Patents Represented by Attorney Michael F. Scalise

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  • High capacity and high rate batteries
    Patent number: 7198869
    Abstract: Improved batteries described herein generally comprise an electrolyte having lithium ions and a cathode comprising submicron metal vanadium oxide particles. In some embodiments, the battery demonstrate an accessible current capacity of at least about 220 mAh/g when pulsed in groups of four constant energy pulses at a current density of 30 mA/cm2 to deliver 50 Joules per pulse. The four pulses of a pulse train are separated by 15 seconds of rest between each pulse, and there are 6 days between pulse groups, upon discharge down to a pulse discharge voltage of 2 V. In further embodiments, the batteries have an average internal electrical resistance of no more than 0.2 Ohms at a current density of at least about 30 mA/cm2. Furthermore, the batteries can have a current capability of at least about 0.4 amps per cubic centimeter battery volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Greatbatch, Inc.
    Inventors: Dania I. Ghantous, Allison A. Pinoli
  • Coated electrode and method of making a coated electrode
    Patent number: 7194315
    Abstract: An electrode having a substrate with a first layer covering at least a portion of the substrate, and a second layer covering at least a portion of the first layer is disclosed. The first layer includes a porous layer consisting of a carbide, nitride or carbonitride of at least one of the metals titanium, vanadium, zirconium, niobium, molybdenum, hafnium, tantalum or tungsten. The second layer includes iridium. In a method according to the present invention, a substrate is provided. A first layer is provided over at least a portion of the substrate, and a second layer is provided over at least a portion of the first layer. The first layer includes a layer consisting of a carbide, nitride or carbonitride of at least one of the metals titanium, vanadium, zirconium, niobium, molybdenum, hafnium, tantalum or tungsten. The second layer includes iridium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Greatbatch-Hittman, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Platt, Allan S. Gelb
  • Pin to thin plate joint and method for making the joint
    Patent number: 7186049
    Abstract: A pin to plate joint and method of making the joint comprising a plate comprising an entry side and an exit side with the plate defining cutouts, and the pin movable through the plate from the entry side to the exit side and in doing so pushes tab members at angles to the exit side of the plate at bends. The bends in the plate define an opening in the plate, and flow spaces are defined between the pin sidewall and the bends in the plate, with the tab members being heated to form melted tab material and flowing the melted tab material into the flow spaces and cooling, forming a pin to plate joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Grubb, Philip Wutz
  • Reforming wet-tantalum capacitors in implantable defibrillators and other medical devices
    Patent number: 7171267
    Abstract: Miniature defibrillators and cardioverters detect abnormal heart rhythms and automatically apply electrical therapy to restore normal heart function. Critical components in these devices are aluminum electrolytic capacitors, which store and deliver one or more life-saving bursts of electric charge to a heart of a patient. This type of capacitor requires regular “reform” to preserve its charging efficiency over time. Because reform expends valuable battery life, manufacturers developed wet-tantalum capacitors, which are generally understood not to require reform. Yet, the present inventors discovered through extensive study that wet-tantalum capacitors exhibit progressively worse charging efficiency over time. Accordingly, to address this problem, the inventors devised unique reform techniques for wet-tantalum capacitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Greatbatch, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert S. Harguth, Ron Balczewski, William J. Linder, Gregory Scott Munson, Michael Wesley Paris
  • Method of manufacturing a shaped titanium article
    Patent number: 7168142
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a metallic blank into a shaped article useful as an enclosure for an implantable medical device is described. The method entails a plurality of steps in a particular order to obtain certain finish characteristics. Some of them are a surface roughness for bond ability and/or a uniform surface finish on the drawn section of the blank. The preset steps must be completed in a particular order; otherwise the desired characteristics are not provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Greatbatch-Globe Tool, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael R. Nowaczyk
  • One piece header assembly for an implantable medical device
    Patent number: 7167749
    Abstract: A header assembly mounted to a medical device for connecting to at least one conductor lead terminating at a target organ or portion of the body intending to be assisted is described. The header assembly comprises a body of polymeric material supporting at least one unitary conductor wire. The conductor wire connects between a feedthrough wire exiting the medical device and a terminal block into which the conductor lead plugs. Various structures are described for connecting the conductor wire to the feedthrough wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Biggs, David D. Warchocki, David A. Faltisco, George McNamara
  • Nanotube coatings for implantable electrodes
    Patent number: 7162308
