Power source management for medical device

• US 9,017,849 B2
• Filed: 10/19/2011
• Issued: 04/28/2015
• 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., Timm, Richard W., Dannaher, William D., Silkaitis, Danius P., Stokes, Michael J., Aldridge, Jeffrey L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ruddock, Ula C
• Assistant Examiner(s): VAN OUDENAREN, MATTHEW W
• Application Number:
  US13/276,745
• Publication Number:
  US 20120115005A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,287 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 429/120
• 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 2017/00017 Electrical control of surgical instruments
• 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 2017/0046 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 2018/00702 : Power or energy
• 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 2018/1253 : monopolar
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/126 : bipolar
• 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 2050/005 : with a lid or cover
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/0056 : about a lateral axis in the lid plane
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/0065 : Peelable cover
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/0067 : Types of closures or fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/0076 : having additional locking means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/008 : Pegs inserted, e.g. forced, into openings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/3007 : Stackable casings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/3008 : having multiple compartments
• 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 50/30 : 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 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 10/425 : Structural combination with electronic components, e.g. electronic circuits integrated to the outside of the casing printed circuits H05K1/00
• 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 10/613 : Cooling or keeping cold
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6235 : Power tools
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6551 : Surfaces specially adapted for heat dissipation or radiation, e.g. fins or coatings
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6555 : arranged between the cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6563 : with forced flow, e.g. by blowers
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/657 : by electric or electromagnetic means
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/659 : by heat storage or buffering, e.g. heat capacity or liquid-solid phase changes or transition
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2220/30 : Batteries in portable systems, e.g. mobile phone, laptop
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/204 : Racks, modules or packs for multiple batteries or multiple cells
• 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 50/247 : 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 50/284 : with incorporated circuit boards, e.g. printed circuit boards [PCB]
• 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 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 7/0048 : Detection of remaining charge capacity or state of charge [SOC]
• 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

A surgical instrument includes a handle assembly, a battery pack, and a cooling device. The battery pack is operable to power the surgical instrument and may be inserted into the handle assembly. The cooling device is mechanically integrated with the battery pack. The cooling device is further operable to draw heat away from the battery pack while the battery pack delivers power to the surgical instrument.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

(a) a surgical instrument;

(b) a battery pack operable to power the surgical instrument, wherein the battery pack is configured to be inserted into the surgical instrument; and

(c) a cooling device, wherein the cooling device is mechanically integrated with the battery pack, wherein the cooling device is operable to draw heat away from the battery pack while the battery pack delivers power to the surgical instrument, wherein the cooling device comprises;

(i) a wax lining, wherein the wax lining surrounds the battery pack, wherein the wax lining is configured to melt in response to heat from the battery pack,

(ii) a plunger button, wherein the plunger button is in fluid communication with the wax lining, wherein the plunger button is configured to be actuated by the wax lining, and

(iii) a moving component configured to generate air flow, wherein the moving component is in communication with the plunger button, wherein the moving component is configured to selectively blow heat away from the battery pack in response to actuation of the plunger button.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cooling device further comprises a plurality of cooling plates.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the battery pack comprises a plurality of batteries, wherein the cooling plates are alternatingly positioned between the plurality of batteries.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the cooling plates are wider and taller than the battery pack.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cooling device further comprises a piezoelectric actuated strip, wherein the piezoelectric actuated strip comprises a first end, a second end, and a middle portion positioned between the first end and the second end, wherein the first end, the second end, and the middle portion are all aligned along a longitudinal axis, wherein the middle portion is configured to oscillate, wherein the middle portion is operable to generate airflow when a first frequency is applied to the piezoelectric actuated strip, wherein the first end and the second end are configured to maintain a stationary position as the middle portion oscillates.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a flapper in communication with the strip, wherein the flapper is operable to amplify the airflow generated by the strip.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the strip is further operable to generate an audible signal when a second frequency is applied to the piezoelectric actuated strip.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the resilient member comprises a leaf spring, wherein the battery pack is operable to be held in the handle assembly using the leaf spring.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cooling device further comprises a thermal lining.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the thermal lining comprises an antiseptic.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cooling device further comprises a package operable to store the battery pack.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the battery pack and the cooling device are in thermal communication with a heat sink.

13. An apparatus comprising:

(a) a surgical instrument;

(b) a battery pack operable to power the surgical instrument; and

(c) a cooling device, wherein the cooling device is operable to draw heat away from the battery pack, wherein the cooling device comprises;

(i) a wax lining, wherein the wax lining is configured to melt in response to heat from the battery pack,

(ii) a plunger button, wherein the plunger button is in fluid communication with the wax lining, wherein the plunger button is configured to be actuated by the wax lining, and (iii) a moving component configured to generate air flow across the battery pack, wherein the moving component is in communication with the plunger button, wherein the moving component is configured to selectively generate air flow across the battery pack in response to actuation of the plunger button.

14. An apparatus comprising:

(a) a surgical instrument;

(b) a battery pack in communication with the surgical instrument; and

(c) a cooling device in communication with the battery pack, wherein the cooling device is operable to draw heat away from the battery pack while the battery pack delivers power to the surgical instrument, wherein the cooling device comprises;

(i) a wax lining, wherein the wax lining is configured to melt in response to heat from the battery pack,

(ii) a plunger button, wherein the plunger button is in fluid communication with the wax lining, wherein the plunger button is configured to be actuated by the wax lining, and

(iii) a moving component configured to generate air flow, wherein the moving component is in communication with the plunger button, wherein the moving component is configured to selectively cool the battery pack in response to actuation of the plunger button.