Surgical instrument battery comprising a plurality of cells
First Claim
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1. A surgical instrument system, comprising:
- a surgical instrument comprising;
an open electrical circuit;
a contactor;
a first electrode; and
a second electrode, wherein said first and second electrodes are electrically coupled to said open electrical circuit;
a battery pack, comprising;
a third electrode;
a fourth electrode;
a first battery cell;
a second battery cell, wherein said fourth electrode is electrically coupled to said first battery cell; and
an open portion disposed between said first battery cell and said second battery cell; and
a switch comprising said contactor and said open portion,wherein electrical contact is established between said first electrode and said third electrode and between said second electrode and said fourth electrode when said battery pack is attached to said surgical instrument,wherein said switch is operative between an open state and a closed state, wherein said first battery cell and said second battery cell are electrically isolated during said open state, and are in electrical communication during said closed state,wherein said switch is configured in said open state prior to attachment of said battery pack to said surgical instrument, and is configured to transition to said closed state upon attachment of said battery pack to said surgical instrument, and wherein said contactor of said surgical instrument is in electrical contact with said open portion of said battery pack upon attachment of said battery pack to said surgical instrument.
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Abstract
Various embodiments are directed to battery packs for use with surgical instruments. The battery packs may comprise a plurality of cells and at least a portion of the plurality of cells may not be electrically connected to one another. The battery packs may comprise a switch or other mechanism for interconnecting the plurality of cells and may also comprise, or be used in conjunction with, a discharge switch or plug configured to electrically connect an anode of the battery pack to a cathode of the battery pack, for example, via a resistive element.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A surgical instrument system, comprising:
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a surgical instrument comprising; an open electrical circuit; a contactor; a first electrode; and a second electrode, wherein said first and second electrodes are electrically coupled to said open electrical circuit; a battery pack, comprising; a third electrode; a fourth electrode; a first battery cell; a second battery cell, wherein said fourth electrode is electrically coupled to said first battery cell; and an open portion disposed between said first battery cell and said second battery cell; and a switch comprising said contactor and said open portion, wherein electrical contact is established between said first electrode and said third electrode and between said second electrode and said fourth electrode when said battery pack is attached to said surgical instrument, wherein said switch is operative between an open state and a closed state, wherein said first battery cell and said second battery cell are electrically isolated during said open state, and are in electrical communication during said closed state, wherein said switch is configured in said open state prior to attachment of said battery pack to said surgical instrument, and is configured to transition to said closed state upon attachment of said battery pack to said surgical instrument, and wherein said contactor of said surgical instrument is in electrical contact with said open portion of said battery pack upon attachment of said battery pack to said surgical instrument. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A surgical instrument system, comprising:
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a surgical instrument, comprising; a first electrode; a second electrode; and a contactor; and a battery pack, comprising; a third electrode; a fourth electrode; a first independent battery cell; a second independent battery cell; and an open portion disposed between said first independent battery cell and said second independent battery cell, wherein the attachment of said battery pack to said surgical instrument establishes electrical contact between said first electrode and said third electrode, said second electrode and said fourth electrode, and said first independent battery cell and said second independent battery cell, and wherein said contactor of said surgical instrument is in electrical contact with said open portion of said battery pack upon attachment of said battery pack to said surgical instrument. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A surgical instrument system, comprising:
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a surgical instrument comprising; an open electrical circuit; a contactor; a first electrical contact; and a second electrical contact, wherein said first and second electrical contacts are electrically coupled to said open electrical circuit; a battery pack, comprising; a third electrical contact; a fourth electrical contact; a first battery; a second battery, wherein said fourth electrical contact is electrically coupled to said first battery; and an open portion disposed between said first battery and said second battery; and a switch comprising said contactor and said open portion, wherein electrical connection is established between said first electrical contact and said third electrical contact, and between said second electrical contact and said fourth electrical contact when said battery pack is attached to said surgical instrument, wherein said switch is operative between an open state and a closed state, wherein said first battery and said second battery are electrically isolated during said open state, and are in electrical communication during said closed state, and wherein said switch is configured in said open state prior to attachment of said battery pack to said surgical instrument, and transitions to said closed state upon attachment of said battery pack to said surgical instrument, and wherein upon attachment of said battery pack to said surgical instrument said contactor of said surgical instrument is in electrical contact with said open portion of said battery pack. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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Specification