FLAT CAPACITOR FOR AN IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE

• US 20060174463A1
• Filed: 03/29/2006
• Published: 08/10/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Iyer, Rajesh, Schmidt, Brian L., Sherwood, Gregory J., Poplett, James M., Schenk, Brian D., O'Phelan, Michael J., Kavanagh, Richard J., Tong, Robert R., Waytashek, Brian V., Barr, Alexander Gordon, Christenson, Luke J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,744,575 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 29/25.30
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3754 Feedthroughs
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/378 Electrical supply
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3782 producing a voltage above the power source level
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 9/00 Electrolytic capacitors, rectifiers, detectors, switching devices, light-sensitive or temperature-sensitive devices; Processes of their manufacture
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 9/008 Terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 9/02 Diaphragms; Separators
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 9/035 Liquid electrolytes, e.g. impregnating materials H01G11/54 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 9/045 based on aluminium
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 9/055 Etched foil electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 9/06 Mounting in containers
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 9/07 Dielectric layers
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 9/08 Housing; Encapsulation
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 9/10 Sealing, e.g. of lead-in wires
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 9/145 Liquid electrolytic capacitors H01G11/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 9/28 Structural combinations of electrolytic capacitors, rectifiers, detectors, switching devices with other electric components not covered by this subclass

Abstract

One aspect provides a capacitor feedthrough assembly having an electrically conductive member dimensioned to extend at least partially through a feedthrough hole of a case of the capacitor, the conductive member having a passage therethrough.

Claims

1. An implantable heart rhythm management system comprising:

a capacitor case; and

means for preventing development of excessive pressure within the capacitor case.

2. The implantable heart rhythm management device of claim 1, wherein the means comprises at least one of a semi-permeable membrane, a valve, and an expandable bung.

3. An implantable heart rhythm management device comprising:

one or more leads for sensing electrical signals of a patient or for applying electrical energy to the patient;

a monitoring circuit for monitoring heart activity of the patient through one or more of the leads; and

a therapy circuit for delivering electrical energy through one or more of the leads to a heart of the patient, wherein the therapy circuit includes one or more capacitors, each comprising;

a capacitor case including a portion having opposing interior and exterior surfaces, with the portion having a hole; and

a semi-permeable membrane adjacent the hole to regulate passage of fluids through the hole.

4. The implantable heart rhythm management device of claim 3, wherein the semi-permeable membrane comprises PTFE.

5. The implantable heart rhythm management device of claim 3, wherein the semi-permeable membrane comprises a gas-permeable membrane.

6. A capacitor comprising:

one or more capacitor modules;

a case at least partially enclosing the one or more capacitor modules; and

means for preventing development of excessive pressure within the capacitor case.

7. The capacitor of claim 6, wherein the means comprises at least one of a semi-permeable membrane, a valve, and an expandable bung.

8. A capacitor comprising:

one or more capacitor modules, each comprising an anode and a cathode;

a capacitor case at least partially enclosing the one or more capacitor modules and including a portion having a hole; and

a semi-permeable membrane adjacent the hole to regulate passage of fluids through the hole.

9. The capacitor of claim 8, wherein the semi-permeable membrane comprises PTFE.

10. The capacitor of claim 8, wherein the semi-permeable membrane comprises a gas-permeable membrane.

11. The capacitor of claim 8, wherein the portion of the capacitor having the hole has opposing interior and exterior surfaces, with the interior surface confronting the one or more capacitor modules and wherein the semi-permeable membrane abuts the exterior surface.

12. The capacitor of claim 8, wherein the case is cylindrical.

13. The capacitor of claim 8, wherein the case is flat.

14. A capacitor comprising:

one or more capacitor modules, each comprising an anode and a cathode;

a capacitor case at least partially enclosing the one or more capacitor modules and including a portion having a hole; and

a valve adjacent the hole to regulate passage of fluids through the hole.

15. The capacitor of claim 14, wherein the valve comprises a cantilever spring, with one end of the cantilever spring fixed relative a surface of the capacitor case and another end attached to a valve seat.

16. The capacitor of claim 14, wherein the valve seat comprises a generally convex and elastic structure.

17. The capacitor of claim 14, wherein the case is cylindrical.

18. The capacitor of claim 14, wherein the case is flat.

19. A capacitor comprising:

one or more capacitor modules, each comprising an anode and a cathode;

a capacitor case at least partially enclosing the one or more capacitor modules and including a portion having a hole; and

a bladder adjacent the hole to receive fluids passing through the hole.

20. The capacitor of claim 19, further comprising a bung within the hole, the bung having an axial passage coupled to an interior volume of the bladder and an interior volume of the capacitor case.

21. The capacitor of claim 19, wherein the case is cylindrical.

22. The capacitor of claim 19, wherein the case is flat.

23. The capacitor of claim 19, wherein the capacitor case comprises a conductive metal.

24. A capacitor comprising:

a capacitor case having a vent aperture; and

gas-exchange means for permitting gas molecules to pass through the vent aperture and restricting passage of liquid molecules.

25. A method of operating an electrolytic capacitor having an interior and exterior, the method comprising:

charging or discharging the capacitor one or more times;

venting gases from the interior of the capacitor to the exterior of the capacitor.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein venting gases from the interior to the exterior comprises channeling the gas through a hole in the capacitor case.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein venting gases from the interior to the exterior comprises channeling the gas through a semi-permeable membrane adjacent a hole in the capacitor case.

28. The method of claim 25, wherein venting gases from the interior to the exterior comprises channeling the gas through a valve adjacent a hole in the capacitor case.

29. The method of claim 25, wherein venting gases from the interior to the exterior comprises displacing an object away from a hole in the capacitor case.

30. The method of claim 25, wherein venting gases from the interior to the exterior comprises channeling the gas through a hole in the capacitor case into an expandable non-metallic bladder.