Going mini at world's biggest medical show

Mini battery for portable medical devices smaller than credit card

The doors have now opened at Compamed in Düsseldorf, Germany. Co-hosted with Medica, Compamed is the world's largest medical technology (MedTech) trade show which runs from November 16-19. This year Accutronics are exhibiting its smallest medical battery and charger the CC1150 mini credit card battery and CX3050 desktop charger.   These small batteries target the growing demand for portable medical devices used in hospitals and in home healthcare and can be seen on stand H18 in Hall 8b.

The event will see 728 companies from 37 countries come together with over 17,000 trade visitors in medical technology sectors ranging from nanotechnology and test and instrumentation to certification and medical manufacturing.

The CC1150 mini credit card battery is a 3.7V, 1.15h (4.2Wh) Lithium-ion 2.0A battery measuring just 54mm square and 9.5mm high, occupying just half the footprint of a standard credit card.

Rare in batteries of this size, the CC1150 also features an active electronic protection system that prevents overcharge, over discharge and short circuit, crucial for hands-on environments such as hospitals. In addition, the built-in, high accuracy, impedance tracking, fuel gauge means the CC1150 can track battery status information including remaining capacity (mAh), remaining runtime, percentage charge, battery voltage (mV) and temperature.

"Even though medical devices are getting smaller, battery OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) have been slow to provide devices that pack the same functionality into smaller form factors," explained Neil Oliver, technical marketing manager at Accutronics. "This is why we've developed the CC1150 mini credit card battery and CX3050 charger.

"OEMs can reduce their testing costs and improve return on investment by specifying these units. This range is fully tested to meet the international requirements of IEC62133 and UN38.3 and, because the battery is under 100Wh, further time and costs can be saved during transportation."

The CC1150 mini credit card battery is accompanied by the CX3050, a slimline desktop charger, which allows the battery to be charged separately from the device. "There is a trend among many medical OEMs to use embedded batteries," continued Oliver. "However, for medical devices, it's not always practical to take the entire device to a charging point. For these situations, simply swapping the empty battery for a fully charged one, allows devices to remain in continuous use - this is where our charger really comes into its own."

The CX3050 desktop charger is supplied with a 100-240VAC wall mounted power supply, charging the battery in just 2.5 hours. Built in LEDs indicate power, charging, fully charged and fault conditions. Furthermore, interchangeable AC blades mean the units can be used in the UK, Europe, North America, Australia and China. The CX3050 is also pre-qualified with certification for UL and IEC60950-1 as well as being CE marked. Customers can further customise the casing, labelling and packaging.

Come to meet us on our stand where you can also view many of our custom medical battery and charger solutions (Accupro) and other Entellion products and discuss your upcoming projects - Stand H18 in Hall 8b from 16-19 November.

You may also like to visit the Suppliers Forum in Hall 8b where Neil Oliver will be providing a presentation on 'The Lithium Ion Regulatory Maze' on Tuesday 17th November at 13:15 hrs.

Medical Technology Q&A

Rob Phillips, managing director of professional battery manufacturer Accutronics, has identified several key trends that are emerging in the MedTech sector, from rising energy densities to new innovations such as wireless charging. Below he offers his insights into these trends, where he predicts to see the most market growth in the next twelve months and where Accutronics fits into the industry.

Who are you and what do you do? 
I'm Rob Phillips, managing director of Accutronics Ltd. Accutronics is a successful independent battery business serving specialist OEM’s in the Medical Device market and similar sectors, specialising in developing and manufacturing high-performance smart battery & charger systems.
We have an excellent portfolio of demanding OEM customers, who enjoy a real competitive advantage from their long-term partnerships with us.

As well as the medical and healthcare sector, our smart batteries are used in defence and security, as well as industrial test and instrumentation sectors. From small credit-card sized batteries for use in wearable medical devices to intelligent power vaults for use in high-power, high-discharge environments in hospitals, we make them all.

Some of our technical achievements include class leading protection circuits that prevent batteries from over charging, over discharging and overheating, as well as algorithmic security that prevents fake batteries from being used in life-critical medical applications.


How would you sum up your company?
Accutronics enables forward-thinking MedTech companies to create and deliver the next generation of portable medical devices.

As a leading battery manufacturer, we're dedicated to helping overcome new challenges including the use of portable devices in extreme environments, as well as improved battery security aimed at eliminating counterfeits. To do this, we've brought together a passionate team of designers, engineers and market specialists to apply their expertise in creating the battery solutions of tomorrow.

Name a business achievement you are most proud of?
Having grown the company from a startup in 2009, during one of the worst recessions in history, Accutronics is now a first-choice partner for some of the world's leading MedTech OEMs. This is something we're really proud of.


What excites you about this industry?
The environment of constant innovation is enthralling. Knowing that all these efforts are aimed at improving people's lives and the quality of their health makes this a very rewarding industry to be in. On top of this, there are real opportunities open to smaller and medium-sized companies to play a significant role in this innovation.

We've identified several key trends in the MedTech sector: battery energy densities are rising, as more and more equipment is becoming mobile; security is a big concern, especially when it comes to counterfeit batteries; the demand for premium medical devices in the Asian MedTech sector is growing rapidly; new innovations such as fast and wireless charging are on the rise; and finally, the development of antimicrobial polymers and surfaces is providing an extra line of defence against superbugs.


Where do you predict industry growth will come from over the next 12 months?
The BRIC countries, Brazil, Russia, India and China, are widely recognised as being economies with the fastest growing infrastructure in areas such as health service assets, transportation and specifically portable medical devices, which will deliver increased flexibility and value to healthcare users. This is where we expect most of the growth to come from.


Which medical device do you wish you had invented and why?
The plastic syringe, as it's one of the most versatile products. It's more robust and lighter than glass. It's much cheaper to manufacture, there must have been millions manufactured already. Products like the plastic syringe offer a lot of scope for use in the field and are indispensable in places like Africa where the logistics of medical equipment can be very challenging.

Which is the right project methodology for you?

It seems nowadays that there is a rule, methodology and philosophy for everything. Many of these rules have been around for decades so it raises the obvious question, 'are the old methods still relevant in an age of rapid innovation and uncertainty?' This is especially pertinent for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) where even a small advantage can mean the difference between success and failure. Here Prabhjit Singh, production manager at Accutronics looks at the top methodologies and evaluates how OEMs can choose the best one for them.

Developing a new product is not easy. The process of consultation, design, production, testing, logistics, integration and support can be challenging for even the best OEMs. This is made even more difficult in highly regulated industries such as the medical, security and defence markets. Here, products must not only meet stringent regulations, but also perform in extreme environments, where resistance to temperature fluctuations, humidity and vibration shock is critical.

