Patent ID: 8065006

Claim:
An electrochemical cell for use in an implantable medical device, comprising: a cover having a first surface and a second surface separated by an outer edge defining a plane; a case having a planar bottom, a side extending upwardly from the planar bottom, and an open top for receiving the cover; a step-like junction formed between the cover and the side when the cover is disposed over the open top, wherein either: a) the side of the case has an outwardly extending flange having a flange outer edge disposed between flange upper surface and flange lower surface, the flange outer edge defining a plane, and the plane defined by the outer edge of the cover and the plane defined by the flange outer edge are either parallel or intersect at a single point when the cover contacts the flange, or b) the side of the case has an upper edge disposed between an inner side surface and an outer side surface, the inner side surface and the outer side surface defining an inner side plane and an outer side plane and the plane defined by the outer edge of the cover and one of the planes defined by the inner and outer side surfaces of the side of the case are either parallel or intersect at a single point at an angle of less than 90°, wherein when the plane defined by the outer edge of the cover and one of the planes defined by the inner and outer side surfaces of the side of the case are parallel, the plane defined by the outer edge of the cover is between the planes defined by the inner and outer side surfaces of the case; and a welded joint formed at the step-like junction.