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.

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.

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.