When asked how he developed new products, the late CEO of Apple, Steve Jobs, famously quipped that, "it's really hard to design products by focus groups. A lot of times people don't know what they want until you show it to them." This very disruptive approach evidently worked for Apple and means that the company continues to produce some of the most desirable consumer products on the market.

Methodologies
So how does one go about choosing a methodology that offers the best of both worlds, a philosophy that is quick to adapt to change and yet is thorough enough to cater for quality control and planning? First we need to see what's available.

Project management methodologies can be broadly categorised into two areas, the first group are the traditional formal methods. The main systems include Prince2, Six Sigma, PMBOK (Product Management Body of Knowledge), TQM (Total Quality Management), QFD (Quality Function Deployment) and the Waterfall model. The second group has emerged from this and is known as lean. This includes lean, agile, JIT (Just in Time), TPS (Toyota Production System) and Kanban among others.

Suit up
To sum up, the formal methodologies all prescribe a holistic, start-to-finish, approach to process driven environments where quality of output must be maintained while reducing the variability of each output. Whether its business or manufacturing, formal methods are all about measurable, quantifiable, result oriented outcomes. This includes cost reduction, optimised time management and a deep understanding of inherent risks and benefits of each action.

While the formal methods are great for large scale, often multinational, projects, they can be difficult to administer. They are usually resource intensive, inflexible and bureaucratic in nature, making them difficult to roll out in smaller projects.

Going lean
At the other end of the spectrum we have the lean methodologies. Popularised by Japanese automotive manufacturers, lean, agile and just-in-time (JIT) systems are all about reducing a process down to its absolute core activities, improving efficiency and reducing wasted resources in the process. Ultimately, lean systems add value by reducing costs and improving delivery times, while maintaining quality.

However, it's not all plain sailing. One of the biggest criticisms of the lean methods is that the focus on optimising a single activity can often lead to OEMs losing sight of the bigger picture. This scope-creep can mean projects lose direction strategically. As well as this, inaccuracies in lean processes can quickly become magnified across the project and if not managed carefully, a lack of documentation can lead to traceability problems when things go wrong.

Choose your poison
So which is best? Well, in order to establish that, you need to consider three issues; external environment, internal setup and ability to adapt. Take Accutronics, for example. If you look at our external environment, you can see that we operate in many highly regulated, life-critical and extreme environments, designing and manufacturing batteries and chargers for medical and healthcare through to security and defence. For us it's important that we can demonstrate traceability, documentation and thoroughly tested products. At the same time we can only hope to achieve a competitive advantage if we understand the subtle and nuanced demands of our customers.

In the second and third stages, OEMs must ensure that physical resources, infrastructure and human expertise are leveraged in such a way that they can adapt to market changes quickly and smoothly. Whether it's a change in legislation, a new innovation in materials research or technological obsolescence, you must either adapt or die.

Plain sailing
Knowing and abiding by the rules is one thing, mastering them and using them for competitive advantage, is a whole new ball game. With a willingness to invest time and expertise, OEMs can hope to continuously build successful products and services time and time again.

Cyber hacking medical devices

A recent presentation of findings at US hacker conference DerbyCon demonstrated that medical cybercrime is on the rise.

Using a specially designed search engine called Shodan, hackers were able to identify vulnerable hospital networks along with all their connected devices including MRI machines, defibrillators and equipment in radiology and paediatric units.

Even though 68,000 medical systems have already been exposed, I expect this number will continue to rise. The growing trend in the medical technology (MedTech) industry for more portable and wearable medical devices that make up the Internet of Things (IoT) will render more devices vulnerable.

The problem here is that we have so far only been concerned with the cybersecurity and software based protection of our devices. For those OEMs who design, develop or manufacture their own hardware, it's vital to consider a more holistic, hardware based, approach.

The last thing you want is for your life-critical medical device to be compromised when it's needed most. Built-in algorithmic security, for example, can detect when a fake battery is used with a host medical device. 

Algorithmic security prevents attempts to use counterfeit or copycat batteries, of which there are millions in worldwide circulation that are easily available at the click of a button from grey market sources online. 

By ensuring that software and hardware works harmoniously to protect our medical devices, we can prioritise patient safety in the face of increasingly malicious cyber crime.

Whitepaper addresses medical battery technology

British battery manufacturer Accutronics is making available for download its latest whitepaper, which tackles the issues facing battery design, development and use in the medical and healthcare field. The intention is that it will help Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) better understand the possibilities and limitations of rechargeable battery technology in designing products for the medical sector.

The paper is free to download and aims to inform its readers on three main areas of recent battery design interest. The first is a growing phenomenon dubbed the Apple expectation. It explores the convergence of consumer and professional medical devices and how fitness and health monitoring apps designed by large consumer electronics companies such as Apple and Samsung are impacting on the professional medical industry. 

The second topic looks at digital radiography (DR) and the increasing challenge to design batteries for modern DR applications that still use analogue equipment. This second piece looks at the latest innovations in digital film processing, the essential features of smart batteries, as well as the regulatory and compliance issues of designing, manufacturing and testing medical devices for worldwide distribution. 

Finally, the paper discusses the eHealth revolution, a trend that has witnessed an explosion in the use of smartphones, fitness bands and other wearable technology to monitor acute healthcare conditions in an increasingly ageing population. The piece goes on to look at high profile hospital trials of health apps to monitor patient health, as well as the cost savings the NHS can make from earlier cancer diagnosis.

“We have seen an increasing trend towards smaller, more portable battery solutions in all industries and especially in the medical field,” said Michele Windsor, marketing manager at Accutronics. “With this shift, there has been raised concern about reliable solutions for practitioners in hospitals and other areas where the need for reliable and long-lasting batteries is essential.

“We want to alleviate concerns about battery solutions and ensure that OEMs are informed about the choices they can make so they will not have to rely on inferior, consumer grade batteries.”

To download the new whitepaper for free go to http://bit.ly/HealthcareWP

Going for growth - New chairman to accelerate business development

International battery manufacturer Accutronics has appointed Steve Lamb as its new chairman. The addition to the management team will allow the company's managing director, Rob Phillips, to focus his efforts on new business development.

The new chairman will have a general management focus, working alongside managing director Rob Phillips, operations director Mike Allen and financial director Debbie Hodgetts. Prior to joining the Accutronics board of directors, Lamb built up a highly credible reputation as MD, CEO and chairman of a number of other companies, and brings with him an extensive amount of knowledge and expertise.

Lamb began his career in manufacturing before moving into the IT sector with the advent of 3D CAD/CAM systems in the early 1980s. His previous senior roles and directorships have included positions at software development business ECS, GADC Networks and on the International Executive Committee of listed European firm GFI Informatique.

"Our primary objective in appointing Steve is to bring a new dimension to our new business work," explained Accutronics managing director Rob Phillips.