    Abstract: Coatings for implantable electrodes consisting of single- or multi-walled nanotubes, nanotube ropes, carbon whiskers, and a combination of these are described. The nanotubes can be carbon or other conductive nanotube-forming materials such as a carbon-doped boron nitride. The nanotube coatings are grown “in situ” on a catalytic substrate surface from thermal decomposition, or they are bonded to the substrate using a metal or conductive metal oxide thin film binder deposited by means of a metal compound precursor in liquid form. In the latter case, the precursor/nanotube coating is then converted to a pure metal or conductive metal oxide, resulting in the desired surface coating with imbedded nanotubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert C. O'Brien, Christine Frysz
  • Method for minimizing stress in feedthrough capacitor filter assemblies
    Patent number: 7145076
    Abstract: A feedthrough terminal pin assembly includes an outer ferrule hermetically sealed through a braze joint to an insulator seated within the ferrule is described. The insulator is also hermetically brazed to at least one terminal pin. The terminal pin is provided with a braze retention structure such as an annular groove that prevents braze material from filleting past the groove. Similarly, either the ferrule or the insulator is provided with a retention structure such as an annular groove that prevents braze material spill out from the insulator/ferrule interface. In that manner, the braze retention structures keep braze material from accumulating in unwanted areas where it could adversely affect hermeticity as well as proper attachment of an EMI filter to the feedthrough assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Greatbatch, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Knappen, Robert Naugler, Haytham Hussein, Thomas Shipman, Richard Brendel, Christine Frysz
  • Reforming wet-tantalum capacitors in implantable medical devices
    Patent number: 7131988
    Abstract: Miniature defibrillators and cardioverters detect abnormal heart rhythms and automatically apply electrical therapy to restore normal heart function. Critical to this function, aluminum-electrolytic capacitors store and deliver life-saving bursts of electric charge to the heart. This type of capacitor requires regular “reform” to preserve its charging efficiency over time. Because reform expends valuable battery energy, manufacturers developed wet-tantalum capacitors, which are generally understood not to require reform. Yet, the present inventors discovered through extensive study that wet-tantalum capacitors exhibit progressively worse charging efficiency over time. Accordingly, to address this problem, the inventors devised unique reform techniques for wet-tantalum capacitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert S. Harguth, Ron A. Balczewski, William J. Linder, Gregory S. Munson, Michael W. Paris
  • Method for providing a one-piece header assembly for hermetic battery terminal feedthrough, fill and closure designs
    Patent number: 7128765
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell having plate electrodes housed inside mating “clam shell” casing components. is described. When mated together, the casing components are form fitting with respect to the internal battery structure so as to reduce the overall size of the electrochemical package. A one-piece header containing both a glass-to-metal seal opening for a terminal lead and an electrolyte fill opening is used in conjunction with the clam shell casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William Paulot, Dominick Frustaci, Kenneth Grubb, Harvey Hornung, II
  • Preparation of copper silver vanadium oxide from ?-phase SVO starting material
    Patent number: 7118829
    Abstract: The current invention relates to the preparation of an improved cathode active material for non-aqueous lithium electrochemical cell. In particular, the cathode active material comprises ?-phase silver vanadium oxide prepared by using a ?-phase silver vanadium oxide starting material. The reaction of ?-phase SVO with a silver salt produces the novel ?-phase SVO possessing a lower surface area than ?-phase SVO produced from vanadium oxide (V2O5) and a similar silver salt as starting materials. Consequently, the low surface area ?-phase SVO material provides an advantage in greater long-term stability in pulse dischargeable cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Randolph Leising, Esther S. Takeuchi
  • Use of pad printing in the manufacture of capacitors
    Patent number: 7116547
    Abstract: Deposition of a metal-containing reagent solution or suspension onto a conductive substrate by various pad-printing techniques is described. This results in a pseudocapacitive oxide coating, nitride coating, carbon nitride coating, or carbide coating having an acceptable surface area for incorporation into an electrolytic capacitor, such as one having a tantalum anode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Seitz, Ashish Shah, Barry Muffoletto, Wolfram Neff, Douglas Eberhard
  • Efficient electrode assembly design for cells with alkali metal anodes
    Patent number: 7108942
    Abstract: Electrochemical cells having the casing as part of the anode current collector are described. In particular, the anode is divided into two sections. In one section, lithium metal is pressed directly into contact with the inner surface of the casing. No anode current collector is needed in this section. In the other section, the anode is fabricated in a conventional manner in which lithium metal is pressed on to both sides of an anode current collector. Cathode materials can be, but are not limited to, SVO, CSVO, MnO2, LixCoO2, LixNiO2, LixMn2O4, V2O5, CFx, and mixtures thereof. Several non-active components are limited in this manner including an insulator bag, two layers of anode current collector and two layers of separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hong Gan, Esther S. Takeuchi
