Abstract: The electrolyte includes a cyclic polysiloxane having one or more side chains that each includes a poly(alkylene oxide) moiety and a spacer. Each spacer is positioned between the poly(alkylene oxide) moiety and a silicon on the main chain of the polysiloxane.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for containing heat generated by a battery to reduce the amplitude of a temperature excursion to enhance safety in temperature critical applications, such as in implantable medical devices. The apparatus employs a heat absorber (38) closely thermally coupled to the battery (30). The heat absorber includes heat-absorbing material preferably exhibiting an endothermic phase change at a temperature below that produced by the battery.

Abstract: A battery includes a feedthrough pin which is electrically connected to an inner end of an electrode substrate. A mandrel on the pin can permit the pin/mandrel to be used as an arbor to facilitate winding layers of a spiral jellyroll electrode assembly. The pin can serve as one of the battery terminals.

Abstract: An electric storage battery and method of manufacture thereof. Active material (78) is removed from both sides of the outer end (88) of the negative electrode (70) in a jellyroll (84) to allow room for adhesive tape (96) to secure the jellyroll.

Abstract: The method includes filling a case through a fill-hole in a cover of a case. The case is configured to hold an electrode assembly having at least one positive electrode and at least one negative electrode. The method also includes plugging the fill-hole with a plug. The plug includes a terminal for the battery.

Abstract: A sealed electronics package comprising a tubular case wall including first and second conductive portions electrically separated by an insulative partition, a hermetic seal between the insulative partition and the first conductive portion, a hermetic seal between the insulative partition and the second conductive portion, end caps, and a hermetic seal between the end caps to the tubular case wall.

Abstract: An energy storage device, such as an electrical storage battery, having a unique terminal structure, sealing arrangement and an S-shaped mandrel for the electrode assembly. The battery generally includes a case in which an electrode assembly is dispose, and a cover provided with a fill hole and fill plug, and a terminal structure that forms a battery terminal. The terminal hole and the fill hole have counter bore structure to provide tighter sealing. A nickel layer is provided on the aluminum fill plug to facilitate electrical contact with the external circuit. A mandrel is provided for the rolled electrode assembly, and is electrically coupled to the terminal structure via a push-in tab inserted into a space in the S-shape of the mandrel.

Abstract: An electric storage battery and method of manufacture thereof characterized by a feedthrough pin which is internally directly physically and electrically connected to an inner end of a positive electrode substrate. A C-shaped mandrel extends around the pin and substrate end enabling the pin/mandrel to be used during the manufacturing process as an arbor to facilitate winding layers of a spiral jellyroll electrode assembly. The pin additionally extends from the battery case and in the final product constitutes one of the battery terminals with the battery case comprising the other terminal. Active material is removed from both sides of the outer end of the negative electrode in the jellyroll to allow room for adhesive tape to secure the jellyroll. The electrolyte is injected through the open end of the case after the endcap is welded to the negative electrode but before sealing the endcap to the case. The electrolyte is preferably injected through the C-shaped mandrel to facilitate and speed filling.

Abstract: A feedthrough is insulated and hermetically sealed by brazing a ceramic disk to a case cover and by brazing the top surface of the ceramic disk to the bottom surface of a feedthrough pinhead. Using this technique instead of forming a compression seal, the surface area for bonding is increased, increasing bond strength. The ceramic disk electrically insulates the feedthrough pin from the cover, and provides a large surface area for mechanically sealing the cell with the braze. Considering the small size of many cells, this increased surface area is important for getting a good seal and increasing bond strength. This design also creates a longer fluid path, providing greater hermeticity. Furthermore, a greater range of component material combinations is available because CTE compatibility limitations of the feedthrough pin, cover, and insulator are minimized. This feedthrough is applicable to broad array of applications and numerous material combinations.

Abstract: A power source system including a power distribution apparatus has an energy management system for managing the provision of power from multiple power sources to multiple electrical devices. The power distribution apparatus may have a combination of primary and secondary sources connected to it. It may also have a variety of electrical devices connected to it, receiving power through the power distribution apparatus.

Abstract: An implantable medical device, such as an implantable pulse generator (IPG) used with a spinal cord stimulation (SCS) system, includes a rechargeable lithium-ion battery having an anode electrode with a substrate made substantially from titanium. Such battery construction allows the rechargeable battery to be discharged down to zero volts without damage to the battery. The implantable medical device includes battery charging and protection circuitry that controls the charging of the battery so as to assure its reliable and safe operation. A multi-rate charge algorithm is employed that minimizes charging time while ensuring the battery cell is safely charged. Slow charging occurs at lower battery voltages (e.g., battery voltage below about 2.5 V), and fast charging occurs when the battery voltage has reached a safe level (e.g., above about 2.5 V). When potentially less-than-safe very low voltages are encountered (e.g., less than 2.

