System including wearable power receiver and wearable power-output device

• US 8,427,014 B2
• Filed: 05/11/2010
• Issued: 04/23/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Enterprise Science Fund, LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, L.L.C. (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Eckhoff, Philip Andrew, Gates, William, Hagelstein, Peter L., Hyde, Roderick A., Kare, Jordin T., Langer, Robert, Leuthardt, Eric C., Lieberman, Erez, Myhrvold, Nathan P., Schnall-Levin, Michael, Tegreene, Clarence T., Wood, Lowell L. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): CAVALLARI, DANIEL J
• Application Number:
  US12/800,244
• Publication Number:
  US 20110278956A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,078 Days
• Field of Search: 307/150, 307/104
• US Class Current: 307/150
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 4/00 Circuit arrangements for mains or distribution networks not specified as ac or dc
• 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 50/12 of the resonant type
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/20 using microwaves or radio frequency waves
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/30 using light, e.g. lasers
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/80 involving the exchange of data, concerning supply or distribution of electric power, between transmitting devices and receiving devices
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/90 involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00034 Charger exchanging data with an electronic device, i.e. telephone, whose internal battery is under charge

Abstract

Described embodiments include a system, apparatus, and method. A described system includes a power-receiving connector configured to be usable after sterilization, to releasably couple with a power-source connector, and configured to be carried by a health care provider proximate to a first body portion. If coupled, the power-receiving connector is operable to receive an electrical or radiant power from the power-source connector. The system also includes a power-output device configured to be usable after sterilization, to interact with a power-receiving device connected to a handheld medical device, and configured to be carried by the health care provider proximate to a second body portion. If interacting, the received electrical or radiant power is transferred from the power-output device to the power-receiving device. The system further includes a wearable connective structure configured to be usable after sterilization, and to transfer the received electrical or radiant power from the power-receiving connector to the power-output device.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a power-receiving connector configured to be usable after sterilization, to releasably couple with a power-source connector, and configured to be carried by a health care provider proximate to a first body portion of the health care provider, wherein if coupled, the power-receiving connector is operable to receive an electrical or radiant power from the power-source connector;

a power-output device configured to be usable after sterilization, to interact with a power-receiving device connected to a handheld medical device, and configured to be carried by the health care provider proximate to a second body portion of the health care provider, wherein if interacting, the received electrical or radiant power is transferred from the power-output device to the power-receiving device; and

a wearable connective structure configured to be usable after sterilization, and to transfer the received electrical or radiant power from the power-receiving connector to the power-output device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the power-receiving connector includes:

a power-receiving connector having a body-mounting portion configured to be carried by a health care provider proximate to a first body portion of the health care provider, and configured to be usable after sterilization, and to releasably couple with a power-source connector, wherein if coupled, the power-receiving connector is operable to receive an electrical or radiant power from the power-source connector.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the power-receiving connector includes:

a power-receiving connector having a clothing-engagement portion configured to be carried by an article of clothing worn by a health care provider proximate to a first body portion of the health care provider, and configured to be usable after sterilization and to releasably couple with a power-source connector, wherein if coupled, the power-receiving connector is operable to receive an electrical or radiant power from the power-source connector.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the power-receiving connector includes:

a power-receiving connector configured to be usable after an exposure to a surgical sterilization and to releasably couple with a power-source connector, the power-receiving connector further configured to be carried by a health care provider proximate to a first leg, thigh, calf, foot, arm, forearm, wrist, hand, or finger portion of the health care provider, wherein if coupled, the power-receiving connector and the power-source connector are operable to transfer an electrical or radiant power.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the power-receiving connector includes a sterilized power-receiving connector.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the power-receiving connector includes a single-use sterilized power-receiving connector.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the power-receiving connector includes a power-receiving connector configured to withstand an exposure to a surgical sterilization condition and to be usable after the exposure to the surgical sterilization condition.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the power-receiving connector includes a power-receiving connector configured to be usable after an exposure to autoclave or chemiclave sterilization, and includes a medical grade plastic, stainless steel, or titanium, or an alloy thereof.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the power-output device includes:

a power-output device having a body-mounting portion configured to be carried by a health care provider proximate to a second body portion of the health care provider, and configured to be usable after sterilization, and to interact with a power-receiving device connected to a handheld medical device, wherein if interacting, the received electrical or radiant power is transferred from the power-output device to the power-receiving device.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the power-output device includes:

a power-output device having a clothing-engagement portion configured to be engage an article of clothing worn by a health care provider proximate to a second body portion of the health care provider, and configured to be usable after sterilization, and to interact with a power-receiving device connected to a handheld medical device, wherein if interacting, the received electrical or radiant power is transferred from the power-output device to the power-receiving device.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the power-output device includes:

