Sterile Medical Instrument Charging Device

• US 20120116380A1
• Filed: 06/02/2011
• Published: 05/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon, LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Madan, Ashvani K., Korvick, Donna L., Zingman, Aron O., Willis, John W., Houser, Kevin L., Monson, Gavin M., Felder, Kevin D., Stokes, Michael J., Rhee, Sora, Dietz, Timothy G., Aldridge, Jeffrey L.
• Granted Patent: US 9,597,143 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/33
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00234 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/064 Surgical staples, i.e. penetrating the tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/2812 with a single pivotal connection A61B17/29 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/285 combined with cutting implements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320092 with additional movable means for clamping or cutting tissue, e.g. with a pivoting jaw
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/00 Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body eye surgery A61F9/007; ear surgery A61F11/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/04 by heating by applying electromagnetic radiation A61B18/18; hyperthermia using electric or magnetic fields, radiation or ultrasound A61N
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/085 Forceps, scissors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/12 by passing a current through the tissue to be heated, e.g. high-frequency current
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1206 Generators therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1233 with circuits for assuring patient safety
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/14 Probes or electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1442 Probes having pivoting end effectors, e.g. forceps
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1445 at the distal end of a shaft, e.g. forceps or scissors at the end of a rigid rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00084 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00221 with wireless transmission of data, e.g. by infrared radiation or radiowaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0046 with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable for prosthetic joint-implanting tools A61F2/4603
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00473 Distal part, e.g. tip or head A61B2017/00464 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00477 Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00482 : with a code
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 : battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0084 : low friction A61B2017/00853 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/291 : the position of the handle being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2929 : with a head rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/293 : with means preventing relative rotation between the shaft and the actuating rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2931 : with releasable head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2933 : camming or guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/294 : Connection of actuating rod to jaw, e.g. releasable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320069 : for ablating tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320071 : with articulating means for working tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320094 : additional movable means performing clamping operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320095 : with sealing or cauterizing means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00178 : Electrical connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0019 : vibrating
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00589 : Coagulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00595 : Cauterization
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00601 : Cutting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00607 : Coagulation and cutting with the same instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00791 : Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00988 : Means for storing information, e.g. calibration constants, or for preventing excessive use, e.g. usage, service life counter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1226 : powered by a battery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1412 : Blade
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1455 : having a moving blade for cutting tissue grasped by the jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/0065 : Peelable cover
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/3008 : having multiple compartments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/314 : Flexible bags or pouches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0803 : Counting the number of times an instrument is used
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0813 : Accessories designed for easy sterilising, i.e. re-usable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0814 : Preventing re-use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/25 : User interfaces for surgical systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 46/10 : specially adapted for instruments, e.g. microscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/30 : Containers specially adapted for packaging, protecting, dispensing, collecting or disposing of surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments for wound clamps A61B17/10; for ligaturing clips A61B17/122; packages or dispensers for surgical gloves or finger-stalls A61B42/40
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/36 : for collecting or disposing of used articles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/08 : Accessories or related features not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/40 : Apparatus fixed or close to patients specially adapted for providing an aseptic surgical environment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 7/00 : Ultrasound therapy lithotripsy A61B17/22, A61B17/225; massage using supersonic vibration A61H23/00 ; using ultrasound for introducing media into the body A61M37/0092
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/40 : relating to mechanical, radiation or invasive therapies, e.g. surgery, laser therapy, dialysis or acupuncture
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 : for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/46 : Accumulators structurally combined with charging apparatus circuits for charging H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: 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
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2220/30 : Batteries in portable systems, e.g. mobile phone, laptop
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/204 : Racks, modules or packs for multiple batteries or multiple cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/247 : specially adapted for portable devices, e.g. mobile phones, computers, hand tools or pacemakers
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/271 : Lids or covers for the racks or secondary casings
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/531 : Electrode connections inside a battery casing
• 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 50/80 : involving the exchange of data, concerning supply or distribution of electric power, between transmitting devices and receiving devices
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 : specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0045 : concerning the insertion or the connection of the batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0048 : Detection of remaining charge capacity or state of charge [SOC]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 : Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49005 : Acoustic transducer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49895 : Associating parts by use of aligning means [e.g., use of a drift pin or a "fixture"]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53913 : Aligner or center

Abstract

A system includes a medical device and a charging device. A sterile barrier may be interposed between the medical device and the charging device. The medical device includes an integral power source and an active element. The charging device is configured to charge the integral power source. The charging device may charge the integral power source through direct contact between features of the charging device and features the medical device. The charging device may alternatively charge the integral power source wirelessly, such as through inductive coupling. The medical device may include conductive prongs that are retained by the charging device. The charging device may physically couple with the medical device via magnets. The medical device and the charging device may be provided together in a sterile package as a kit. The kit may also include a reclamation bag to facilitate reclamation of electrical components.

