Abstract: An electrochemical cell comprising an anode of a Group IA metal and a cathode of a mixed phase metal oxide prepared from a combination of starting materials comprising vanadium oxide and a mixture of at least one of a decomposable silver-containing constituent and a decomposable copper-containing constituent is described. The starting materials are mixed together to form a homogeneous admixture that is not further mixed once decomposition heating begins. The resulting cathode material is particularly useful for implantable medical applications.

Abstract: A new sandwich cathode design is provided having a first cathode structure of a first cathode active material of a relatively low energy density but of a relatively high rate capability, for example SVO, mixed with a second cathode active material having a relatively high energy density but a relatively low rate capability, for example CFx, with the percentage of SVO being less than that of CFx and sandwiched between two current collectors. Then, a second cathode mixture of SVO and CFx active materials is contacted to the outside of the current collectors. However, the percentage of SVO to CFx is greater in the second structure than in the first. Such an exemplary cathode design might look like: (100−y)% SVO+y% CFx, wherein 0≦y≦100/current collector/(100−x)% SVO+x% CFx, wherein 0≦x≦100/current collector/(100−y)% SVO+y% CFx, wherein 0≦y≦100, and wherein the ratio of x to y is selected from the group consisting of y<x, x<y and x=y.

Abstract: A new sandwich cathode design having a first cathode active material of a relatively low energy density but of a relatively high rate capability sandwiched between two current collectors and with a second cathode active material having a relatively high energy density but of a relatively low rate capability in contact with the opposite sides of the two current collectors, is described. The present cathode design is relatively safer under short circuit and abuse conditions than cells having a cathode active material of a relatively high rate density but a relatively low energy capability alone. A preferred cathode is: CFx/current collector/SVO/current collector/CFx. The SVO provides the discharge end of life indication since CFx and SVO cathode cells discharge under different voltage profiles. This is useful as an end-of-replacement indicator (ERI) for an implantable medical device, such as a cardiac pacemaker.

Abstract: An ergonomic adjustable microscope device comprising a second base pivotably attached to a first base positioned on a support surface is described. The device includes a mechanism for locking a microscope in a nonmovably mounted relationship on the upper surface of the second support base. Manually rotatable adjusting mechanisms located at each rearward corner of the second support base and at all four corners of the first base provide for selectively varying the rearward vertical height of the second support base and mounted microscope and the vertical height of the first base relative to the support surface, respectively, so that a user of the microscope is able to maintain a more neutral position in the neck, back, and shoulder areas.

Abstract: A header insulator for an electrochemical cell is described. The header insulator provides a boss for the terminal ferrule, a boss for the fill ferrule, and at least one boss disposed along the length of the insulator to provide for alignment of the electrode assembly inside the case.

Abstract: An electrochernical cell comprising an anode of a Group IA metal and a cathode of a mixed phase metal oxide prepared from a combination of starting materials comprising vanadium oxide and a mixture of at least one of a decomposable silver-containing constituent and a decomposable copper-containing constituent is described. The starting materials are mixed together to form a homogeneous admixture that is not further mixed once decomposition heating begins. The resulting cathode material is particularly useful for implantable medical applications.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell comprising a medium rate electrode region intended to be discharged under a substantially constant drain and a high rate electrode region intended to be pulse discharged, is described. Both electrode regions share a common anode and are activated with the same electrolyte.

Abstract: A new sandwich cathode design is provided comprising a cathode active material mixed with a binder and a conductive diluent in at least two differing formulations. The formulations are then individually pressed on opposite sides of a current collector, so that both are in direct contact with the current collector. Preferably, the active formulation on the side of the current collector facing the anode is of a lesser percentage of the active material than that on the opposite side of the current collector. Such an exemplary cathode design might look like: SVO (100-x % active)/current collector/SVO (100-y % active)/current collector/SVO (100-x % active), wherein x is greater than y.

Abstract: A new sandwich cathode design is provided comprising a cathode active material provided in at least two different thicknesses. The different thickness cathode structures are then individually pressed on opposite sides of a current collector so that both are in direct contact with the substrate. Preferably, the cathode structure on the side facing the anode is of a lesser thickness than that on the opposite side of the current collector. Such an exemplary cathode design might look like: SVO(x)/current collector/SVO(y)/current collector/SVO(z), wherein x, y and z represent thicknesses and wherein x and z are lesser than y.

