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: 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: Implantable medical devices (IMDs) and components, including flat electrolytic capacitors and methods of making and using same, particularly an improved electrolytic capacitor fabricated of an electrode stack assembly comprising a plurality of capacitor layers stacked in registration upon one another. Each capacitor layer comprises a valve metal cathode layer having a cathode tab, a valve metal anode layer having an anode tab, and a separator layer located between the cathode layers. The anode layer is assembled from a plurality of valve metal anode sheets that are etched and anodized, stacked side-by-side, and electrically and mechanically joined together by laser weld beads. A valve metal anode tab having a thickness equal to one or more anode sheet is inserted into a tab notch in one or more stacked anode sheet and joined to the anode sheet stack by laser welding the tab and sheet edges together.

Abstract: Implantable medical devices (IMDs) and their various components, particularly methods and apparatus for electrically isolating and supporting components of an IMD IPG, e.g., capacitors of a capacitor sub-assembly, thereof in volumetrically efficient ways. A capacitor sub-assembly comprising two or more capacitors stacked side-by-side such that the facing capacitor case major sides are separated by a reliable and simple to apply insulation layer of minimal thickness is disclosed for assembly with other components of an ICD IPG into an IPG housing. A shape conforming insulating spacer is formed of an insulating polymer to conform to the shape of a first capacitor case major side and the perimeter of that major side. The shape conforming insulating spacer is simply applied or adhered by adhesive layers, bands or patterns to one or both of the facing capacitor case major sides.

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: A complex connector and component within an implantable medical device in which the complex connector is positioned within the spacing footprint of the component to optimize packaging within the device.

Abstract: An implantable medical device comprising a housing, a capacitor assembly, an electronics module and an energy source, such as a battery. The capacitor assembly is disposed within the housing. The electronics module is electrically connected to the capacitor assembly and similarly disposed within the housing. The capacitor assembly comprising a case, an electrode stack and an insulative liner between the case and the electrode stack. The capacitor assembly electrode stack comprising a plurality of electrode subassemblies each having a plurality of anode plates and a plurality of cathode plates with a separation layer between anode and cathode plates. The liner also maintains alignment and immobilizes the electrode stack within the capacitor assembly. Finally, the energy source is electrically connected to the electronics module. With this configuration, an overall shape and size of the implantable medical device is optimized.

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.

Abstract: Implantable medical devices (IMDs) and their various components, particularly methods and apparatus for electrically isolating and supporting components of an IMD IPG, e.g., capacitors of a capacitor sub-assembly, thereof in volumetrically efficient ways. A capacitor sub-assembly comprising two or more capacitors stacked side-by-side such that the facing capacitor case major sides are separated by a reliable and simple to apply insulation layer of minimal thickness is disclosed for assembly with other components of an ICD IPG into an IPG housing. A shape conforming insulating spacer is formed of an insulating polymer to conform to the shape of a first capacitor case major side and the perimeter of that major side. The shape conforming insulating spacer is simply applied or adhered by adhesive layers, bands or patterns to one or both of the facing capacitor case major sides.

Abstract: Implantable medical devices (IMDs) and components, including flat electrolytic capacitors and methods of making and using same, particularly an improved electrolytic capacitor fabricated of an electrode stack assembly comprising a plurality of capacitor layers stacked in registration upon one another. Each capacitor layer comprises a valve metal cathode layer having a cathode tab, a valve metal anode layer having an anode tab, and a separator layer located between the cathode layers. The anode layer is assembled from a plurality of valve metal anode sheets that are etched and anodized, stacked side-by-side, and electrically and mechanically joined together by laser weld beads. A valve metal anode tab having a thickness equal to one or more anode sheet is inserted into a tab notch in one or more stacked anode sheet and joined to the anode sheet stack by laser welding the tab and sheet edges together.

