- A61B 50/33: Trays
- A61B 90/70: Cleaning devices specially adapted for surgical instruments
- A61B 90/98: using electromagnetic means, e.g. transponders
- A61L 2/26: Accessories
- A61L 2/28: Devices for testing the effectiveness or completeness of sterilisation or disinfection, e.g. indicators which change colour
- B25F 3/00: Associations of tools for different working operations with one portable power-drive means; Adapters therefor
- B25F 5/006: {Vibration damping means}
- B25H 3/006: {Storage means specially adapted for one specific hand apparatus, e.g. an electric drill}
- G16H 40/20: for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities, e.g. managing hospital staff or surgery rooms
- G16H 40/40: for the management of medical equipment or devices, e.g. scheduling maintenance or upgrades
- H01M 10/0445: {Multimode batteries, e.g. containing auxiliary cells or electrodes switchable in parallel or series connections}
- H01M 10/613: Cooling or keeping cold
- H01M 10/6235: Power tools
- H01M 10/658: by thermal insulation or shielding
- H01M 50/24: adapted for protecting batteries from their environment, e.g. from corrosion (thermal insulation H01M10/658)
- H02J 7/00: Circuit arrangements for charging or discharging batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
- H02J 7/44: between battery management systems and power sources
- H02J 7/485: {with provisions for charging different types of batteries}
- H02J 7/50: acting upon multiple batteries simultaneously or sequentially
- H02J 7/52: for charge balancing, e.g. equalisation of charge between batteries
- H02J 7/70: characterised by the mechanical construction
- H02J 7/751: {concerning the insertion or the connection of the batteries}
- H02J 7/84: Control of state of health [SOH]
- A61B 2017/00017: {Electrical control of surgical instruments}
- A61B 2017/0003: {of parts of the instruments}
- A61B 2017/00084: {Temperature}
- A61B 2017/00115: {with audible or visual output}
- A61B 2017/00199: {with a console, e.g. a control panel with a display}
- A61B 2017/00221: {with wireless transmission of data, e.g. by infrared radiation or radiowaves}
- A61B 2017/00398: {using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids}
- A61B 2017/00402: {Piezo electric actuators}
- A61B 2017/0046: {with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable}
- A61B 2017/00464: {for use with different instruments}
- A61B 2017/00469: {for insertion of instruments, e.g. guide wire, optical fibre}
- A61B 2017/00473: {Distal part, e.g. tip or head (A61B2017/00464 takes precedence)}
- A61B 2017/00477: {Coupling (A61B2017/0046 takes precedence)}
- A61B 2017/00716: {simulating physical properties}
- A61B 2017/00725: {Calibration or performance testing}
- A61B 2017/00734: {battery operated}
- A61B 2017/07214: {Stapler heads}
- A61B 2017/07271: {characterised by its cartridge}
- A61B 2017/07285: {characterised by its cutter}
- A61B 2017/2925: {Pistol grips}
- A61B 2018/1226: {powered by a battery}
- A61B 2090/0803: {Counting the number of times an instrument is used}
- A61B 2090/0809: {Indication of cracks or breakages}
- A61B 2090/0811: {for the position of a particular part of an instrument with respect to the rest of the instrument, e.g. position of the anvil of a stapling instrument}
- A61B 2090/0812: {indicating loosening or shifting of parts of an instrument, signaling maladjustment of parts}
- A61B 2090/0813: {Accessories designed for easy sterilising, i.e. re-usable}
- A61B 2090/0814: {Preventing re-use}
- A61B 2560/0214: of power generation or supply
- H01M 10/4257: {Smart batteries, e.g. electronic circuits inside the housing of the cells or batteries}
- H01M 10/46: Accumulators structurally combined with charging apparatus (circuits for charging H02J7/00)
- H01M 50/213: adapted for cells having curved cross-section, e.g. round or elliptic (H01M50/209, H01M50/216 take precedence)
- H01M 50/242: adapted for protecting batteries against vibrations, collision impact or swelling
- H01M 50/247: specially adapted for portable devices, e.g. mobile phones, computers, hand tools or pacemakers
- H01M 50/262: with fastening means, e.g. locks
- H01M 50/267: having means for adapting to batteries or cells of different types or different sizes
- H01M 2220/30: Batteries in portable systems, e.g. mobile phone, laptop
- H02J 7/342: {The other DC source being a battery actively interacting with the first one, i.e. battery to battery charging (with circuits for polarity protection H02J7/68)}
- H02J 7/82: Control of state of charge [SOC]
- H02J 2105/46: Medical devices, medical implants or life supporting devices
- H02J 2207/40: adapted for charging from various sources, e.g. AC, DC or multivoltage
- Y02E 60/10: Energy storage using batteries
- Y02P 70/50: Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- A61L: METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES (preservation of bodies or disinfecting characterised by the agents employed A01N; preserving, e.g. sterilising, food or foodstuffs A23; preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes A61K)
- B25F: COMBINATION OR MULTI-PURPOSE TOOLS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DETAILS OR COMPONENTS OF PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS NOT PARTICULARLY RELATED TO THE OPERATIONS PERFORMED AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR {(machines or arrangements of machines for performing specified combinations of different metal-working operations not covered by a single other subclass B23P23/00 and subgroups)}
- B25H: WORKSHOP EQUIPMENT, e.g. FOR MARKING-OUT WORK; STORAGE MEANS FOR WORKSHOPS (storing or packaging B65)
- G16H: HEALTHCARE INFORMATICS, i.e. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE HANDLING OR PROCESSING OF MEDICAL OR HEALTHCARE DATA
- 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
- Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02P: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS

