Method and apparatus for charging sterilizable rechargeable batteries
AssigneeLinvatec Corporation
InventorsMartin A. Schaefer, Ronald R. Reinhart
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for charging rechargeable batteries for use in a sterile field with powered surgical instruments. The method comprises the steps of placing the batteries in a sterilization/charging container, discharging the batteries to a predetermined level and then sterilizing, charging and storing them without removing them from the container until they are needed. The charged batteries may be removed directly into the sterile field.
Claims32
A method for providing a sterile, charged battery for use in a sterile field comprising:
- placing a battery in a sealable sterilization/charging container;
- discharging, sterilizing and charging the battery without removing it from the container;
- and
- removing the battery from the container into the sterile field.
A method for providing a sterile, charged battery for use in a sterile field comprising:
- providing a sealable sterilization/charging container having interior and exterior surfaces provided respectively with interior and exterior electrical terminals in electrical communication with each other;
- placing at least one rechargeable battery into the sterilization/charging container with the interior terminals contacting terminals of the battery;
- sealing the container;
- selectively discharging the battery to a predetermined voltage level;
- sterilizing the battery within the container in a sterilizing medium;
- providing a battery charger adapted to receive the exterior terminals of the container and charge the battery;
- engaging the container with the battery charger and charging the battery to a desired voltage while it is in the sterilization/charging container;
- and
- removing the battery from the container into the sterile field.
A method for increasing the useful life of a rechargeable battery to be sterilized for use in a sterile field comprising:
- discharging the battery until its voltage reaches a predetermined discharge voltage level;
- placing the battery in a container permeable to a sterilization process but impermeable to contaminants;
- sterilizing the battery using the sterilization process;
- and
- charging the battery to a predetermined charge level.
A battery charging system for charging a battery, comprising:
- a battery charger having at least one pair of electrical terminals, and being adapted to determine whether a voltage level of the battery is below a predetermined voltage level and, if so, depleting voltage from the battery until the predetermined voltage level is reached;
- and
- a container electrically engageable with the battery and including at least one charging terminal engageable with the pair of electrical terminals on the battery charger to enable the battery charger to charge the battery.
A battery charging system for charging a battery to be sterilized comprising:
- a sterilization/charging container for hermetically containing a battery, the container comprising a peripheral wall and at least one conductive terminal extending through the wall, the terminal comprising an inner contact component in releasable electrical contact with terminals of the battery, and an external contact component;
- a battery charger/discharger for selectively discharging and charging the battery in the container, the battery charger comprising at least one battery receiving station for receiving the container, the station provided with electrical terminals for receiving the external contact component of the sterilization/charging container;
- a discharge circuit means associated with the battery receiving station for determining if the level of voltage within a battery in the container at the charging station is below a predetermined level and, if so, for depleting a predetermined amount of the voltage in the battery;
- interrupting means for stopping the depletion of voltage out of the battery when the predetermined amount of voltage has been depleted;
- and
- charging means associated with the battery receiving station for charging the battery within the container.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.