Abstract: A system for charging a battery is provided. The system includes a first and a second container, each including receptacles shaped to receive a battery and protrusions each being aligned with a receptacle, wherein a number of receptacles and protrusions in the first container is greater than a number of receptacles and protrusions in the second container. The system also includes a charging device including charging bays each being shaped to receive a protrusion. The charging bays are arranged in rows and columns with a number of columns corresponding to a number of receptacles in the first container and a number of rows corresponding to a number of receptacles in the second container. Each of the charging bays comprises an antenna configured to provide charging power to a battery disposed in a receptacle. The charging device includes a charging controller to provide charging power to the battery via the antenna.

Abstract: A system includes a battery having a battery controller and a container including a plurality of receptacles, each receptacle being shaped to receive the battery. The system also includes a charging device including a plurality of charging bays, wherein each charging bay is shaped to receive a respective receptacle of the plurality of receptacles. Each charging bay includes a first antenna configured to provide charging power to the battery, a second antenna configured to communicate with the battery controller, and a charger controller. The charger controller is configured to detect a presence of the battery within a receptacle associated with a charging bay, establish communication with the battery using the second antenna while the first antenna is deactivated, pair the battery to the charging device, activate the first antenna after the battery is paired, and provide charging power to the battery using the first antenna.

Abstract: One embodiment relates to a handheld surgical instrument that comprises a rotary surgical end effector and a coupler configured to cause rotation of the same. The handheld surgical instrument further comprises a motor, which is configured to drive a motor output region. The handheld surgical instrument further comprises a transmission, which defines a transmission input region that interfaces with the motor output region and a transmission output region coupled to the transmission input region. The transmission output region is operably coupled to the coupler, and the transmission is configured to alter the speed of the coupler relative to the motor output region. The motor output region and the transmission input region interface one another at a motor-transmission interface, and the motor-transmission interface comprises a motor-transmission backlash such that drive of the motor output region within the motor-transmission backlash does not cause rotation of the rotary surgical end effector.

Abstract: A system includes a battery having a battery controller and a container including a plurality of receptacles, each receptacle being shaped to receive the battery. The system also includes a charging device including a plurality of charging bays, wherein each charging bay is shaped to receive a respective receptacle of the plurality of receptacles. Each charging bay includes a first antenna h configured to provide charging power to the battery, a second antenna configured to communicate with the battery controller, and a charger controller. The charger controller is configured to detect a presence of the battery within a receptacle associated with a charging bay, establish communication with the battery using the second antenna while the first antenna is deactivated, pair the battery to the charging device, activate the first antenna after the battery is paired, and provide charging power to the battery using the first antenna.

Abstract: One embodiment relates to a handheld surgical instrument that comprises a rotary surgical end effector and a coupler configured to cause rotation of the same. The handheld surgical instrument further comprises a motor, which is configured to drive a motor output region. The handheld surgical instrument further comprises a transmission, which defines a transmission input region that interfaces with the motor output region and a transmission output region coupled to the transmission input region. The transmission output region is operably coupled to the coupler, and the transmission is configured to alter the speed of the coupler relative to the motor output region. The motor output region and the transmission input region interface one another at a motor-transmission interface, and the motor-transmission interface comprises a motor-transmission backlash such that drive of the motor output region within the motor-transmission backlash does not cause rotation of the rotary surgical end effector.

Abstract: A system and method include a battery removably coupleable to a medical device. The battery includes a cell for storing an electrical charge, a housing, a first contact, and a second contact that is inactive when the battery is not in proximity to the medical device. The battery includes a sensor for generating a proximity signal in response to a proximity of the medical device to the battery that is not based on an electrical connection of the medical device to the contacts. The battery includes a battery controller for receiving the proximity signal, and responsively causing the second contact to be activated. One of the medical device and the battery comprises a communication device. When the medical device is coupled to the battery and the second contact is activated, the communication device transmits an authentication signal to enable authentication.

Abstract: A method, a battery, and a system determine an amount of degradation of the battery. The method includes providing an autoclaveable lithium battery for a medical device, receiving a charging signal from a charging device, and initiating a charging cycle to charge a cell of the battery based on the charging signal. The charging cycle includes a constant current phase and a constant voltage phase. The method also includes monitoring a current provided to the cell during at least a portion of the constant voltage phase, calculating a current taper time based on the current provided during the constant voltage phase, and determining an amount of degradation of the battery based on the current taper time.

Abstract: A system and method include a battery removably coupleable to a medical device. The battery includes a cell for storing an electrical charge, a housing, a first contact, and a second contact that is inactive when the battery is not in proximity to the medical device. The battery includes a sensor for generating a proximity signal in response to a proximity of the medical device to the battery that is not based on an electrical connection of the medical device to the contacts. The battery includes a battery controller for receiving the proximity signal, and responsively causing the second contact to be activated. One of the medical device and the battery comprises a communication device. When the medical device is coupled to the battery and the second contact is activated, the communication device transmits an authentication signal to enable authentication.

Abstract: A system and method include a battery removably coupleable to a medical device. The battery includes a cell for storing an electrical charge, a housing, a first contact, and a second contact that is inactive when the battery is not in proximity to the medical device. The battery includes a sensor for generating a proximity signal in response to a proximity of the medical device to the battery that is not based on an electrical connection of the medical device to the contacts. The battery includes a battery controller for receiving the proximity signal, and responsively causing the second contact to be activated. One of the medical device and the battery comprises a communication device. When the medical device is coupled to the battery and the second contact is activated, the communication device transmits an authentication signal to enable authentication.

Abstract: A method, a battery, and a system determine an amount of degradation of the battery. The method includes providing an autoclaveable lithium battery for a medical device, receiving a charging signal from a charging device, and initiating a charging cycle to charge a cell of the battery based on the charging signal. The charging cycle includes a constant current phase and a constant voltage phase. The method also includes monitoring a current provided to the cell during at least a portion of the constant voltage phase, calculating a current taper time based on the current provided during the constant voltage phase, and determining an amount of degradation of the battery based on the current taper time.

Abstract: A system and method include a battery removably coupleable to a medical device. The battery includes a cell for storing an electrical charge, a housing, a first contact, and a second contact that is inactive when the battery is not in proximity to the medical device. The battery includes a sensor for generating a proximity signal in response to a proximity of the medical device to the battery that is not based on an electrical connection of the medical device to the contacts. The battery includes a battery controller for receiving the proximity signal, and responsively causing the second contact to be activated. One of the medical device and the battery comprises a communication device. When the medical device is coupled to the battery and the second contact is activated, the communication device transmits an authentication signal to enable authentication.