Abstract: A lithium ion battery configured to yield a high energy density output by minimizing head space, i.e., wasted interior volume, within the battery case and/or by reducing electrical energy losses internal to the battery.

Abstract: A remote battery charging system comprises an identifier (52) for identifying different battery types within a device (78) to a switch (46) for allowing or disallowing charging of the battery (13). The battery charging system is particularly suitable for hearing aids.

Abstract: An implantable medical device, such as an implantable pulse generator (IPG) used with a spinal cord stimulation (SCS) system, includes a rechargeable lithium-ion battery having an anode electrode with a substrate made substantially from titanium. Such battery construction allows the rechargeable battery to be discharged down to zero volts without damage to the battery. The implantable medical device includes battery charging and protection circuitry that controls the charging of the battery so as to assure its reliable and safe operation. A multi-rate charge algorithm is employed that minimizes charging time while ensuring the battery cell is safely charged. Fast charging occurs at safer lower battery voltages (e.g., battery voltage above about 2.5 V), and slower charging occurs when the battery nears full charge higher battery voltages (e.g., above about 4.0 V). When potentially less-than-safe very low voltages are encountered (e.g., less than 2.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved solid electrolyte made of an interpenetrating network type solid polymer comprised of two compatible phases: a crosslinked polymer for mechanical strength and chemical stability, and an ionic conducting phase. The highly branched siloxane polymer of the present invention has one or more poly(ethylene oxide) (“PEO”) groups as a side chain. The PEO group is directly grafted to silicon atoms in the siloxane polymer. This kind of branched type siloxane polymer is stably anchored in the network structure and provides continuous conducting paths in all directions throughout the IPN solid polymer electrolyte. Also disclosed is a method of making an electrochemical cell incorporating the electrolyte. A cell made accordingly has an extremely high cycle life and electrochemical stability.

Abstract: An energy storage device, such as an electrical storage battery, having a unique terminal structure, sealing arrangement and an S-shaped mandrel for the electrode assembly. The battery generally includes a case in which an electrode assembly is dispose, and a cover provided with a fill hole and fill plug, and a terminal structure that forms a battery terminal. The terminal hole and the fill hole have counter bore structure to provide tighter sealing. A nickel layer is provided on the aluminum fill plug to facilitate electrical contact with the external circuit. A mandrel is provided for the rolled electrode assembly, and is electrically coupled to the terminal structure via a push-in tab inserted into a space in the S-shape of the mandrel.

Abstract: An electrode assembly and construction method therefor for use in small high performance batteries suitable for implantable medical device applications. The electrode assembly comprises a stack of precisely aligned planar elements including alternately arranged positive and negative planar electrodes having a planar separator interposed between adjacent electrodes. Each electrode is preferably formed of a thin metal substrate carrying active material on front and rear faces. The peripheral edge of each electrode defines an active area and a tab extending therefrom. The front and rear faces of the active area each carries a layer of active material. The faces of the tab area are preferably bare. The positive electrode tabs are located at a first position along the peripheral edge whereas the negative tabs are located at a second position spaced from said first position. Each tab carries a clip to form a reinforcing strip adjacent each tab face. Alignment holes are formed in the clips and tabs.

Abstract: The invention includes a brazed ceramic ring that separates the positive and negative ends of the battery while still providing a leak-tight seal. The ceramic is aluminum oxide or zirconium oxide or zirconium oxide with 3% yttrium. The invention includes a brazing material, which is grater than 50% gold. The invention includes a titanium alloy case (Ti-6Al-4V) which is titanium with 6% aluminum and 4% vanadium as its major alloying elements. The case has the desirable properties of titanium such as high strength for a relatively low weight; and the case has the requisite ability and electro-activity to be used as a positive current carrying element where the battery's positive electrode exhibits more then 3.5 V vs. Li/Li+.

Abstract: A defibrillator is disclosed. The defibrillator includes a secondary battery having a volume less than 5 cc. One or more capacitors are configured to store electrical energy from the battery in an amount sufficient to provide a patient with one or more defibrillation shocks. A processing unit is configured to control the storage of electrical energy in the one or more capacitors and to control the discharge of the electrical energy from the one or more capacitors. The battery can have a total volume of less than 4 cc or less than 3 cc.

Abstract: This invention is a sealed battery case and a method for making it, including a brazed ceramic ring that separates the positive and negative ends of the battery while providing a leak-tight seal. A brazing material is used that comprises greater than 50% gold. The case is strong, and can be negative, neutral, or positive, withstanding more than 3.5 V vs. Li/Li+.