4 4 S U P P L E M E N T T O O U T P A T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E A U G U S T 2 0 1 5
the development of a true autoclavable battery
that doesn't degrade over time. He says today's
batteries don't necessarily hold charges as long as
they should. "That's currently the limiting step in
drills and saws," he comments. "We always have
multiple pre-sterilized batteries in the OR. You
never start a case with just one battery." On the
other hand, Dr. Cates, who prefers using battery-
powered tools that allow for freedom of move-
ment, says battery life is seldom an issue.
Either way, newer lithium-ion batteries are
designed to provide juice for longer periods of
time. A leading manufacturer also offers batteries
that connect remotely to service teams, who ana-
lyze the usage data, troubleshoot easy-to-fix per-
formance issues from off site or alert the facility
to significant problems that need attention. The
company can also monitor instrument usage to
manage the normal wear and tear that can limit
the lifespan of a tool.
A recently available pre-packaged, sterilized,
single-use power drill with rechargeable batter-
ies is a good option to keep on hand in the event
your primary drill goes on the fritz or loses
charge mid-procedure. In fact, an orthopedic
surgeon in Austin, Texas, recently reached for
the disposable tool when the sterility of his pri-
mary drill was compromised and completed the
scheduled knee replacement without incident.
