Patent ID: 6042624
Filing Date: 2000-03-28
Classification: A61N,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of making an hermetically sealed implantable medical device, comprising the steps of:(a) providing a housing for the implantable medical device;(b) providing an energy source for the implantable medical device and disposing the energy source within the housing;(c) forming a substantially flat aluminum electrolytic capacitor, comprising the steps of:(i) constructing electrode layers for the capacitor, the capacitor comprising stacked electrode and separator layers, comprising the steps of:(1) providing a sheet of electrode material having a thickness ranging between about 10 micrometers and about 500 micrometers;(2) providing a low-clearance means for cutting the sheet comprising at least one punch means for cutting having substantially vertically-oriented punch means walls and a first substantially horizontal face, the punch cutting means walls and the first face intersecting along and defining a cutting edge, the means for cutting further comprising at least one means for receiving the punch cutting means therein, the receiving means having substantially vertically-oriented receiving means walls and a second substantially horizontal face, the punch cutting means being received within the receiving means such that inter-wall spacings disposed between adjoining portions of the punch cutting means walls and the receiving means walls range between about 0.1% and about 10% of the thickness of the sheet and the first and second faces substantially matingly oppose one another, the cutting edge being configured to form the outline of an electrode layer having a predetermined shape;(3) placing the sheet of electrode material in the low-clearance means for cutting the sheet, and(4) forming the electrode layer by pressing the punch cutting means through the electrode sheet into the receiving means by applying a directed force to at least one of the punch cutting means and the receiving means to cause the punch cutting means and the receiving means to matingly engage;(ii) forming at least portions of an electrode assembly with the electrode layer;(vii) placing the electrode assembly in a capacitor case having an open end;(viii) placing a cover over the open end of the case;(ix) joining the cover to the case;(d) disposing the capacitor in the housing;(e) connecting the capacitor to the power source, and(f) hermetically sealing the housing.