CMX battery series coming soon

United Kingfom - This autumn, Accutronics is set to vitalize the medical market when it launches a new range of rechargeable smart batteries. 

The medical market is undergoing rapid evolution with the likes of portability and freedom from AC power taking center stage for doctors and emergency services. 

Accutronics specializes in the design, development and manufacture of smart batteries and has developed the Entellion CMX series of Lithium ion smart batteries and chargers specifically for medical device OEMs following extensive research and discussion with customers and hospitals. 

Q.  What makes these batteries different from others currently on the market?
A.  The CMX series launch brings together high voltage, high power and smart battery functionality in a package that exceeds the strict regulatory requirements for batteries used in medical devices. The medical device market is experiencing rapid growth and the CMX series offers tremendous opportunities for OEMs developing devices for life critical applications.

Rechargeable batteries are usually required in portable and transportable medical equipment, either to power the equipment directly or to provide a back-up power source. As many hi-tech medical devices, such as acute ventilators and anesthesia workstations, free themselves from the confines of main electricity, there is growing demand for rechargeable batteries with high power capability that can deliver energy to these devices safely and reliably. Medical original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) have long looked to battery companies to provide the answers, but have often been let down by a lack of understanding of requirements. This may be due to increasing regulatory framework, demanding development schedules or the need for products to be truly innovative at a time when medical OEMs are under pressure to reduce costs and increase the value in products they sell.

This is why Accutronics has developed the Entellion CMX series of Lithium ion batteries and chargers. CMX Series batteries are targeted at transportable medical devices, which require reliable high rate portable power and are available off-the shelf or easily customized to meet particular OEM requirements.

Q.  What makes Lithium ion the best solution?
A.  Lithium ion has a proven record in providing safe, reliable power to devices we use in our everyday lives and is now used to power everything from smart phones to electric cars. The technology provides high energy density, excellent safety, low self-discharge and outstanding cycle life.

Q.  What versions will be available?
A.  We have designed both 14.4V and 28.8V products across three different mechanical packages. There are also different models depending on if the customer needs the highest energy capacity, the highest discharge power, or a mix of both. All CMX batteries are colored ‘traffic white’ to complement the medical environment. 

Q.  Will regulatory certification come as standard?
A.  Yes, we have ensured CMX batteries comply with regulatory certifications necessary for use in medical devices. In terms of safety they meet the requirements of both UL2054 (2nd edition) and IEC62133:2012 (2nd edition), the latter being a mandatory requirement for medical devices certified to IEC60601-1 (3rd edition). All CMX series batteries meet the latest transportation test requirements (UN ST/SG/AC.10.11 Rev5 Section 38.3) which are mandatory for the transportation of Lithium ion batteries. All have an energy rating less than 100-watt hours, which means they’re easily offered for transport whether shipped by road, sea, air, or rail.

Q.  Can they be customized?
A.  Yes, CMX series batteries are available either off-the-shelf with the Accutronics Entellion branding or they can be easily customized to meet specific needs of OEMs. Customization options include product labelling, case color and software set-up. Custom versions of CMX batteries can also be programmed to include a unique ‘authentication key’ which allows OEM devices to interrogate their customized battery to determine if it is a valid part, enabling batteries not deemed valid to be rejected by the host device. SHA-1 authentication helps OEMs protect their aftermarket sales revenue and prevent fraudulent warranty claims as result of non-approved batteries.

Q.  Are they protected against over-charge and over-discharge?
A.  Yes, product safety is paramount and Accutronics follow industry best practice when implementing battery protection systems. All CMX batteries feature ‘nested’ active and passive protection to ensure they remain totally safe during transportation, storage, and use. The protection systems include protection against over-charge, over-discharge, over-current, short circuit, and over-temperature.

Q.  Why are the called ‘smart’ batteries?
A.  Each CMX battery constantly tracks its own capacity whether it is being charged, discharged, or stored. The battery fuel gauge uses correction factors to adjust for changes in temperature, charge rate, and discharge rate together with further modifications as the battery ages. CMX series batteries predict their capacity to within 1% meaning OEMs can provide users with a device runtime figure they can trust. CMX batteries are intended to be integrated into medical devices as part of a smart power management system. In such a system the battery, smart charger and the host device communicate with each other to maximize product safety, efficiency, and performance. Host medical systems that use smart battery technology can provide accurate, meaningful runtime information to users – of vital importance in a medical environment where power failure is not an option.

Source: Accutronics