Battery life on wireless medical devices is always an issue. One way to minimize battery life hassles is to design a product that uses a cradle that trickle charges the device while mounted on a bed rail or on a table at the bedside. One problem with docking cradles is the connector on the medical device - they have to be designed just right to minimize damage, they can provide unintentional ingress of fluids, and they are not inexpensive.

The eCoupled uses inductive coupling to power devices with no wires or connectors - oh, and it can transfer data too. The technology from Fulton Innovation was introduced at CES. According to eCoupled, "Traditional inductive coupling has very limited use due to the relative
inflexibility of the positioning of the primary and secondary coils in
relation to each other. eCoupled technology eliminates the need for
precise positioning in multiple dimensions, making it easy to connect
with the power and data source." Data communications is around 3.3 Mbps based on Amplitude Modulation (AM) technology that is not enabled by
inductive coupling but is incorporated into the design of the primary
and secondary coils.

From Gizmodo:

Placing a small chip in a cellphone, frying pan or light bulb lets
the system wirelessly conduct electricity.

Its makers, Fulton Innovation, are forming an alliance of companies
planning use the technology, including such names as Motorola, Visteon,
Herman Miller and Mobility Electronics.

More good news: this wireless induction trick won't add but a buck
or two to the final cost of devices. Charge up that cellphone by
placing it on a hotspot? Expect the first products using eCoupled by
mid-summer.

View the demo by clicking below.