Claims

1. A medical system, comprising:

(a) a medical device, the medical device comprising;

(i) an integral power source, and

(ii) an active element in communication with the integral power source, wherein the active element is operable to perform an operation on tissue in a patient;

(b) a charging device, the charging device being operable to communicate with the integral power source of the medical device to thereby charge the integral power source of the charging device; and

(c) a sterile barrier interposed between the medical device and the charging device.

2. The medical system of claim 1, wherein the active element comprises an ultrasonic blade or an RF electrode.

3. The medical system of claim 1, wherein the integral power source comprises a supercapacitor.

4. The medical system of claim 1, wherein the medical device comprises one or more contacts, wherein the charging device comprises one or more contacts, wherein the sterile barrier is configured to permit the one or more contacts of the charging device to establish contact with the one or more contacts of the medical device without compromising sterility of exterior portions of the medical device.

5. The medical system of claim 4, wherein the one or more contacts of the charging device comprise spike contacts protruding through the sterile barrier.

6. The medical system of claim 1, wherein the charging device comprises a base and a collar, wherein the collar is configured to fit around a portion of the medical device to provide structural support to the medical device.

7. The medical system of claim 6, wherein the sterile barrier is interposed between the collar and the base.

8. The medical system of claim 1, wherein the sterile barrier comprises a flexible drape.

9. The medical system of claim 1, wherein the charging device comprises a primary coil, wherein the medical device further comprises a secondary coil in communication with the integral power source, wherein the coils are configured to establish an inductive coupling to charge the integral power source.

10. The medical system of claim 9, wherein the medical device further includes a control module in communication with the secondary coil, wherein the charging device further comprises a control module in communication with the primary coil, wherein the control modules are configured to provide data communication along a waveform communicated between the primary coil and the secondary coil.

11. The medical system of claim 10, wherein the waveform further communicates power from the primary coil to the secondary coil, such that the data communication is superimposed on the power communication.

12. The medical system of claim 9, wherein the charging device comprises a charging pad.

13. The medical system of claim 9, wherein the charging device further comprises a peg feature received by a recess formed in the medical device, such that the peg feature is configured to provide structural support to the medical device.

14. The medical system of claim 13, wherein the primary coil is located in the peg feature.

15. The medical system of claim 1, wherein the charging device comprises a plurality of primary coils, each primary coil being configured to wirelessly communicate power through inductive coupling with a respective secondary coil, wherein the medical device further comprises at least one secondary coil in communication with the integral power source, wherein the at least one secondary coil is configured to communicate with at least one of the plurality of primary coils to thereby establish an inductive coupling to charge the integral power source.

16. A medical system, comprising:

(a) a medical device, the medical device comprising;

(i) a housing,

(ii) an integral power source within the housing,

(iii) an active element in communication with the integral power source, wherein the active element is operable to perform an operation on tissue in a patient, and

(iv) one or more charging features extending from the housing, wherein the one or more charging features are removable from the housing; and

(b) a charging device, the charging device being operable to communicate with the integral power source of the medical device via the one or more charging features to thereby charge the integral power source of the charging device, wherein the charging device further comprises one or more retention features configured to retain the one or more charging features of the medical device and thereby remove the one or more charging features from the medical device.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the one or more charging features comprise a pair of prongs extending from the housing, wherein the one or more retention features are conductive and are thereby configured to communicate charging power to the prongs through contact with the prongs.

18. A system, the system comprising:

(a) a medical device, wherein the medical device comprises;

(i) a handpiece,

(ii) an integral power source located within the handpiece,

(iii) an active element in communication with the integral power source, wherein the active element is operable to perform an operation on tissue in a patient, and

(iv) an external coupling in communication with the integral power source, wherein the external coupling includes a magnet; and

(b) a wire including an external coupling, wherein the external coupling of the wire includes a magnet, wherein the external coupling of the wire is configured to physically couple with the external coupling of the medical device through attraction between the magnets, wherein the wire is configured to charge the integral power source when the external coupling of the wire is coupled with the external coupling of the medical device.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the handpiece includes a slot feature configured to selectively receive and eject the integral power source.

20. The system of claim 18, further comprising a sterile package and a reclamation container, wherein the medical device, the wire, and the reclamation container are all provided within the sterile package as a kit.