Abstract: The invention is directed to designs for capacitors of implantable medical devices (IMDs) such as implantable defibrillators, implantable cardioverter-defibrillators, implantable pacemaker-cardioverter-defibrillators, and the like. The capacitor designs can reduce capacitor volume significantly and may also improve charge holding capacity relative to conventional capacitor designs. Moreover, since capacitors typically comprise a significant portion of the volume of an IMD, significant reductions in capacitor volume can likewise significantly reduce the size of the IMD.

Abstract: A sealed electrode enclosed in separator material is provided for use in a capacitor cell. The separator may either be adhered to the electrode in sheets, or may be formed into a pouch, which is used to enclose the electrode. A method of preparing the electrode sealed with separator is described in which an adhesive is used to secure the pouch to the electrode before sealing it. The prefabricated electrode and separator combination may be used in both coiled capacitor cells and flat capacitor cells that are often used in implantable medical devices. Electrodes prepared in this fashion can be efficiently and reliably aligned within the case of a capacitor cell, and have no exposed electrode surfaces that could lead to short-circuiting within the cell.

Abstract: A method for reforming one or more capacitors in an implantable medical device includes the steps of determining a capacitor reformation time period using empirical capacitor charging data, configuring the programming module with capacitor reformation instructions that include the capacitor reformation voltage and time period, and in response to the capacitor reformation instructions, charging the capacitors for the capacitor reformation time period.

Abstract: A capacitor for use in implantable medical devices (IMDs) such as implantable defibrillators, implantable cardioverter-defibrillators, implantable pacemaker-cardioverter-defibrillators, and the like stores charge for use in the delivery of high voltage electrical therapy. The capacitor design can reduce capacitor volume significantly and may also improve charge holding capacity relative to conventional capacitor designs. Moreover, since capacitors typically comprise a significant portion of the volume of an IMD, significant reductions in capacitor volume can likewise significantly reduce the size of the IMD.

Abstract: An electrolytic capacitor cell for use in implantable medical devices and associated method for manufacture are provided. The capacitor cell includes an electrode substrate having a dielectric layer formed thereon by atomic layer deposition. In various embodiments, the dielectric layer includes an oxide of one or more valve metals.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to improved capacitors; in particular, the present invention provides advanced valve metal (AVM) anodes and methods for fabricating AVM anodes having complex surface and interior features for use in high energy density capacitors. Such anodes find use in high voltage capacitors incorporated into implantable medical devices (IMDs), among other uses. The AVM anodes may be pressed into virtually any arbitrary shape and may have a gradually changing (or substantially constant) density profile throughout the AVM anode. Such AVM anodes may also be perforated or shaped to receive one or more cathode members. The AVM anodes enhance packaging efficiency for compact high energy density capacitors.

Abstract: A sealed electrode enclosed in separator material is provided for use in a capacitor cell. The separator may either be adhered to the electrode in sheets, or may be formed into a pouch, which is used to enclose the electrode. A method of preparing the electrode sealed with separator is described in which an adhesive is used to secure the pouch to the electrode before sealing it. The prefabricated electrode and separator combination may be used in both coiled capacitor cells and flat capacitor cells that are often used in implantable medical devices. Electrodes prepared in this fashion can be efficiently and reliably aligned within the case of a capacitor cell, and have no exposed electrode surfaces that could lead to short-circuiting within the cell.

Abstract: Implantable medical devices (IMDs) and their various components, including flat electrolytic capacitors for same, and methods of making and using same and providing for outgassing of gases released during capacitor charge and discharge cycles are disclosed. A gas vent and liquid electrolyte barrier into the electrolyte fill tube lumen that is used to fill the interior case chamber with electrolyte and then needs to be closed to prevent leakage of electrolyte. The fill port is shaped to comprise a fill port tube having interior and exterior tube ends and a fill port ferrule intermediate the ends of the fill port tube and comprising a fill port ferrule flange extending transversely to and away from the fill port tube.

Abstract: A capacitor is described. The capacitor includes a case chamber. An electrode stack assembly is disposed within the case chamber. The electrode stack assembly includes a layer. The layer includes an anode subassembly. The anode subassembly comprises at least one anode layer that has an anode edge disposed at a first distance from an interior wall of the case chamber. The layer also includes a capacitor layer. The capacitor layer includes a cathode edge disposed at a second distance from the wall interior. The second distance is greater than the first distance.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to capacitor cells and the utilization of separator materials that interact with one or more surfactants in such cells. More specifically, the present invention is related to capacitor cells that include separators that are impregnated with a surfactant or that absorb and/or interact with a surfactant that is included in an electrolyte placed within the capacitor cell.