"Among his responsibilities, Steve will chair the monthly management board-meetings, and once Steve is on board I’ll have more time to focus on sales and marketing."

Accutronics specialises in developing smart batteries which offer improved functionality and performance and features such as charge control, accurate fuel gauging and device communication.

The company targets specific product application market sectors, including medical and healthcare, defence and security, industrial and portable electronics markets worldwide.

The independent battery design, development and manufacturing expert currently exports its products to over 30 countries across Europe, North America, Africa and the Middle East.

"The original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) we work with as customer are chosen to match our capabilities as a potential strategic supplier," continued Phillips. "With the support of Steve and the rest of the management team we can strike a better balance between managing the company and growing the business. Our aim is to successfully enter new markets and expand our customer base."

The next-generation of portable power - Inspired Energy boosts the capacity of its standard smart batteries

The industry demand for longer running, smaller and lighter handheld equipment has prompted USA based battery manufacturer Inspired Energy to launch the HD34 range of high capacity Lithium-ion (Li-ion) smart batteries. These batteries use the latest innovations in cell technology to offer outstanding volumetric and gravimetric energy density resulting in longer run-times.

The batteries use the latest Lithium-ion cells with an increased capacity of 3.4Ah to provide customers with a longer runtime.

“The batteries use '18650' cells, which are the workhorses of the rechargeable battery world," explained Neil Oliver, technical marketing manager at Accutronics, the sole distributor for Inspired Energy. “Over the last 25 years Lithium-ion technology has improved and the capacity has steadily increased threefold, resulting in the latest high capacity 3.4Ah version."

Batteries using the 3.4Ah cells are available in two, three, four, six and eight cell configurations covering 7.2V, 10.8V and 14.4V outputs, so original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) developing new products can be confident in finding a platform that meets their mechanical and electrical requirements.

A wide variety of applications make use of the Inspired Energy batteries, including portable laboratory equipment and medical patient monitoring devices, hand-held data terminals, unmanned underwater vehicles, professional and broadcast cameras and satellite communication.

Lithium-ion batteries must be transported as dangerous goods, requiring batteries to be subjected to testing. The companies offering such products for transport are subject to strict packaging, labelling and paperwork requirements. Shipping of Inspired Energy Lithium-ion smart batteries is made easier as they have already been tested for transport and all have an energy density under 100Wh reducing the level of paperwork and packaging.

The new 3.4Ah cells allow batteries and devices to be made smaller and lighter. Some of the older battery models in the range use twelve 2.2Ah cells to provide 95Wh. When using 3.4Ah cells it is possible to realise this energy with just eight cells. This means the batteries can be made around 30% smaller and lighter, a real benefit to OEMs looking to reduce the size and weight of their devices, while still providing maximum runtime to users.

Inspired Energy standard smart batteries can be customised to meet the need of the customer, including changing the artwork to carry own-brand labels and modifying the smart battery data. Accutronics designs and manufactures its own range of batteries and chargers, but is also the sole distributor of the Inspired Energy range of standard batteries, chargers and accessories.

Having worked with Inspired Energy for over 20 years, Accutronics offers multi-currency pricing, online purchasing, European stock holding and fast customer support from its headquarters in the UK. Accutronics technical support service ensures that customers can design an Inspired Energy battery into their new device with total confidence. 

The credit card battery goes mini - Battery specialist launches its smallest ever, sub credit-card sized, battery

Global battery manufacturer Accutronics has launched its smallest ever medical battery and charger set. The CC1150 mini credit card battery meets the trend in the medical and instrumentation sectors for the growing use of portable and handheld devices.

Having already built a reputation for delivering the latest in smart battery technology for the medical sector, Accutronics' new mini credit-card battery, the CC1150, occupies around half the footprint of a conventional credit card. Measuring in at 54mm square and 9.5mm high, it fits perfectly into smaller, handheld, devices with ease.

Featuring a state of the art impedance tracking fuel gauge, the CC1150 is equipped with an I²C interface, simplifying its integration into the device. Enhanced circuitry provides further protection against over charge, over discharge, over current and short circuit.

"OEMs making handheld devices will be pleased to hear that, with the CC1150 mini, we've not only halved the size of the standard credit card battery, but we've also packed it with the same powerful features as its predecessor," explained Neil Oliver, technical marketing manager at Accutronics. "At the same time, we've still met the vital IEC 62133 safety requirements for batteries manufactured for use in portable applications, as well as UN38.3 transportation regulations.

"To make it a truly global battery, we've accompanied the CC1150 with a new charger, the CX3050, which works anywhere in the world thanks to its AC power adapter and interchangeable blades. For portable and handheld devices, fast charging is just as important as long battery life, so we designed the CX3050 to charge the CC1150 in under 2.5 hours," concluded Oliver.

Both the battery and the CX3050 charger are available off-the-shelf in black and feature Entellion branding. Users can request custom colours, labels and packaging.

Launched in 2011, Accutronics' range of credit card batteries are targeted to meet the needs of medical and instrumentation original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) who need a small, off-the-shelf, Lithium-ion smart battery.

Four years after development, the credit-card range of batteries are now used widely in applications ranging from industrial laser measurement devices to medical infusion pumps. Other innovations such as desktop charging have given users the flexibility to charge batteries outside of their devices.

30 second charging: boon or bane?

Israeli company StoreDot has developed a new battery that could one day allow a phone to be charged in 30 seconds. It seems too good to be true, so we uncover the technology behind the headlines and explore the long term implications.

Accutronics' smallest battery

By Neil Oliver

It's a daily battle; morning, noon or night, come rain or shine, at home or while travelling, it's one of the most annoying daily occurrences. I am of course referring to that moment when your battery dies.

Well, it seems that this problem may not be around for much longer. Israeli company StoreDot has designed a new biological semiconductor material that has some unique characteristics.

Developed from naturally occurring compounds these ‘quantum dots’ are made up of peptides; the short chains of amino acids that form the building blocks of all proteins. When manipulated in the right conditions, these peptides can naturally grow into a crystalline formation in a tight, intricate structure, where the molecules are less than two nanometres apart.

The resultant quantum dot material, exhibits remarkable properties. Its confined nanocrystalline structure means that it can be excited on frequencies in the visible spectrum and, because it’s comprised of semiconductor materials, it is able to hold electrical charge highly efficiently.

What this means is that the same quantum dot material could eventually be used as the device display, the battery and power unit and the memory and storage module all in one. Just think about that for a second, a single panel material can essentially replace the multiple materials and components of current devices.

StoreDot has only just scratched the surface of this technology. Their quantum dot battery charges from flat to full in less than 30 seconds. However, using the same material as an internal layer in a flexible casing could yield a paper thin device, flexible enough to wrap around a wrist or be used as surface materials on public transport and even used for fully digital, yet biodegradable, newspapers and books.

