Abstract:
A charging base has a generally C-shaped housing and a charging element. The generally C-shaped housing has an upper part and a lower part. The upper part has an upper surface substantially parallel to a lower surface and an opening extending from the upper surface to the lower surface. The opening has a first width and a second width. A notch is located at the intersection of the first width and the second width. The lower part has a beveled surface generally parallel to and beneath the lower surface of the upper part. The charging element, which provides power to recharge a battery, is located beneath the beveled surface of the lower part. The opening and notch are configured to hold a rechargeable assembly alternately in a first charging position and a second ready position

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a charging base and more particularly to an easy cleaning C-shaped charging base for use with rechargeable medical devices. 
     Numerous medical and surgical devices include rechargeable batteries. These devices are used until the battery charge is depleted, when they must be recharged. The recharging process involves connecting the rechargeable battery to a power source in any of a number of different ways. In some cases, the battery is removed from the medical device and placed in a charger. In other cases, the battery is sealed inside the medical device or a rechargeable assembly that can be removed from the device and recharged. 
     In other cases, the rechargeable assembly may include components in addition to a battery or battery pack. In some devices, a disposable segment is attached to a reusable segment. This reusable segment includes a battery or battery pack in addition to other components that can be reused. For example, an actuator, controller, and other reusable components can be placed in a reusable assembly along with a battery pack. This reusable assembly may then be connected to a disposable assembly that includes parts that cannot be reused. 
     One commonly known example of this is the electric toothbrush. A typical electric toothbrush includes a reusable segment that includes a battery and components that drive the brushing action. The disposable segment includes the brush itself and various mechanical components that transfer motion to the brush. When the brush wears out, it can be discarded and another disposable brush segment can be attached. 
     The reusable segment, however, must be recharged using a charging base. Current charging bases are not designed to optimize sanitary conditions. Most charging bases include surfaces or interfaces that collect liquid and other debris. In addition, typical charging bases do not allow for placement of a device in an ergonomic position. It would be desirable to have a charging base that addresses these problems. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one embodiment consistent with the principles of the present invention, the present invention is a charging base having a generally C-shaped housing and a charging element. The generally C-shaped housing has an upper part and a lower part. The upper part has an upper surface substantially parallel to a lower surface and an opening extending from the upper surface to the lower surface. The opening has a first width and a second width. A notch is located at the intersection of the first width and the second width. The lower part has a beveled surface generally parallel to and beneath the lower surface of the upper part. The charging element, which provides power to recharge a battery, is located beneath the beveled surface of the lower part. The opening and notch are configured to hold a rechargeable assembly alternately in a first charging position and a second ready position. 
     In another embodiment consistent with the principles of the present invention, the present invention is a charging system having a generally C-shaped housing, a charging element, and a rechargeable assembly. The generally C-shaped housing has an upper part and a lower part. The upper part has an upper surface substantially parallel to a lower surface and an opening extending from the upper surface to the lower surface. The opening has a first width and a second width. A notch is located at the intersection of the first width and the second width. The lower part has a beveled surface generally parallel to and beneath the lower surface of the upper part. The charging element, which provides power to recharge a battery, is located beneath the beveled surface of the lower part. The opening and notch are configured to hold a rechargeable assembly alternately in a first charging position and a second ready position. The rechargeable assembly has a generally tapered housing and a rechargeable battery located in the housing. 
     In another embodiment consistent with the principles of the present invention, the present invention is a charging system having a generally C-shaped housing, a charging element, and a rechargeable assembly. The generally C-shaped housing has an upper part and a lower part. The upper part has an upper surface substantially parallel to a lower surface and an opening extending from the upper surface to the lower surface. The opening has a first width and a second width. A notch is located at the intersection of the first width and the second width. The lower part has a beveled surface generally parallel to and beneath the lower surface of the upper part. The charging element, which provides power to recharge a battery, is located beneath the beveled surface of the lower part. The rechargeable assembly has a generally tapered housing and a rechargeable battery located in the housing. The opening and notch are configured to hold the rechargeable assembly alternately in a first charging position in which the rechargeable assembly is located over the charging element, and a second ready position in which the rechargeable assembly is located in a position that extends upward from the upper surface of the upper part. 
