The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 04, 2007
Filed:
Apr. 04, 2003
Roger Metzger, Liestal, CH;
Roger Metzger, Liestal, CH;
Synthes, Paoli, PA (US);
Abstract
The invention relates to a device for supplying electrical energy to an electro-pen with an electric drive unit for driving a tool. The device comprises a console with an energy supply unit having an accumulator for supplying the electrical drive unit with electrical energy. The console may be configure to be sterilized by steam having a housing and electrical components that are sealed liquid-tight. The accumulator may include a sterile covering for sterile introduction into the console. A coupling between the console and the electro-pen carries the supply of electrical energy from the console to the electro-pen. The coupling may be an electrical contact in the form of a sterilizable connector or an inductive coupling. The console may be configured to store energy and is thus mobile, or the console may include a connection for connecting to a mains or external power supply for charging the accumulator. The console may include a switch-mode power supply for charging the accumulator. The console may include a holder for receiving and charging the electro-pen. The electro-pen includes an electrical storage device and a coupling for receiving the electrical energy supply from the accumulator. The holder may include an electrical coupling between the console and the electro-pen in which at least two electrical contacts and at least one transformer are disposed about each the holder and the electro-pen. Alternatively, the holder may include an inductive coupling in which at least one transformer having at least one coil is disposed about each the holder and the electro-pen.