Abstract: An implantable medical device (IMD) is provided that includes one or more processors and a memory coupled to the one or more processors, wherein the memory stores program instructions. The program instructions are executable by the one or more processors to obtain an initial capacitor maintenance time interval for performing maintenance on a capacitor of the IMD, obtain characteristics of interest related to at least one of the capacitor or the patient, and adjust the initial capacitor maintenance time interval to a first adjusted capacitor maintenance time interval based on the characteristics of interest.

Abstract: A method is provided for manufacturing an electrolytic capacitor for an implantable cardioverter defibrillator. The method includes forming an ester material by adding at least one acid to a glycol, and quenching the ester material for a determined period. The method also includes adding an ammonium based material to the ester material after the ester material is quenched, and adding an additional acid after adding the ammonium based material to form an electrolytic material for the electrolytic capacitor.

Abstract: A method is provided for manufacturing an electrolytic capacitor for an implantable cardioverter defibrillator. The method includes forming an ester material by adding at least one acid to a glycol, and quenching the ester material for a determined period. The method also includes adding an ammonium based material to the ester material after the ester material is quenched, and adding an additional acid after adding the ammonium based material to form an electrolytic material for the electrolytic capacitor.

Abstract: System, methods and devices are provided for identifying a failure state of a charge storage device. The system includes a charge storage device within an implantable medical device. An energy supply is configured to charge the charge storage device during a charging operation. A monitoring circuit is coupled to the charge storage device and is configured to collect voltage level measurements across the charge storage device at multiple points in time during the charging operation. Responsive to execution of program instructions, a processor collects the voltage level measurements across the charge storage device. The charge storage device exhibits a charge profile in which a voltage level across the charge storage device changes over the charging operation. The processor analyzes the voltage level measurements to identify a failure signature in the charge profile and generates an output indicative of a failure state for the charge storage device based on the analysis.

Abstract: A method is provided for manufacturing an electrolytic capacitor for an implantable cardioverter defibrillator. The method includes forming an ester material by adding at least one acid to a glycol, and quenching the ester material for a determined period. The method also includes adding an ammonium based material to the ester material after the ester material is quenched, and adding an additional acid after adding the ammonium based material to form an electrolytic material for the electrolytic capacitor.

Abstract: A capacitor is provided that includes a capacitor stack including an anode layer, cathode layer, and electrolytic layer electrically coupled together, the capacitor stack including a capacitor stack periphery. The capacitor also includes a first cover portion having a first cover portion periphery that aligns with the capacitor stack periphery, and a second cover portion having a second cover portion periphery that aligns with the capacitor stack periphery and received the first cover portion periphery to form a shell body for encasing the capacitor stack therein. The capacitor stack is isolated from the second cover portion to provide a neutrally charged second cover portion that is electrically coupled within an implanted medical device.

Abstract: Anode foil, preferably aluminum anode foil, is etched using a process of treating the foil in an electrolyte bath composition comprising a sulfate and a halide, such as sodium chloride. The anode foil is etched in the electrolyte bath composition by passing a charge through the bath. The etched anode foil is suitable for use in an electrolytic capacitor.

Abstract: Anode foil, preferably aluminum anode foil, is etched using a process of treating the foil in an electrolyte bath composition comprising a sulfate and a halide, such as sodium chloride. The anode foil is etched in the electrolyte bath composition by passing a charge through the bath. The etched anode foil is suitable for use in an electrolytic capacitor.

Abstract: Anode foil, preferably aluminum anode foil, is etched using a process of treating the foil in an electrolyte bath composition comprising a sulfate and a halide, such as sodium chloride. The anode foil is etched in the electrolyte bath composition by passing a charge through the bath. The etched anode foil is suitable for use in an electrolytic capacitor.

Abstract: Anode foil, preferably aluminum anode foil, is etched using a process of treating the foil in an electrolyte bath composition comprising a sulfate and a halide, such as sodium chloride. The anode foil is etched in the electrolyte bath composition by passing a charge through the bath. The etched anode foil is suitable for use in an electrolytic capacitor.

Abstract: Anode foil, preferably aluminum anode foil, is etched using a process of treating the foil in an electrolyte bath composition comprising a sulfate and a halide, such as sodium chloride. The anode foil is etched in the electrolyte bath composition by passing a charge through the bath. The etched anode foil is suitable for use in an electrolytic capacitor.

Abstract: Anode foil, preferably aluminum anode foil, is etched using a process of treating the foil in an electrolyte bath composition comprising a sulfate and a halide, such as sodium chloride. The anode foil is etched in the electrolyte bath composition by passing a charge through the bath. The etched anode foil is suitable for use in an electrolytic capacitor.

Abstract: A method of producing a highly etched electrode for a capacitor from a foil is disclosed. The method comprises first applying a laser beam to the foil to form a plurality of marks on the foil surface and then etching the foil. Preferably, the laser marks facilitate etching of foil surface in areas near the marks and retard etching of foil surface inside the marks. After etching, the foil is further processed in a combination of optional steps such as forming and finishing steps. The laser marking of the foil allows for positional control of tunnel initiation, such that tunnel initiation density and the location of tunnel initiation is controlled. By controlling the position of tunnel initiation, foils are etched more uniformly and have optimum tunnel distributions, thus allows for the production of highly etched foils that maintain high strength and have high capacitance.

Abstract: A micro-denier fiber of less than approximately 2.0 microns is coated in a valve metal to a metal thickness of approximately 0.2 to 2.0 microns. In one embodiment, a long filament of coated fiber is wound on a spool in such a way that the maximum arrangement of fiber density is achieved For example, the spool may have a cross section exhibiting a hexagonal close-packed arrangement of the fibers. In another embodiment, a plurality of fibers may be grown or formed into a particular arrangement prior to coating. Once coated and arranged, the fiber mass is compressed and constrained so that shapes can be cut out in various thicknesses, such as, for example, approximately 50 microns to 5000 microns. Each sheet is sintered to bind the metal and remove the fiber, leaving a porous anode that can be oxidized and formed in the usual manner for a capacitor.

Abstract: A method of producing an electrode for use in the manufacture of electrolytic capacitors for implantable cardioverter defibrillators comprises first coating the foil with a photoresist, second, applying a holographic image to the photoresist, third, removing a portion of the photoresist to expose a portion of the foil and create a pattern of photoresist on the foil and etching the foil. Alternatively, the method comprises applying an oxide or metal layer to the exposed foil surface, removing the pattern of photoresist to create a pattern of oxide or metal and etching the foil. The patterns of photoresist, oxide or metal all retard or prevent etching of the foil where the foil surface is covered. This results in a pattern of unetched foil with the remaining area being heavily etched. The resulting patterns stop crack propagation through the etched portions to yield foils with high gain and improved strength.