WO2018115343A1

WO2018115343A1 - Apparatus for supplying energy to a medical device

Info

Publication number: WO2018115343A1
Application number: PCT/EP2017/084206
Authority: WO
Inventors: Heiko Graf
Original assignee: MAQUET GmbH
Priority date: 2016-12-22
Filing date: 2017-12-21
Publication date: 2018-06-28
Also published as: DE102016125413A1

Abstract

Apparatus (5) for supplying energy to a medical device, comprising a plurality of rechargeable batteries (7), wherein at least one DC/DC converter (9) is associated with the rechargeable batteries, wherein the voltage of the rechargeable batteries (7) is converted to a preset voltage value by means of the at least one DC/DC converter (9), and wherein the converted voltages of the rechargeable batteries (7) are preferably each connected in parallel by means of a first diode circuit (11) for operation of at least one function (6) of the medical device (1).

Description

Device for supplying energy to a medical device

Background of the invention

The present invention relates to a device for powering a medical device, such as a surgical table.

So far, mobile operating tables are operated via a different number of serially connected accumulators. This series connection is necessary in order to obtain technically meaningful system voltages, since in this case the voltage results from the sum of the individual voltages of the accumulators (usually 12V). For example, 24V is generated with two batteries and 48V with four batteries.

However, if the voltage of one of the series-connected accumulators drops, this also affects the system voltage. In safety-critical applications in the medical field, this can be problematic.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device for power supply of a mobile medical device, wherein regardless of the state of individual accumulators a constant system voltage can be ensured.

Overview of the invention

The above object is achieved by a device for powering a medical device, comprising a plurality of accumulators, wherein the accumulators at least one DC-DC converter is associated, wherein the voltage of the accumulators by means of at least one DC-DC converter to a Preset voltage value is converted, and preferably wherein the converted voltages of the accumulators are each connected via a first diode circuit in parallel with the operation of at least one function of the medical device.

According to a further aspect, the present invention provides a device for powering a medical device, comprising a plurality of accumulators, wherein each accumulator is associated with a DC-DC converter. The voltage of each accumulator is converted to a pre-set voltage value by means of the DC-DC converter. This preset voltage value may, for example, be equal to a system voltage of the medical device. The converted voltages of the accumulators are then each combined via a first diode circuit in parallel with the operation of at least one function of the medical device. Due to the parallel connection, operation of the medical device at the preset system voltage can continue to be ensured even in the event of a failure of a rechargeable battery. The first diode circuit prevents charge transfer between the individual accumulators, so that different charging or aging states of the accumulators do not lead to undesirable current flow between the individual accumulators. Thus, in the device according to the present invention, the voltage is boosted to the desired system voltage via an electronic circuit for each individual accumulator, and the accumulators are then connected in parallel. According to some embodiments, there may be associated with each accumulator a charging unit. As a result, the accumulators can each be charged in parallel via their associated charging units, in particular during operation of the medical device.

In this case, a power supply can be provided, with which the charging units are connected in parallel to load the respective associated accumulators. Preferably, in this case a switching power supply is used. Thus, all accumulators can be charged via a single power supply, each charging unit provides a suitable charging current for the associated accumulator.

In addition, the power supply can be connected via a further diode circuit in parallel with the converted voltages of the accumulators in order to provide energy for the at least one function of the medical device. Thus, the at least one function of the medical device can also be operated by means of the power supply, while at the same time the accumulators are charged and / or while the accumulators are also used to operate the function of the medical device. The other diode circuit prevents each unwanted current flow between individual batteries and the power pack or the charging units each other batteries. This further diode circuit may alternatively be integrated as a diode structure in the power supply.

According to some embodiments, it may be provided that the first diode circuit is integrated as a diode structure in each case in the associated DC-DC converter, so that no separate Diodenscha connection between the respective DC-DC converter and the table functions is required.

According to some embodiments, the converted voltage for each accumulator may be dependent on the state of charge and / or the voltage of the accumulator. Thus, it can be ensured that the batteries are discharged as evenly as possible. As soon as the voltage of a single accumulator drops, preferably the other accumulators which provide a higher voltage are discharged, so that the plurality of accumulators are discharged as evenly as possible.

Alternatively it can be provided that the DC-DC converters are ausgesta Leased so that always a constant converted voltage is provided, even if the output voltage of the associated accumulator drops. In these alternative embodiments, a constant system voltage of the medical device can be ensured even if, for example, all Akkum ulators have a relatively low state of charge and thus provide a lower output voltage.

