Abstract: A battery assembly for a medical device includes an elongate cathode, an elongate anode, an electrolyte, and an elongate housing assembly encapsulating the cathode, the anode, and the electrolyte. The battery assembly also includes a first electrode exposed from and electrically insulated from the housing assembly. One of the anode and the cathode is electrically coupled to the first electrode, and the other of the anode and the cathode is electrically coupled to the housing assembly. Respective axes of the cathode and the anode are substantially parallel to an axis of the housing assembly, and the cathode and anode each include a flat portion that face each other.

Abstract: A battery assembly for a medical device includes an elongate cathode, an elongate anode, an electrolyte, and an elongate housing assembly encapsulating the cathode, the anode, and the electrolyte. The battery assembly also includes a first electrode exposed from and electrically insulated from the housing assembly. One of the anode and the cathode is electrically coupled to the first electrode, and the other of the anode and the cathode is electrically coupled to the housing assembly. Respective axes of the cathode and the anode are substantially parallel to an axis of the housing assembly, and the cathode and anode each include a flat portion that face each other.

Abstract: A battery assembly for a medical device includes an elongate cathode, an elongate anode, an electrolyte, and an elongate housing assembly encapsulating the cathode, the anode, and the electrolyte. The battery assembly also includes a first electrode exposed from and electrically insulated from the housing assembly. One of the anode and the cathode is electrically coupled to the first electrode, and the other of the anode and the cathode is electrically coupled to the housing assembly. Respective axes of the cathode and the anode are substantially parallel to an axis of the housing assembly, and the cathode and anode each include a flat portion that face each other.

Abstract: A battery assembly for a medical device includes an elongate cathode, an elongate anode, an electrolyte, and an elongate housing assembly encapsulating the cathode, the anode, and the electrolyte. The battery assembly also includes a first electrode that is exposed from and electrically insulated from the housing assembly. One of the anode and the cathode is electrically coupled to the first electrode, and the other of the anode and the cathode is electrically coupled to the housing assembly. One of the cathode and the anode includes a first portion and a second portion disposed in spaced relationship from the first portion. The other of the cathode and the anode is disposed between the first and second portions.

Abstract: An implantable medical device includes an energy storage device with an internal component and an outer case that encloses the internal component. The outer case is electrically connected to the internal component. The energy storage device includes a first electrode that is electrically connected to the internal component. Furthermore, the device includes a control assembly with a control component and a control case that encloses the control component. The control case is coupled to and electrically connected to the outer case. The control component is electrically coupled to the first electrode and the outer case to be powered by the internal component of the energy storage device. The control component controls transmission of an electrical signal between the implantable medical device and biological tissue. Also, an outer surface of the outer case and the outer surface of the control case are exposed to the biological material.

Abstract: A battery feedthrough comprises a ferrule having a passage extending from a first side to a second side, a pin extending through the passage, an insulation sleeve disposed between the pin and the ferrule within the passage, there being a first junction between the pin and the insulation sleeve and a second junction between the insulation sleeve and the ferrule, and a coating comprising a polymer disposed over the pin on the first side of the ferrule, wherein the coating is formed by forming a preform comprising the polymer, placing the preform around at least a first portion of the pin on the first side of the ferrule, and melting the preform so that the polymer substantially covers a second portion of the pin, the first junction, a portion of the insulation sleeve, the second junction, and a portion of the ferrule on the first side of the ferrule.

Abstract: A headspace insulator for a battery cell operatively coupled to circuitry within an implantable medical device in including one or more of the following: (a) a body of electrically and thermally insulating material disposed between a battery electrode assembly and a battery cover, (b) a receiving area within the body that receives and isolates a battery feedthrough pin, (c) an indentation within the receiving area retaining the feedthrough pin within the receiving area, (d) a raised portion coupled to a battery cover providing an air gap between the cover and the headspace insulator near case-to-cover weld areas, (e) a feedthrough aperture adapted to receive a feedthrough assembly, (f) a pin aperture that receives the feedthrough pin, (g) a fillport aperture for electrolyte fluid flow through the headspace insulator, and (h) a slot that locates a battery weld bracket and isolates it from the feedthrough pin.

Abstract: A battery assembly for a medical device having an axis. The battery assembly includes an elongate cathode, an elongate anode, an electrolyte, and an elongate housing assembly encapsulating the cathode, the anode, and the electrolyte. The housing assembly is substantially coaxial with the cathode and the anode. The battery assembly also includes a first electrode that is exposed from and electrically insulated from the housing assembly and disposed in the open end. One of the anode and the cathode is electrically coupled to the first electrode and the other is electrically coupled to the housing assembly. The cathode and the anode are coaxial and spaced apart in a direction substantially parallel to the axis.

Abstract: A battery assembly for a medical device includes an elongate cathode, an elongate anode, an electrolyte, and an elongate housing assembly encapsulating the cathode, the anode, and the electrolyte. The battery assembly also includes a first electrode exposed from and electrically insulated from the housing assembly. One of the anode and the cathode is electrically coupled to the first electrode, and the other of the anode and the cathode is electrically coupled to the housing assembly. Respective axes of the cathode and the anode are substantially parallel to an axis of the housing assembly, and the cathode and anode each include a flat portion that face each other.

Abstract: A battery assembly for a medical device includes an elongate cathode, an elongate anode, an electrolyte, and an elongate housing assembly encapsulating the cathode, the anode, and the electrolyte. The battery assembly also includes a first electrode that is exposed from and electrically insulated from the housing assembly. One of the anode and the cathode is electrically coupled to the first electrode, and the other of the anode and the cathode is electrically coupled to the housing assembly. One of the cathode and the anode includes a first portion and a second portion disposed in spaced relationship from the first portion. The other of the cathode and the anode is disposed between the first and second portions.

