Patent ID: 6982543

Claim:
A method for powering an implantable medical device with an electrochemical cell, the cell comprising an alkali metal anode coupled to a cathode of a cathode active material activated with an electrolyte, comprising the steps of: a) powering the implantable medical device with the cell; b) monitoring the depth-of-discharge (DOD) of the cell; c) predetermining a first depth-of-discharge (DOD 1 ) at which a cell reform protocol will commence with the cell periodically delivering a pulse discharge of electrical current of significantly greater amplitude than that of the background current or an open circuit voltage immediately prior to the pulse discharge; d) predetermining a second depth-of-discharge (DOD 2 ) at which the periodic pulse discharges for the cell reform protocol will be discontinued; e) upon the cell reaching the predetermined DOD 1 , commencing the cell reform protocol by discharging the cell to deliver a pulse 1 of electrical current of significantly greater amplitude than that of the background current or an open circuit voltage immediately prior to the pulse 1 discharge; f) waiting a time interval; g) discharging the cell to deliver a pulse 1 +n of electrical current of significantly greater amplitude than that of the background current or an open circuit voltage immediately prior to the pulse 1 +n discharge, wherein n≧1; and h) discontinuing the cell reform protocol upon the cell having been discharged to DOD 2 .