Method and apparatus for charging sterilizable rechargeable batteries

• US 20030160590A1
• Filed: 02/25/2003
• Published: 08/28/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Livatec Corporation
• Original Assignee: Livatec Corporation
• Inventors: Schaefer, Martin A., Reinhart, Ronald R.
• Granted Patent: US 6,847,190 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/107
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/07 Steam
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/26 Accessories or devices or components used for biocidal treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/122 Chambers for sterilisation
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction

Abstract

A method and apparatus for charging rechargeable batteries for use in a sterile field with powered surgical instruments. The method comprises the steps of placing the batteries in a sterilization/charging container, discharging the batteries to a predetermined level and then sterilizing, charging and storing them without removing them from the container until they are needed. The charged batteries may be removed directly into the sterile field.

Claims

1. A method for providing a sterile, charged battery for use in a sterile field comprising:

placing a battery in a sealable sterilization/charging container;

discharging, sterilizing and charging the battery without removing it from the container; and

removing the battery from the container into the sterile field.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the discharging step includes determining the voltage level of the battery prior to discharging and discharging the battery only if the voltage level is above a predetermined level.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the battery is sterilized in a sterilizing medium.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the sterilizing medium is an autoclave.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the container permits sterilization media to penetrate the container but does not permit contaminants to penetrate the container.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the discharging step includes discharging the battery to a first predetermined voltage level, and the charging step includes charging the battery to a second predetermined voltage level.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the battery is a nickel-cadmium battery and the first predetermined voltage level is approximately 0.9 volts per cell.

8. The method according to claim 1, further including storing the battery in a sterile state without removing it from the container.

9. A method for providing a sterile, charged battery for use in a sterile field comprising:

providing a sealable sterilization/charging container having interior and exterior surfaces provided respectively with interior and exterior electrical terminals in electrical communication with each other;

placing at least one rechargeable battery into the sterilization/charging container with the interior terminals contacting terminals of the battery;

sealing the container;

selectively discharging the battery to a predetermined voltage level;

sterilizing the battery within the container in a sterilizing medium;

providing a battery charger adapted to receive the exterior terminals of the container and charge the battery;

engaging the container with the battery charger and charging the battery to a desired voltage while it is in the sterilization/charging container; and

removing the battery from the container into the sterile field.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the sterilizing medium is an autoclave.

11. The method according to claim 9, further comprising providing a sterilization basket for receiving the battery, the basket interposed between the battery and the interior surface and comprising an opening for providing access to the battery terminals and a handle to facilitate removing the basket and the battery from the container.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the sterilization/charging container and the basket are adapted to contain more than one battery.

13. The method according to claim 9, wherein the exterior terminals of the sterilization/charging container and charger terminals of the battery charger are adapted to be engaged by sliding the sterilization/charging container relative to the battery charger and disengaged by moving the container away from the charger.

14. The method according to claim 9, wherein the battery charger includes a socket adapted to receive the exterior terminals of the sterilization/charging container.

15. A method for increasing the useful life of a rechargeable battery to be sterilized for use in a sterile field comprising:

discharging the battery until its voltage reaches a predetermined discharge voltage level;

placing the battery in a container permeable to a sterilization process but impermeable to contaminants;

sterilizing the battery using the sterilization process; and

charging the battery to a predetermined charge level.

16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising determining the level of charge in the battery prior to the discharging step and implementing the discharging step only if the voltage level is less than approximately 0.9 volts per cell.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein the battery is a nickel-cadmium battery and the discharge voltage level is approximately 0.9 volts per cell.

18. The method according to claim 15, wherein the sterilization process is autoclaving.

19. A battery charging system for charging a battery, comprising:

a battery charger having at least one pair of electrical terminals, and being adapted to determine whether a voltage level of the battery is below a predetermined voltage level and, if so, depleting voltage from the battery until the predetermined voltage level is reached; and

a container electrically engageable with the battery and including at least one charging terminal engageable with the pair of electrical terminals on the battery charger to enable the battery charger to charge the battery.

20. The battery charging system of claim 19, wherein the container further includes a peripheral wall, and the at least one charging terminal comprises a pair of electrical contacts attached to the peripheral wall, the electrical contacts being disposed for engagement with the pair of electrical terminals on the battery charger.

21. The battery charging system of claim 19, wherein the at least one charging terminal set includes a pair of spring loaded electrical contacts.

22. The battery charging system of claim 21, wherein the pair of spring loaded electrical contacts comprises opposed leaf springs adapted to slidably engage the pair of electrical terminals on the charging station.

23. The battery charging system of claim 19, further including a basket including at least one access aperture disposed therein and adapted to allow a battery contact set on the container to pass therethrough, the battery contact set being adapted for releasable engagement with a battery.

24. The battery charging system of claim 23, wherein the basket is perforated and includes a handle.

25. The battery charging system of claim 19, wherein the container further includes at least one battery contact set disposed in an interior of the container and comprising a pair of electrical terminals engageable with a battery, the at least one charging terminal being disposed on an exterior of the container and electrically connected to the battery contact set.

26. The battery charging system of claim 25, wherein the pair of electrical terminals on the at least one battery contact set comprises linear blades.

27. The battery charging system of claim 19, wherein the container further includes a removable cover having a plurality of apertures disposed therein.

28. The battery charging system of claim 27, further including an apertured plate removably engageable with the cover, and a membrane positioned between the cover and the apertured plate.

29. The battery charging system of claim 28, wherein the membrane is semi-permeable.

30. The battery charging system of claim 29, wherein the semi-permeable membrane is permeable to steam and heat and impermeable to contaminants.

31. A battery charging system for charging a battery to be sterilized comprising:

a sterilization/charging container for hermetically containing a battery, the container comprising a peripheral wall and at least one conductive terminal extending through the wall, the terminal comprising an inner contact component in releasable electrical contact with terminals of the battery, and an external contact component;

a battery charger/discharger for selectively discharging and charging the battery in the container, the battery charger comprising at least one battery receiving station for receiving the container, the station provided with electrical terminals for receiving the external contact component of the sterilization/charging container;

a discharge circuit means associated with the battery receiving station for determining if the level of voltage within a battery in the container at the charging station is below a predetermined level and, if so, for depleting a predetermined amount of the voltage in the battery;

interrupting means for stopping the depletion of voltage out of the battery when the predetermined amount of voltage has been depleted; and

charging means associated with the battery receiving station for charging the battery within the container.

32. The battery charging system according to claim 31, wherein the electrical terminals at the battery receiving station directly contact the external contact component.