MEDICAL BATTERY

Your Complete Buying Guide for Medical Battery in 2021

As the technology is emerging everyday, just like this medical equipment are becoming more smart and they are mostly running on the medical Battery. 

From a very small device to check blood pressure to running a patient cart/beds, Portable Ultrasound, CPAP/BIPAP Machines everything needs a medical battery to run these function properly and accurately. 

In this guide, we will be explaining every bit of the details related to the medical battery. Let’s know more about this. 

This buying is covering the different features you need to know before making a buying decision. Let’s know more about this. 

• 1.What is a Medical Battery?
• 2.What are the Uses of Medical Battery?
• 3.What are the advantages of the Medical Battery?
• 4.What are the disadvantages of the Medical Battery?
• 5.Is there any battery backup for medical equipment?
• 6.Which type of the medical device battery is used most?
• 7.What kind of Medical Battery does hospitals use?
• 8.What is the best battery for Medical Usages?
• 9.What are the 3 types of batteries used in Medical?
• 10.What are the most reliable Medical batteries?
• 11.Which Medical Battery last longest?
• 12.Can i leave my Medical Battery fully charged?
• 13.Is there any chance of explosion of the Medical battery?

1.What is a Medical Battery?

Batteries used in the medical field are known as medical batteries. These batteries are used in various medical devices for example pacemakers, critical care equipment, drug delivery, cardiovascular devices and etc. batteries used in the medical field are more efficient and long-lasting but require extra care and maintenance.  

2.What are the Uses of Medical Battery?

Batteries have made a tremendous revolution in the medical field. They are used comprehensively all over the world. With quality and a longer life span guaranteed it is used in different fields of medical sciences. These fields are mentioned below

• Powered Medical Carts & Beds

• Medical Delivery Pumps & Devices

• Portable Ultrasound, CPAP/BIPAP Machines

• Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs)

• Remote Patient Monitoring

• Powered Surgical Drills, Surgical Headlights

• Handheld Dental Devices

• Digital X-ray Imaging

• Blood Analyzers

3.What are the advantages of the Medical Battery?

With battery power, medical team can concentrate on patient care rather than the mechanics of the constant back and forward. Staff will profit from the improved process because it will reduce their assignment.

Medical carts today are compact and ergonomically built. This makes it simple to move them from one patient to the next. They may be kept clean with disinfecting wipes, easy vacuuming to minimize dust buildup, and battery system repairs consistently to assure care.

Patient satisfaction improves as a result of increased efficiency and less stressed staff, which is a win-win situation for your entire facility. When you engage with a reputable medical supplier, you can rest assured that you're obtaining the greatest medical carts for your clinic.

4.What are the disadvantages of the Medical Battery?

The disadvantages of the medical batteries are that there is so much risk is involved, this risk includes the heating of the battery which leaves patients life in danger at various levels, it also includes leakage in an electrolyte (dangerous material can be a leak from cells), lowering capacity (battery does not supply power to its full capacity as it was designed for a specific runtime), many other causes can lead to battery failures.

Custom made small-sized batteries are often used because it provides space savings but they have very high risk due to complex assemblage. Issues occurred within the battery can lead to early degradation or short-circuits. These defects occur due to the non-correct positioning of the cell main components.

Sometimes the impurity can reach the battery which makes it difficult to charge or discharge and the battery overheats. Cells are often customized to get high currents or space-saving but such customization often leads to unbalancing of cells which creates short circuits. In short, battery customization can lead to various complications if not understood well by the manufacturer. Functioning at the extremes of these arrays can outcome in a great performance, but it also raises the chance of failure owing to early aging and reduced run-time. One of the most apparent consequences of mismatched battery capabilities and device power consumption is decreased run-time as the device matures. This sort of failure has a daily impact on the patient and reduces faith in the medical equipment and therapy. In the consumer device sector, often charging an old phone is okay, but a medical gadget that supports essential tasks will be held to a higher standard. Reduced runtime can potentially result in therapy delivery failure, which can be fatal for essential equipment.

Charge/discharge with excessive currents, over-charge or over-discharge to excessively high or low voltages, or functioning in over/under temperature circumstances are all examples of how a poorly constructed charging circuit can cause the battery to perform outside of its specifications. For example, if a patient with an implantable neurostimulator fails to charge the device when told, the stimulus should be spontaneously stopped by the circuit to avoid cell over-discharge, which leads to cell swelling and electrolyte leakage.

Wireless charging is sweeping the consumer electronics industry, making it suitable for implanted medical devices due to its contactless nature. However, safety concerns must be considered to ensure that implanted medical equipment is not subjected to unintentional charging caused by cross-talk from other adjacent devices. Protection measures should be built into the charging circuit to ensure that the cell is always charged to specifications.