     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. The following description, as well as the practice of the invention, set forth and suggest additional advantages and purposes of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
         FIG. 1  is one view of a rechargeable assembly for use with a C-shaped charging base according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is one view of a rechargeable assembly for use with a C-shaped charging base according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a cross section view of a rechargeable assembly for use with a C-shaped charging base according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a cross section view of a rechargeable assembly for use with a C-shaped charging base according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a side cross section view of a C-shaped charging base according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a front view of a C-shaped charging base according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7A  is a side view of a C-shaped charging base holding a rechargeable assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 7B and 7C  are detail cross section views of a C-shaped charging base holding a rechargeable assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of a C-shaped charging base holding a rechargeable assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference is now made in detail to the exemplary embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. 
       FIG. 1  is one view of a rechargeable assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 1 , rechargeable assembly  100  includes a housing  110  and a switch  120 . Switch  120  is adapted to provide an input to a medical device system. For example, switch  120  may be used to activate a system or to initiate a process. Other switches, buttons, or user-directed control inputs are commonly known and may be employed with rechargeable assembly  100 . Housing  110  is tapered as shown. Such a taper provides for positioning rechargeable assembly  100  in a charging base as detailed below. 
       FIG. 2  is another embodiment of a rechargeable assembly according to the principles of the present invention. Rechargeable assembly  100  includes a button  150 , a display  160 , and a housing  170 . Button  150  is actuated to provide an input to the system. As with switch  120 , button  150  may activate a feature of the system. Display  160  is a liquid crystal display, segmented display, or other device that indicates a status or condition of the system. Housing  170  is tapered as shown. In this case the taper extends along a significant portion of rechargeable assembly  100  and is slightly curved. As described below, this taper allows for the ergonomic placement of rechargeable assembly in the charging base of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a cross section view of a rechargeable assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 3 , rechargeable assembly  100  includes rechargeable battery  310 , controller  305 , battery controller  315 , and inductive element  320 . 
     Controller  305  is typically an integrated circuit with power, input, and output pins capable of performing logic functions. In various embodiments, controller  305  is a targeted device controller. In such a case, controller  305  performs specific control functions targeted to a specific device or component, such as a rechargeable battery. In other embodiments, controller  305  is a microprocessor. In such a case, controller  305  is programmable so that it can function to control more than one component of the device. In other cases, controller  305  is not a programmable microprocessor, but instead is a special purpose controller configured to control different components that perform different functions. While depicted as one component in  FIG. 3 , controller  305  may be made of many different components or integrated circuits. 
     Rechargeable battery  310  is typically a lithium ion battery, although other types of batteries may be employed. In addition, any other type of power cell is appropriate for rechargeable battery  310 . Rechargeable battery  310  provides power to the medical device. 
     Battery controller  315  and inductive element  320  control the charging of rechargeable battery  310 . Battery controller  315  includes circuitry that may perform any of a number of different functions related to the charging, monitoring, and maintenance of rechargeable battery  310 . In other embodiments, Battery  315  may be implemented in or integrated into controller  305 . 
     To charge rechargeable battery  310 , a current is induced in inductive element  320  when it is placed near another inductive element in a charging base (not shown). This induced current charges rechargeable battery  310 . 
       FIG. 4  is a cross section view of a rechargeable assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 4 , rechargeable assembly  100  includes rechargeable battery  310 , controller  305 , battery controller  315 , and charging contacts  325 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 13 , contacts  325  interface with contacts on a charging base (not shown) to provide power to rechargeable battery  310 . In one embodiment, contacts  325  are a mini-USB connection. Other types of connectors may also be used. 
