Aseptic transfer devices, systems, and methods for maintaining the sterility of surgical instruments

Abstract

A method of transferring a battery assembly to a battery-powered surgical instrument includes releasably engaging a battery jacket with the battery assembly, transferring the battery jacket, having the battery assembly engaged thereto, to a battery-powered surgical instrument, and releasably engaging the battery jacket with a handle of the battery-powered surgical instrument such that the battery assembly is electrically coupled to the battery-powered surgical instrument and such that the battery jacket and the handle cooperate to enclose the battery assembly therein. Aseptic battery jackets for such use are also provided.

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A system, comprising:
 a battery-powered surgical instrument including a housing, a shaft extending distally from the housing, and an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end of the shaft, the housing including a handle;   a battery assembly; and   a battery jacket defining an interior area configured to receive and releasably engage at least a portion of the battery assembly therein, the battery jacket configured for insertion at least partially into the handle of the battery-powered surgical instrument in releasable engagement therewith to operably couple the battery assembly to the battery-powered surgical instrument and enclose the battery assembly therein.   
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 13 , wherein the battery assembly is a non-sterilizable, reusable component. 
     
     
         15 . The system according to  claim 14 , wherein the battery jacket is disposable or sterilizable. 
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 13 , wherein the battery jacket includes at least one first engagement member and wherein the battery assembly includes at least one second engagement member, the first and second engagement members configured to releasably engage one another to releasably engage the battery jacket and battery assembly to one another upon insertion of the battery jacket about the batter assembly. 
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 16 , wherein the first and second engagement members are configured for releasable snap-fit engagement with one another. 
     
     
         18 . The system according to  claim 13 , wherein the battery jacket defines a body portion having an open first end and a closed second end defining a lip, the battery jacket including a gasket disposed about the body portion adjacent the lip, the gasket configured to sealingly engage the battery assembly between the battery jacket and the handle of the battery-powered surgical instrument upon releasable engagement of the battery jacket with the handle of the battery-powered surgical instrument. 
     
     
         19 . The system according to  claim 13 , further including a battery charging device configured to operably couple to the battery assembly. 
     
     
         20 . The system according to  claim 19 , wherein the battery jacket is releasably engagable with the battery assembly when the battery assembly is operably coupled to the battery charging device and without interrupting the operable coupling therebetween. 
     
     
         21 . A system, comprising:
 a surgical instrument handle;   a battery assembly including an outer housing, at least one battery disposed within the outer housing, and battery circuitry disposed within the outer housing; and   a battery jacket configured to removably receive the battery assembly therein and releasably engage at least a portion of the outer housing of the battery assembly, the battery jacket and the battery assembly together configured for insertion at least partially into the handle of the surgical instrument to electrically couple the battery assembly to the handle of the surgical instrument.   
     
     
         22 . The system according to  claim 21 , wherein the surgical instrument further includes a shaft extending distally from the handle and an end effector assembly extending distally from the shaft. 
     
     
         23 . The system according to  claim 21 , wherein the battery assembly is a non-sterilizable, reusable component and the battery jacket is disposable or sterilizable. 
     
     
         24 . The system according to  claim 21 , wherein the battery jacket includes at least one first engagement member and wherein the outer housing of the battery assembly includes at least one second engagement member, the first and second engagement members configured to releasably engage one another to releasably engage the battery jacket about the outer housing of the battery assembly. 
     
     
         25 . The system according to  claim 24 , wherein the first and second engagement members are configured for releasable snap-fit engagement with one another. 
     
     
         26 . The system according to  claim 21 , further including a battery charging device configured to charge the battery pack of the battery assembly. 
     
     
         27 . The system according to  claim 26 , wherein the battery charging device is configured to charge the battery pack of the battery assembly with the battery jacket engaged about the outer housing of the battery assembly. 
     
     
         28 . The system according to  claim 26 , wherein the battery charging device is configured to charge the battery pack of the battery assembly without the battery jacket engaged about the outer housing of the battery assembly. 
     
     
         29 . The system according to  claim 26 , wherein the battery charging device is configured to charge the battery pack of the battery assembly with the battery jacket engaged about the outer housing of the battery assembly and without the battery jacket engaged about the outer housing of the battery assembly. 
     
     
         30 . The system according to  claim 29 , wherein engagement or disengagement of the battery jacket from about the outer housing of the battery assembly does not interrupt charging.