Sterile housing for non-sterile medical device component

• US 9,017,851 B2
• Filed: 06/02/2011
• 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: Felder, Kevin D., Anderson, Christopher B., Shelton, Frederick E. IV, Stokes, Michael J., Rhee, Sora, Dietz, Timothy G., Dannaher, William D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cano, Milton I
• Assistant Examiner(s): LYLES-IRVING, CARMEN V
• Application Number:
  US13/151,498
• Publication Number:
  US 20120115007A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,426 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 429/121
• 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 2050/0065 : 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 2220/30 : Batteries in portable systems, e.g. mobile phone, laptop
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/209 : adapted for prismatic or rectangular cells H01M50/216 takes 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

An apparatus for powering a medical device includes a battery pack, a connection feature on the battery pack, and a protective layer. In some versions the protective layer covers the battery pack and the connection feature to provide a fluid tight seal. In some versions, the connection feature comprises at least one electrode, which may pierce the protective layer to establish electrical communication with the medical device from within the protective layer such that a non-sterile battery pack could be used to deliver power to a sterile medical device without compromising sterility of the medical device. The protective layer may form a compartment. The at least one electrode may have a conical shape to facilitate piercing the protective layer.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

(a) a battery pack;

(b) a connection feature in communication with the battery pack, wherein the connection feature comprises at least one electrode operable to deliver power from the battery pack to another device;

(c) a protective layer, wherein the protective layer covers at least a portion of the battery pack, wherein the protective layer further covers at least a portion of the connection feature such that the protective layer forms a fluid tight seal around the connection feature;

(d) a penetrating feature, wherein the penetrating feature has sufficient sharpness to penetrate the protective layer, wherein the penetrating feature is formed of an electrically conductive material; and

(e) a protective feature having sufficient structural stability to selectively maintain a position of the penetrating feature or the protective layer relative to the other to thereby maintain a gap between the penetrating feature and the protective layer.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the penetrating feature is integral with the at least one electrode.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the penetrating feature has a conical shape.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the protective layer comprises an elastic film material.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one electrode comprises a pair of electrodes, wherein the protective layer surrounds both of the electrodes.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a conduction foam positioned between the at least one electrode and the penetrating feature, wherein the conduction foam is operable to provide electrical communication between the at least one electrode and the electrically powered medical device.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein conduction foam in enclosed by a sterile barrier and is in contact with an exposed contact feature, wherein the exposed contact feature is configured to provide electrical communication between the conduction foam and the medical device.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the protective layer comprises a thinned pierce-able region.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a spring in communication with the battery pack, wherein the spring is resiliently biased to urge the battery toward the connection feature.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the protective feature comprises a web supporting the penetrating feature, wherein the web is resiliently biased to urge the penetrating feature away from the protective layer.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the battery pack comprises at least one lithium ion battery.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the protective layer comprises a septum, wherein the penetrating feature is operable to penetrate the septum to provide power to the medical device.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electrically powered medical device presents an inverted cone-shaped recess configured to receive the penetrating feature.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the protective feature comprises a stand-off feature of the battery pack configured to space the protective layer away from the penetrating feature.

15. An apparatus comprising:

(a) an electrically powered medical device, wherein the medical device includes a connection feature;

(b) a compartment selectively attachable and detachable with the electrically powered medical device, wherein an internal portion of the compartment is operable to receive at least one battery;

(c) a connection feature extending through a wall of the compartment, wherein the compartment forms a seal about a perimeter of the connection feature, wherein the connection feature is formed of an electrically conductive material

wherein the connection feature of the medical device is structured to selectively couple with the connection feature of the compartment.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the connection feature comprises a bulkhead connection.

17. A method for providing power to an electrically powered, medical device by using a battery pack and a membrane barrier, wherein the battery pack comprises at least one battery contained therein, wherein the battery pack further comprises at least one electrode, the method comprising:

(a) maintaining a gap between the membrane barrier and the at least one electrode via a web member;

(b) positioning the battery pack proximate to the medical device such that the web member and the membrane barrier are positioned between the battery pack and the medical device, wherein the membrane barrier isolates the battery pack from the medical device such that the medical device is substantially isolated from contamination by the battery pack;

(c) collapsing the web member toward the membrane barrier by pressing the medical device against the exterior of the web member thereby eliminating the gap between the membrane barrier and the at least one electrode and thereby breaching the membrane barrier between the battery pack and the medical device, wherein the act of breaching the membrane barrier comprises urging the at least one electrode against the membrane barrier; and

(d) establishing electrical communication between the at least one battery and the medical device through the at least one electrode after or upon breaching the membrane barrier.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the act of breaching the membrane barrier comprises piercing the membrane barrier with the at least one electrode.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the membrane barrier comprises an elastic membrane barrier operable to maintain a fluid tight seal.