12 Today, single-use and rechargeable lithium batteries are the first choice for advanced medical equipment. They offer the highest specific energy and energy density of any battery type. Single-use and rechargeable lithium-ion batteries were first used in pacemakers in the 1960s; today all kinds of medical devices are being powered by these batteries, including automatic external defibrillators, infusion pumps and bone growth stimulators. Lithium batteries are used in the Stauferklinikum in Schwäbisch Gmünd to operate surgical saws. These are used in accident and spinal surgery, specifically to treat broken bones, in spinal operations, and in hip and knee operations. The Stauferklinikum is a member of the Ostalb Clinic Network which, alongside the locations St. Anna-Virngrund Clinic Ellwangen and the Ostalb Clinic in Aalen, comprise around 1,000 beds and 3,000 employees, and treat over 50,000 inpatient cases each year. Speciality medical disciplines at the Stauferklinikum cover a broad and highly specialised spectrum of care. The best available treatment is delivered quickly to patients through interdisciplinary collaboration between departments. Highly specialised diagnostics and treatment, in particular thanks to a wide range of surgical services, ensure great patient care in the Schwäbisch Gmünd area and beyond. The clinic’s medical care is complemented by a wide range of treatments and nursing services. Battery-powered surgical instruments in every day use Battery-powered surgical instruments are used every day, so they must be ready to deliver 100% performance any time, in particular for emergency operations. This can only be ensured through safe storage and safe charging of the instruments. Because of this, the Stauferklinikum chose to install two type 90 (90 minute fire protection) safety storage cabinets for charging and storing lithium-ion batteries and rechargeable batteries from asecos, the leading manufacturer of safety storage cabinets in accordance with European standard EN 14470-1 / -2. “Guaranteed fire protection, in particular, was the decisive reason for choosing asecos safety storage cabinets. That is why we specifically decided to purchase two cabinets as well. Now, half of the batteries are stored in each cabinet at all times. This means battery availability and charging capacity are always ensured, even in case of an emergency. If there is a fire, rescue Ostalb Clinic – Reference Stauferklinikum | Germany OPERATING ROOM SAWS AND DRILLS – LI-ION BATTERIES IN THE HEALTHCARE SECTOR “Especially guaranteeing fire protection...”
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