SURGICAL CHARGING SYSTEM THAT CHARGES AND/OR CONDITIONS ONE OR MORE BATTERIES

• US 20160249910A1
• Filed: 02/27/2015
• Published: 09/01/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2015
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ethicon, LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Shelton, Frederick E. IV, Morgan, Jerome R., Yates, David C., Baxter, Chester O. III, Beckman, Andrew T.
• Application Number:
  US14/633,560
• Publication Number:
  US 20160249910A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/068 Surgical staplers , e.g. containing multiple staples or clampsstaplers containing only one staple A61B17/10; magazines or containers for staples A61B17/105; for performing anastomosis A61B17/115; staplers in general B25C5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/072 for applying a row of staples in a single action , e.g. the staples being applied simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/07207 the staples being applied sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/105 Wound clamp magazines for packaging sharps A61B50/3001
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1155 Circular staplers comprising a plurality of staples
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1628 Motors; Power supplies
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/2909 Handles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00017 Electrical control of surgical instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0003 of parts of the instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00084 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00115 with audible or visual output with imaging means A61B90/37, A61B34/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00199 with a console, e.g. a control panel with a display
• 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 2017/00402 Piezo electric actuators
• 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 2017/00464 for use with different instruments with hole for different instruments A61B2017/22072
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00469 for insertion of instruments, e.g. guide wire, optical fibre
• 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 2017/00716 : simulating physical properties
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00725 : Calibration or performance testing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 : battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 : Stapler heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07271 : characterised by its cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07285 : characterised by its cutter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2925 : Pistol grips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1226 : powered by a battery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0803 : Counting the number of times an instrument is used
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0809 : Indication of cracks or breakages
• CPC Class Codes: 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0812 : indicating loosening or shifting of parts of an instrument, signaling maladjustment of parts
• 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 2560/0214 : of power generation or supply
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/33 : Trays
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/70 : Cleaning devices specially adapted for surgical instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/98 : using electromagnetic means, e.g. transponders
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/26 : Accessories or devices or components used for biocidal treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/28 : Devices for testing the effectiveness or completeness of sterilisation, e.g. indicators which change colour apparatus involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M1/34; methods involving enzymes or microorganisms C12Q1/00
• CPC Class Codes: B25F 3/00 : Associations of tools for different working operations with one portable power-drive means; Adapters therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B25F 5/006 : Vibration damping means
• CPC Class Codes: B25H 3/006 : Storage means specially adapted for one specific hand apparatus, e.g. an electric drill
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/20 : for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities, e.g. managing hospital staff or surgery rooms
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/40 : for the management of medical equipment or devices, e.g. scheduling maintenance or upgrades
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/0445 : Multimode batteries, e.g. containing auxiliary cells or electrodes switchable in parallel or series connections
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/4257 : Smart batteries, e.g. electronic circuits inside the housing of the cells or batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/46 : Accumulators structurally combined with charging apparatus circuits for charging H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/613 : Cooling or keeping cold
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6235 : Power tools
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/658 : by thermal insulation or shielding
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2220/30 : Batteries in portable systems, e.g. mobile phone, laptop
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/213 : adapted for cells having curved cross-section, e.g. round or elliptic H01M50/209, H01M50/216 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/24 : adapted for protecting batteries from their environment, e.g. from corrosion thermal insulation H01M10/658
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/242 : adapted for protecting batteries against vibrations, collision impact or swelling
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/247 : specially adapted for portable devices, e.g. mobile phones, computers, hand tools or pacemakers
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/262 : with fastening means, e.g. locks
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/267 : having means for adapting to batteries or cells of different types or different sizes
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2207/40 : adapted for charging from various sources, e.g. AC, DC or multivoltage
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/23 : The load being a medical device, a medical implant, or a life supporting device
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00 : Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00036 : Charger exchanging data with battery
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00047 : with provisions for charging different types of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0013 : acting upon several batteries simultaneously or sequentially H02J7/1423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0014 : Circuits for equalisation of charge between batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 : characterised by the mechanical construction
• 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: H02J 7/005 : Detection of state of health [SOH]
• CPC Class Codes: 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 H02J7/0034
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 : Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 70/50 : Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product

Abstract

A combination is disclosed which comprises 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 an intelligent charging station for charging and discharging the battery pack when the battery pack is removed from the handle module and inserted into the charging station. The battery pack comprises a memory for storing charging and discharging data for the battery pack. The intelligent charging station charges and discharges the battery pack based on the charging and discharging data stored in the memory of the battery pack.

