Abstract: An insulator ring for preventing short circuit contact between the opposite polarity electrode in a case-terminal cell design is described. Typically, a lithium/silver vanadium oxide cell is built in a case-negative design with the casing serving at the negative terminal. The cathode is connected to an insulated terminal pin. In a conventional cell construction, the electrode assembly is enclosed in an insulator bag in addition to the electrode separator envelopes before being housed inside the casing. The insulator bag ensures the cathode electrode will not come into short circuit contact with the casing. In the present invention, the insulator bag is replaced with an insulator ring which only protects those portions of the electrode assembly vulnerable to short circuit contact.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of SVO classified to a particle size of about 25&mgr; to about 75&mgr; as a cathode active material in a lithium electrochemical cell. The cathode electrode is fabricated into an electrode assembly by overlaying it with an anode electrode and an intermediate separator. The reduced particle size of the SVO material means that a separator of reduced thickness is used, which provides space for more active materials in a casing of a given volume. The electrode assembly is then hermetically sealed in a casing and used as the power source for such devices as implantable medical devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a current collector for an electrochemical cell. The current collector is a substrate having a grid pattern comprising open areas converging at an imaginary focal point on a connector tab of the substrate. The openings are grouped into distinct regions with the larger openings immediately adjacent to the connector tab and the smaller openings distant there from. This provides more conductive pathways at greater distances from the tab.

Abstract: A means for determining long-term discharge performance, particularly in a lithium/silver vanadium oxide cell, by analyzing and characterizing the initial pulse voltage waveform, is described. The relationship between the initial P1 (Pmin) voltage drop and the extent of that initial voltage drop with Plast (the final voltage under load) is a reliable indication of long-term discharge performance.

Abstract: An insulator ring for preventing short circuit contact between the opposite polarity electrode in a case-terminal cell design is described. Typically, a lithium/silver vanadium oxide cell is built in a case-negative design with the casing serving at the negative terminal. The cathode is connected to an insulated terminal pin. In a conventional cell construction, the electrode assembly is enclosed in an insulator bag in addition to the electrode separator envelopes before being housed inside the casing. The insulator bag ensures the cathode electrode will not come into short circuit contact with the casing. In the present invention, the insulator bag is replaced with an insulator ring which only protects those portions of the electrode assembly vulnerable to short circuit contact.