US 6,321,114 B1Granted

Implantable medical device having flat electrolytic capacitor with consolidated electrode tabs and corresponding feedthroughs

AssigneeMedtronic, Inc.

InventorsThomas M. Nutzman, Mark D. Breyen, William L. Johnson, Joseph F. Lessar, Anthony R. Rorvick, Kurt J. Casby

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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.

Claims43

Dependent claims

An hermetically sealed implantable medical device, comprising:

(a) an hermetically sealed housing;
(b) an energy source disposed within the housing;
(c) a substantially flat electrolytic capacitor connected to the energy source and disposed within the housing, the capacitor comprising:
(1) at least one flat cathode layer formed of cathode foil and having a first perimeter of a first overall length, the cathode layer having top and bottom surfaces and at least a first cathode means for connecting projecting from the first perimeter at a first predetermined perimeter location;
(2) a plurality of flat anode layers formed of anode foil, the plurality of anode layers forming an anode sub-assembly having top and bottom surfaces, at least one of the plurality of anode layers being a first anode layer having a second perimeter of a second overall length and at least a second anode means for connecting projecting from the second perimeter at a second predetermined perimeter location;
(3) at least a first separator layer formed of separator material, the first separator layer defining a third perimeter having a third physical dimension;
(4) a first cathode feedthrough means for connecting to the first cathode connecting means, the first cathode feedthrough means having a cathode feedthrough pin extending therefrom;
(5) a second anode feedthrough means for connecting to the second anode connecting means, the second anode feedthrough means having an anode feedthrough pin extending therefrom;
(6) a case having sidewalls extending upwardly from a flat planar base to form an open end;
wherein the at least one cathode layer, the plurality of anode layers and the first separator layer are vertically stacked to form an electrode assembly such that the first separator layer is disposed between the at least one cathode layer and the anode sub-assembly, the first cathode connecting means is aligned with a first predetermined registration position in the electrode assembly, the second anode connecting means is aligned with a second predetermined registration position in the electrode assembly, the first cathode feedthrough connecting means is connected to the first cathode connecting means, the second anode connecting means is connected to the second anode connecting means, and the cover is sealingly disposed over the open end of the case.

7 more elements

A method of making an hermetically sealed implantable medical device, comprising the steps of

(a) providing a housing for the implantable medical device;
(b) providing and disposing an energy source within the housing;
(c) providing components for a substantially flat electrolytic capacitor, comprising the steps of:
(i) providing at least one flat cathode layer formed of cathode foil and having a first perimeter of a first overall length, the cathode layer having top and bottom surfaces and at least a first cathode means for connecting projecting from the first perimeter at a first predetermined perimeter location;
(ii) providing a plurality of flat anode layers formed of anode foil, the plurality of anode layers forming an anode sub-assembly having top and bottom surfaces, at least one of the plurality of anode layers being a first anode layer having a second perimeter of a second overall length and at least a second anode means for connecting projecting from the second perimeter at a second predetermined perimeter location;
(iii) providing at least a first separator layer formed of separator material, the first separator layer defining a third perimeter having a third physical dimension;
(iv) providing a first cathode feedthrough means for connecting to the first cathode connecting means, the first cathode feedthrough means having a cathode feedthrough pin extending therefrom;
(v) providing a second anode feedthrough means for connecting to the second anode connecting means, the second anode feedthrough means having an anode feedthrough pin extending therefrom;
(vi) providing a case having sidewalls extending upwardly from a flat planar base to form an open end;
(vii) providing a cover for sealing the open end of the case;
(d) assembling the components of the capacitor such that the at least one cathode layer, the plurality of anode layers and the first separator layer are vertically stacked in the case, the first separator layer being disposed between the at least one cathode layer and the anode sub-assembly, the first cathode connecting means being aligned with a first predetermined registration position in the electrode assembly, the second anode connecting means being aligned with a second predetermined registration position in the electrode assembly, the first cathode feedthrough connecting means being connected to the first cathode connecting means, the second anode connecting means being connected to the second anode connecting means, the cover being sealingly disposed over the open end of the case;
(e) placing the capacitor in the housing and connecting the energy source to the capacitor, and
(f) hermetically sealing the housing of the implantable medical device.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 09/359,183Filed 22 Jul 1999 · division
Priority: 3 Apr 1998
Granted: 20 Nov 2001
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification4 codes

A61N 1/3956
Heart defibrillators: implantable devices for applying electric shocks to the heart, e.g. for cardioversion
A61N 1/375
Arrangements in connection with the implantation of stimulators: constructional arrangements, e.g. casings
A61N 1/37512
Constructional arrangements, e.g. casings: pacemakers
A61N
Electrotherapy