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: A therapeutic medical device system comprising an electrolytic capacitor including an anode, cathode and an electrolyte. The anode is anodized in an electrolyte comprises an aqueous solution of alkanol amine, phosphoric acid and an organic solvent preferably defined by formula 1: CH3—(OCH2CH2)m—OCH3 ??Formula 1 wherein m is an integer from 3 to 10.

Abstract: A high voltage capacitor anode for an implantable medical device is fabricated by sintering, anodizing and heat treating a pressed tantalum powder slug. The sintering may be performed at a temperature between approximately 1500° C. and approximately 1600° C. for a time between approximately 3 minutes and approximately 35 minutes; subsequent anodization may be performed by immersing the slug in an electrolyte at a temperature between approximately 15° C. and approximately 30° C. and then applying a voltage across the slug, the voltage being between approximately 175 Volts and approximately 375 Volts; subsequent heat treating may be performed at a temperature between approximately 400° C. and approximately 460° C. for a time between approximately 50 minutes and approximately 65 minutes. Following heat treating, the anode is reformed by a second anodization.

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: A method of reforming a wet-tantalum capacitor includes providing a medical device comprising a wet-tantalum capacitor. The capacitor has a rated voltage and including a hydrated anodic deposit. The method further includes charging the capacitor to a voltage that is less than approximately seventy-five percent of the rated voltage and at least partially discharging the capacitor after the charging step. The charging step is performed at a sufficient voltage to dehydrate the anodic deposit while not significantly decreasing the service life of the capacitor.

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: An electromechanical valve actuator with an armature stem guidance system that ensures that the armature stem stays aligned with the valve stem during operation. The stem guidance system may also allow for adjustment of the lash gap during assembly.

Abstract: An electromechanical valve actuator including an electromagnet interconnected with a housing end portion and an electric coil disposed adjacent said electromagnet. The electromagnet includes a plurality of interlocked laminae to form a laminate that is similarly interlocked with housing end portions. The housing end portions are interlocked with the laminate with the use of tabs and recesses formed on the laminae and the housing end portions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus exercise a battery of an implantable medical device by determining whether a film is disposed on a portion of an electrode of a battery, discharging the battery a sufficient amount to reduce the film, and optimizing energy used during exercising the battery. The apparatus includes a battery having an electrode that develops a resistive film and a low deformation rate capacitor capable of storing a charge from the battery, the capacitor requiring few or no periodic discharges of the battery for reformation. The energy from the battery is periodically discharged into the low deformation-rate capacitor to reduce film buildup on the electrode.

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 lever electromechanical valve actuator assembly and arrangement of electromechanical valve actuators that creates a compact actuator assembly to increase ease of serviceability, provide space for engine components and eliminate interference between the actuators and components in the vehicle engine compartment.

Abstract: A lever electromechanical valve actuator assembly and arrangement of electromechanical valve actuators that creates a compact actuator assembly to increase ease of serviceability, provide space for engine components and eliminate interference between the actuators and components in the vehicle engine compartment.

Abstract: A cardioverter/defibrillator of the type having at least one high voltage (HV) output capacitor having valve metal anode and cathode electrodes with an oxide formed over a majority of said anode and a wet electrolyte in fluid communication with the electrodes that is charged from a battery through a charging circuit including a HV step-up transformer and is adapted to be discharged through cardioversion/defibrillation (C/D) electrodes is disclosed. The HV output capacitor(s) periodically charge in a reform charge cycle to substantially a maximum or full charge at a reform charge rate slower than a C/D therapy charge rate, which also charges said HV output capacitor(s) to the maximum or full charge, to thereby reform deformed portions of the oxide.

Abstract: A capacitor in an implantable medical device is provided. The capacitor having an anode, a cathode including a conductive coating, and an electrolyte disposed and in contact between the anode and the cathode. The conductive coating is composed of a chemisorbed conductive layer that is interposed between a metal substrate and a layer including a mix of activated carbon with a metal-oxide and electrolyte disposed and in contact between the anode and the cathode.

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: The present invention relates generally to capacitor cells and the utilization of enhanced separator materials in such cells. More specifically, the present invention is related to the utilization of track-etched materials as the separator materials in capacitor cells. Methods of making a capacitor cell having a track-etched separator material is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to capacitor cells and the utilization of enhanced separator materials in such cells. More specifically, the present invention is related to the utilization of track-etched materials as the separator materials in capacitor cells. Methods of making a capacitor cell having a track-etched separator material is also disclosed.

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 therapeutic medical device system comprising an electrolytic capacitor including an anode, cathode and an electrolyte.