IMPLANTABLE CARDIOVERTER DEFIBRILLATOR CAPACITOR ASSEMBLY WITH FLEX CIRCUIT

• US 20100114214A1
• Filed: 10/28/2009
• Published: 05/06/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Hall, Stephen, Schildgen, William Richard, Tan, Wen, Morelli, Douglas James
• Granted Patent: US 8,532,777 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/5
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3758 Packaging of the components within the casing
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3968 Constructional arrangements, e.g. casings A61N1/375 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3975 Power supply A61N1/378 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 2/106 Fixing the capacitor in a housing
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 9/0029 Processes of manufacture
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 9/008 Terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 9/06 Mounting in containers
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 9/10 Sealing, e.g. of lead-in wires

Abstract

An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (“ICD”) comprises a battery, control circuitry and a capacitor assembly. The capacitor assembly includes at least one capacitor, a flex circuit for connection to the control circuitry of the ICD and a first and second support portions. The flex circuit is arranged between the first and second support portions and includes a plurality of tangs for connecting to the anode and cathode of the capacitor(s), as well as to the control circuitry of the ICD.

Claims

1. A capacitor assembly for use in an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), comprising:

at least one capacitor comprising a base portion mated with a cover portion at a weld joint to form a housing, a cathode, an anode, and a pin extending from the housing, wherein the housing is electrically connected to the cathode and the pin is electrically connected to the anode;

a flex circuit comprising a first tang that is electrically connected to the anode, a second tang that is electrically connected to the cathode, and at least two terminal tangs for connection to control circuitry of the ICD;

a first support portion arranged between the at least one capacitor and a first side of the flex circuit such that the at least one capacitor and the flex circuit are spaced a predetermined distance apart, the first support portion defining an opening through which the second tang extends to electrically connect to the cathode; and

a second support portion arranged on a second side of the flex circuit, the second support portion comprising a first support side that supports the at least two terminal tangs.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the second tang is electrically connected to the cathode by resistance spot welding the second tang to the weld joint.

3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the second tang comprises a free floating extension that includes a first end that is attached to the flex circuit and a second end that is unattached, the free floating extension being capable of movement independent of the flex circuit.

4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first tang and the two terminal tangs extend substantially perpendicular to a body portion of the flex circuit.

5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the second tang comprises a free floating extension that includes a first end that is attached to the flex circuit and a second end that is unattached, the free floating extension being capable of movement independent of the flex circuit.

6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein the second tang is formed within a body of a trace of the flex circuit such that the trace is split around the second tang.

7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the at least one capacitor comprises a sloped portion that defines a cutout, wherein the flex circuit, first support portion and second support portion are arranged within the cutout.

8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the second tang is electrically connected to the cathode by resistance spot welding the second tang to the weld joint.

9. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the second tang comprises a free floating extension formed within a body of a trace of the flex circuit such that the trace is split around the second tang, the free floating extension including a first end that is attached to the flex circuit and a second end that is unattached.

10. An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), comprising:

a battery;

a control circuit for controlling operation of the ICD that is operably connected to the battery; and

a capacitor assembly operably connected to the battery and control circuit, the capacitor assembly comprising;

at least one capacitor comprising a base portion mated with a cover portion at a weld joint to form a housing, a cathode, an anode, and a pin extending from the housing, wherein the housing is electrically connected to the cathode and the pin is electrically connected to the anode;

a flex circuit comprising a first tang that is electrically connected to the anode, a second tang that is electrically connected to the cathode, and at least two terminal tangs for connection to the control circuit of the ICD;

a first support portion arranged between the at least one capacitor and a first side of the flex circuit such that the at least one capacitor and the flex circuit are spaced a predetermined distance apart, the first support portion defining an opening through which the second tang extends to electrically connect to the cathode; and

a second support portion arranged on a second side of the flex circuit, the second support portion comprising a first support side that supports the at least two terminal tangs.

11. The ICD of claim 10, wherein the second tang is electrically connected to the cathode by resistance spot welding the second tang to the weld joint.

12. The ICD of claim 10, wherein the second tang comprises a free floating extension that includes a first end that is attached to the flex circuit and a second end that is unattached, the free floating extension being capable of movement independent of the flex circuit.

13. The ICD of claim 10, wherein the first tang and the two terminal tangs extend substantially perpendicular to a body portion of the flex circuit.

14. The ICD of claim 13, wherein the second tang comprises a free floating extension that includes a first end that is attached to the flex circuit and a second end that is unattached, the free floating extension being capable of movement independent of the flex circuit.

15. The ICD of claim 14, wherein the second tang is formed within a body of a trace of the flex circuit such that the trace is split around the second tang.

16. The ICD of claim 15, wherein the at least one capacitor comprises a sloped portion that defines a cutout, wherein the flex circuit, first support portion and second support portion are arranged within the cutout.

17. The ICD of claim 16, wherein the second tang is electrically connected to the cathode by resistance spot welding the second tang to the weld joint.

18. The ICD of claim 10, wherein the second tang comprises a free floating extension formed within a body of a trace of the flex circuit such that the trace is split around the second tang, the free floating extension including a first end that is attached to the flex circuit and a second end that is unattached.

19. An electrochemical cell assembly for use in an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), comprising:

at least one electrochemical cell comprising a base portion mated with a cover portion at a weld joint to form a housing, a cathode, an anode, and a pin extending from the housing, wherein the housing is electrically connected to the cathode and the pin is electrically connected to the anode;

a flex circuit comprising a first tang that is electrically connected to the anode, a second tang that is electrically connected to the cathode, and at least two terminal tangs for connection to control circuitry of the ICD;

a first support portion arranged between the at least one capacitor and a first side of the flex circuit such that the at least one capacitor and the flex circuit are spaced a predetermined distance apart, the first support portion defining an opening through which the second tang extends to electrically connect to the cathode; and

a second support portion arranged on a second side of the flex circuit, the second support portion comprising a first support side that supports the at least two terminal tangs.

20. The assembly of claim 19, wherein the second tang is electrically connected to the cathode by resistance spot welding the second tang to the weld joint.

21. The assembly of claim 19, wherein the second tang comprises a free floating extension that includes a first end that is attached to the flex circuit and a second end that is unattached, the free floating extension being capable of movement independent of the flex circuit.

22. The assembly of claim 19, wherein the first tang and the two terminal tangs extend substantially perpendicular to a body portion of the flex circuit.

23. The assembly of claim 22, wherein the second tang comprises a free floating extension that includes a first end that is attached to the flex circuit and a second end that is unattached, the free floating extension being capable of movement independent of the flex circuit.

24. The assembly of claim 23, wherein the second tang is formed within a body of a trace of the flex circuit such that the trace is split around the second tang.

25. The assembly of claim 24, wherein the at least one electrochemical cell comprises a sloped portion that defines a cutout, wherein the flex circuit, first support portion and second support portion are arranged within the cutout.

26. The assembly of claim 25, wherein the second tang is electrically connected to the cathode by resistance spot welding the second tang to the weld joint.

27. The assembly of claim 19, wherein the second tang comprises a free floating extension formed within a body of a trace of the flex circuit such that the trace is split around the second tang, the free floating extension including a first end that is attached to the flex circuit and a second end that is unattached.