Patent ID: 8344691

Claim:
A retrofitting, inductive-battery-charging device for use with a surgical sterilization device, the retrofitting charging device comprising: an inductively powered battery-charging platform that is sterilizable inside a surgical sterilization device and has at least one electrical contact shaped to conductively contact at least one corresponding electrical battery contact of at least one rechargeable battery of a battery-operated surgical instrument when the rechargeable battery is placed at the platform; a power supply operable to receive power from an electric mains; and an inductive charging assembly having: an inductive-power-supply sub-assembly electrically connected to the power supply and operable to supply power inductively over a distance at least equal to a width of a wall of the surgical sterilization device; and an inductive-power-receiver sub-assembly that is sterilizable inside the surgical sterilization device and electrically coupled to the at least one electrical contact of the platform, the inductive-power-receiver sub-assembly being operable: to supply charging power to the at least one electrical contact of the platform for charging the at least one rechargeable battery when placed at the platform; and to inductively receive electrical power from the inductive-power-supply subassembly at least over the distance.