Battery design for implantable medical devices

• US 7,794,866 B2
• Filed: 03/05/2008
• Issued: 09/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Chizek, David, Youker, Nick A., Hansen, John E., Swanson, Lawrence D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kalafut; Stephen J.
• Application Number:
  US12/043,019
• Publication Number:
  US 20080154321A1
• Time in Patent Office: 923 Days
• Field of Search: 429/72, 429/161, 429/181, 429/184, 296/233, 296/234, 296/235
• US Class Current: 429/72
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/103 prismatic or rectangular H01M50/109, H01M50/11 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/176 for prismatic or rectangular cells H01M50/181 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/636 Closing or sealing filling ports, e.g. using lids
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/181 with polymeric electrolytes
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 70/50 Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4911 including sealing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49114 including adhesively bonding

Abstract

An improved battery design which is particularly suitable for use in an implantable medical device is disclosed. The design utilizes a two-part case for the battery contents which allows freedom with respect to feedthrough locations and battery shape.

Claims

1. A method for constructing an implantable cardiac rhythm management device, comprising:

disposing sensing and therapy circuitry within housing;

disposing a battery for supplying power to the sensing and therapy circuitry within the housing;

constructing the battery by;

disposing a central cell structure into a first case portion;

interconnecting an anode or cathode of the internal cell structure with a feedthrough pin which exits the first case portion via a feedthrough assembly located within a wall of the first case portion;

welding a second case portion to the first case portion to form a case containing the central cell structure; and

,

filling the case with an electrolyte through an electrolyte fill hole of the case, wherein the electrolyte electrically connects the case with an anode or cathode of the battery, and wherein the filling is performed such that the electrolyte solidifies within the case without making contact with the feedthrough pin.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the electrolyte fill hole is located in a wall of the first case portion.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the electrolyte fill hole is located in a wall of the second case portion.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the electrolyte fill hole is formed by both the first and second case portions.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the electrolyte fill hole is located adjacent to the feedthrough assembly.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the electrolyte fill hole and feedthrough assembly are located in a protruding wall of the completed case.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the first and second case portions are approximately symmetrical halves of the completed case.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the feedthrough assembly is located adjacent where the first and second case portions are welded together.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the first and second case portions are approximately symmetrical halves of the completed case.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the electrolyte fill hole and feedthrough assembly are located in a protruding wall of the completed case.

11. An implantable cardiac rhythm management device, comprising:

an implantable housing;

sensing and therapy circuitry disposed within the implantable housing;

a battery for supplying power to the sensing and therapy circuitry disposed within the implantable housing, wherein the battery comprises;

a central cell structure disposed into a first case portion;

a feedthrough pin which exits the first case portion via a feedthrough assembly located within a wall of the first case portion, wherein the feedthrough pin is interconnected with an anode or cathode of the central cell structure;

a second case portion welded to the first case portion to form a case containing the internal cell structure, wherein the case has a protruding wall, wherein the electrolyte fill hole and feedthrough assembly are located in the protruding wall, and wherein no portion of the central cell structure is within the volume enclosed by the protruding wall; and

,

an electrolyte filled into the case through an electrolyte fill hole, wherein the electrolyte electrically connects the case to an anode or cathode of the battery, and wherein the filling is performed such that the electrolyte solidifies within the case without making contact with the feedthrough pin.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein the electrolyte fill hole is located in a wall of the first case portion.

13. The device of claim 11 wherein the electrolyte fill hole is located in a wall of the second case portion.

14. The device of claim 11 wherein the electrolyte fill hole is formed by both the first and second case portions.

15. The device of claim 11 wherein the electrolyte fill hole is located adjacent to the feedthrough assembly.

16. The device of claim 11 wherein the first and second case portions are approximately symmetrical halves of the completed case.

17. The device of claim 11 wherein the feedthrough assembly is located adjacent where the first and second case portions are welded together.

18. The device of claim 17 wherein the first and second case portions are approximately symmetrical halves of the completed case.