Device for supplying an electro-pen with electrical energy

• US 7,303,556 B2
• Filed: 04/04/2003
• Issued: 12/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Synthes USA LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Synthes USA LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Metzger, Roger
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen; Lee S.
• Application Number:
  US10/406,495
• Publication Number:
  US 20030220638A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,705 Days
• Field of Search: 606/32, 606/34, 606/41, 607/101, 607/103, 607/145, 607/146, 607149-151
• US Class Current: 606/32
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1402 Probes for open surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1226 powered by a battery
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/18 Applying electric currents by contact electrodes

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for supplying electrical energy to an electro-pen with an electric drive unit for driving a tool. The device comprises a console with an energy supply unit having an accumulator for supplying the electrical drive unit with electrical energy. The console may be configure to be sterilized by steam having a housing and electrical components that are sealed liquid-tight. The accumulator may include a sterile covering for sterile introduction into the console. A coupling between the console and the electro-pen carries the supply of electrical energy from the console to the electro-pen. The coupling may be an electrical contact in the form of a sterilizable connector or an inductive coupling. The console may be configured to store energy and is thus mobile, or the console may include a connection for connecting to a mains or external power supply for charging the accumulator. The console may include a switch-mode power supply for charging the accumulator. The console may include a holder for receiving and charging the electro-pen. The electro-pen includes an electrical storage device and a coupling for receiving the electrical energy supply from the accumulator. The holder may include an electrical coupling between the console and the electro-pen in which at least two electrical contacts and at least one transformer are disposed about each the holder and the electro-pen. Alternatively, the holder may include an inductive coupling in which at least one transformer having at least one coil is disposed about each the holder and the electro-pen.

Claims

1. A device for supplying electrical energy, comprising:

an electro-pen having an electrical drive unit for driving a tool;

a console with an energy supply unit having an accumulator for storing and supplying the electrical drive unit with electrical energy; and

a coupling operably associated with and between the console and the electro-pen for carrying electrical energy from the console to the electro-pen,

wherein the console is sealed liquid-tight for sterilization by steam, and

wherein the electro-pen includes an electrical energy storage device for receiving and storing the electrical energy from the accumulator of the device.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the coupling is a direct electrical connection having a sterilizable cable connector.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the coupling is an inductive coupling.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the inductive coupling includes at least one transformer having at least one coil disposed on the console operably associated with the electro-pen.

5. The device of claim 1, further including a housing for enclosing the console, wherein the housing is sealed liquid-tight.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein electrical components of the console are sealed liquid-tight.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the console is configured to store energy and is thus mobile.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the console includes a connection for connecting to an external power supply for charging the accumulator.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the console includes a holder for receiving the electro-pen, the holder includes an electrical coupling between the console and the electro-pen for carrying electrical energy from the console to the electro-pen.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the console includes a holder for receiving the electro-pen, the holder includes an inductive coupling between the console and the electro-pen for carrying electrical energy from the console to the electro-pen.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the inductive coupling includes at least one transformer disposed about the holder having at least one coil operably associated with the electro-pen for charging the electrical drive unit of the electro-pen.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein a sterile covering is disposed about the accumulator for sterilely introducing the accumulator into the console.

13. The device of the claim 1, further including a switched-mode power supply for charging the accumulator.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein the energy storage device is configured with an electrical coupling for receiving an electrical supply from the accumulator.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein the energy storage device is configured with an inductive coupling for receiving an electrical supply from the accumulator.

16. A chargeable driver system comprising:

an electro-pen having a drive unit for actuating a tool;

a console with an energy supply unit, the console defining a chamber for receiving the electro-pen, the console further including an accumulator for storing electrical energy; and

a coupling operably associated with and between the console and the electro-pen for supplying the electro-pen with electrical energy;

wherein the console is sealed liquid-tight for sterilization, and

wherein the electro-pen includes an electrical energy storage device for receiving and storing the electrical energy from the accumulator of the device.

17. The chargeable driver system of claim 16, wherein the system further includes a connector operably associated with the accumulator for selectively connecting to an external power supply and receiving an electrical charge.

18. The chargeable driver system of claim 16, wherein the coupling is a sterilizable electrical cable connector.

19. The chargeable driver system of claim 16, wherein the coupling is an inductive coupling and includes at least one transformer having at least one coil disposed on the console operably associated with the electro-pen.

20. A chargeable driver system comprising:

an electro-pen having a drive unit for actuating a tool;

a console with an energy supply unit, the console defining a chamber for receiving the electro-pen, the console further including an accumulator for storing electrical energy, the console being sealed liquid-tight for sterilization; and

a coupling operably associated with the console for supplying the electro-pen with electrical energy,

wherein the electro-pen has an electrical energy storage device operably associated with the coupling for receiving and storing the electrical energy from the accumulator.