  • Contoured housing for an implantable medical device
    Patent number: 7103415
    Abstract: An implantable medical device having opposed major sidewalls of contoured shape closely fits the curved shape of a body. The contoured major sidewalls can have a curved shape of a continuous radius with the major sidewalls deflecting in a similar direction. Alternatively, the major sidewalls can have a curved shape corresponding to more than one radius. The device housing is either deep drawn or includes two clam shells that are secured together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph M. Probst, Philip S. Wutz
  • Polymeric restraints for containing an anode in an electrolytic capacitor from high shock and vibration conditions
    Patent number: 7092242
    Abstract: An electrolytic capacitor comprising a plurality of polymeric structures molded about the periphery of the anode pellet is described. The polymeric structures contact between a weld strap surrounding the butt seam between mating “clamshell” casing portions and the anode pellet sidewall. That way, the anode pellet is restrained from moving along both an x- and y-axes inside the casing. Having the cathode active material contacting the opposed major casing sidewalls being in a closely spaced relationship with the anode pellet through an intermediate separator prevents movement along the z-axis. The resulting capacitor is particularly well suited for use in high shock and vibration conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Greatbatch, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Gloss, Rodney Stringham, J. Michael Druding, Barry Muffoletto
  • Method for estimating long term end-of-life characteristics using short-term data for lithium/silver vanadium oxide cells
    Patent number: 7092830
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for analyzing the tail-end behavior of a lithium cell having a solid cathode. The tail of a longer-term accelerated discharge data (ADD) test is estimated from the tail of two shorter-term ADD tests. This is accomplished by first comparing the discharge tails of shorter-term ADD tests and determining angles or rotation that correspond to Rdc growth, and then trending rotation angles versus time to reach a give DoD. For example, the 18-month and 36-month ADD test tails are used to estimate the ADD test tail of a similarly constructed cell subjected to a longer-term ADD test, for example a 48-month ADD test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Syracuse, Noelle Waite, Hong Gan, Esther S. Takeuchi
  • Molded polymeric cradle for containing an anode in an electrolytic capacitor from high shock and vibration conditions
    Patent number: 7085126
    Abstract: A polymeric cradle molded about the periphery of an anode pellet in an electrolytic capacitor is described. The polymeric cradle contacts between a welding strap surrounding the butt seam between mating “clam shell” casing portions and the anode pellet sidewall. This prevents the anode pellet from moving along both an x- and y-axes. Having the cathode active material contacting the opposed major casing sidewalls being in a closely spaced relationship with the anode pellet through an intermediate separator prevents movement along the z-axis. The resulting capacitor is particularly well suited for use in high shock and vibration conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry Muffoletto, Laurie O'Connor
  • Low polarization coatings for implantable electrodes
    Patent number: 7079903
    Abstract: Coatings for implantable electrodes such as pacing electrodes, neurostimulator electrodes, and electroporating electrodes and sensing electrodes are described. The coatings are highly biocompatible, having low polarization. They consist of a biocompatible, conductive substrate, such as of sintered platinum/10% iridium; a thin film outer layer of biocompatible, conductive carbon; and a biocompatible, conductive intermediate layer having a high surface area. The intermediate layer is preferably of sputtered titanium nitride and increases the surface area of the carbonaceous outer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Greatbatch-Hittman, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. O'Brien
  • Contoured casing of mating clamshell portions for an electrochemical cell
    Patent number: 7074520
    Abstract: The present invention provides an electrochemical cell of either a primary or a secondary chemistry housed in a casing having opposed major side walls of a contoured shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph M. Probst, Philip S. Wutz
  • Electrolytic capacitor capable of insertion into the vasculature of a patient
    Patent number: 7072171
    Abstract: A capacitor having a cylindrical shape or configuration so that it is capable of being inserted directly into the vasculature of a patient is described. A typical diameter for the present capacitor is about 6 mm. A capacitor of this size would occupy about 9% of the total cross-sectional area of the inferior vena cava prior to the crossover to the heart, where the typical diameter of the vein is about 20 mm. The crossover section has a diameter of about 11 mm to about 12 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry Muffoletto, Rodney Stringham, Doug Eberhard, Joseph Spaulding, Yanming Liu, Don Monroe, Chris Ziarniac, Eric Ziarniac, Edward Gloss, Laurie O'Connor, William Elliott, Eric Stemen, Troy Lindke, Jason Hahl, Keith Seitz, Anthony Perez, Ken Talamine, J. Michael Druding