## Abstract

A combination comprises a handle module that is attachable to a detachable shaft module for collectively performing a surgical procedure, a first removable, rechargeable battery pack connectable to the handle module for providing electric power to the handle module during a surgical procedure and a charging station for charging the first battery pack when the battery pack is removed from the handle module and inserted into the charging station. The charging station comprises means for rapidly charging the first battery pack when a rapid charge user input for the battery pack is received by the charging station.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A combination, comprising:
a handle module that is attachable to a detachable shaft module for collectively performing a surgical procedure;
a removable, rechargeable battery pack connectable to the handle module for providing electric power to the handle module during a surgical procedure; and
a charging station for charging the battery pack when the battery pack is removed from the handle module and inserted into the charging station, wherein the charging station comprises circuitry for rapidly charging the battery pack when a rapid charge user input for the battery pack is received by the charging station.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The combination of claim 1, wherein the charging station comprises a display for displaying the charge status of the battery pack.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The combination of claim 2, wherein the charging station comprises a user interface through which a user inputs the rapid charge user input to the charging station.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The combination of claim 3, wherein the user interface comprises a button on the charging station which is actuatable to provide the charging station with the rapid charge user input.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The combination of claim 1, wherein the circuitry for rapidly charging the battery pack comprises circuitry for changing a charging profile for the battery pack.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The combination of claim 5, wherein the circuitry for changing the charging profile for the battery pack comprises:
a voltage regulator connected to the battery pack; and
a charging controller circuit connected to the voltage regulator.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The combination of claim 1, wherein the circuitry for rapidly charging the battery pack comprises a charge-storing device of the charging station, and wherein charge stored on the charge-storing device is used to charge the battery pack.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The combination of claim 7, wherein the charge-storing device comprises a supercapacitor.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The combination of claim 8, wherein the charging station further comprises circuitry for discharging the first battery pack to the supercapacitor.

### Claim 10 (depends on 7)

The combination of claim 7, wherein the charge-storing device comprises one or more battery cells internal to the charging station.

### Claim 11 (depends on 7)

The combination of claim 7, wherein the charge-storing device comprises a plurality of battery cells internal to the charging station, and wherein the circuitry for rapidly charging the battery pack comprises circuitry for charging the battery pack with the plurality of battery cells.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The combination of claim 11, wherein the plurality of battery cells are connected in series.

### Claim 13 (depends on 11)

The combination of claim 11, wherein the plurality of battery cells are connected as parallel current sources.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The combination of claim 1, wherein the charging station further comprises circuitry for discharging the first battery pack to the internal plurality of battery cells.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The combination of claim 1, wherein the battery pack comprises a first battery pack, wherein the charging station comprises:
a first charging receptacle for receiving the first battery pack to charge the first battery pack; and
a second charging receptacle for receiving a second battery pack to charge the second battery pack, and wherein the circuitry for rapidly charging the first battery pack comprises circuitry for charging the first battery pack with charge stored on the second battery pack.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The combination of claim 15, wherein the charging station further comprises circuitry for discharging the first battery pack to the second battery pack.

### Claim 17 (depends on 15)

The combination of claim 15, wherein the charging station comprises a display for displaying the charge status of the first battery pack and the second battery pack.

### Claim 18 (depends on 1)

The combination of claim 1, wherein the charging station comprises means for automatically securing the battery pack to the charging station when the battery pack is not ready for use in the handle module for a surgical procedure.

### Claim 19

A surgical instrument system, comprising:
a handle module for performing a surgical procedure;
a removable, rechargeable battery pack connectable to the handle module for providing electric power to the handle module during the surgical procedure; and
a charging station for charging the battery pack, wherein the charging station comprises circuitry for charging the handle module under two operating conditions:
a first operating condition in which the battery pack is charged from a primary power source; and
a second operating condition in which the battery pack is charged from the primary power source and a secondary power source in order to rapidly charge the battery pack in case the battery pack is urgently needed in the surgical procedure.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

The surgical instrument system of claim 19, wherein the secondary power source comprises a second removable, rechargeable battery pack connectable to the handle module.