System including wearable power receiver and wearable power-output device

• US 20110278943A1
• Filed: 05/11/2010
• Published: 11/17/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Searete LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Searete LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Myhrvold, Nathan P., Tegreene, Clarence T., Langer, Robert, Gates, William, Wood, Lowell L. JR., Hyde, Roderick A., Lieberman, Erez, Hagelstein, Peter L., Kare, Jordin T., Leuthardt, Eric C., Schnall-Levin, Michael, Eckhoff, Philip Andrew
• Application Number:
  US12/800,242
• Publication Number:
  US 20110278943A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/104
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/10 Power sources therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1442 Probes having pivoting end effectors, e.g. forceps
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1815 using microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/20 using laser
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320069 for ablating tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1226 powered by a battery
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/23 The load being a medical device, a medical implant, or a life supporting device
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/12 of the resonant type
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/15 using ultrasonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/20 using microwaves or radio frequency waves
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/30 using light, e.g. lasers

Abstract

Described embodiments include a system, apparatus, and method. A described wearable power supply system configured to be usable after sterilization includes a portable energy source configured to supply electrical or radiant power, and configured to be carried by a person proximate to a first body portion of the person. The system also includes a portable power-output device configured to interact with a power-receiving device connected to a powerable handheld device, and configured to be carried by the person proximate to a second body portion at a position distal of a shoulder joint of the person. If interacting, the supplied electrical or radiant power is transferred from the portable power-output device to the power-receiving device. The system further includes a connective structure configured to transfer the supplied electrical or radiant power between the portable energy source and the power-output device.

Claims

1. A wearable power supply system, the system comprising:

a portable energy source configured to supply electrical or radiant power, and configured to be carried by a person proximate to a first body portion of the person;

a portable power-output device configured to interact with a power-receiving device connected to a powerable handheld device, and configured to be carried by the person proximate to a second body portion at a position distal of a shoulder joint of the person, wherein if interacting, the supplied electrical or radiant power is transferred from the portable power-output device to the power-receiving device; and

a connective structure configured to transfer the supplied electrical or radiant power between the portable energy source and the power-output device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the portable energy source includes

a portable energy generator or a portable energy storage device.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the portable energy generator includes at least one of a fuel cell technology, fuel cartridge, or heat engine.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the portable energy generator includes a portable electromagnetic radiation generator.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein the portable energy generator includes a portable ultrasound energy generator.

6. The system of claim 2, wherein the portable energy generator includes a portable laser energy generator.

7. The system of claim 2, wherein the portable energy generator includes a portable microwave generator.

8. The system of claim 2, wherein the portable energy generator includes a portable electricity generator.

9. The system of claim 2, wherein the portable energy storage device includes a portable battery or a portable rechargeable battery.

10. The system of claim 2, wherein the portable energy storage device includes:

at least one of a portable mechanical energy storage device, a kinetic energy storage device, a compressed gas storage device, a spring energy storage device, a flywheel energy storage device, an inductive energy storage device, or a capacitive energy storage device.

11. The system of claim 2, wherein the portable energy storage device includes a rechargeable, rechargeable in place, refillable, or refillable in place portable energy device.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the portable energy source includes:

a portable energy source configured to supply electrical power having a predetermined voltage, current, waveform, frequency, or reactive component.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the portable energy source includes:

a portable energy source configured to supply electrical power having a user-selectable voltage, current, waveform, frequency, or reactive component.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the portable energy source includes:

a portable energy source configured to supply optical power in an infrared, ultraviolet, or visible light spectrum.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the portable energy source includes:

a portable energy source having first portable energy source portion configured to supply electrical or radiant power and a second portable energy source portion configured to supply electrical or radiant power, the portable energy source configured to maintain a parameter of a supplied electrical or radiant power during a replacement of one of the first portable energy source portion or the second portable energy source portion.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the portable energy source includes:

a continuity controller configured to maintain a parameter of a supplied electrical or radiant power by the portable energy source during a replacement of one of a first portable energy source portion of the portable energy source or a second portable energy source portion of the portable energy source.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein the portable energy source includes:

a portable energy source having a first portable energy source portion, and a second portable energy source portion that is removable, interchangeable, rechargeable, refillable, or replaceable without interfering with the electrical or radiant power output by the portable energy source.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein the portable energy source includes:

a portable energy source having a first portable energy source portion and a second portable energy source portion, each of which is interchangeable, rechargeable, refillable, or replaceable without substantially effecting electrical or radiant power supplied by the portable energy source.

21. The system of claim 1, wherein the portable energy source includes:

a portable energy source configured to supply electrical or radiant power and having a body-mounting portion configured to be carried by a first body portion of a health care provider.

