Abstract: An electrochemical cell comprising an electrode, whether it is the cathode of a primary cell or an anode or a cathode of a secondary cell, comprised of a mixture of a robust, high temperature binder along with a sacrificial decomposable polymer is described. The robust binder remains in the electrode throughout formation and processing, and maintains adhesion and cohesion of the cathode during utilization. The sacrificial decomposable polymer is present during the electrode formation stage. However, it is decomposed via a controlled treatment prior to electrode utilization. Upon subsequent high pressure pressing, the void spaces formerly occupied by the sacrificial polymer provides sites where the electrode active material collapses into a tightly compressed mass with enhanced particle-to-particle contact between the active material particles. For a cathode in a primary cell, for example a Li/SVO cell, the result is believed to be improved rate capability, capacity and stability throughout discharge.

Abstract: A metal-encased passive radio-frequency transponder assembly includes a metal housing having an external surface and an opening accessing an interior space, the opening closeable with a metal cover to provide a solid metal encasement. The interior space of the encasement is defined by the interior walls of the housing and cover. The solid metal encasement has a substantially uniform wall thickness between the interior wall surface adjacent which an antenna assembly is disposed and the opposing external surface of less than about 0.5 mm. A passive radio-frequency transponder device is received within the interior space of the housing. The passive transponder device has an iron core antenna assembly. The antenna assembly is disposed adjacent the interior wall surface of the interior space and oriented to maximally couple a radio-frequency signal present at the interior wall surface to an antenna of the antenna assembly.

Abstract: A capacitor assembly comprising a casing, an anode pack housed within the casing and comprising two or more anode pellets of anode active material electrically connected to each other by a bridge, and a cathode comprised of cathode current collectors including major faces with cathode active material provided thereupon is described. The bridge, which spans between sidewalls of the anode pellets, helps maintain them in a parallel alignment. The bridge is also a convenient location to connect the feedthrough wire that exits the casing through a glass-to-metal seal. The cathode current collectors are disposed between adjacent anode pellets and are electrically connected to each other and to the casing. A feedthrough wire electrically connected to the anode pack extends outside the casing in electrical isolation there from. An electrolyte is provided to activate the anode and the cathode.

Abstract: A feedthrough filter capacitor assembly is described. The feedthrough filter capacitor assembly comprises an outer ferrule hermetically sealed to an insulator of a dielectric material seated within the ferrule. The insulative material is also hermetically sealed to at least one lead wire. Instead of being made of platinum or platinum/iridium, the lead wire comprises a core of a non-noble metal supporting a functionally graded coating. The metal core has an inner layer of the same the non-noble metal of the core and an outer layer of a noble metal. A gradient transition zone exists between the non-noble metal and the outer noble metal. Consequently, lead wires having all the beneficial attributes of platinum and platinum/iridium wire can be built into hermetic feedthroughs, but at a significantly reduced cost.

Abstract: An adjustable reamer spindle is provided to aid a surgeon in controlling an instrument. The reamer spindle is easily disassembled for cleaning. The spindle has a repositionable handle, a locking ring, and an elastic device. The locking ring aids in holding the reamer spindle together. Removal of the locking ring against an elastic bias of a spring unfastens an end of the assembly in order to facilitate disassembly and/or cleaning. Adjustment of the position of the handle about the spindle enables the palm/grip of each hand to be changed in order to provide maximum control in different orientations.

Abstract: An adjustable reamer spindle is provided to aid the surgeon in controlling the instrument. The reamer spindle is easily disassembled for cleaning. The spindle has a repositionable handle, a locking ring, and an elastic device. The elastic device biases against a handle locking mechanism that locks the repositionable handle at angular positions about an axis of the spindle. The elastic device further biases a locking ring into a locked position. The locking ring aids in holding the reamer spindle together. Removal of the locking ring against an elastic bias of the elastic means unfastens an end of the assembly in order to facilitate disassembly and/or cleaning. Adjustment of the position of the handle about the spindle enables the palm/grip of each hand to be changed in order to provide maximum control in different orientations.