However, it's important to remember that this innovation, whilst potentially revolutionary, must still undergo rigorous testing challenges to ascertain its behaviour in high and low temperatures, its structural integrity under mechanical strain and degradation over time. The cost of production will need to compete with already well established organic materials such as organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) already used widely by device manufacturers.

So is 30 second charging a boon or a bane? For original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), this technology highlights the importance of holistic and integrated design. As we continue to become reliant on wearable and portable medical equipment, the need to match innovative design with reliable, safe and secure battery systems becomes ever more important.

For expert guidance on the best choice of batteries and chargers for your applications please get in touch with sales@accutronics.co.uk for further information.

Lifespan and the Apple expectation

Apple has applied for a patent to build a docking station to charge devices like the iPhone and iPad, which will retract the connector when the "iDevice" is being removed, to prevent damage to both the dock and the item. 

By Neil Oliver 

The move illustrates a trend in the consumer IT environment for improved reliability and increased robustness. However, that trend has been evident in industry for decades. But it isn't necessarily a good thing for the two concepts to become intertwined.

The expectations we should have of a battery for a professional medical application, for instance, would - in a world where the battery or charger is optimised for performance - be very different to those we might have in a consumer environment.

For instance, a medical professional might see the embedded battery in an iPhone or an iPad and be impressed by the sleek, seamless design it provides. As a result, they may well expect the power source in their professional devices to also be embedded.

However, in a medical device, with a product life cycle of ten to fifteen years, an embedded battery would be impractical. Over that kind of lifespan, the battery would have to be replaced five or six times, which would be impractical and costly. In a consumer device like an iPhone, the entire product is likely to have been replaced before the battery fails.

Size requirements 
Just as the aesthetics of an embedded battery might seem attractive at first glance, attempting to reduce the size requirement of a battery by embedding it might also seem like a good idea. This would remove the need for battery housing, thus reducing the space requirement.

However, this can only really be a workable option in a disposable or very short lifespan medical device. In more typical applications, where the device costs tens of thousands of pounds and lasts for more than a decade, it isn't practical for the same reason. A removable, rechargeable battery is the only workable option from a cost and reliability perspective.

Battery lifespan
Battery lifespan can also be a radically different requirement depending on the medical application. In some instances, replacing the battery every year is fine and also what the user expects - from both a practical and financial perspective.

However, if a battery designed for a frequently used application is only capable of 300 cycles, which is to say 300 full charges and 300 full discharges, it would be unlikely to last for even one year. The feedback that most of our OEM partners receive from hospitals is that they expect the battery to last for two to three years.

Most phone batteries will have a lifespan of around 300 cycles. This means that, after a year or two, the user will need to replace the battery or the device. As a manufacturer of batteries for professional applications, it’s crucial to understand the expectation this creates; otherwise you can very easily expose your OEM partner to criticism from the end user. Normally this means advising the OEM to change the expectation of its user community, compromise the power budget in some way or adapt the device itself.

Often, in this situation it is the power budget and thus the battery’s lifetime that suffers. It’s very difficult for an OEM to double the size or weight of a device, to allow for a larger power source for instance, and a good battery manufacturer will understand that.

The irony is that because manufacturers focus on the most obvious demands from the end user, the actual needs of this end user may not get enough consideration. The organisation that has to change the battery every year, and pay for that change, may have been willing to suffer a slight increase in size, in exchange for improved functionality and reduced operating expenditure.

Once an end user such as a hospital, considers the realities of increased cost and maintenance, they may well be very happy for the device to lack the product design brilliance of an iPad, but provide lower maintenance and replacements costs.

Nevertheless, from a personal point of view, I will be the first person to snap up the new i-Device charging and docking station. Like many people in the electronics industry, I'm a technology fan and find both the patent and the product interesting. However, I won’t be changing my view regarding the needs of professional battery applications as a result.

Read more about Accutronics’ work in professional medical battery applications here.

Charging ahead in innovation

~Accutronics celebrates a year of innovation at America's largest medical technology show~

Smart batteries for medical devices

International battery manufacturer Accutronics will join thousands of medical industry suppliers and
service providers at MD&M West, on February 10-12, 2015 in Anaheim, California, where the British company will showcase the latest products from its Entellion range. Accutronics can be found in Hall E at Booth 412.

The theme of the 2015 conference is a celebration of 30 years of medtech innovation, and this year British manufacturer Accutronics has proven it is more than up for the challenge. During 2014, the independent battery expert launched two new products to add to its range of smart portable power products, both of which will be exhibited at the event.

Most recently, Accutronics introduced the CMX Series, a range of innovative smart batteries and chargers. With the increase in the use of portable medical devices, such as acute ventilators and anaesthesia workstations, the new smart battery fulfils the needs of manufacturers of high powered medical devices.

During the summer the company also introduced the CX6100, an innovative desktop charger for its groundbreaking credit card battery range. The new charger has a rapid charge capability and can be used around the world, thanks to its wall mounted power supply. The credit card battery range provides OEMs with a rechargeable range of Lithium Ion professional batteries for portable and wearable medical devices.

"The medical market is a challenging environment and there's a constant demand on medical OEMs to produce innovative portable devices," explained Rob Phillips, managing director of Accutronics.

"Thanks to our understanding of the market requirements we've been able to develop a range that meets the need for high energy density and high power discharge, without compromising on safety and reliability in life-critical applications."

At the event, the Accutronics team will showcase its skills in the design, development and manufacturing of medical batteries and smart chargers. On display will be the complete Entellion range of products which bridge the gap between standard off-the-shelf products and a custom design with inherent development fees, saving customers time and money. The range can easily be customised with options including product labelling and case colours, software setup and SHA-1 algorithmic security, which prevents counterfeit batteries being used under fraudulent warranty claims.

Trends in Medical Technology 2015

Medical technology (MedTech) is one of the world’s fastest growing industries and the latest and most exciting innovations are currently being explored at COMPAMED, the international medical trade show running from 12-14 November in Dusseldorf, Germany. 

By Michele Windsor

We launched our latest smart-battery range at the trade show, providing a versatile solution to the demand for portable medical devices. Here, we explore a few of the latest trends, live from COMPAMED, for the next generation of medical devices.

1. Power and energy requirements on the rise for portable battery-powered MedTech devices
The last decade has borne witness to rapid innovation in the medical market. Devices have become smaller and as a result, smarter and more intricate components are increasingly in demand. However, there is now an increased demand for mobile technology used in hospitals and in the field, including acute ventilators, portable anaesthesia workstations and intra-oral scanners.

2015 will see a trend for portable, battery-powered medical devices delivering high power discharge from batteries with high energy densities used in mobile hospital setups and emergency services use.