Abstract: An implantable medical device includes an energy storage device with an internal component and an outer case that encloses the internal component. The outer case is electrically connected to the internal component. The energy storage device includes a first electrode that is electrically connected to the internal component. Furthermore, the device includes a control assembly with a control component and a control case that encloses the control component. The control case is coupled to and electrically connected to the outer case. The control component is electrically coupled to the first electrode and the outer case to be powered by the internal component of the energy storage device. The control component controls transmission of an electrical signal between the implantable medical device and biological tissue. Also, an outer surface of the outer case and the outer surface of the control case are exposed to the biological material.

Abstract: A battery assembly for a medical device includes an elongate cathode, an elongate anode, an electrolyte, and an elongate housing assembly encapsulating the cathode, the anode, and the electrolyte. The battery assembly also includes a first electrode that is exposed from and electrically insulated from the housing assembly. One of the anode and the cathode is electrically coupled to the first electrode and the other of the anode and the cathode is electrically coupled to the housing assembly. Also, one of the cathode and the anode is enclosed by the other of the cathode and the anode.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell (10) suitable for use in an implantable medical device (110) includes a case (12) and a cover (30) attached to the case. The cover (30) is formed of a first material and has an outer surface (41) and an inner surface (42) defining a thickness thereof. The cover (30) also has a fluid fill hole (34) formed therein. The fluid fill hole (34) has an outer diameter (44) at the outer surface and a smaller inner diameter (45) at the inner surface. A hermetic seal (62) is formed within the fluid fill hole (34) of a second material that is softer than the first material and that is deformed to assume the approximate shape of the fluid fill hole (34).

Abstract: Methods and structures are provided for electrically coupling a conductor and a conductive element containing a dissimilar material. A method for electrically coupling a first element containing a first conductive material to a conductor formed of a dissimilar second material includes cladding a second conductive element with the conductor. The second element contains a facilitator material that facilitates the melting of the dissimilar material. A third element containing a third conductive material that is metallurgically compatible with the facilitator material is cladded with a fourth element containing a fourth conductive material that is metallurgically compatible with the first conductive material to form a connector. The fourth element is welded to the first element and the second element is welded to the third element.

Abstract: A headspace insulator for a battery cell operatively coupled to circuitry within an implantable medical device in including one or more of the following: (a) a body of electrically and thermally insulating material disposed between a battery electrode assembly and a battery cover, (b) a receiving area within the body that receives and isolates a battery feedthrough pin, (c) an indentation within the receiving area retaining the feedthrough pin within the receiving area, (d) a raised portion coupled to a battery cover providing an air gap between the cover and the headspace insulator near case-to-cover weld areas, (e) a feedthrough aperture adapted to receive a feedthrough assembly, (f) a pin aperture that receives the feedthrough pin, (g) a fillport aperture for electrolyte fluid flow through the headspace insulator, and (h) a slot that locates a battery weld bracket and isolates it from the feedthrough pin.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell (10) suitable for use in an implantable medical device (110) includes a case (12) and a cover (30) attached to the case. The cover (30) is formed of a first material and has an outer surface (41) and an inner surface (42) defining a thickness thereof. The cover (30) also has a fluid fill hole (34) formed therein. The fluid fill hole (34) has an outer diameter (44) at the outer surface and a smaller inner diameter (45) at the inner surface. A hermetic seal (62) is formed within the fluid fill hole (34) of a second material that is softer than the first material and that is deformed to assume the approximate shape of the fluid fill hole (34).

Abstract: A system and method for reliably welding a relatively thin tab into a relatively wide slot is provided. The system and method forms a protrusion on the tab. When the tab with the protrusion is inserted into the slot, the protrusion causes the tab to be firmly pressed against one side of the slot. With the tab pressed firmly against the side of the slot, the tab can then be welded to the slot. Because the tab is pressed firmly against the side of the slot during welding, the reliability of the welding process is improved. The present invention is applicable to all welding procedures, but is particularly applicable to laser welding used in precision manufacturing. In those applications, the protrusion causes the tab to be firmly held against the side of the slot while the laser welds the tab and slot together.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell and electrode assembly are disclosed in which a separator having at least one thermally formed tab slot disposed therein is employed in conjunction with an alkali metal anode and a cathode assembly that are wound together in a unidirectional winding having substantially straight sides such that the winding will fit into a prismatic cell. The separator inhibits tearing or splitting of the material from which it is formed in the region of the tab slot. A tab connected to a current collector projects through the tab slot. The tab slots are formed by folding a separator material around a template, aligning the template with a slot guide, and applying heat to the separator material in the region of the slot(s).

Abstract: A switch (11) for use in controlling operation of a metal-air battery (10). The switch includes a slide (21) guided for reciprocal movement in a preselected path adjacent a wall (18) defining a vent opening (19). The switch includes contacts (25,26,31,27,32,28) providing a closed electrical circuit as a result of the slide being disposed in a first position and providing an opened electrical circuit as a result of the slide being disposed in a second position. In the second position, the vent opening (19) is sealingly closed by a flexible closure strip (35) having one portion (37) adhesively bonded to the slide and a second portion (39) adhesively bonded to the wall portion (18) defining the vent opening. The strip is arranged to be selectively peeled from the slide bottom surface (38) and wall portion surface (40) and readhered to the opposite surface as a result of the selective movement of the slide in effecting the opening and closing of the vent opening.