Medical device packaging with charging interface

• US 9,000,720 B2
• Filed: 06/02/2011
• Issued: 04/07/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Stulen, Foster B., Anderson, Christopher B., Shelton, Frederick E. IV, Stokes, Michael J., Dietz, Timothy G., Madan, Ashvani K., Smith, Bret W.
• Primary Examiner(s): DIAO, M BAYE
• Application Number:
  US13/151,471
• Publication Number:
  US 20120112690A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,405 Days
• Field of Search: 320/108, 320/107, 320/113, 206/370, 606/169
• US Class Current: 320/108
• 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 17/2909 Handles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320068 using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic A61B17/22012 takes precedence; dental tooth drilling devices operated by vibration A61C3/03; removing intra-ocular material using mechanical vibrations A61F9/00745
• 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 18/12 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 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00411 actuated by application of energy from an energy source outside the body
• 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 2050/3007 : Stackable casings
• 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 50/22 : Racks
• 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 50/33 : Trays
• 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 50/227 : Organic material
• 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 50/05 : using capacitive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 : using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00034 : Charger exchanging data with an electronic device, i.e. telephone, whose internal battery is under charge
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0013 : acting upon several batteries simultaneously or sequentially H02J7/1423 takes precedence
• 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 7/0047 : with monitoring or indicating devices or circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0048 : Detection of remaining charge capacity or state of charge [SOC]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/02 : for charging batteries from ac mains by converters
• 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

An apparatus for delivering power to an electrically powered medical device includes a package and an electrical coupling feature. The package comprises an interior portion and a wall. The interior portion of the package is able to hold a sterile, electrically powered medical device having a rechargeable battery. The package is able to maintain sterility of the interior portion of the package. The electrical coupling feature may be in communication with the wall of the package and in further communication with the medical device. The electrical coupling feature may be able to deliver power from an external power source to the medical device to charge the battery of the medical device without compromising the sterility of the package or the sterility of the medical device.

Claims

1. An apparatus for charging a battery associated with a sterile medical device, the apparatus comprising:

(a) a package comprising an interior portion and a wall, wherein the interior portion of the package is configured to be sterile, wherein the interior portion of the package is further configured to hold the sterile medical device, wherein the wall is operable to maintain the sterility of the interior portion;

(b) an electrical coupling feature, wherein the electrical coupling feature comprises an internal coupling portion and an external coupling portion, wherein the internal coupling portion is configured to be in electrical communication with the sterile medical device, wherein the internal coupling portion is positioned within the package, wherein the external coupling portion is positioned external to the package, wherein the external coupling portion is configured to transmit electrical power to the internal coupling portion to charge the battery without compromising the sterility of interior portion of the package; and

(c) a medical device situated inside the package such that the medical device is configured to be removable from the package, wherein the medical device comprises;

(i) a body,

(ii) a shaft extending distally from the body, the shaft having a distal end and a proximal end,

(iii) an end effector, wherein the end effector is positioned at the distal end of the shaft, and

(iv) a power source, wherein the power source is configured to communicate with the internal coupling portion such that the power source is rechargeable via the external coupling portion.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the external coupling portion is configured to communicate electrical power to the internal coupling portion through a direct electrical contact via a feed-through passing through the wall, coupling the internal coupling portion with the external coupling portion.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the external coupling portion is configured to communicate electrical power to the internal coupling portion through capacitive coupling.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the external coupling portion is configured to communicate electrical power to the internal coupling portion through inductive coupling.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a bridge module in communication with the medical device, wherein the bridge module is further in communication with the electrical coupling feature, wherein the bridge module is operable to convert AC current to DC current.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the external coupling portion and the internal coupling portion are collocated.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the internal coupling portion is embedded in the wall of the package.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of packages, wherein the plurality of packages form a stack, wherein the package comprising an interior portion and a wall is included in the stack, wherein each package in the plurality of packages contains at least one respective battery, wherein each package in the plurality of packages comprises a respective pair of exposed contacts, each pair of exposed contacts being in communication with the battery of the respective package, wherein a first contact of a first package in the stack is in contact with a second contact of a second package in the stack, wherein the first and second packages are adjacent to each other, wherein the contacting contacts are configured to communicate charging power from the first package to the second package, thereby providing simultaneous charging of the battery in the first package and the battery in the second package through the contacting contacts.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wall of the package comprises a gas permeable material.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electrical coupling feature forms a unitary construction with the wall of the package.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a charging plate, wherein the charging plate comprises a recess for receiving the package, wherein the charging plate is configured to deliver electrical power to the internal coupling portion.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the charging plate is configured to deliver electrical power to the internal coupling portion inductively, wherein the charging plate forms the external coupling portion.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the battery comprises a super capacitor.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one visual indicator operable to convey the charge level of the battery based on information transmitted through the electrical coupling feature.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electrical coupling feature comprises a capacitance region comprising material formed in a serpentine pattern.

16. An apparatus comprising:

(a) a compartment for holding a sterile medical device, wherein the compartment is further configured to maintain sterility within the compartment, wherein the compartment is further configured to maintain a hermetic seal;

(b) at least one electrical coupling patch, wherein the at least one electrical coupling patch is integral with a wall of the compartment;

(c) a charging circuit in communication with the at least one electrical coupling patch, wherein the charging circuit is operable to deliver power through the at least one coupling patch without compromising the sterility of the compartment;

(d) a battery for use with a medical device, wherein the battery is contained within the compartment, wherein the battery is in electrical communication with the charging circuit, wherein the charging circuit is configured to deliver electrical power to the battery through the at least one electrical coupling patch without compromising the sterility of the compartment;

(e) an outwardly extending member, wherein coupling patch is disposed on the outwardly extending member; and

(f) a wall presenting a charging slot, wherein the charging slot includes a conductive portion, wherein the outwardly extending member is inserted in the charging slot, placing the electrical coupling patch in communication with the conductive portion of the charging slot.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the at least one electrical coupling patch comprises one or more of a capacitive coupling patch or an inductive coupling patch.

18. A method of charging a battery contained in a sterilized medical device using a package for storing the medical device, wherein the package comprises a sterilized package, wherein the package comprises an internal coupling member, wherein one or both of the medical device and the package includes a battery, the method comprising:

(a) receiving the package, wherein the package is sealed and the contents of the package are sterilized when the package is received;

(b) charging the battery of the medical device by delivering electrical power to the internal coupling member, wherein the medical device is sealed in the package during the act of charging the battery such that the sterility of the medical device is not compromised during the act of charging the battery;

(c) opening the package after charging the battery; and

(d) removing the medical device from the opened package.