a power-output device configured to be usable after an exposure to a surgical sterilization, to releasably couple with a power-receiving device connected to a handheld medical device, and configured to be carried by a health care provider proximate to a second body portion at a position distal of a shoulder joint of the health care provider, wherein if coupled, the received electrical or radiant power is transferred from the power-output device to the power-receiving device.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the power-output device includes:

a power-output device configured to be usable after sterilization, to interact with a power-receiving device connected to a handheld medical device, and configured to be carried by a health care provider proximate to a leg, thigh, calf, foot, arm, forearm, wrist, hand, or finger portion of the health care provider, wherein if interacting, the received electrical or radiant power is transferred from the power-output device to the power-receiving device.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the power-output device includes a sterilized power-output device.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the power-output device includes a single-use sterilized power-output device.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the power-output device includes a power-output device configured to withstand an exposure to a surgical sterilization condition and to be usable after the exposure to the surgical sterilization condition.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the power-output device includes:

a power-output device configured to be usable after sterilization, to releasably couple with a power-source connector, to be carried proximate to a second body portion of the health care provider, and configured to be carried outside of a surgical barrier having an interior surface enclosing at least a portion of the body of the health care provider.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the power-output device includes:

a first power-output device configured to be usable after sterilization and to releasably couple with a first power-receiving device connected to a first handheld medical device, and a second power-output device configured to be usable after sterilization and to releasably couple with an second power-receiving device connected to second handheld medical device, both the first power-output device and the second power-output device respectively configured to be carried by the health care provider proximate to the second body portion of the health care provider.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the power-output device includes:

a first power-output device configured to be usable after sterilization, to releasably couple with a first power-receiving device connected to a first handheld medical device, and configured to be carried by the health care provider proximate to a second body portion of the health care provider, and a second power-output device configured to be usable after sterilization, to releasably couple with an second power-receiving device connected to second handheld medical device, and configured to be carried by the health care provider proximate to a third body portion of the health care provider.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein the power-output device includes:

a power-output connector configured to be usable after sterilization, to releasably couple with a power-receiving device connected to a handheld medical device, and configured to be carried by the health care provider proximate to a second body portion of the health care provider, wherein if coupled, the electrical or radiant power is transferred from the power-output device to the power-receiving device.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein the power-output device includes:

a power transmitter configured to be usable after sterilization, to wirelessly transfer the electrical or radiant power to a wireless power receiver connected to a handheld medical device, and configured to be carried by the health care provider proximate to a second body portion of the health care provider.

21. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a first carrier configured to hold the power-receiving connector, and to be physically associatable with the first body portion of the health care provider.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the first carrier includes:

a first carrier structurally integrated with the power-receiving connector, and having a body-mounting portion configured to be carried by the first body portion of the health care provider.

23. The system of claim 21, wherein the first carrier includes:

a first carrier configured to hold the power-receiving connector, and having a body-mounting portion configured to be carried by a first body portion of the health care provider.

24. The system of claim 21, wherein the first carrier includes:

a first carrier configured to be usable after sterilization, to hold the power-receiving connector, and to be associatable with the first body portion of the health care provider.

25. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a second carrier configured to hold the power-output device, and to be physically associatable with the second body portion of the health care provider.

26. The system of claim 21, wherein the second carrier includes:

a second carrier configured to hold the power-output device substantially inside a sterile barrier, and to be physically associatable with a second body portion of the health care provider.

27. The system of claim 21, wherein the second carrier includes:

a second carrier having at least one of a positioning strap, belt, holder, harness, or material configured to carry the power-output device and to be associatable with the second body portion of the health care provider.

28. The system of claim 21, wherein the second carrier includes:

a second carrier configured to be usable after sterilization, to hold the power-output device, and to be associatable with the second body portion of the health care provider.

29. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

another power-output device configured to be usable after sterilization, to interact with another power-receiving device connected to another handheld medical device, and configured to be carried by the health care provider, wherein if interacting, the another power-output device and the another power-receiving device are operable to transfer the received electrical or radiant power.

30. The system of claim 29, further comprising:

a second carrier configured to hold the power-output device and the another power-output device, and to be physically associatable with a second body portion of the health care provider.

31. The system of claim 29, further comprising:

a third carrier configured to hold the another power-output device, and to be physically associatable with a third body portion of the health care provider.

32. The system of claim 1, wherein the wearable connective structure includes:

a wearable electrical conductor configured to be usable after sterilization, and to transfer the received electrical or radiant power between the power-receiving connector and the power-output device.

33. The system of claim 1, wherein the wearable connective structure includes:

a wearable electromagnetic wave guide or optical connective structure configured to be usable after sterilization, and to transfer the received electrical or radiant power between the power-receiving connector and the power-output device.

