Surgical sterilizer with integrated battery charging device

• US 8,258,745 B2
• Filed: 04/15/2011
• Issued: 09/04/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Syntheon LLC
• Original Assignee: Syntheon LLC
• Inventors: Smith, Kevin W., McBrayer, Sean, Deville, Derek Dee, Bales, Thomas O. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Muralidar, Richard V
• Application Number:
  US13/087,644
• Publication Number:
  US 20120062171A1
• Time in Patent Office: 508 Days
• Field of Search: 320/108, 320/113
• US Class Current: 320/108
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/00 Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor for contact lenses A61L12/00; atomisers for disinfecting agents A61M; sterilisation of packages or package contents in association with packaging B65B55/00; treatment of water, waste water, sewage or sludge C02F; disinfecting paper D21H21/36; disinfecting devices for water closets E03D; articles having provision for disinfection, see the relevant subclasses for these articles, e.g. H04R1/12
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/20 Targets to be treated
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 38/14 Inductive couplings for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using inductive coupling H02J50/10
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/005 Mechanical details of housing or structure aiming to accommodate the power transfer means, e.g. mechanical integration of coils, antennas or transducers into emitting or receiving devices
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/70 involving the reduction of electric, magnetic or electromagnetic leakage fields
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0045 concerning the insertion or the connection of the batteries

Abstract

A device for charging at least one rechargeable battery of a battery-operated surgical instrument that comprises a sealed container operable to enclose and create a microbial seal around the battery. The sealed container permits surgical sterilization and inductive charging of the battery while the battery is enclosed therein. The device further comprises an inductive charging assembly having a power receiver sub-assembly inside the sealed container and electrically coupled to the battery whereby the power receiver sub-assembly is operable to receive electrical power inductively from outside the sealed container and to charge the battery electrically coupled to the power receiver sub-assembly. A power supply is disposed outside the sealed container and supplies power inductively to the power receiver sub-assembly through the sealed container such that the sealed container is not structurally breached.

Claims

1. A device for charging at least one rechargeable battery of a battery-operated surgical instrument, comprising:

at least one sealed container operable;

to enclose the at least one rechargeable battery and create a microbial seal around the at least one rechargeable battery;

to permit surgical sterilization of the at least one rechargeable battery while enclosing the at least one rechargeable battery in the microbial seal; and

to permit charging of the at least one rechargeable battery while enclosing the at least one rechargeable battery in the microbial seal;

an inductive charging assembly, comprising;

a power receiver sub-assembly disposed inside the at least one sealed container and electrically coupled to the at least one rechargeable battery, the power receiver subassembly being operable;

to receive electrical power inductively from outside the sealed container; and

to charge the at least one rechargeable battery electrically coupled to the power receiver sub-assembly; and

a power supply disposed outside the sealed container and operable to supply power inductively to the power receiver sub-assembly through the sealed container in a non-structurally breaching manner.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein:

the power supply comprises;

an inductive power supply sub-assembly; and

an electric mains supply electrically conductively connected to the inductive power supply sub-assembly and operable to receive power from an electric mains.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the power supply further comprises a storage platform for storing the at least one rechargeable battery while the at least one battery is sealed inside the at least one sealed container, the inductive power supply sub-assembly being part of the storage platform.

4. The device according to claim 2, wherein:

the inductive power supply sub-assembly is comprised of a first magnetic inductive coil disposed outside the at least one sealed container and having a primary winding electrically coupled to the electric mains supply; and

the power receiver sub-assembly is comprised of a second magnetic inductive coil disposed within the at least one sealed container and having a secondary winding electrically coupled to the at least one rechargeable battery, the second magnetic inductive coil being sufficiently proximal to the first magnetic inductive coil such that the first magnetic inductive coil induces an electrical current in the second magnetic inductive coil when the electric mains supply powers the first magnetic inductive coil.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the first and second magnetic inductive coils each have a magnetic core.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the first and second magnetic inductive coils each have a ferrite core.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sealed container is comprised of a material that permits transmission of electromagnetic waves therethrough.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the interior of the at least one sealed container is integrally equipped with the power receiver sub-assembly.

9. A device for charging at least one rechargeable battery of a battery-operated surgical instrument, comprising:

at least one selectively sealed container;

defining a sterile enclosure for creating a microbial seal around at least one rechargeable battery enclosed therein;

being operable to permit surgical sterilization and electrical charging of the at least one rechargeable battery while enclosing the at least one rechargeable battery in the microbial seal; and

having a power receiver sub-assembly disposed therein and electrically coupled to the at least one rechargeable battery, the power receiver sub-assembly being operable;

to receive electrical power inductively from outside the sealed container; and

to charge the at least one rechargeable battery electrically coupled to the power receiver sub-assembly; and

a power supply disposed outside the sealed container and operable to supply power inductively to the power receiver sub-assembly through the sealed container in a non-structurally breaching manner, the power supply comprising;

an inductive power supply sub-assembly; and

an electric mains supply electrically conductively connected to the inductive power supply sub-assembly and operable to receive power from an electric mains.

10. The device according to claim 9, wherein the power supply further comprises a storage platform for storing the at least one rechargeable battery while the at least one battery is sealed inside the at least one sealed container, the inductive power supply sub-assembly being integral with the storage platform.

11. The device according to claim 9, wherein:

the inductive power supply sub-assembly is comprised of a first magnetic inductive coil disposed outside the at least one sealed container and having a primary winding electrically coupled to the electric mains supply; and

the power receiver sub-assembly is comprised of a second magnetic inductive coil disposed within the at least one sealed container and having a secondary winding electrically coupled to the at least one rechargeable battery, the second magnetic inductive coil being sufficiently proximal to the first magnetic inductive coil such that the first magnetic inductive coil induces an electrical current in the second magnetic inductive coil when the electric mains supply powers the first magnetic inductive coil.