Aseptic transfer devices, systems, and methods for maintaining the sterility of surgical instruments
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. A method comprising:
releasably engaging a battery jacket with a battery assembly while the battery assembly is operably coupled to a battery charging device;
transferring the battery jacket, having the battery assembly engaged thereto, from the battery charging device 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.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein releasably engaging the battery jacket with the battery assembly includes inserting the battery jacket about the battery assembly.
3. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the battery jacket is releasably engaged about the battery assembly via a snap-fit engagement.
4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the battery jacket is inserted at least partially into the handle of the battery-powered surgical instrument and releasably engaged therein.
5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein releasably engaging the battery jacket with the handle of the battery-powered surgical instrument sealingly encloses the battery assembly within the handle of the battery-powered surgical instrument.
6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the battery jacket is releasably engaged within the handle of the battery-powered surgical instrument via a snap-fit engagement.
7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein transferring the battery jacket to the battery-powered surgical instrument includes transferring the battery jacket from a non-sterile environment into a sterile environment.
8. The method according to claim 1 , further including:
disengaging the battery jacket from the handle of the battery-powered surgical instrument; and
withdrawing the battery jacket, having the battery assembly engaged therein, from the battery-powered surgical instrument.
9. The method according to claim 8 , further including:
transferring the battery jacket to the battery charging device; and
manipulating the battery jacket to operably couple the battery assembly to the battery charging device.
10. The method according to claim 9 , further including disengaging the battery jacket from about the battery assembly.
11. The method according to claim 10 , further including sterilizing the battery jacket.