BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM AND METHOD ADAPTED FOR USE IN A STERILIZED ENVIRONMENT

摘要

A battery charger system suited for use in a sterilized environment such as an operating room includes a sterilizable battery-containing pack adapted for connection to a non-sterilized battery charger through a sterilizable tray-interface. The tray-interface includes connecting structure on an upper side for mechanical and electrical connection to at least one battery pack and additional connecting structure on a lower side for mechanical and electrical connection to the charger. The upper side and lower side electrical connections are inter-connected to effect electrical coupling between the sterilized battery and the non-sterilized charger so that the battery may be charged, discharged, or tested. A sterilizable drape is adapted to be constrained between the tray-interface and the charger to isolate the charger from the sterilized environment. Encodable switch-operating tabs are provided on the tray-interface to automatically effect the desired operating mode of the charger when the tray-interface is connected to the charger, and indicating apertures are provided through which the operating mode of the charger can be determined.