US Patent 9017851 Sterile housing for non-sterile medical device component

An apparatus for powering a medical device includes a battery pack, a connection feature on the battery pack, and a protective layer. In some versions the protective layer covers the battery pack and the connection feature to provide a fluid tight seal. In some versions, the connection feature comprises at least one electrode, which may pierce the protective layer to establish electrical communication with the medical device from within the protective layer such that a non-sterile battery pack could be used to deliver power to a sterile medical device without compromising sterility of the medical device. The protective layer may form a compartment. The at least one electrode may have a conical shape to facilitate piercing the protective layer.