Abstract: Flat electrolytic capacitors and methods of making and using same in implantable medical devices (IMDs) are disclosed, the capacitors having a plurality of capacitor layers of an electrode stack formed of tailored numbers of anode and cathode layers to fill the available stack height space in the capacitor case. The capacitor is formed with a capacitor or electrode stack assembly having a stack assembly thickness or height HN that is tailored to fit a case wall height Hcw of the capacitor case with minimal wasted space and allowance for any stack height tolerance to. The electrode stack assembly comprises a plurality of N stacked capacitor layers each having a specified capacitor layer thickness or height. At least N1 capacitor layers have a first capacitor layer thickness T1 and N2 capacitor layers have a second capacitor layer thickness T2 where N=(N1+N2), and HN=N1*T1+T1*N2.

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: Flat electrolytic capacitors particularly for use in implantable medical devices having stacked cathode and anode layers particular electrical connections of the capacitor anode and cathode layers with a capacitor connector assembly. Anode terminal means extend through the capacitor case side wall for electrically connecting a plurality of the anode tabs to one another and providing an anode connection terminal at the exterior of the case that is electrically insulated from the case. A cathode terminal extends through or to an encapsulation area of the capacitor case side wall via a cathode terminal passageway for electrically connecting a plurality of the cathode tabs to one another and providing a cathode connection terminal at the exterior of the case. The connector assembly is electrically attached to the anode connection terminal for making electrical connection with the anode tabs and to the cathode connection terminal for making electrical connection with the cathode tabs.

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.

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 trasversely to and away from the fill port tube.

Abstract: Implantable medical devices (DMDs) and their various components, including flat electrolytic capacitors for same, and methods of making and using same, particularly a simplified, miniature capacitor connector block and wiring harness utilizing an epoxy droplet and method of making same are disclosed. An electrode stack assembly and electrolyte are located within the interior case chamber of a hermetically sealed capacitor case. The electrode stack includes a plurality of capacitor layers stacked in registration upon one another, each capacitor layer including 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, whereby all adjacent cathode layers and anode layers of the stack are electrically insulated from one another by a separator layer.

Abstract: An implantable medical device such as a defibrillator is described. The device includes an hermetically sealed housing containing a flat electrolytic capacitor and an energy source such as a battery. The battery is connected to the capacitor and provides charge thereto. The capacitor stores the charge at a relatively high voltage. The charge stored in the capacitor is discharged through a defibrillation lead to a site on or in the heart when fibrillation of the heart is detected by the implantable medical device. Methods of making and using the implantable medical device, the capacitor, and their various components are disclosed.

Abstract: Flat electrolytic capacitors particularly for use in implantable medical devices having stacked cathode and anode layers particular electrical connections of the capacitor anode and cathode layers with a capacitor connector assembly. Anode terminal means extend through the capacitor case side wall for electrically connecting a plurality of the anode tabs to one another and providing an anode connection terminal at the exterior of the case that is electrically insulated from the case. A cathode terminal extends through or to an encapsulation area of the capacitor case side wall via a cathode terminal passageway for electrically connecting a plurality of the cathode tabs to one another and providing a cathode connection terminal at the exterior of the case. The connector assembly is electrically attached to the anode connection terminal for making electrical connection with the anode tabs and to the cathode connection terminal for making electrical connection with the cathode tabs.

Abstract: Flat electrolytic capacitors and methods of making and using same in implantable medical devices (IMDs) are disclosed, the capacitors having a plurality of capacitor layers of an electrode stack formed of tailored numbers of anode and cathode layers to fill the available stack height space in the capacitor case. The capacitor is formed with a capacitor or electrode stack assembly having a stack assembly thickness or height HN that is tailored to fit a case wall height Hcw of the capacitor case with minimal wasted space and allowance for any stack height tolerance to. The electrode stack assembly comprises a plurality of N stacked capacitor layers each having a specified capacitor layer thickness or height. At least N1 capacitor layers have a first capacitor layer thickness T1 and N2 capacitor layers have a second capacitor layer thickness T2 where N=(N1+N2), and HN=N1*T1+T1*N2.