Method and apparatus for providing sterile charged batteries

• US 4,641,077 A
• Filed: 01/23/1985
• Issued: 02/03/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/1985
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hall Surgical DIV of Zimmer Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Hall Surgical-Divison of Zimmer Incorporated
• Inventors: Pascaloff, John H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wong, Peter S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Simpson, Mark D.
• Application Number:
  US06/693,882
• Time in Patent Office: 741 Days
• Field of Search: 320/2, 128/419 PS, 422/6, 422/25
• US Class Current: 320/113
• 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: H01M 10/42 Methods or arrangements for servicing or maintenance of secondary cells or secondary half-cells H01M10/60 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A method of providing sterile, charged batteries for use in a sterile field which includes the steps of sterilizing at least one battery and a battery charger, transferring the sterilized battery and charger in a sterile state to the sterile field and charging the battery with the battery charger. The battery charger is adapted to withstand exposure to the environment present during the sterilization process. The sterilizing step may be preceded by an initial charging step in which the battery is charged with a battery charger. A sterilizable battery charger permits implementation of the method.

Claims

1. A method of providing sterile, charged batteries for use in a sterile field comprising the steps of:

sterilizing at least one battery and a battery charger, said battery and battery charger being adapted to withstand exposure to the environment present during such sterilizing step;

transferring said battery and said battery charger in a sterile state to said sterile field; and

charging said battery to a desired voltage with said battery charger in said sterile field.

2. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said sterilizing step is preceded by an initial charging step wherein said battery is charged with said battery charger.