A good battery system will have a superior, well-made cell, as well as a BMU and charging circuits that minimize the cell's exposure to harmful circumstances. A thorough examination and testing can disclose ways to reduce battery system failures, and if faults are discovered, careful analysis can show ways to mitigate them.

5.Is there any battery backup for medical equipment?

Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS Systems) is intended to supply unpolluted, accustomed, and continuous power to your medical equipment.

The terms uninterruptible power supply (UPS) and battery backup are frequently used interchangeably. The term UPS, on the other hand, refers to a more complex form of battery backup. To put it another way, all continuous power sources are battery backups with greater protection rates.

We understand how important it is for you to keep your gadget functioning when it is intended to. We also understand that your utility business cannot always supply consistent power to all of its consumers while directing on large-scale supply.

UPS systems offer battery backup for life-sustaining medical equipment in the case of an emergency, in addition to diagnostic equipment. Patients who rely on dialysis, ventilators, anesthetic machines and other medical devices require a constant power source to get treatment and assistance during their recovery.

6.Which type of the medical device battery is used most?

Lithium batteries are the most popular battery kinds on the market. They have the greatest energy density of any battery cell, which means they can store more energy than alkaline batteries. Although lithium batteries are only available in AA, AAA, and 9V sizes, their mAh values much outnumber those of any other battery. A single AA lithium battery has a capacity of 2,700-3,400 mAh. 

These batteries satisfy the most stringent dependability, durability, and efficiency criteria, which is why they are utilized in medical equipment and devices such as prosthetics, remote monitoring, critical care, breathing support, operating theatres, and patient mobility. High-power, high-energy batteries provide unrivaled performance, are appropriate for the widest range of working circumstances and are extremely dependable, indisputably safe, thanks to their extended life solutions.

Pros

• When compared to other battery types, they can last up to 4 times longer.

• Light-weight for portable devices

• For heavy-duty usage

• Work well in outdoor equipment like torches, even in severe temperatures.

• The batteries have a shelf life of 10-12 years and will not leak or explode, making them ideal for use in emergency equipment.

Cons

• Costs a lot more than other battery kinds.

• Highly flammable; must be disposed of in a certain manner and cannot be thrown away.

• They aren't available in larger battery sizes like C or D.

7.What kind of Medical Battery does a hospital use?

When it comes to assessing battery life, three types of medical batteries are often found in hospitals and clinical settings and it's vital to be able to distinguish between them.

Removable batteries:

Removable batteries are charged at the stations provided for charging by nurses and have them analyzed regularly at the service center. Typical applications include diabetes monitoring, infusion pumps, defibrillators and surgical instruments.

Built-in batteries:

Batteries are gradually being made into devices and are charged while they are attached to the grid. The BioMed technician maintains the battery by opening the device. Modern defibrillators, patient monitoring, ventilators, and surgical instruments are examples of common applications.

Standby batteries:

Standby batteries are integrated into mobile equipment and serve as a backup during transportation and at the bedside. Lead-acid batteries still make up the majority of these batteries. If the nurse remembers to attach the AC cord, the discharge depth is little. COW (Computer-on-Wheels) blood transfusion devices and portable x-ray machines are two examples of typical applications.

This is why battery testing is so important: it shows you where each battery in your fleet is in its life cycle, eliminates possible risks, and ensures quality assurance with an exact time and date stamp.

8.What is the best battery for Medical Usages?

Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries have become best in medical equipment in recent years. Lithium-ion batteries are being developed for medical devices that are both non-implantable and implantable. This battery system's high voltage, energy density, and unique features make it an enabling technology for medical devices in some instances.

In added situations, the lithium-ion technology gives patients who utilize these devices more ease. Lithium-ion batteries, particularly for implanted medical devices, must be developed and mass-produced to the maximum quality and dependability requirements.

Under electrical and mechanical circumstances, different cylindrical and prismatic cells were characterized for safety. Cycle testing at various charge and discharge rates show that the lithium-ion battery may be used in medical equipment as a nontoxic and real power source.

Implantable devices such as neurostimulators, cardiac pacemakers, cardiac defibrillators, and drug pumps have employed primary lithium batteries. Secondary lithium-ion batteries have been utilized in the operation of left ventricular assist devices, complete artificial hearts, and implanted hearing aids.

Preventative maintenance of battery-powered mobile medical carts

• Look for evidence of deterioration, such as bulging, swelling, or cracking, on batteries.

• Report any damaged batteries to the manufacturer.

• Check for overheated components in battery chargers and carts holding chargers.

• Vacuum around battery chargers and charging carts to eliminate dust and lint.

• Don't use batteries that aren't fully charged. Confirm that batteries are changed conferring to the manufacturer's commendations.

• Conduct a battery charger assessment, ensuring that all chargers are placed in readily visible, fire-resistant places away from open oxygen sources.

• Chargers and charging carts should not be installed in restricted places.

