Hospital medical carts require uninterrupted portable power for critical patient care, but traditional battery systems can create operational vulnerabilities during replacement cycles in healthcare.
When Debetrek, an Australian-based supplier of healthcare devices, was transitioning from reselling medical carts to manufacturing its own Karta Health brand, it needed a flexible power solution. Ultralife Corporation designed the X5 Power System, which can be easily integrated into the new carts and ensure reliable uptime.
Debetrek needed power architecture that could support continuous cart operation while accommodating the diverse requirements of different hospital environments. The solution required hot-swappable capability, enhanced safety profiles and modular configurations that could be easily customised for the changing needs of hospitals and healthcare facilities.
Safety was another concern. Hospital environments demand power systems that meet stringent medical device standards while providing reliable operation across extended duty cycles. The power solution also needed to support Debetrek’s business objectives of rapid market responsiveness and expansion into new global markets.
Ultralife’s application engineering team worked directly with Debetrek’s development engineers to create a comprehensive power system that can utilise AC mains and lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery modules to power devices up to 150W. LiFePO4 battery chemistry provides the enhanced safety characteristics and extended cycle life that are essential for medical applications.
The core innovation was making these battery modules hot-swappable, meaning they can be replaced in seconds using a single hand. Additionally, Ultralife engineered a “hold-up” battery system that provides temporary power during swaps, ensuring seamless operation without interrupting critical medical equipment.
The engineering collaboration included an iterative development process and joint engineering sessions that enabled real-time problem-solving and shorter traditional development timelines. Consequently, both teams could address complex integration challenges collaboratively rather than through traditional serial vendor-customer interactions.
“The X5 Power System was designed to eliminate operational downtime, addressing a critical pain point for hospital operations,” explained Robert Brown, senior marketing executive at Ultralife.
“In addition to the X5 Power System, a two-bay charger was developed. This is supplied in desk stand configuration with a bracket for wall mounting,” continued Brown. “A separate state-of-charge indicator pendant was also created to give cart users a quick and convenient way to see the remaining run-time of each hot-swappable battery and the internal hold-up battery.”
The partnership’s technical approach has helped Debetrek distinguish itself in the medical cart market. For example, the modular hot-swappable architecture addresses significant operational challenges in healthcare environments and has allowed Debetrek to build a foundation for continued product innovations and expansion into the medical cart market.
To find out more about the X5 Power System and how it can help ensure uptime in your medical application, visit https://www.ultralifecorporation.com/ECommerce/product/urs-x5/medical-cart-power-system
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