2. Security in MedTech is a concern for OEMs' brands and reputations
Copycat batteries are now available at the click of a button. These, often grey market and sometimes outright illegally produced, knockoffs are now spreading via improved logistics and global supply chain networks. The problem is that copycat batteries often mimic big name brands but lack the certification, testing and even vital circuitry that protects lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries from unpredictable failure, overheating and potentially exploding.

Battery original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) as well as consumer brands including Nokia and Kodak have already taken action to protect their lucrative aftermarket from reputational damage by introducing security measures such as hologram labels and traceable invisible ink markings on devices.

2015 will see companies push further into securing their products. Accutronics has already made headway into improved security by making available a hardware-embedded software algorithm (SHA-1) which can identify and isolate fake batteries, stopping them from being used in critical-care devices. This also provides better batch traceability and deters fraudulent warranty claims.

3. Western OEMs competing to win market share of premium MedTech in Asia
Until now, the western world has dominated medical technology, with the majority of intellectual property belonging to European and North American companies. Lately there has been a power shift in the MedTech industry and the Asian market, specifically China, is booming, with growth expected to continue over the next few years.

Thanks to a growing Chinese middle class there are hundreds of millions of new patients, creating a significant demand for high tech devices such as pacemakers, defibrillators and insulin pumps.

2015 will see the trend for European and North American MedTech OEMs begin to establish a more permanent presence in Asian and Far Eastern economies to secure and win market share of the premium industry sector.

4. Fringe technologies will start to be used in MedTech
Having already gained traction in the consumer electronics sector, wireless, or inductive charging, to give it its full name, will begin trials in many MedTech devices in 2015. One of the vulnerable areas of rechargeable medical devices to date has been the connection made between the charging port and the mains AC power supply. This can be a source of ingress for dust and water as well as being a haven for bacterial growth.

2015 will see more medical OEMs explore the use of inductive charging to improve device IP (ingress protection) ratings. Introducing fully enclosed and waterproof designs will make it possible to sterilise devices in high pressure hospital autoclaves. The resultant lack of user-serviceable parts will further elongate device lifecycles by the implementation of a return-to-base repair strategy being adopted widely.

5. Anti-microbial surfaces provide an extra line of defence against superbugs
A World Health Organisation report released in April 2014 states that, "this serious threat is no longer a prediction for the future; it is happening right now in every region of the world and has the potential to affect anyone, of any age, in any country. Antibiotic resistance–when bacteria change so antibiotics no longer work in people who need them to treat infections–is now a major threat to public health."

2015 will see OEMs begin to widely consider the role of antimicrobial polymers and coatings for use in device mouldings, casings and on touchable surfaces to minimise the spread of superbugs such as MRSA and other multidrug resistant (MDR) microorganisms.

Visitors to COMPAMED can view and discuss Accutronics' new product range in Hall 8b Stand F30. We look forward to seeing you.

High-five for high-power

Tackling the rise in demand for portable medical devices delivering high-rate power discharge, battery specialist Accutronics will be launching a new CMX range on 12 November, 2014 at COMPAMED, the international medical trade show held in Dusseldorf, Germany. In anticipation of the launch, we explore the world of portable power.

Speed is of the essence in life-critical applications. Usually, ambulance crews will transport heart-attack patients to the hospital's emergency ward as soon as possible. However, a leading UK Accident & Emergency doctor recently called for patients to be treated by paramedics until their heart starts beating or they die.

Writing in the British Medical Journal, Dr Benger says that it, "may be actively harmful" to rush cardiac arrest patients to hospital. Because there is only a short time-window of around 50 minutes before permanent brain damage sets in, it is vital that treatment is provided quickly and effectively.

The last few years have seen an increased demand in mobile technology used in hospitals and in the field. Specialised stroke emergency mobile (STEMO) ambulances fitted with portable CT scanners cut the alarm-to-treatment period to just 25 minutes. Acute ventilators, portable anaesthesia workstations and intra-oral scanners are other examples of medical equipment breaking free from the traditional mains power supply.

However, the challenge with these devices is the high-rate power delivery required to operate reliably. The recent Ebola outbreak in West Africa has highlighted the challenge of transporting patients from one part of the world to another. Medical equipment used in the transport of patients must be capable of operating with limited resource for electricity, water and compressed gas.

On September 4, 2014, in response to the Ebola outbreak, the World Health Organisation (WHO) issued guidelines for medical equipment donated for use in the field. The guidelines reinforce the necessity for devices to use high-quality backup power, with current stabilisation, surge protection and uninterrupted power supplies to protect against blackouts and unsustainable mains power.

To overcome these problems, here at Accutronics we've developed a new CMX smart-battery range specifically for high-power applications. Capable of accurate fuel gauging, built to international regulatory standards (IEC62133, UL2054) and offering device-to-host communication for continuous swappable power, the new range will be especially useful in the increasingly dynamic nature of modern hospital care.

Visitors to COMPAMED can find out more about how the CMX range will revolutionise the mobile medical market at Accutronics' product launch press conference. The event will be held at 3pm on the 12th of November, 2014 in room 801a off hall 8b at COMPAMED. Alternatively you can view and discuss the new product range in Hall 8b Stand F30 where Accutronics will be exhibiting. If you're interested in attending, you can register for free by calling 01785 225416 today.

If you’re unable to make it to COMPAMED, we will also be launching and displaying the new CMX series at ELECTRONICA in Munich between 11th and 14th November in Hall B2 Stand Booth 454.

Ladegerät für mobilen Strom

~ Accutronics führt weltweit Ladegerät für kreditkartengroße Entellion-Akkus ein ~

Der internationale Akkuhersteller Accutronics hat ein innovatives Tischladegerät für seine bahnbrechende Palette an Akkus im Kreditkartenformat eingeführt. Das neue Ladegerät, das CX6100, ist das ideale Zubehör zum Aufladen der kreditkartengroßen Akkus Entellion CC2300 und CC3800. 

Das Tischladegerät mit Einzelschacht verfügt über eine Schnellladefunktion und kann dank seines an der Wand anbringbaren Netzteils mit mehreren austauschbaren Steckmodulen auf der ganzen Welt verwendet werden. Die kreditkartengroßen Akkus und Ladegeräte sind komplett vorbereitet und einsatzbereit und verhelfen somit OEM-Herstellern zu einer schnelleren Markteinführung.

Die Akku-Palette im Kreditkartenformat von Accutronics bietet OEM-Herstellern professionelle wiederaufladbare Endverbraucher-Lithium-Ion Akkus für portable und tragbare Elektrogeräte.

Das CX6100 lädt einen CC2300-Akku in ungefähr 3,5 Stunden und einen CC3800-Akku in ungefähr 5,5 Stunden auf. LEDs auf dem Ladegerät zeigen den Ladestatus an. Es ist mit einem Netzteil ausgestattet, dem Steckeradapter für die USA, Europa, das Vereinigte Königreich, Australien und China beigelegt sind.

