Biomed story songSwollen lithium-ion batteries
The Puffy Battery
A swollen battery: stop, unplug, tag it, never charge it again, and put it in the proper safety bin.
A biomed story song from our shop-floor series. Diagrams are simplified to tell the story; this is not a service procedure, so always follow the manufacturer's instructions and your facility's policy.
The story behind it: Swollen lithium-ion batteries
Lithium-ion batteries can swell when they age, are damaged, overheat or are overcharged. The swelling comes from gas building up inside the cell, and a swollen battery carries a higher risk of fire.
The song's steps follow standard safety advice: stop using the device, unplug it from power, tag it so nobody puts it back in service, never charge the battery again, and place it in the facility's designated container for damaged batteries so it can be recycled under local hazardous waste rules. Do not puncture or squeeze it.
Reviewed November 1, 2026. General information, not a service procedure: follow the manufacturer's instructions and your facility's policy.
Put the steps in order
Tap step 1 of 4.