34. The system of claim 1, wherein the wearable connective structure includes:

a wearable acoustic wave guide connective structure configured to be usable sterilization, and to transfer acoustic power between the power-receiving connector and the power-output device, the transferred acoustic power derived from the received electrical or radiant power.

35. The system of claim 1, wherein the wearable connective structure includes:

a wearable connective structure configured to be usable after sterilization, to transfer the received electrical or radiant power between the power-receiving connector and the power-output device, and for an association with an article of attire wearable by the health care provider.

36. The system of claim 1, wherein the wearable connective structure includes:

a wearable system configured to be usable after sterilization, the wearable system including a wireless transmitter coupled with the power-receiving connector and a wireless receiver coupled with the power-output device, the wireless transmitter and the wireless receiver configured in combination to transfer electrical or radiant power between the power-receiving connector and the power-output device, the transferred electrical or radiant power derived from the received electrical or radiant power.

37. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a fourth carrier configured to hold the wearable connective structure, and to be physically associatable with a fourth body portion of the health care provider.

38. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a controller configured to manage a parameter of electrical or radiant power received by the power-receiving connector, and to be wearable by the health care provider.

39. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a power converter operable to convert a form of the electrical or radiant power received by the power-receiving connector to another form of electrical or radiant power available to the power-output device.

40. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a portable and chargeable energy storage device configured to store energy derived from electrical or radiant power received by the power-receiving connector, to supply another electrical or radiant power, and configured to be carried by the health care provider proximate to a fifth body portion of the health care provider.

41. The system of claim 40, wherein the portable and chargeable energy storage device includes:

a portable and chargeable energy storage device configured to supply electrical power having a predetermined voltage, current, waveform, frequency, or reactive component.

42. The system of claim 40, wherein the portable and chargeable energy storage device includes:

a portable and chargeable energy storage device configured to supply electrical power having a user-selectable voltage, current, waveform, frequency, or reactive component.

43. The system of claim 40, wherein the portable and chargeable energy storage device includes:

a portable and chargeable energy storage device configured to store energy derived from electrical or radiant power wirelessly received by the power receiver, and to supply a second or radiant power, and having a body-mounting portion configured to be carried by a first body portion of a health care provider.

44. The system of claim 40, wherein the portable and chargeable energy storage device includes:

a portable and chargeable energy storage device configured to store energy derived from electrical or radiant power wirelessly received by the power receiver, and to supply a second or radiant power, and having a clothing-engagement portion configured to be carried by an article of clothing proximate to a first body portion of a health care provider.

45. A method comprising:

carrying proximate to a first body portion of a health care provider a power-receiving connector, the power receiving connector configured to be usable after sterilization, and to releasably couple with a power-source connector supplied with electrical or radiant power, wherein if coupled, the power-receiving connector is operable to receive an electrical or radiant power from the power-source connector;

carrying proximate to a second body portion of the health care provider a power-output device configured to be usable after sterilization, and to interact with a power-receiving device connected to a handheld medical device, wherein if interacting, the received electrical or radiant power is transferred from the power-output device to the power-receiving device;

carrying a connective structure configured to be usable after sterilization, and to transfer the received electrical or radiant power from the power-receiving connector to the power-output device; and

activating the handheld medical device with the supplied electrical or radiant power.

46. The method of claim 45, further comprising:

coupling the power-receiving connector and the power-source connector.

47. The method of claim 45, further comprising:

activating an interaction of the power-output device and the power-receiving device connected to a handheld medical device.

48. The method of claim 47, wherein the activating an interaction of the power-output device and the power-receiving device connected to a handheld medical device includes:

connecting the power-output device and the power-receiving device.

49. The method of claim 47, wherein the activating an interaction of the power-output device and the power-receiving device connected to a handheld medical device includes:

coupling the power-output device and the power-receiving device.

50. The method of claim 45, further comprising:

carrying a controller configured to regulate a parameter of the electrical or radiant power received by the power-receiving connector.

51. A system configured to be usable after sterilization, the system comprising:

means for releasably coupling with a power-source connector supplied with electrical or radiant power, and wherein if coupled, the means for releasably coupling is operable to receive an electrical or radiant power from the power-source connector;

means for wearing proximate to a first body portion of a health care provider the means for releasably coupling with a power-source connector;

means for interacting with a power-receiving device connected to a handheld medical device, wherein if interacting, the received electrical or radiant power is transferred from the means for interacting to the power-receiving device;

means for wearing proximate to a second body portion of the health care provider the means for interacting with a power-receiving device;

means for transferring the received electrical or radiant power between the means for releasably coupling with a power-source connector and the means for interacting with a power-receiving device.