„Wie alle unsere Produkte haben wir auch dieses Ladegerät speziell für OEM-Hersteller entwickelt“, erklärt Rob Phillips, Geschäftsleiter von Accutronics. „Ein gutes Beispiel für unser Verständnis der Anforderungen von OEMs ist unsere Fähigkeit, für Kunden maßgeschneiderte Versionen bei sehr geringen Zusatzkosten herzustellen. Sobald das individuelle Design vereinbart wurde, werden wir die Passform, das Design und die Funktion des Akkus oder des Ladegeräts ohne Wissen und ohne ausdrückliche Erlaubnis des Kunden nicht verändern. Dies schenkt dem OEM das Vertrauen, dass er stets über Kompatibilität mit seinem Gerät verfügt und Schwierigkeiten mit gesetzlichen Vorgaben sowie Qualitätsprobleme vermieden werden.“

Die Akkus im Kreditkartenformat, die mit dem Gerät aufgeladen werden können, wurden hinsichtlich der Anforderungen der „Model Regulations“ der UN und des „Manual of Tests and Criteria“ (ST/SG/AC.10.11 §38.3) geprüft, d. h. sie können ohne weitere Tests oder Ausgaben zum Transport angeboten werden.

Die Akku-Palette erfüllt ebenfalls die Anforderungen von IEC62133:2002 und es ist ein CB-Testzertifikat auf Anfrage erhältlich. Die Einhaltung dieses Standards wird zukünftig für viele Geräte Voraussetzung sein und ist bereits für medizinische Geräte, die die Norm EN60601-1 (3. Edition) erfüllen, obligatorisch.

Das Ladegerät selbst erfüllt die Norm UL60950-1 und verfügt über eine CE-Kennzeichnung. Ebenso wie die kreditkartengroßen Akkus von Accutronics kann das CX6100 an bestimmte OEM-Anforderungen angepasst werden. Es ist standardmäßig grau, doch die Gehäusefarbe, Beschriftung und Verpackung können alle abgeändert werden.

L'alimentation portable au format carte de crédit

~ Accutronics lance son chargeur de batterie au format carte de crédit à l'échelle mondiale ~

Le fabricant international de batteries Accutronics a lancé un chargeur de bureau novateur pour sa gamme de batteries au format carte de crédit. Ce nouveau chargeur baptisé CX6100 est l'accessoire parfait pour charger les batteries au format carte de crédit Entellion CC2300 et CC3800. 

Le chargeur à baie unique offre une capacité de charge rapide et peut être utilisé dans le monde entier, grâce à son alimentation murale fournie avec différentes lames de courant alternatif interchangeables. Les batteries au format carte de crédit et leurs chargeurs sont préassemblés qualifiés et, par conséquent, permettent le lancement plus rapide des produits sur le marché par les OEM.

La gamme de batteries au format carte de crédit d'Accutronics fournit aux OEM une série de dispositifs professionnels lithium-ion rechargeables, largement disponibles dans le commerce, pour leurs appareils électroniques portables et portatifs.

Le CX6100 recharge une batterie CC2300 en 3,5 heures environ, et une batterie CC3800 en 5,5 heures environ. Les diodes d'état du chargeur indiquent le niveau de charge de la batterie. Son alimentation CA/CC est fournie avec des adaptateurs pour les États-Unis, l'Europe, le Royaume-Uni, l'Australie et la Chine.

« À l'instar de tous nos produits, ce chargeur a été conçu spécifiquement pour les OEMs », explique Rob Phillips, directeur général d'Accutronics. « Nous comprenons bien les besoins des OEM, et c'est pourquoi nous sommes en mesure de produire des versions personnalisées de nos produits moyennant un supplément minime. Une fois la conception personnalisée acceptée, nous ne modifions plus la batterie ni le chargeur, ni dans leur forme ni dans leur fonction, sans en informer notre client préalablement ni sans sa permission expresse. De cette manière, l'OEM sait que les produits seront parfaitement compatibles avec ses appareils et cela prévient tout problème concernant la qualité ou le respect des normes. »

Les batteries au format carte de crédit correspondant aux chargeurs ont été testées pour satisfaire aux Recommandations relatives au transport des marchandises dangereuses des Nations Unies et au Manuel d’épreuves et de critères (ST/SG/AC.10.11 §38.3), ce qui signifie qu'elles sont prêtes pour le transport, sans tests ni dépenses supplémentaires.

Ces batteries satisfont également aux exigences CEI 62133:2002 et le certificat de test CB est disponible sur demande. La conformité à cette norme devient essentielle pour de nombreux appareils et est déjà obligatoire pour les instruments médicaux certifiés EN 60601-1, 3e édition.

Le chargeur lui-même est certifié UL 60950-1 et porte le label CE. Comme pour les batteries au format carte de crédit d'Accutronics, le CX6100 peut être modifié pour répondre aux exigences spécifiques des OEM. Le boîtier de série est proposé dans un coloris gris clair, mais ce coloris, l'étiquetage et l'emballage peuvent être personnalisés selon les besoins du client.

MD&M East gets charged over charger

~ Accutronics launches Entellion credit card battery charger at East Coast’s largest medical technology show ~

International battery manufacturer Accutronics will join thousands of medical industry suppliers and service providers at MD&M East, on June 10-12 in New York, where the British company will launch an innovative desktop charger for its groundbreaking credit card battery range. 

The new charger, called the CX6100, is the perfect accessory for charging Entellion CC2300 and CC3800 credit card batteries. The single bay desktop charger has a rapid charge capability and can be used around the world, thanks to its wall mounted power supply, which is delivered complete with various interchangeable AC blades. Credit card batteries and chargers are pre-tooled and pre-qualified and therefore get device OEMs to market faster.

Accutronics’ credit card battery range provides OEMs with a rechargeable range of off-the-rack Lithium Ion professional batteries for portable and wearable medical devices.

The CX6100 charges a CC2300 battery in around 3.5 hours and a CC3800 battery in around 5.5 hours. LED indicators on the charger provide the charge status. Powered by an AC/DC power supply, it comes with adapters for use in the USA, Europe, UK, Australia and China.

“As with all our products, we’ve designed this charger specifically for OEMs,” explained Accutronics managing director Rob Phillips. “A good example of our understanding of an OEM’s needs is our ability to produce customised versions for customers with very little additional cost. Once the custom design is agreed we will not modify the fit, form or function of the battery or charger without our customer’s prior knowledge and express permission. This gives the OEM the confidence that it will always remain compliant with their device and prevents any regulatory compliance or quality issues.”

The range of credit card batteries that the unit charges have been tested to and meet the requirements of the UN Model Regulations and the Manual of Tests and Criteria (ST/SG/AC.10.11 §38.3), meaning they are ready to be offered for transportation without any additional testing or expense.

