EBME Forums Forums Maintenance Technical Assistance Replacement batteries (Medgraphics)

Yes, Richard, but where's the benefit in all this? If it's just to have batteries a bit smaller, for reasons not much more than matters of styling, let's go back to the older versions, I say. That is, a bit bulkier, far less cost, and less likely to explode! Can't see the sense in it, myself.

Don't tell me, "our consumers have demanded it"! That's the usual excuse trotted out when unwelcome and unnecessary new technology is foisted upon the unsuspecting public.

I would agree that its wise to use OEM batteries on critical equipment as I can recall at least two problems relating to 3rd party batteries in defibs resulting in recalls in recent years.

There are companies out there that say they do equivalent batteries. The choice, and associated risk I guess, is up to each department.

Geoff before I came to the NHS I did some work on why these batteries fail. Of the Smart battieries that were checked, it was found that there was nothing wrong with the actual battery itself but with the control circuitry. To basically describe the problem it was like they had instead of being Smart had suddenly become dumb and were actually incorrectly reporting their capacity.

It seems the more smart you make a battery the greater problems you will have with it.

Why am I not surprised by that, Chris? When other products are rushed to market in an under-developed state, consumer watch-dogs go into bat, as it were. Who is responding in the case of medical equipment (apart from us right here, that is)?

You're right about control circuitry. It's been decades since I last studied electronics, but I reckon I could still have a stab at designing a battery control circuit! While I'm still reasonably compos mentis, can someone lay out the actual problem for me, or is it really rocket science after all?

And yes, you guys are right about erring on the side of caution when replacing batteries on critical kit (ie, it's probably best to follow the OEM recommendations). So, let's list which critical bits of kit we're actually talking about (ie, define "critical", in this context), and then perhaps agree that the rules can be relaxed for "non-critical" applications.

Thanks for the input guys. I've read all of your comments. Obviously I am aware of the OEM vs third party debate and am cogniscent of the spec on the OEM product. I was looking for more detailed info on the product being offered.
The scuttlebutt is that one of the Liverpool Hospitals EBME depts. has looked into these batteries and found them to be acceptable. If there is anyone from this alledged site out there who has any info, it would useful.
The reason I posted this thread in the first place was because of my concerns about the product. Won't accept accidents on my watch!

Nice sentiments, Steve. But I doubt that anyone would be willing to publish their research on this forum, for fear of retribution!

Nice word you used there, though, Mate. I don't think we've seen scuttlebutt here before. "Word on the street", "gossip"?

Hi Steve,

As said earlier I would recommend that you only use OEM batteries on high risk equipment like this. If you need to find out whether the 3rd party batteries are any good, buy some and test them in your workshop to see how they perform. Obviously if the batteries turn up without the dimple in the end then they will be incompatible and will not charge the cap in the specified time. Although the batteries are rated the same voltage and amp hour, better quality cells are used bu OEM suppliers in my experience. If you test/inspect the 3rd party batteries and find no difference in performance then you will have to complete a risk assessment to quantify buying these instead of the OEM ones.

OK (here I go talking to myself again):-

Defibrillators
Emergency Suction Units (eg, accompanying transport incubators)
Infusion Pumps
Portable Patient Monitors (eg, accompanying transport incubators)
Syringe Drivers

Whilst we’re all charging on about batteries, here are a nice couple of links. Hope I can find the time to have a read through them! Ciao!

If you're also a bit short on time, take a glance at least at this section (you'll be glad you did)!

It looks like the "smart" battery is here to stay, and we can expect to see more of 'em. So the answer surely has to be the Universal Battery Charger-Tester-Conditioner, that will handle all battery technologies. Including being able to read information contained in "smart" battery chips, and react accordingly. Do these exist yet, I wonder?

Here's a bit more on "smart" batteries. Enjoy!

And lastly, any alternative sources amongst this lot, I wonder?

It looks like the SMBus system is the way to go, then. Anyone know what our medical equipment applications use?

This is the bit I liked:-



At what stage does a youngster start yelling for double-fries with his burger?

SoC :: state-of-charge - supposedly in Ah, rather than £'s!