Flat capacitor for an implantable medical device

• US 7,072,713 B2
• Filed: 01/15/2004
• Issued: 07/04/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• 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.
• Primary Examiner(s): PASCHALL, MARK H
• Application Number:
  US10/758,701
• Publication Number:
  US 20040147961A1
• Time in Patent Office: 901 Days
• Field of Search: 607/1, 607/5, 361500-512, 361516-520, 174/50.6, 174/50.63, 174/65.R, 174/50.64
• US Class Current: 607/10
• 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. A method for manufacturing a capacitor, the method comprising:

providing a capacitor case having a hole;

installing a feedthrough assembly at least partially into the hole, the feedthrough assembly comprising a conductive member having a passage therethrough; and

filling the case with an electrolyte solution through the passage.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

installing a terminal fastener in the passage.

3. A method for replacing a first capacitor installed in a medical device with a second capacitor, the method comprising:

disengaging a terminal coupled to the medical device from a feedthrough passage of the first capacitor; and

installing the same terminal into a feedthrough passage of the second capacitor.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein disengaging a terminal coupled to the medical device from a feedthrough passage comprises disengaging a terminal coupled to the medical device from a feedthrough passage located through an axial portion of a electrically conductive member.

5. A method comprising:

providing a capacitor case having a hole;

mounting a capacitor stack within the case;

installing a feedthrough assembly at least partially into the hole, the feedthrough assembly including a conductive member having a passage;

coupling the feedthrough assembly to the capacitor stack; and

mounting a feedthrough terminal to the passage of the conductive member such that the feedthrough terminal and the conductive member are electrically coupled.

6. The method of claim 5, further including insulating the conductive member from the case.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein installing the feedthrough assembly includes attaching an outer insulating portion of the feedthrough assembly to the case proximate the hole.

8. The method of claim 5, further comprising filling the case with an electrolyte solution through the conductive member passage before mounting the feedthrough terminal to the passage.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein mounting the feedthrough terminal to the passage includes using a terminal fastener to attach the feedthrough terminal to the conductive member.

10. The method of claim 5, wherein mounting the feedthrough terminal to the passage includes crimping the feedthrough terminal within the passage.

11. The method of claim 5, wherein mounting the feedthrough terminal to the passage includes removably mounting the feedthrough terminal to the passage.

12. The method of claim 5, wherein coupling the feedthrough assembly to the capacitor stack includes attaching a flexible tab connection member between the feedthrough assembly and the stack.

13. The method of claim 5, wherein coupling the feedthrough assembly to the capacitor stack includes attaching a bottom surface of the feedthrough assembly directly to a surface of the capacitor stack.