       FIG. 5  is a side cross section view of a C-shaped charging base according to an embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 5 , charging base  500  is generally in the shape of the letter “C” and has an upper part  501  and a lower part  502 . Upper part  501  has an upper surface  512  and a lower surface  514 . Charging base  500  has an opening  510  extending from upper surface  512  of upper part  501  to lower surface  514  of upper part  501 . A rechargeable assembly may be inserted into opening  510 . Opening  510  includes a notch  520 . Charging base  500  also includes a charging element  530  and a surface  540  located in lower part  502 . 
     Charging base  500  is generally C-shaped as shown and has an upper part  501  that includes opening  510  and a lower part  502  that includes charging element  530 . Upper part may also be shaped with a slanting front section as shown. Opening  510  is shaped to accept a rechargeable assembly. When the rechargeable assembly is generally cylindrical in shape, then opening may also be generally cylindrical in shape. Opening  510  is configured to receive a rechargeable assembly and to hold it in the positions shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . Notch  520  is located on the surface of charging base  500  bounded by opening  510 . Notch  520  may be implemented as one or more tabs or protrusions. Notch may also extend around the entire periphery of opening  510 . Notch  510  is located where the two different widths of opening  510  meet. In this manner, opening  510  has two different widths—a larger upper width and a smaller lower width. Charging element  530  is flush with surface  540  to facilitate sanitary conditions and ease of cleaning. 
     Charging base  500  is typically made of a plastic or polymer material that can be easily cleaned. Charging base  500  may also be encased in a waterproof housing so that it can be submerged in water. This housing may be coated so that it repels liquids such as water. It may also be coated or embedded with a bacterial-resistant material to maintain a sterile condition. In one embodiment, a silver embedded polymer may be employed. Other materials suitable for autoclaving may also be employed to make charging base  500 . 
       FIG. 6  is a front view of a C-shaped charging base according to an embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 6 , surface  540  is beveled. This beveling allows liquids to shed off surface  540 . A slight peak in or near the middle of surface  540  slopes gradually to the right and left hand sides of surface  540 . 
       FIG. 7A  is a side view of a C-shaped charging base holding a rechargeable assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. Rechargeable assembly  100  is received in opening  510  and held such that its bottom surface rests on or just above charging element  530 . Notch  520  and surface  540  are also depicted. 
     In  FIG. 7A , notch  520  is configured so that rechargeable assembly  100  is held so that its bottom surface rests on or just above charging element  530 . The tapered design of rechargeable assembly  100  and the configuration of notch  520  allow the rechargeable assembly  100  to be held in such a position. In this position, rechargeable assembly  100  is held securely in place so that it can be recharged by charging base  500 . 
       FIGS. 7B and 7C  are detail cross section views of a portion of a C-shaped charging base holding a rechargeable assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. These views correspond to the dashed rectangle in  FIG. 7A .  FIG. 7B  depicts an inductive charging system.  FIG. 7C  depicts a charging system utilizing contacts. 
     In  FIG. 7B , base inductive element  710  induces a current in inductive element  320  to charge the battery. As is commonly known, the two inductive elements  320 ,  710  are magnetically coupled so that a current passing through one element induces a current in the other element. This induced current can be used to charge a battery. Base inductive element  710  is located just beneath surface  540 . 
     In  FIG. 7C , the battery is charged by a direct electrical connection between contacts  325  on rechargeable assembly  100  and base contacts  720 . As noted, any suitable type of electrical contacts may be employed. Base contacts  720  are flush with surface  540 . 
       FIG. 8  is a side view of a C-shaped charging base holding a rechargeable assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this configuration, notch  540  supports the wider end of rechargeable assembly  100 . Rechargeable assembly  100  is thus held in an ergonomic position. In this position, rechargeable assembly  100  can be easily grasped and used. When in this position, it is also apparent that rechargeable assembly  100  has been charged and is ready for use. 
     From the above, it may be appreciated that the present invention provides an improved charging base for use with medical devices. The present invention provides a charging base configured for easy cleaning. The charging base of the present invention is also designed to maintain sanitary conditions. The present invention is illustrated herein by example, and various modifications may be made by a person of ordinary skill in the art. 
     While the present invention is described in the context of a drug delivery device, the present invention encompasses any medical device. Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.