According to some embodiments, a control unit may be provided which comprises the DC-DC converters and the associated first diode circuits. The control unit may be designed such that the accumulators are connected to associated DC-DC converters and first Diode circuits can be connected in the control unit. Here, too, the first diode circuits can each be integrated as a diode structure in the DC-DC converter.

In this case, the control unit may further comprise an associated charging unit for each accumulator. Thus, individual accumulators can be easily replaced or added, if in the control unit already corresponding DC-DC converter, first diode circuits and / or charging units are provided, to which an accumulator can be easily connected.

The medical device may be an operating table, which comprises a device as described above for supplying energy to at least one function of the operating table.

The at least one function of the operating table can include the adjustment of at least one bearing surface segments and / or the operation of a further medical device which is connected to the operating table. The further medical device could in this case be, for example, a ventilator, a diagnostic device, a heating element or the like, which is supplied with energy by the device described above. In particular, with accessories that can be connected to the operating table, it may be important that the system voltage can be kept constant for a long time. The device described above also allows a constant system voltage through the DC-DC converter and the parallel connection of the accumulators, even if individual accumulators are discharged or defective.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of powering a medical device, comprising:

Providing a plurality of accumulators (7);

Converting the output voltage of the accumulators (7) to a preset voltage value; and

Preferably, supplying the converted voltages in parallel via associated diode circuits (11) for operating at least one medical function (6)

Device (1).

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of powering a medical device. At this time, a plurality of accumulators are provided, and the respective output voltages of the accumulators are respectively converted to a preset voltage value. It should be noted that also accumulators of different design and size, each with different output voltages, can be used, since after the conversion all accumulators output the same, preset voltage value. The converted voltages are supplied via associated diode circuits for operation of at least one function of the medical device.

The features, functions and advantages explained above in connection with the device according to the invention can also be combined with the method according to the invention and vice versa. In another aspect, the present invention provides a device for powering a DC powered medical device having a variable number of accumulators and a power supply, wherein the output voltage of the device corresponds to the rated voltage range of the power supply and is independent of the working voltage range over a wide range the individual accumulators and the number of accumulators.

In this case, the individual accumulators are connected in parallel via downstream electronics so that they can be charged individually from the latter with an active power supply and with an active power supply or a load at the output voltage which exceeds the performance of the power supply, their performance and condition Accordingly, the output voltage can provide or support, the accumulators are associated with one or more DC-DC converter, which increase the battery voltage to the output voltage.

Brief description of the drawings

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or corresponding elements respectively.

1 shows a schematic overview of an operating table as an exemplary medical device, in which the device according to an embodiment can be used;

Fig. 2 shows a diagram of a device according to a first embodiment; and

3 shows a diagram of a device according to a second embodiment.

Detailed description

In the following description, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, but are intended to illustrate the respective features only schematically.

It should be understood that the features and components described below may be combined with each other regardless of whether they have been described in connection with a single embodiment. The combination of features in the respective embodiments is merely illustrative of the basic structure and operation of the claimed device.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a mobile operating table 1 with a foot 2 and a patient support surface 3, which has movable segments 4, such as head or footrests. In the foot 2, a device 5 is accommodated for power supply, which will be described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 2. As shown schematically in Fig. 2, the device 5 is used to power various table functions 6, such as an adjustment of the patient support surface, a drive for moving the mobile operating table 1 or to power auxiliary equipment, which can be attached to the operating table 1. Examples of electrically operated auxiliary devices are foot switches or in general operating devices.

The device 5 comprises several accumulators 7, usually two or four accumulators or accumulator packs 7 are provided. For charging the accumulators 7, a switching power supply SNT 8 is provided. Here, for example, a SNT 8 with wide-range input (90V - 240V) can be used, which can be used for a wide range of mains voltages.

Each accumulator 7 is connected to a DC-DC converter 9, which converts the DC voltage of the accumulator 7 into a DC voltage having a predetermined value, such as 48V. It can be provided that all DC-DC converters 9 each provide the same voltage value as a system voltage of the operating table 1, or it can be provided that different system voltages are provided for the operation of individual components or accessories of the operating table 1. In this case, a group of accumulators 7 with associated DC-DC converters 9 can each be set to a specific voltage value, wherein in each case the DC-DC converters 9, which generate the same voltage value, are connected in parallel.

