Abstract: A battery (or cell) in an implantable medical device is presented. The cell includes a first electrode element with a first tab extending therefrom and a second electrode element with a second tab extending therefrom. A spacer is coupled to the first and second tabs.

Abstract: An electrode for an electrochemical cell in an implantable medical device is presented. The electrode comprises a current collector with electrode material disposed thereon. The current collector includes an asymmetric aperture pattern that uniformly dissipates heat during current flow through the current collector.

Abstract: A vacuum actuated pick-up tool for transporting a current collector is provided. The pick-up tool comprises a housing having an external surface, an interior compartment, and a plurality openings extending from the external surface to the interior compartment. The interior compartment is configured to be coupled in fluid communication with a vacuum source to pneumatically secure the current collector to the external surface. The pick-up tool further comprises at least one protrusion extending from the external surface for contacting and spatially orienting the collector when pneumatically secured to the external surface.

Abstract: An anode subassembly for use in an implantable electrochemical cell includes a solid anode current collector and an alkali metal anode pressed onto the solid anode current collector such that the solid anode current collector is located on the outer side of the outermost winding of a coiled electrode assembly formed when the anode subassembly is wound with a cathode subassembly. The anode subassembly may further include a spacer formed from a microporous, non-conductive material pressed onto the alkali metal anode on the opposite side from the solid anode current collector.

Abstract: An anode subassembly is provided for use in an implantable electrochemical cell wherein the anode subassembly includes an anode current collector designed to eliminate perforation edges in the final, outermost turn of a coiled electrode assembly. The anode current collector may be of a reduced size, discontinuous, or formed from alternating perforated and solid areas. The anode subassembly may further include reinforcing elements to support a thin anode layer in the outermost coil of a coiled, anode-limited cell. Reinforcing elements may take the form of a spacer, extensions extending from a reduced-size anode current collector, or strips of alkali metal.

Abstract: An electrode assembly in embodiments of the invention can include a unitary member formed from an electrically conductive material having a central portion, and tab and plate portions extending radially outward from the central portion. The unitary member can be folded to configure the plate portions in a stacked configuration, thereby providing an electrically connected support structure for a cathode and/or anode assembly without individual connections/welds of plates to a common connection. The elimination of multiple welds lowers the internal resistance of the electrode assembly, and improves the structural integrity. Embodiments of the invention include batteries and implantable medical devices (IMDs) which incorporate the design flexibility in the shape and contour of the electrode assembly and hence, the overall shape and design of batteries and IMDs.