Battery charger system and method adapted for use in a sterilized environment
First Claim
1. A battery charger system for use in a sterile environment such as an operating room, comprising:
- a battery charger for electrical connection to at least one rechargeable battery;
an interface for operative connection between at least one rechargeable battery and said charger, said interface including a first connection means on one surface portion thereof for coupling with at least one rechargeable battery and a second connection means on another surface portion thereof for coupling with said charger and electrical interconnection means for effecting electrical connection between said battery and battery charger; and
means for securing a sterilized drape between said interface and said charger.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A battery charger system suited for use in a sterilized environment such as an operating room includes a sterilizable battery-containing pack adapted for connection to a non-sterilized battery charger through a sterilizable tray-interface. The tray-interface includes connecting structure on an upper side for mechanical and electrical connection to at least one battery pack and additional connecting structure on a lower side for mechanical and electrical connection to the charger. The upper side and lower side electrical connections are inter-connected to effect electrical coupling between the sterilized battery and the non-sterilized charger so that the battery may be charged, discharged, or tested. A sterilizable drape is adapted to be constrained between the tray-interface and the charger to isolate the charger from the sterilized environment. Encodable switch-operating tabs are provided on the tray-interface to automatically effect the desired operating mode of the charger when the tray-interface is connected to the charger, and indicating apertures are provided through which the operating mode of the charger can be determined.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A battery charger system for use in a sterile environment such as an operating room, comprising:
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a battery charger for electrical connection to at least one rechargeable battery; an interface for operative connection between at least one rechargeable battery and said charger, said interface including a first connection means on one surface portion thereof for coupling with at least one rechargeable battery and a second connection means on another surface portion thereof for coupling with said charger and electrical interconnection means for effecting electrical connection between said battery and battery charger; and means for securing a sterilized drape between said interface and said charger. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A battery charger system for use in a sterile environment such as an operating room, comprising:
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a battery charger for electrical connection to at least one rechargeable battery; an interface for operative connection between at least one rechargeable battery and said charger, said interface including a first connection means on one surface portion thereof for coupling with at least one rechargeable battery and a second connection means on another surface portion thereof for coupling with said charger and electrical interconnection means for effecting electrical connection between said battery and battery charger; and switch actuating means on said interface for actuating switches on said charger. - View Dependent Claims (4)
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5. An improved battery charger system for an operating room environment, said system of the type having a nonsterilizable battery charger adapted for connection to at least one sterilizable battery to effect charging thereof, said improvement comprising:
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a sterilizable interface interposed between said battery charger and the battery having means on one side thereof for connection with the battery and means on the other side thereof for connection with said charger, said interface including electrical connection means to effect electrical connection between said charger and the battery; and means for securing a sterilized drape between said interface and said charger. - View Dependent Claims (6)
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7. An improved battery charger system for an operating room environment, said system of the type having a nonsterilizable battery charger adapted for connection to at least one sterilizable battery to effect charging thereof, said improvement comprising:
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a sterilizable interface interposed between said battery charger and the battery having means on one side thereof for connection with the battery and means on the other side thereof for connection with said charger, said interface including electrical connection means to effect electrical connection between said charger and the battery; and switch actuating means on said interface for actuating switches on said charger. - View Dependent Claims (8)
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9. A method of charging a sterilized rechargeable battery in a sterile environment by connection to a nonsterile battery charger, comprising the steps of:
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mechanically and electrically connecting a sterile interface with a battery charger, said interface effective to electrically interconnect a sterilized battery and said charger; mechanically and electrically connecting said sterilized battery to said interface; charging said battery by operation of said charger; and disconnecting said sterile battery from said interface.
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10. A method of obtaining a charged sterile rechargeable battery, comprising the steps of:
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discharging a rechargeable battery; sterilizing said discharged battery; mechanically and electrically connecting said sterilized, discharged battery to a sterilized interface; mechanically and electrically connecting said sterilized interface to a battery charger, said interface effective to electrically interconnect said battery and said charger; charging said battery by operation of said charger; and disconnecting said sterile, charged battery from said interface.
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11. A battery charger system for use in a sterile environment such as an operating room, comprising:
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a battery charger; a sterilizable rechargeable battery; a sterilized interface having means for mechanically and electrically connecting said battery to said charger; and a sterilized drape in operative association with said interface and said charger. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A battery charger system for use in a sterile environment such as an operating room, comprising:
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a battery charger; a sterilizable rechargeable battery; a sterilized interface having means for mechanically and electrically connecting said battery to said charger; and means for securing a sterilized drape in operative association with said interface. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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Specification