22. The system of claim 1, wherein the portable energy source includes:

a portable energy source configured to supply electrical or radiant power and having a clothing-engagement portion configured to be carried by an article of clothing proximate to a first body portion of a health care provider.

25. The system of claim 1, wherein the portable energy source includes:

a portable energy source having a body-mounting portion configured to be carried by a person proximate to a first body portion of the person, and configured to supply electrical or radiant power.

26. The system of claim 1, wherein the portable energy source includes:

a portable energy source configured to generate electrical or radiant power, and configured to be carried by the person proximate to a first body portion of a person.

27. The system of claim 1, wherein the portable energy source includes:

a portable energy source configured to store electrical or radiant power, and configured to be carried by a person proximate to a first body portion of the person.

28. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a first carrier configured to hold the portable energy source, and to be physically associatable with a first body portion of the person.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein the first carrier includes:

a first carrier structurally integrated with the portable energy source, and having a body-mounting portion configured to be carried by a first body portion of the person.

32. The system of claim 28, wherein the first carrier includes:

a first carrier configured to hold the portable energy source, and configured to be carried by an attire wearable by the person proximate to a first body portion of the person.

33. The system of claim 28, wherein the first carrier includes:

a first carrier configured to hold the portable energy source, and to be wearable by the person on a first body portion of the person.

35. The system of claim 28, wherein the first carrier includes:

a first carrier having at least one of a positioning strap, belt, holder, harness, or material configured to carry the portable energy source and to be associatable with a first body portion of the person.

36. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a second carrier configured to hold the portable power-output device, and to be physically associatable with a second body portion at a position distal of a shoulder joint of the person.

37. The system of claim 36, wherein the second carrier includes:

a second carrier structurally integrated with the portable power-output device, and having a body-mounting portion configured to be carried by a second body portion at a position distal of a shoulder joint of the person.

38. The system of claim 36, wherein the second carrier includes:

a second carrier configured to hold the portable power-output device, and having a body-mounting portion configured to be carried by an article of clothing proximate to a second body portion at a position distal of a shoulder joint of the person.

41. The system of claim 36, wherein the second carrier includes:

a second carrier configured to hold the portable power-output device, and to be wearable by the person on a second body portion at a position distal of a shoulder joint of the person.

43. The system of claim 36, wherein the second carrier includes:

a second carrier having at least one of a positioning strap, belt, holder, harness, or material configured to carry the portable energy source and to be associatable with a second body portion at a position distal of a shoulder joint of the person.

44. The system of claim 1, wherein the portable power-output device includes:

a portable power-output device configured to interact with a power-receiving device connected to a powerable handheld device, and configured to be carried by the person proximate to a second body portion at a position distal of a shoulder joint of the person, wherein if interacting, the supplied electrical or radiant power is transferred from the portable power-output device to the power-receiving device.

45. The system of claim 1, wherein the portable power-output device includes:

a portable power-output device configured to interact with a power-receiving device connected to a powerable handheld device, and configured to be carried by the person proximate to an arm, forearm, wrist, hand, or finger portion of the person, wherein if interacting, the supplied electrical or radiant power is transferred from the portable power-output device to the power-receiving device.

46. The system of claim 1, wherein the portable power-output device includes:

a portable power-output device configured to interact with a power-receiving device connected to a powerable handheld device, and having a body-mounting portion configured to be carried by the person proximate to a second body portion at a position distal of a shoulder joint of the person, wherein if interacting, the supplied electrical or radiant power is transferred from the portable power-output device to the power-receiving device.

48. The system of claim 1, wherein the portable power-output device includes:

a first portable power-output device configured to interact with a first power-receiving device connected to a first powerable handheld device, and a second portable power-output device configured to interact with a second power-receiving device connected to a second powerable handheld device, both the first power-output device and the second power-output device configured to be proximate to a second body portion at a position distal of a shoulder joint of the person, wherein if interacting, the supplied electrical or radiant power is transferred from the first portable power-output device to the first power-receiving device, and from the second portable power-output device to the second power-receiving device.

49. The system of claim 1, wherein the portable power-output device includes:

a first portable power-output device configured to interact with a first power-receiving device connected to a first powerable handheld device and configured to be carried by the person proximate to a second body portion at a position distal of a shoulder joint of the person, and a second portable power-output device configured to interact with a second power-receiving device connected to a second powerable handheld device and configured to be carried by the person proximate to a third body portion of the person, wherein if interacting, the supplied electrical or radiant power is transferred from the first portable power-output device to the first power-receiving device, and from the second portable power-output device to the second power-receiving device.

50. The system of claim 1, wherein the portable power-output device includes:

a portable power-output device configured to interact with a power-receiving device connected to a powerable handheld device, and configured to be carried by the person proximate to a second body portion at a position distal of a shoulder joint of the person, wherein if interacting, sufficient electrical or radiant power is transferred from the portable power-output device to the power-receiving device to directly power the powerable handheld device.

