Charging system that enables emergency resolutions for charging a battery

• US 10,182,816 B2
• Filed: 02/27/2015
• Issued: 01/22/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon, LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Shelton, IV, Frederick E., Morgan, Jerome R., Yates, David C., Baxter, III, Chester O., Beckman, Andrew T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Scott A.
• Application Number:
  US14/633,566
• Publication Number:
  US 20160249918A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,425 Days
• Field of Search: 227 19, 2271752, 2271751, 2271761, 227 2, 606139, 606 52, 606205, 606169, 606219, 606130, 320103, 320110, 320113, 320115, 320125
• 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 comprises a handle module that is attachable to a detachable shaft module for collectively performing a surgical procedure, a first removable, rechargeable battery pack connectable to the handle module for providing electric power to the handle module during a surgical procedure and a charging station for charging the first battery pack when the battery pack is removed from the handle module and inserted into the charging station. 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.

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 the surgical procedure; and

a charging station for charging the battery pack when the battery pack is removed from the handle module and inserted into the charging station, wherein the charging station comprises circuitry for rapidly charging the battery pack when a rapid charge user input for the battery pack is received by the charging station.

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

3. The combination of claim 2, wherein the charging station comprises a user interface through which a user inputs the rapid charge user input to the charging station.

4. The combination of claim 3, wherein the user interface comprises a button on the charging station which is actuatable to provide the charging station with the rapid charge user input.

5. The combination of claim 1, wherein the circuitry for rapidly charging the battery pack comprises circuitry for changing a charging profile for the battery pack.

6. The combination of claim 5, wherein the circuitry for changing the charging profile for the battery pack comprises:

a voltage regulator connected to the battery pack; and

a charging controller circuit connected to the voltage regulator.

7. The combination of claim 1, wherein the circuitry for rapidly charging the battery pack comprises a charge-storing device of the charging station, and wherein charge stored on the charge-storing device is used to charge the battery pack.

8. The combination of claim 7, wherein the charge-storing device comprises a supercapacitor.

9. The combination of claim 8, wherein the charging station further comprises circuitry for discharging the first battery pack to the supercapacitor.

10. The combination of claim 7, wherein the charge-storing device comprises one or more battery cells internal to the charging station.

11. The combination of claim 7, wherein the charge-storing device comprises a plurality of battery cells internal to the charging station, and wherein the circuitry for rapidly charging the battery pack comprises circuitry for charging the battery pack with the plurality of battery cells.

12. The combination of claim 11, wherein the plurality of battery cells are connected in series.

13. The combination of claim 11, wherein the plurality of battery cells are connected as parallel current sources.

14. The combination of claim 11, wherein the charging station further comprises circuitry for discharging the first battery pack to the internal plurality of battery cells.

15. The combination of claim 1, wherein the battery pack comprises a first battery pack, wherein the charging station further comprises:

a first charging receptacle for receiving the first battery pack to charge the first battery pack; and

a second charging receptacle for receiving a second battery pack to charge the second battery pack, and wherein the circuitry for rapidly charging the first battery pack comprises circuitry for charging the first battery pack with charge stored on the second battery pack.

16. The combination of claim 15, wherein the charging station further comprises circuitry for discharging the first battery pack to the second battery pack.

17. The combination of claim 15, wherein the charging station further comprises a display for displaying a charge status of the first battery pack and the second battery pack.

18. The combination of claim 1, wherein the charging station further 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.

19. A surgical instrument system, comprising:

a handle module for performing a surgical procedure;

a removable, rechargeable battery pack connectable to the handle module for providing electric power to the handle module during the surgical procedure; and

a charging station for charging the battery pack, wherein the charging station comprises circuitry for charging the battery pack under two operating conditions;

a first operating condition in which the battery pack is charged from a primary power source; and

a second operating condition in which the battery pack is charged from the primary power source and a secondary power source in order to rapidly charge the battery pack in case the battery pack is urgently needed in the surgical procedure.

20. The surgical instrument system of claim 19, wherein the secondary power source comprises a second removable, rechargeable battery pack connectable to the handle module.

21. A combination, comprising:

a handle module that is attachable to a detachable shaft module for collectively performing a surgical procedure;

a first removable, rechargeable battery pack connectable to the handle module for providing electric power to the handle module during the surgical procedure; and

a charging station for charging the first battery pack when the first battery pack is removed from the handle module and inserted into the charging station, wherein the charging station comprises;

a first charging receptacle for receiving the first battery pack to charge the first battery pack;

a second charging receptacle for receiving a second battery pack to charge the first battery pack; and

circuitry for rapidly charging the first battery pack with charge stored on the second battery pack when a rapid charge user input for the first battery pack is received by the charging station.