Claims

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, wherein the battery pack comprises a memory for storing charging data and discharging data for the battery pack; and

a charging station for at least one of charging and discharging the battery pack when the battery pack is removed from the handle module and inserted into the charging station, wherein the charging station is for at least one of charging and discharging the battery pack based on the charging data and discharging data stored in the memory of the battery pack.

2. The combination of claim 1, wherein:

the battery pack comprises a plurality of battery cells;

the charging station comprises a charging station processor circuit that determines when the battery cells should be rebalanced based on the charging data and discharging data stored in the battery pack memory and based on rebalancing criteria; and

the charging station rebalances the battery cells of the battery pack when the charging station processor circuit determines that the battery cells should be rebalanced.

3. The combination of claim 2, wherein the charging station processor circuit is programmed to determine that the battery cells should be rebalanced after N charges of the battery pack without rebalancing, where N is an integer greater than zero.

4. The combination of claim 3, wherein prior to rebalancing the battery cells, the charging station is configured to top off a charge of the battery cells.

5. The combination of claim 1, wherein the charging station comprises a charging station processor circuit that determines whether the battery pack should be discharged based on the charging and discharging data stored in the battery pack memory and based on discharging criteria, and wherein the charging station discharges the battery pack when the charging station processor circuit determines that the battery pack should be discharged.

6. The combination of claim 5, wherein the discharging criteria comprise whether a second battery pack installed in the charging station is fully charged and ready for use in the handle module.

7. The combination of claim 5, wherein the charging station is programmed to charge the battery pack at a time of day based on surgical procedure schedule data for an organizational user of the charging station, and wherein the surgical procedure schedule data is stored in a memory of the charging station.

8. The combination of claim 7, wherein the surgical procedure schedule data comprises a statistical likelihood that the organizational user is performing a surgical procedure with the handle module at the time of day.

9. 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.

10. The combination of claim 9, wherein the means for automatically securing the battery pack to the charging station comprises a screw that, when actuated by insertion of the battery pack into the charging station, screws into the battery pack.

11. The combination of claim 10, wherein the means for automatically securing the battery pack to the charging station further comprises a linear actuator for actuating the screw.

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

13. The combination of claim 1, wherein 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.

14. The combination of claim 13, 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.

15. A surgical process, comprising:

performing, by a clinician, a surgical procedure on a patient with a surgical instrument that comprises a handle module connected to a detachable shaft module, wherein the handle module is powered during the surgical procedure by a removable, rechargeable battery pack, and wherein the battery pack comprises a memory for storing charging data and discharging data for the battery pack;

removing the battery pack from the handle module after it has been used during the surgical procedure;

following the removing step, placing the battery pack in a charging station to recharge the battery pack;

following the placement step, downloading by the charging station the charging and discharging data from the memory of the battery pack; and

following the downloading step, at least one of charging and discharging, by the charging station, the battery pack based on the charging data and discharging data stored in the memory of the battery pack.

16. The surgical process of claim 15, wherein the battery pack comprises a plurality of battery cells, and wherein the process further comprises:

following the downloading step, determining, by the charging station, whether the battery cells should be rebalanced based on the charging data and discharging data stored in the battery pack memory and based on rebalancing criteria; and

upon determining that rebalancing of the battery cells of the battery pack should be performed, rebalancing the battery cells by the charging station.

17. The surgical process of claim 15, following the downloading step, rapidly charging the battery pack in response to receipt of a rapid charge user input.

18. The surgical process of claim 15, following the placement step, 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.