52. The system of claim 1, wherein the portable power-output device includes:

a portable power-output connector configured to releasably couple with a power-receiving connector coupled to a powerable handheld device, and configured to be carried by the person proximate to a second body portion at a position distal of a shoulder joint of the person, wherein if coupled, the portable power-output connector and the power-receiving connector are operable to transfer the electrical or radiant power.

53. The system of claim 1, wherein the portable power-output device includes:

a portable power transmitter configured to wirelessly transfer the electrical or radiant power supplied by the portable energy source to a wireless power receiver connected to a powerable handheld device, and configured to be carried by the person proximate to a second body portion at a position distal of a shoulder joint of the person.

55. The system of claim 53, wherein the portable power transmitter includes:

a portable power transmitter configured to contactlessly transfer the electrical or radiant power supplied by the portable energy source to a power receiver connected to a powerable handheld device, and configured to be carried by the person proximate to a second body portion at a position distal of a shoulder joint of the person.

66. The system of claim 53, wherein the portable power transmitter includes:

a portable power transmitter configured to wirelessly transfer the electrical or radiant power supplied by the portable energy source to a wireless power receiver connected to a powerable handheld device, and configured to be carried by the person proximate to a second body portion at a position distal of a shoulder joint of the person, the wirelessly transferred electrical or radiant power sufficient to directly power the powerable handheld device.

68. The system of claim 53, wherein the portable power transmitter includes:

a portable power transmitter configured to wirelessly transfer the electrical or radiant power supplied by the portable energy source to a wireless power receiver connected to a powerable handheld device, and configured to be carried by the person proximate to a second body portion at a position distal of a shoulder joint of the person, the wirelessly transferred electrical or radiant power sufficient to charge an energy storage device associated with the powerable handheld device.

69. The system of claim 53, wherein the portable power transmitter includes:

a portable power transmitter physically associated with the portable energy source and configured to wirelessly transfer the electrical or radiant power supplied by the portable energy source to a wireless power receiver connected to a powerable handheld device, and configured to be carried by the person proximate to a second body portion at a position distal of a shoulder joint of the person.

70. The system of claim 1, wherein the powerable handheld device includes a powerable handheld tool.

71. The system of claim 1, wherein the powerable handheld device includes a powerable handheld instrument.

72. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

another portable power-output device configured to interact with another power-receiving device connected to another powerable handheld device, and configured to be carried by the person, wherein if interacting, the supplied electrical or radiant power is transferred from the another portable power-output device to the another power-receiving device.

82. The system of claim 1, wherein the connective structure includes:

a connective structure configured to transfer the electrical or radiant power supplied by the portable energy source between the power receiver and the energy storage device, and to be worn at least partially inside an article of clothing or a sterile barrier.

85. The system of claim 1, wherein the connective structure includes:

a connective system including a wireless transmitter coupled with the portable energy source and a wireless receiver coupled with the power-output device, the wireless transmitter and the wireless receiver configured in combination to transfer electrical or radiant power between the portable energy source and the power-output device.

87. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a fourth carrier configured to hold the connective structure, and to be physically associatable with the person.

88. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a power converter operable to convert a first form of electrical or radiant power supplied by the portable energy source to a second form of electrical or radiant power, and to be wearable by the person.

91. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a controller configured to regulate a parameter of electrical or radiant power supplied by the portable energy source, and to be wearable by the person.

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95. A method comprising:

carrying proximate to a first body portion of a person a portable energy source supplying electrical or radiant power;

carrying proximate to a second body portion at a position distal of a shoulder joint of the person a portable power-output device configured to interact with a power-receiving device connected to a powerable handheld device, wherein if interacting, the supplied electrical or radiant power is transferred from the portable power-output device to the power-receiving device;

carrying proximate to the body of the person a connective structure configured to transfer the supplied electrical or radiant power between the portable energy source and the portable power-output device;

activating the interacting of the portable power-output device and the power-receiving device connected to a powerable handheld device; and

activating the powerable handheld device with the supplied electrical or radiant power.

96. A system comprising:

portable means for supplying electrical or radiant power;

means for wearing proximate to a first body portion of a person the portable means for supplying electrical or radiant power;

portable means for interacting with a power-receiving device connected to a powerable handheld device, wherein if interacting, the supplied electrical or radiant power is transferred from the portable means for interacting to the power-receiving device;

means for wearing proximate to a second body portion of the person the portable means for interacting; and

means for transferring the supplied electrical or radiant power from the portable means for supplying electrical or radiant power to the portable means for interacting.

97. The system of claim 96, further comprising:

means for wearing proximate to the body of the person the means for transferring the electrical or radiant power.