Furthermore, each accumulator 7 is assigned its own charging unit 10, so that the accumulators 7 can each be charged in parallel via the SNT 8, wherein each charging unit 10 provides the associated accumulator 7 with a suitable charging current.

The DC-DC converters 9 are in turn connected in parallel via diodes 11 (first diode circuits) in order to supply the table functions 6 with energy and to prevent unwanted current flow between the accumulators 7. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the SNT 8 is connected via a further diode 12 with the table functions 6, so as to enable a network operation of the operating table 1, while again undesirable current flow from the accumulators 7 to the SNT 8 and the loading units 10 is prevented. In Fig. 3, a second embodiment of the device 5 is shown. This differs from the first embodiment described above in that the diodes 11 are each integrated as a diode structure in the DC-DC converter 9 '. As a result, no separate first diode circuits 11 must be provided. Furthermore, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, no separate diode 12 is provided between the switching power supply 8 'and the table functions 6. Instead, an integrated diode structure is provided at the output of the switched-mode power supply 8 'of this embodiment, and it is further provided that the charging units 10' are switched off when the SNT 8 'is not supplied with voltage, ie when the SNT 8' is switched off or Power plug of the SNT 8 'is pulled. It should be noted that individual aspects of the first and second embodiments shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 may be combined with each other. For example, the DC-DC converters 9 'with integrated diode structures shown in FIG. 3 may be combined with the separate diode 12 between SNT 8 and desk functions 6 as shown in FIG. Furthermore, the SNT 8 'with the integrated diode structure and the turn-off charging units 10' of FIG. 3 with the DC-DC converters 9, each with separate, associated diode circuits 11, as shown in Fig. 2, combined.

The operation of the device 5 according to the above-described embodiments in different operation modes will be described below.

Mains operation (charging):

The SNT 8 supplies the charging units 10 connected in parallel. The charging units 10 provide the charging voltages for one accumulator 7 each. The SNT 8 supplies the table functions 6 in parallel, in which the secondary voltage of the SNT 8 is equal to the system voltage for the operating table 1. It is also conceivable that the SNT 8 provides different output voltages to different table functions 6, such as at the operating table 1 connected accessories that require different system voltages to supply.

Battery:

In battery mode, the system voltage and thus the energy for the table functions 6 are provided by the parallel-connected accumulators 7. In this case, DC / DC converters 9 are used, which adapt the accumulator voltage to a stable system voltage. In the first embodiment shown in Fig. 2, diodes 11, 12 can prevent the accumulators 7 and the SNT 8 from interacting (e.g., charging). In this case, on the one hand, each accumulator 7 is assigned a diode 11 in order to prevent mutual charging of the accumulators 7 in the parallel circuit for supplying the table functions 6. On the other hand, a further diode 12 is provided between SNT 8 and table functions 6 in order to prevent current flow from the accumulators 7 to the SNT 8. Here are ideally ideal diodes 11, 12 used to achieve a reliable barrier effect.

In the second embodiment shown in FIG. 3, instead of the separate diode circuits 11, 12, respective diode structures are provided, which are integrated in the DC-DC converters 9 'and in the SNT 8', respectively, but which fulfill the same function as described above described diodes 11, 12th

The concept is applicable to any number of parallel connected accumulators 7 or loading units 10 and DC-DC converters 9, 9 '.

The charging units 10, 10 'and DC-DC converters 9, 9' can be accommodated in a control unit 13, to which the accumulators 7 can be connected in each case. As a result, individual accumulators 7 can each be easily replaced and replaced, while the electronic components of the control unit 13 each remain unchanged and possibly only to the requirements (voltage conversion, charging current, capacity) of an exchanged accumulator 7 are adjusted.

In this case, it would be possible for the control unit 13 to be configurable and thus to be adapted automatically or manually to accumulators 7 of different types. For example, the respective properties of an accumulator 7 to be connected could be read out by the control unit 13 via a chip arranged on the accumulator. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the control unit 13 has a modular design, and the corresponding module or modules can be exchanged for the use of different types of accumulators. In this case, the modules can also be provided in each case directly on the accumulator.

The parallel connection according to the invention for supplying energy to an operating table and the accompanying parallel charging technology have the following advantages:

1.) Resistance to failure: In the case of serial operation and thus the addition of the battery voltages to the system voltage, no further operation is possible if a battery fails (voltage dip). In the parallel connection of accumulators 7, as realized in the embodiment described above, an accumulator 7 can fail without the system voltage changing. Here then limits only the

Total capacity, another operation is possible.

