Smaller electrolytic capacitors for implantable defibrillators
US7251123B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 17, 2004 |
| Grant date | Jul 31, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 17, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01G9/045
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Implantable defibrillators are implanted into the chests of patients prone to suffering ventricular fibrillation, a potentially fatal heart condition. A critical component in these devices is an aluminum electrolytic capacitors, which stores and delivers one or more life-saving bursts of electric charge to a fibrillating heart. These capacitors make up about one third the total size of the defibrillators. Unfortunately, conventional manufacturers of these capacitors have paid little or no attention to reducing the size of these capacitors through improved capacitor packaging. Accordingly, the inventors contravened several conventional manufacturing principles and practices to devise unique space-saving packaging that allows dramatic size reduction. One embodiment of the invention uses thinner and narrower separators and top and bottom insulative inserts to achieve a 330-volt operating, 390-volt surge, 190-microfarad, 30-Joule aluminum electrolytic capacitor which is 33 percent smaller than conventional capacitors having similar electrical traits.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.