Abstract: Improvements in the performance of lithium electrochemical cells comprising a first cathode active material of a relatively high energy density but of a relatively low rate capability, for example CFx, contacted to one side of a current collector and with a second cathode active material having a relatively low energy density but of a relatively high rate capability, for example SVO, contacted to the opposite current collector side are described. An exemplary cathode has the configuration: SVO/first current collector/CFx/second current collector/SVO, and wherein the anodic coulombic capacity does not exceed the total coulombic capacities of the SVO and CFx by greater than 25%. Manganese oxide (MnO2) is another typically used cathode active material in lieu of SVO, and the present invention is applicable to lithium cells of that system as well.

Abstract: The traditional method of building a CFx/current collector/SVO assembly is by the application of a static pressing force. However, the density of the electrode and, particularly the CFx component, can be increase by using a cyclic pressing protocol. That is where the active materials are formed into a blank or contacted to a current collector by the use of at least two pressing events separated by a period when the pressure is removed. Not only does this cyclic pressing protocol increase the density of the CFx material, it also provides an electrode that is relatively flat, and not cupped. Conventional pressing techniques often result in badly cupped electrodes, especially when disparate active materials are contacting opposite sides of the current collector. Cupping consequently reduces the effective volumetric energy density of the electrode or necessitates the addition of a process step of flattening of the cathode, if at all possible.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell comprising a lithium anode and a fluorinated silver vanadium oxide cathode activated with a nonaqueous electrolyte is described. The fluorinated silver vanadium oxide is of the formula Ag4V2O11-xFx, wherein x ranges from about 0.02 to about 0.3.

Abstract: A electrical connector for connection to an electrochemical cell is described. The connector comprises a conductive lid; a ferrule disposed within an opening through the conductive lid; a conductive center pin disposed within the ferrule; and a hermetic seal formed between the pin and an interior surface of the ferrule. A mating terminal connector adapted to be connected to the ferrule and the conductive center pin is further provided. The terminal connector is a device for easily and quickly connecting the cell to a circuit board of the kind found in an implantable medical device, such as a cardiac pacemaker, defibrillator, neuro-stimulator, drug pump, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a header assembly attachable to a medical device for the purpose of connecting its output terminals to at least one lead, the lead terminating at a target organ or portion of the body intending to be assisted. A number of leads are connectable to the header, including single and coaxial leads. The header assembly may be molded directly to the medical device or preformed and then attached to the device casing, either by mechanical fastener and/or chemical adhesive.

Abstract: A precision adjustable surgical tool holder/driver is provided which is easily disassembled for cleaning and precisely reassembled. The holder/driver has a positionable handle allowing adjustment of the position of the handle about the spindle of the holder to enable the “handedness” of the holder to be changed in order to accommodate a user while operating from the left or right side of the patient, standing behind or in-front of the patient, or for use in different surgical methods. The holder/driver includes a “limited-play” capture mechanism, which connects the drive end of the housing to its locking sleeve via a limited-play locking device. The limited-play locking device utilizes a disengageable, precision fitted bayonet pin and seat combination in part to accomplish the precision reassembly feature of the present invention.

Abstract: A bone plate(s) of complex form is provided, particularly suited to tibial plateau-leveling osteotomy and a distal femoral osteotomy. The bone plate has a main longitudinal axis, a bone-contacting bottom side (not shown) and a top side with at least three sets of overlapping holes which communicate through the plate from the top to the bottom side. The sets of overlapping holes define threaded apertures having multifaceted surfaces. When applied to a bone, two sets of such overlapping holes are located so as to lie on opposite sides of an osteotomy site and on the tibial plate; a third is aligned at approximately 60 degrees with the longitudinal axis. The configuration of this complex bone plate vary, depending on the physiology of the patient. An object of the invention is to provide an orthopedic surgeon greater flexibility of choice in that a threaded peg providing secure fixing can be positioned at any interval along the bone plate, including at its extreme ends or on its elbow.