2.) Higher quality energy storage: In serial operation, the quality (availability,

Internal resistance, capacity ...) of the entire energy storage only as good as that of the weakest element in the chain. In a parallel connection with independent

Energy cells this is not the case. Each cell is used optimally according to its performance. The combination of accumulators 7 with different capacities and designs is thus feasible.

3.) More stable and adjustable system voltage: When a system is directly supplied by accumulators connected in series, due to the charge levels of the batteries

Batteries, to voltage fluctuations. By conditioning the system voltage by means of DC / DC converters 9, variations are less, with the result that e.g. Actuators for moving components of the operating table 1 can be operated permanently at the optimum operating point. The adjustability of the system voltage makes it possible to optimize system parameters even in later stages of the development of a surgical table. Furthermore, actuators and other desktop function elements can be selected more flexibly, as the system voltage can be adapted later to changing requirements, accessories and functions. For example, in standby mode, the system voltage can be reduced to save energy or reduce the risk of unwanted operation of the system

Reduce table functions.

4.) More flexible operating table design: The number and size of the battery is serial

Operation depends on the selected system voltage eg 48V system voltage requires 4 x 12V batteries. In parallel operation, the number and design of the Accumulators 7 are adapted to the installation options, taking into account capacity and safety requirements. Furthermore, it is possible for additional accumulators 7 to be used optionally if the requirements for the storage capacity also vary with design variants (eg in the case of the option of a travel drive for a mobile operating table).

Thus, the device according to the invention and the method according to the invention by the parallel connection of the accumulators 7 also allow the reliable operation safety-critical accessories and functions on a mobile operating table 1, since the system voltage can be kept constant even if the output voltage of an accumulator 7 drops.

It should be emphasized that a DC / DC converter does not necessarily have to be connected downstream of each battery, but it is also possible to first connect the batteries in parallel via a kind of decoupling circuit and then to connect the voltage to one or more DC / DC converters. To lead converters.

By means of the decoupling circuit it would be possible to switch off faulty rechargeable batteries and operate batteries with different charges at the same time, without resulting in excessive equalizing currents.

This variant would be cheaper and more space-saving to implement.

Claims

claims

1. A device (5) for powering a medical device (1), comprising a plurality of rechargeable batteries (7), wherein the rechargeable batteries at least one DC-DC

Associated with transducer (9; 9 '),

wherein the voltage of the accumulators (7) is converted to a preset voltage value by means of the at least one DC-DC converter (9; 9 '), and preferably wherein the converted voltages of the accumulators (7) in each case via a first diode circuit (11) in parallel for operating at least one function (6) of the medical device (1) are connected.

2. Device (5) according to claim 1, wherein each accumulator (7) is further associated with a loading unit (10; 10 ').

3. Device (5) according to claim 2, wherein a power supply, preferably a switching power supply (8;

8 ') is provided, with which the respective loading units (10, 10') are connected in parallel in order to load the respective associated accumulators (7).

4. Apparatus (5) according to claim 3, wherein the power supply (8; 8 ') is connected in parallel with the converted voltages of the accumulators (7) via another diode circuit (12) to supply energy to the at least one function (6) of the medical device.

5. Device (5) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first diode circuit as a diode structure in each case in the associated DC-DC converter (9 ') is integrated.

6. Device (5) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the converted voltage for each accumulator (7) is dependent on the state of charge and / or the voltage of the accumulator (7).

The device (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the DC-DC converters (9; 9 ') are configured to provide a constant converted voltage even if the output voltage of the associated accumulator (7) drops ,

8. Device (5) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a control unit (13) is provided, which comprises the DC-DC converter (9; 9 ') and the associated first diode circuits (11), and wherein the control unit (13) is designed such that the accumulators (7) in each case to associated DC-DC converter (9) and diode circuits (11) in the control unit (13) can be connected.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the control unit (13) further comprises for each accumulator (7) an associated charging unit (10; 10 '). Operating table (1), comprising a device (5) according to one of claims 1 to 9 for supplying energy to at least one function (6) of the operating table (1).

An operating table (1) according to claim 10, wherein the at least one function (6) of the operating table comprises the adjustment of at least one bearing surface segment (4) and / or the operation of a further medical device connected to the operating table (1).

Method for supplying energy to a medical device (1), comprising:

Providing a plurality of accumulators (7);

Preferably, supplying the converted voltages in parallel via associated diode circuits (11) for operating at least one function (6) of the medical device (1).