Abstract: It has been discovered that the connection between a current collector and a molybdenum terminal pin can be improved by roughening the terminal pin. However, a roughened terminal pin detracts from the integrity of the glass-to-metal seal. To overcome this, a sleeve or couple surrounds that portion of the roughened terminal pin that will be sealed to the insulating glass. The sleeve or couple is welded at each end to the terminal pin, and a glass-to-metal seal is formed between the sleeved terminal pin, the insulating glass, and the metallic lid. The resulting assembly contains a portion of the terminal pin that has a roughened surface and is suitable for making a high strength connection to a current collector of a primary or secondary lithium ion battery.

Abstract: A protection device for an electrical component that has a protective housing and a terminal cap. The protective housing has a base with a contact hole therethrough for accommodating an electrical terminal pin. A projecting perimeter wall extends from the base. A sleeve resides within the perimeter wall, and a terminal cap is captured between the sleeve and the protective housing. A method of assembling a battery and an electrical component with such a protection device is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of purifying capacitor grade powders. The capacitor grade powder is initially placed into a purifying machine that disperses at least one contaminate into the capacitor grade powder. The powder is then placed into a magnetic separation device that separates at least one contaminate from the capacitor grade powder. The capacitor grade powder is then processed into an electrical energy storage device, wherein the capacitor grade powder has minimal contaminates therein.

Abstract: The present invention includes a housing having a casing and a cap. A connecting conductor is joined to the cap, and a plunger conductor assembly is electrically connected to the connecting conductor. A battery may be placed in the casing and electrically connected to an electrically conductive concentric ring. When the cap is attached to the casing, the plunger conductor is electrically connected with the concentric ring so as to provide electricity from the battery to the connecting conductor. A method of delivering electricity using such a housing is also described.

Abstract: The present invention improves the performance of lithium electrochemical cells by providing a new electrode assembly based on a sandwich cathode design, but termed a double screen sandwich cathode electrode design. In particular, the present invention uses sandwich cathode electrodes which are, in turn, sandwiched between two half double screen sandwich cathode electrodes, either in a prismatic plate or serpentine-like electrode assembly. In a jellyroll electrode assembly, the cell is provided in a case-positive design and the outside round of the electrode assembly is a half double screen sandwich cathode electrode.

Abstract: A rechargeable lithium-ion cell capable of being discharged to deliver high power pulses sufficient for implantable defibrillation applications and the like, is described. The cell is housed in a casing having an external volume of 5 cm3, or less. Both the negative and positive electrodes are less than about 0.15 mm in total thickness. Negative and positive electrodes of a reduced thickness provide the cell with high electrode surface area relative to its volume. As such, the present cell is capable of providing pulses in excess of 30C with minimal voltage drop.

Abstract: A lithium ion secondary battery having an irregular shape with a unitary anode and unitary cathode that are spirally wound and that provide a high energy density for an implantable biomedical device.

Abstract: An electrode configuration for use in a defibrillator battery to improve the battery capacity and its utilization efficiency by using a combination SVO cell and a CFx cell discharged in parallel, is described. In other words, the anode of the SVO cell is connected to the anode of the CFx cell and the cathode of the SVO cell is connected to the cathode of the CFx cell. The SVO cell provides a relatively high discharge rate while the CFx cell results in long service life. This results in 100% of the usable capacity from both cells being utilized.

Abstract: A bonding pad for connecting an electrical energy storage device to an implantable medical device, is described. The bonding pad comprises at least two contact surfaces, one have a channel for receiving the terminal lead of the electrical energy storage device, the other being relatively planar for contact to the medical device. That way, the channel provides for increased surface area contact with the terminal lead for a more robust connection while the opposite, planar contact surface provides flexibility for contact to a lead of the medical device.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing a mixture of &egr;-SVO (Ag2V4O11) and &ggr;-SVO (Ag1.6V4O10.8) by a two-step raw materials mixing process, is described. &ggr;-SVO is the preferred SVO in terms of electrochemical performance, such as reduced Rdc growth and reduced or eliminated voltage delay. On the other hand, &egr;-SVO has slightly higher volumetric capacity than y-SVO. AgVO3 is an undesirable component in Li/SVO cell cathodes because it causes increased Rdc growth and larger voltage delay in comparison to the pure product materials. According to the present invention, a mixture of &egr;-SVO (0-100%)+&ggr;-SVO (100-0%) as a cathode active material in lithium cells is preferred.

Abstract: A secondary electrochemical cell comprising a medium rate electrode region in a side-by-side electrode plate configuration intended to be discharged under a substantially constant drain and a high rate electrode region disposed in a jellyroll wound configuration intended to be pulse discharged, is described. Both electrode regions share a common anode and are activated with the same electrolyte.