Abstract: Flat electrolytic capacitors, particularly, for use in implantable medical devices (IMDs), and the methods of fabrication of same are disclosed. The capacitors are formed with an electrode stack assembly comprising a plurality of stacked capacitor layers each comprising an anode sub-assembly of at least one anode layer, a cathode layer and separator layers wherein the anode and cathode layers have differing dimensions that avoid electrical short circuits between peripheral edges of adjacent anode and cathode layers but maximize anode electrode surface area.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to capacitor cells and the utilization of separator materials that interact with one or more surfactants in such cells. More specifically, the present invention is related to capacitor cells that include separators that are impregnated with a surfactant or that absorb and/or interact with a surfactant that is included in an electrolyte placed within the capacitor cell.

Abstract: A capacitor structure comprises a shallow drawn encasement having first and second major sides and a peripheral wall coupled to first and second major sides. First and second anodes are positioned within encasement proximate the interior surfaces of the first and second major sides respectively. A cathode is positioned within the encasement intermediate the first and second anodes.

Abstract: A capacitor structure having a shallow drawn encasement includes first and second major sides and a peripheral wall coupled to first and second major sides. First and second anodes are positioned within the encasement proximate the interior surfaces of the first and second major sides respectively. A cathode is positioned within the encasement intermediate the first and second anodes.

Abstract: A capacitor structure comprises a shallow drawn encasement having first and second major sides and a peripheral wall coupled to the first and second sides. A cathode is disposed within the encasement proximate the first and second major sides, the cathode having a cathode lead. A central anode a having an anode lead is disposed within the encasement, and a bipolar, insulative feedthrough extends through the encasement through which electrical coupling may be made to the anode lead and the cathode lead.

Abstract: A capacitor structure comprises a shallow drawn case having a first major side and a peripheral wall extending therefrom, the first major side having a first interior surface and the wall having a peripheral interior surface. A lid is sealingly coupled to the case along adjacent edges of the lid and the wall, the lid and said case forming an encasement of the capacitor structure, the lid comprising a second interior surface. A cathode material is disposed proximate the first and second interior surfaces, and an anode is positioned intermediate the cathode material and has a peripheral portion positioned proximate the adjacent edges. A protective layer on the peripheral portion protects the anode during the sealing process. A first insulative separator is positioned between the anode and the cathode material.

Abstract: Flat electrolytic capacitors, particularly, for use in implantable medical devices (IMDs), and the methods of fabrication of same are disclosed. The capacitors are formed with an electrode stack assembly comprising a plurality of stacked capacitor layers each comprising an anode sub-assembly of at least one anode layer, a cathode layer and separator layers wherein the anode and cathode layers have differing dimensions that avoid electrical short circuits between peripheral edges of adjacent anode and cathode layers but maximize anode electrode surface area.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to improved capacitors; in particular, the present invention provides advanced valve metal (AVM) anodes and methods for fabricating AVM anodes having complex surface and interior features for use in high energy density capacitors. Such anodes find use in high voltage capacitors incorporated into implantable medical devices (IMDs), among other uses. The AVM anodes may be pressed into virtually any arbitrary shape and may have a gradually changing (or substantially constant) density profile throughout the AVM anode. Such AVM anodes may also be perforated or shaped to receive one or more cathode members. The AVM anodes enhance packaging efficiency for compact high energy density capacitors.

Abstract: A medical device for electrical termination of an arrhythmic condition of a patient's heart in embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following features: (a) at least one battery; (b) means for detection of an arrhythmic condition of a patient's heart; (c) at least one high voltage capacitor; (d) converter means for providing charging current from said battery to said capacitor; (e) means for maintenance of a charge on said capacitor between arrhythmia therapies; (f) controller means responsive to detection of an arrhythmic condition of said patient's heart and for providing a discharge control signal; and (g) discharge circuit means for delivering voltage stored on said capacitor to said patient's heart in response to said discharge control signal.

Abstract: Implantable medical devices (IMDs) and their various components, particularly a simplified, miniature capacitor connector block and wiring harness utilizing an epoxy droplet and method of making same are disclosed. An electrode stack comprises a plurality of capacitor layers stacked in registration upon one another, each capacitor layer comprising a cathode layer having a cathode tab, an anode sub-assembly comprising at least one anode layer having an anode tab, and a separator layer located between adjacent anode and cathode layers. A connector assembly is electrically attached to the anode connection terminal for making electrical connection with anode tabs and to the cathode connection terminal for making electrical connection with cathode tabs. The connector block is formed on an encapsulation area of a case side wall of epoxy that is cured for a period of time under elevated temperature conditions while rotating the capacitor assembly.