The battery range also meets the requirements of IEC62133:2002 and a CB test certificate is available upon request. Compliance to this standard is becoming a requirement for many devices and is already mandatory for medical instruments certified to EN60601-1 third edition.

The charger itself is certified to UL60950-1 and is CE marked. As with Accutronics’ credit card batteries, the CX6100 can be modified to meet specific OEM requirements. Supplied in cool gray as standard, the case colour, labelling and packaging can all be customised.

Erneute Spitzenleistung des Akkuherstellers

~ Accutronics erhält Zertifizierung nach Qualitätsnorm ISO 13845:2003 ~

Der internationale Akkuhersteller Accutronics wurde im Februar 2014 mit dem Qualitätssiegel ISO 13845:2003 ausgezeichnet. Das Unternehmen hat die Zertifizierung für das Design, die Herstellung und das Testen von Akkuprodukten und Akkuladegeräten für medizinische Geräte erhalten.

ISO 13485:2003 basiert auf der Qualitätsnorm ISO 9001, deren Anforderungen Accutronics bereits seit mehreren Jahren erfüllt. ISO 13485:2003 ist jedoch weitaus spezialisierter und auf die Herstellung medizinischer Geräte ausgerichtet.

Die neue Norm legt die Anforderungen an ein Qualitätsmanagementsystem fest. Hersteller müssen nachweisen, dass ihre medizinischen Komponenten die Anforderungen der zuständigen Behörden und der Kunden erfüllen.

ISO 13485:2003 enthält eine zusätzliche Verpflichtung zur kontinuierlichen Verbesserung, die über die Anforderungen von ISO 9001 hinausgeht. Die Hauptunterschiede sind die Design- und Rückverfolgbarkeitsverfahren sowie ein zusätzlicher Schwerpunkt auf Lieferantenaudits.

„Wir setzen uns unermüdlich dafür ein, neue und verbesserte Akkus für medizinische Geräte zu entwickeln, die in Krankenhäusern auf der ganzen Welt dazu beitragen, Leben zu retten,“ erklärte Matt Simcock, Qualitätsmanager bei Accutronics. „Dieses Gütesiegel ist bei der Zusammenarbeit mit OEMs ein wichtiges Instrument zur Vertrauensbildung.“

„Wir haben vor zwölf Monaten begonnen, uns auf die Zertifizierung gemäß ISO 13845:2003 vorzubereiten. Am Anfang war es für uns etwas Neues, aber dank der Unterstützung unseres starken Teams konnten wir uns innerhalb äußerst kurzer Zeit zertifizieren lassen.“

„Als Qualitätsmanager hatte ich die Aufgabe, Verfahren für die Design- und Herstellungsteams zu erstellen. Außerdem musste ich mich mit Rückverfolgbarkeit und Nachhaltigkeit befassen. Es ist ein großartiges Endergebnis, mit dem ich wirklich sehr zufrieden bin,“ so Matt Simcock.

„Der Erhalt des Gütesiegels ISO 13845:2003 für die Qualität unserer Design-, Herstellungs- und Testverfahren hat allen Mitarbeitern des Unternehmens immensen Auftrieb gegeben,“ kommentierte Rob Phillips, Managing Director von Accutronics. „Die neuen Verfahren und internen Prüfungen haben zu schlankeren Herstellungsverfahren geführt, und wir sehen jetzt auch erste Auswirkungen auf unseren Gewinn. Darüber hinaus befinden wir uns jetzt bei Ausschreibungen und Verkaufsgesprächen in einer noch besseren Position,“ meinte er abschließend.

Future-proofing for years to come

The importance of fitting the right type of battery in certain devices is something we can’t stress enough, no matter how often we bring it up. The variety of batteries available can sometimes make it very challenging for a design engineer to choose the best option. In fact, the creativity of some battery solutions has impressed even us, here at Accutronics. For example, last month, a team from the Big Bang UK Young Scientists and Engineering Fair created the world’s first battery made entirely of Brussels sprouts.

As charming as the Brussels sprouts battery idea is, certain devices, particularly the ones used in defence and security, or the medical and healthcare sectors, need to be future-proofed for at least a decade. One of the best ways to do that is by applying intelligent design techniques at the earliest possible stages.

Consumer devices, like mobile phones or music players rarely have a lifecycle of over 24 months. This is definitely not the case with medical devices like X-ray machines, ventilators, or patient monitoring equipment, which can go for over a decade without being redeveloped. The reason is partly related to the high cost of redesigning and testing new medical devices.

A long life span is part of the reason why design engineers need to ensure that the components of the device – including the battery - will not become obsolete during the device’s estimated lifetime. This can sometimes be the case if the design engineer decides to use as a power source a battery originally developed with a consumer use in mind.

Because of the unpredictability of consumer markets, there is no guarantee that in five or ten year’s time, that specific consumer battery solution will still be available. Furthermore, consumer battery solutions are usually less reliable and have lower levels of technical support than custom made batteries.

The challenge medical device OEMs face is finding a balance between how to use the latest battery technology, and the guarantee that device components will be available in the long term. And in this context, long term actually means up to 15 years. The solution is to work closely alongside the battery developer from the earliest stages of device design. This way, the device can be built, to the appropriate extent, around the battery or at least with its own power requirements in mind.

Leading battery developers closely monitor battery and device trends, and can offer objective advice about cell selection, ensuring the device is future-proof until its estimated end of life. Battery developers also guarantee continuous and expert levels of technical support throughout the device’s life cycle and can continue to manufacture the custom-made battery even in small numbers, when a consumer battery manufacturer wouldn’t.

Not to toot our own horn, but here at Accutronics, we are experts in designing custom battery solutions for devices that are too expensive to redevelop if the initial battery becomes obsolete. So why not drop us an email on sales@accutronics.co.uk or give us a call on 01782 566688, and we’ll advise you on what would be the best solutions for your device.

Förkvalificerade batterier påskyndar utformningen av medicinska instrument

~ Det nya VR-sortimentet gör integreringen enkel för designtekniker ~

Accutronics, den brittiska batterispecialisten, har lanserat ett nytt sortiment av förkvalificerade och förtestade batterier. De nya, anpassningsbara VR420 batterierna är idealiska för användning i medicinsk utrustning och industrielektronik. Sortimentet har utformats, utvecklats och tillverkats av Accutronics i Storbritannien och uppfyller alla tillämpliga säkerhets-, prestanda- och transportstandarder. 

De nya 14,4 V-batterierna använder den senaste litiumjontekniken och ger hög volumetrisk och gravimetrisk energitäthet, så att utrustningen går längre och väger mindre.

