Mobile carts are revolutionizing the healthcare industry. They can improve emergency response times, access to equipment, patient engagement, and even save space. They are an invaluable part of any healthcare setting.
However, like any piece of equipment, it’s only useful for as long as it works. Batteries are the power source for mobile carts as they need to be able to reach every corner of a hospital.
Not all batteries are equal, and there are essential aspects to consider before purchase.
Battery Capacity
Some carts on the market still need to be charged at a wall socket, while some have batteries that require users to recharge them too frequently. At Scott-Clark Medical, we use our patented Flexible Mobile Cart Power Technology (FMCPT) to create an extended battery life. By using a high-quality lithium-ion battery, our mobile cart run times can be as long as 10-12 hours.
Battery Charging
When it’s time to charge the battery, we have charging systems built into our carts. While other carts may be out of commission while they charge, a Scott-Clark Medical cart can keep working. While one battery is powering the unit, another will be in the battery charger at the rear of the machine. Our system alerts the user when one battery is running low. The visual display will go yellow using led lights, and an audio beep will advise when it is time to change.
By using our hot-swap system, one battery can be removed and replaced with a fresh high energy one within 30 seconds. While the energy density ensures the cells work for a long time, they also only take a remarkable 2½ hours to charge. There is little chance of the cart ever being without power when the user keeps the second battery fully charged.
Battery Life
Users may have to replace older batteries after 8-10 months. Not only is this expensive, but it is terrible for the environment. For peace of mind, Scott-Clark Medical batteries come with a 5-year full warranty. FMCPT batteries can have a life span as much as five times greater than most other batteries.
Technology
Of course, these benefits don’t come without a significant amount of research and applying the most advanced techniques. Our FMCPT uses iron phosphate lithium-ion batteries, as opposed to standard lithium-ion batteries.
A lithium iron phosphate battery contains 72 cells. Each cell provides 320-watts of power. While a standard lithium-ion battery lasts for approximately 1,200 cycles, an FMCPT battery will last for around 4,000-5,000 cycles.
Safety Features
We use our BCS system to monitor the health and safety of our batteries. The system can detect which battery has the most charge and optimize the energy flows accordingly. Should the system detect a safety issue, it can shut down the cart.
The Takeaway
A cell battery is the power behind the scenes. Our FMCPT battery is at the forefront of medical cart technology.