Abstract: A current collector for use in an electrochemical cell comprising a conductive substrate including a frame comprising at least one frame conductor providing a closed perimeter; a mesh grid within the frame; and a first solid area bounded by a perimeter, the perimeter of the first solid area being disposed at least partially within the mesh grid; and a coating disposed on the conductive substrate and having a thickness, the thickness of the coating being measurable by an instrument comprising a mask including an aperture bounded by a perimeter; wherein the mask of the instrument may be placed in contact or nearly in contact with the coating such that the perimeter of the aperture of the mask is located entirely within the perimeter of the first solid area of the conductive substrate.

Abstract: Devices and methods for stimulating nerves, such as peripheral nerves are described. Some devices can include small cross-section lead bodies having one or more electrodes in the round distal portion, the electrodes having a substantially planar surface within the distal portion of the lead which is suitable for placement through a cylindrical needle intended to access a spinal region of a patient. Some lead electrodes are covered with a hydrophilic coating at least about 0.001 inches thick. The hydrophilic coating may include a steroid and/or a GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) agonist which can elute or diffuse over time, away from the electrode.

Abstract: A method for anodizing valve metal structures to a target formation voltage is described. The valve metal structures are placed in an anodizing electrolyte and connected to a power supply that generates a source voltage to at least one current limiting device. If at least two current limiting devices are used, they are in series with the valve metal structures with the one current limiting device connected to at least one structure. The valve metal structures are then subjected to a current that decreases over time, a formation voltage that increases over time to a level below the voltage from the power supply and a power level that is self-adjusted to a level that decreases excessive heating in the structure. The invention also includes the components for the method.

Abstract: A current collector for an electrode of an electrochemical cell is described. The current collector has a peripheral edge between first and second major faces, the edge comprising at least a first edge contiguous with a second edge angled with respect to each other. A protrusion extends outwardly from the junction of the first and second edges. This protrusion helps to precisely position the current collector in a pressing fixture. That way, active material is contacted to each of the major faces of the current collector and is of a uniform thickness about its edges. Later, when the resulting electrode plate is assembled into an electrochemical cell, such as of a multi-plate construction, the protrusion also serves to maintain strict alignment of the plate inside the casing.

Abstract: A bone plate(s) of complex form is provided, particularly suited to tibial plateau-leveling osteotomy and a distal femoral osteotomy. The bone plate has a main longitudinal axis, a bone-contacting bottom side (not shown) and a top side with at least three sets of overlapping holes which communicate through the plate from the top to the bottom side. The sets of overlapping holes define threaded apertures having multifaceted surfaces. When applied to a bone, two sets of such overlapping holes are located so as to lie on opposite sides of an osteotomy site and on the tibial plate; a third is aligned at approximately 60 degrees with the longitudinal axis. The configuration of this complex bone plate vary, depending on the physiology of the patient. An object of the invention is to provide an orthopedic surgeon greater flexibility of choice in that a threaded peg providing secure fixing can be positioned at any interval along the bone plate, including at its extreme ends or on its elbow.

Abstract: Metal vanadium oxide particles have been produced with an average diameter less than about 500 nm. The particles are produced from nanocrystalline vanadium oxide particles. Silver vanadium oxide particles, for example, can be formed by the heat treatment of a mixture of nanoscale vanadium oxide and a silver compound. Other metal vanadium oxide particles can be produced by similar processes. The metal vanadium oxide particles have very uniform properties.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell is described. The cell comprises a cathode material contacted to a perforated current collector having a portion left uncovered and an anode material contacted to an anode current collector. The anode comprises first and second strips positioned on opposite sides of the cathode, which is also in the form of a strip, but one that is much longer than each of the anode strips. Proximal ends of the anode strips reside adjacent to where the cathode is secured to a terminal pin/sleeve assembly. Distal ends of the anode strips are adjacent to the opposed ends of the cathode strip. A separator sheet segregating the anode from direct contact with the cathode provides an upper portion at least partially sealed to a lower portion along an aligned peripheral edge and through the uncovered perforations of the cathode current collector to lock the cathode in position.