Dessutom innehåller VR420 en SMBus- (systemhanteringsbuss) och SBS-kompatibel (smart batterisystem) impedansspårande bränslemätare som gör att batteriet kan skicka viktiga batteridata mellan sig självt, en smart värd och en smart laddare. När det har konfigurerats i en produkt kan värdutrustningen enkelt begära dynamisk information från batteriet som körtid till tom tank, cykelantal och utmatningsström samt statisk information som serienummer, tillverkarnamn och artikelnummer. Dessa data gör att kundens enhet kan hantera sin egen effekt bättre, vilket kan öka enhetens körtider och minska antalet stopp i förtid. Dessutom finns en LED-display med fem staplar på batterihöljet så att användaren enkelt kan avgöra laddningsstatus i steg om 20 %.

VR420 har sina egna aktiva och passiva skyddsanordningar som hindrar den från att överladdas, laddas ur för mycket eller överbelastas vid vårdslös användning. Med säkerhetscertifiering IEC62133 och UL2054 kan VR420 lätt utformas för nya enheter till minimal tid och kostnad.

VR420 är utformad för tuffa arbetsmiljöer och har ett svart flamskyddande plasthus med polariserade skenor på båda sidorna så att VR420 kan skjutas in i en värdenhet med minimal ansträngning.

Transporten av VR420 förenklas genom att produkten har en lagrad energi på mindre än 100 wattimmar, vilket har certifierats av en oberoende källa efter Manual of Tests and Criteria (ST/SG/AC.10/11/Rev5) avsnitt 38.3.

”VR420 är verkligen en kraftfull produkt”, sa Neil Oliver, teknisk marknadsföringschef på Accutronics. ”Den särskilda kombinationen av litiumjonceller, smart batterielektronik och innovativ höljesutformning är ledande i klassen och innebär att VR420 kan användas för att driva ett stort sortiment av professionella produkter på både industri- och läkemedelsmarknaden”.

VR420 finns i två versioner: VR420A och VR420B som levererar 6,2 Ah och 4,4 Ah. A-versionen har högst kapacitet, medan B-alternativet är optimerat för tillämpningar med högre utmatning som motordrivna fläktar, där hög effekt krävs snabbt.

VR420A och VR420B kan köpas direkt i butik eller specialanpassas för särskilda kundbehov. ”Accutronics har utformat och tillverkat Entellion-produktsortimentet med fokus på kunderna. Om kunden kräver specialprogramvara, egna etiketter eller en annan plastfärg för att matcha sin enhet, kan vi lätt hjälpa till”, sa Michele Windsor, marknadsföringschef på Accutronics. ”Eftersom produkten redan har designats, bearbetats och certifierats är tiden och kostnaden för anpassning mycket lägre än för en helt specialanpassad design – anpassningsmetoden ger kunderna det de vill ha med en minimal investering”.

Les batteries préqualifiées accélèrent la conception d'appareils médicaux

~ La nouvelle gamme VR simplifie l'intégration pour les ingénieurs de conception ~

Accutronics, spécialiste des batteries basé au Royaume-Uni, vient de lancer une nouvelle gamme de batteries préqualifiées et prétestées. Les nouvelles batteries VR420 personnalisables sont idéales pour les applications telles que les instruments médicaux et les appareils électroniques industriels. La gamme a été conçue, développée et fabriquée par Accutronics au Royaume-Uni et est conforme à toutes les normes de sécurité, de performance et de transport au Royaume-Uni. 

Les nouvelles batteries 14,4 V ont recours à la toute dernière technologie lithium-ion, fournissant ainsi une haute densité d'énergie volumétrique et gravimétrique qui permet le fonctionnement plus long des appareils, pour un poids pourtant moindre.

En outre, la VR420 inclut une jauge à suivi d'impédance conforme SMBus (System Management Bus) et SBS (Smart Battery System) grâce à laquelle la batterie transmet les données pertinentes à un hôte et à un chargeur intelligents. Lorsqu'il est configuré dans un produit, l'équipement hôte est capable de demander des informations dynamiques à la batterie, telles que la durée d'exécution avant épuisement, le nombre de cycles ou le courant de décharge, ainsi que des informations statiques telles que le numéro de série, le nom du fabricant et le numéro de pièce. Ces données permettent à l'appareil du client de mieux gérer son alimentation, d'où une hausse du temps d'exécution et une baisse du nombre d'arrêts prématurés de l'appareil. Par ailleurs, un témoin lumineux à DEL sur cinq barres intégré au boîtier de la batterie permet à l'utilisateur de déterminer la charge facilement, par simples incréments de 20 %.

Le VR420 inclut ses propres dispositifs de protection active et passive, qui préviennent les surcharges, les décharges excessives ou les charges excessives résultant d'un usage abusif. Certifiée IEC62133 et UL2054, la batterie VR420 s'intègre facilement aux nouveaux appareils en un minimum de temps et d'investissement.

Conçue pour les environnements de travail agressifs, la VR420 est logée dans un boîtier en plastique noir ignifuge qui inclut un rail polarisé latéral permettant de la glisser dans l'appareil hôte avec un minimum d'effort.

Le transport de la VR420 est simplifié, puisque le produit a une énergie stockée de moins de 100 wattheures et a été certifié indépendamment pour la charte des transports des Nations-Unis (ST/SG/AC.10/11/Rev5) section 38.3.

« La batterie VR420 est un produit vraiment puissant », annonce Neil Oliver, directeur du marketing technique d'Accutronics. « L'association particulière d'éléments de batterie lithium-ion, de circuits de batterie intelligents et d'un boîtier de conception novatrice produit un résultat de tout premier rang. La VR420 peut être utilisée pour alimenter une série complète de produits professionnels des marchés médical et industriel », ajoute-t-il.

La VR420 se décline en deux versions : la VR420A et la VR420B, fournissant respectivement 6,2 Ah et 4,4 Ah. La version A assure la capacité la plus haute, tandis que la version B est optimisée pour les applications de courant de décharge plus important, comme c'est le cas des ventilateurs entraînés par moteur qui requièrent une quantité considérable de puissance rapidement.

Les VR420A et VR420B sont disponibles dans le commerce ou peuvent être personnalisées en fonction de besoins particuliers. « Accutronics a créé et fabriqué la gamme Entellion de produits, spécialement pour ses clients. Lorsque nos clients nécessitent un logiciel spécial, un étiquetage particulier ou une couleur de boîtier différente pour s'accorder à l'appareil hôte, ces modifications peuvent être facilement réalisées », précise Michele Windsor, directeur du marketing d'Accutronics. « Le produit étant déjà conçu, équipé et certifié, les délais et les coûts habituellement investis dans la personnalisation sont nettement inférieurs à ceux d'un produit purement personnalisé. L'approche de personnalisation donne au client ce qu'il désire, moyennant un investissement minimal », conclut-elle.