9.What are the 3 types of batteries used in Medical?

With the technology innovation and increasing demand in batteries in medical field there are many batteries used in medical. Some of the frequently used are discussed below in detail:

1.Lithium-Ion

Lithium batteries produce high-voltage pulses and are utilized in Automated External Defibrillators, ventilators, and other applications such as implanted pacemakers and surgical items.

Pros: 

• Each cell has a nominal voltage of 3.6 or 3.85 volts.

• Low safety hazards and high energy density (250: 693 W-h/LS).

• 1 kg battery has a capacity of 150Wh of power.

• High-speed charging and discharging (80-90 percent).

• It can work in temperatures ranging from –80°C to 125°C.

• Self-discharge of 3% to 5% each month.

• Recyclable materials: Li is made from recycling materials.

Cons:

• Physically rigid; 

• Costly 

• With a life of 400: 1200 cycles, it degrades at a quicker pace.

2.Lithium Polymer

These batteries are excellent for Wearable Medical Device Applications because of their flexibility, compact form, and low weight. Lithium Polymer can be used in place of Lithium-Ion.

Pros: 

• Specific Energy is quite high.

• It can be manufactured thinner than traditional Li-ion batteries, and it is less expensive than Lithium-Ion batteries.

• Weight is decreased by more than 20% when compared to hard shell Lithium-ion batteries.

Cons: 

• Less durable than Li-Ion batteries.

• protection circuits are required. 

• Gas may accumulate during charging in Prismatic and Pouch cells, resulting in Swell.

3.Lead Acid

These batteries are used in electric wheelchairs, ventilators, and anesthesia machines, among other things. These batteries high discharge current.

Pros: 

• Per Watt-Hour cost is low

• The minimal voltage per cell is 2 V.

• Low self-discharge

• The functional temperature varies from –20 to 50 degrees Celsius.

Cons: 

• The weight is heavy, and the size is large.

• Expensive to maintain and have a short life cycle.

• Lead is a toxin that may cause contamination

10.What are the most reliable Medical batteries?

The medical device sector has lately experienced innovation in the form of lithium-ion batteries which are more safe, efficient and long-lasting. Lithium (non-rechargeable) and lithium-ion (rechargeable) batteries are considered one of the most reliable batteries for medical devices.

They are impeccable replacements for Sealed Lead Acid batteries. This technique not only provides a greater number of cycles but also a considerably more proficient energy performance ratio, which can be essential in medical applications.

These batteries are designed and developed by the highest market requirements, constantly providing the highest degree of quality for the market

11.Which Medical Battery last longest?

Lithium Batteries include a variety of unique characteristics that demonstrate the commitment to technology and innovation. The batteries can withstand temperatures ranging from -40 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Batteries have been designed with a leak-proof construction to make them harmless to grip and drill.

When compared to ordinary alkaline batteries, the range can store their charge for up to 20 years, which means they may keep their power even when left on a shelf and not in use. You'll also be delighted to hear that it lasts up to 65 percent longer in smoke detectors. Many battery manufacturers are gradually prioritizing environmentally sustainable power options. You may assist to reduce waste by utilizing Ultimate Lithium batteries.

12.Can i leave my Medical Battery fully charged?

Batteries should not be left unused for long periods of time. Check the charge state of a battery after 6 months of inactivity and charge or dispose of it as needed. A Lithium-Ion battery's expected life span is two to three years or 300 to 500 charge cycles, whichever comes first. A charge cycle is a period of use in which the battery is entirely charged, fully drained, and fully recharged.

For batteries that do not go through full charge cycles, use a life probability of two to three years. Rechargeable Lithium-Ion batteries have a limited lifespan and eventually lose their ability to retain a charge. This capability decline is unalterable. As the battery's capacity depletes, the amount of time it can power the product diminishes. When not in use or storage, lithium-ion batteries continue to slowly drain (self-discharge). Check the charge status of the battery regularly. The user handbook for the device will usually include instructions on how to check the battery state as well as how to charge the battery. 

13.Is there any chance of explosion of the Medical battery?

Yes, the batteries of the medical devices can explode like any other battery. They require proper maintenance and checkup from the consumer. 

Medical batteries need to be maintained regularly and handled with caution. To properly utilize batteries and get the longest battery life, read and follow the instructions in this paper. Batteries should not be left unused for long periods of time. They can be dangerous or even explode. 

Observe the charge status of the battery regularly. Keep an eye on batteries that are about to end their expected life. If you notice any of the following symptoms, you should replace the battery with a new one: The battery's run duration is reduced to roughly 80% of its original value. The time it takes for the battery to charge grows dramatically. Follow the storage guidelines in this article if a battery is stored or otherwise unused for an extended length of time. Considering the battery broken if you do not follow the instructions and it has no charge when you examine it. You must not attempt to recharge or utilize it. Replace the battery with a fresh one.