Battery, particularly for a medical implant

Abstract

The present invention relates to a battery, particularly for a medical implant, comprising: an electrode assembly and a battery housing for accommodating the electrode assembly in an internal space defined by the housing, wherein the electrode assembly comprises a first electrode, a second electrode, a separator arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode, a current collector being in electrically conductive connection the second electrode, and an insulating element for electrically insulating the second electrode with respect housing, an electrical feedthrough in electrical contact with the current collector, wherein the first electrode is in electrical and physical contact to the housing.

Description

[0001] Applicant: LITRONIK Batterietechnologie GmbH

[0002] Date: 27.11.2025

[0003] Our Reference: 22.183P-WO

[0004] Battery, particularly for a medical implant

[0005] The present invention relates to a battery, particularly a battery for a medical implant such as an implantable cardiac pacemaker.

[0006] Current batteries, e.g. for medical implants, typically have rigid conductive cans 22 as indicated in Fig. 1 with two openings in a lid 20, wherein in one opening an electrical feedthrough 10 is arranged, while the other opening typically serves as a filling port 20a for an electrolyte.

[0007] Regarding such batteries, a pressure on the electrode assembly or stack 2 in the can 22 is provided from the inside of the can 22, due to a swelling of the electrode materials in an electrolyte. Furthermore, due to the relatively small cross-sectional area A of lid 20 and can 22 perpendicular to an insertion direction of the electrode assembly or stack 2, applying mechanical forces onto the electrode assembly or stack 2 proves to be rather difficult.

[0008] Accordingly, there is an ongoing need for more compact designs for batteries, particularly regarding the ability to compress the electrode assembly or stack, so that a simple manufacture and handling of the battery is achieved.

[0009] This problem is solved by a battery having the features of claim 1 and a method for manufacturing a battery having the features of claim 12. Preferred embodiments of these aspects of the present invention are stated in the corresponding dependent claims and are described below. According to claim 1, a battery is disclosed, comprising:

[0010] - a battery housing comprising a first housing part and a second housing part made from an electrically conductive material, wherein the housing defines an internal space,

[0011] - an electrode assembly arranged in the internal space, the electrode assembly comprising a first electrode having a first polarity, particularly an anode, a second electrode having an second polarity opposite to the first polarity, particularly a cathode, a separator arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode, a current collector being in electrical conductive connection to the second electrode, and an insulating element for (at least partly) electrically insulating the second electrode with respect to the battery housing, and

[0012] - an electrical feedthrough comprising an insulator and a feedthrough conductor extending through the insulator, wherein the electrical feedthrough is arranged at the housing.

[0013] It is particularly envisioned that the current collector is in electrically conductive contact to the feedthrough conductor, and the first electrode is in electrically conductive and physical contact to the housing, and that the first housing part and the second housing part are attached to one another, particularly joined, such that the internal space is hermetically closed.

[0014] Particularly, the components of the electrode assembly, i.e., the electrodes (e.g. anode and cathode), the separator, the current collector, and optionally the insulating element are stacked on top of one another in a stacking direction that is orthogonal to a bottom of the first housing part and / or orthogonal to the second housing part.

[0015] In one embodiment, the first housing part is designed in form of a can, and the second housing part in form of a lid.

[0016] The separator may be formed out of or comprises one of the following materials: non- metallic materials, such as ceramic materials e.g., alumina (AI2O3), or polymers such as polyethylene or polypropylene, polyamides such as Nylon or fluoropolymers such as an ethylene tetrafluoroethylene copolymer (ETFE) or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), or a composite of an ceramic material and a polymer, such as a ceramic coated separator (CCS),

[0017] 22.183P-WO | 27.11.2025 e.g., a polymer such as PTFE, polypropylene or polyethylene coated with a ceramic material, e.g., alumina. Particularly, the separator is porous or is made from a porous material.

[0018] Furthermore, in one embodiment, the current collector is preferably made of or comprises one of the following materials: titanium, stainless steel, nickel.

[0019] Advantageously, in one embodiment, the second housing part, e.g. the lid, is configured to press against the electrode assembly for compressing the electrode assembly against the first housing part, e.g., the can. Thus, when closing the first housing part with the second housing part, a defined pressure can be exerted onto the electrode assembly by the second housing part.

[0020] In one embodiment, the can comprises an outer diameter being larger than a height of the can. Particularly, the height is the height of the can in the stacking direction.

[0021] Particularly, the first housing part and the second housing part are made of or comprise an electrically conductive material, respectively, wherein the respective electrically conductive material is preferably weldable. In an embodiment, the first housing part and the second housing part are made from an electrically conductive material selected from, but not limited to, titanium, a titanium alloy, aluminum, nickel, or stainless steel. In a further embodiment of the battery according to the invention, the housing has one of: a cylindrical, a prismatic, a circular, a semicircular shape.

[0022] According one embodiment, the electrode assembly comprises a second electrode, particularly a cathode, formed by a first electrode portion and a second electrode portion, wherein the current collector is arranged between the first portion and the second portion of the second electrode.

[0023] In one embodiment, the electrode assembly comprises a first electrode, particularly an anode, formed by a first electrode portion and a second electrode portion , the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion of the first electrode being in electrically conductive and physical contact with housing, wherein a first separator is arranged between the first

[0024] 22.183P-WO | 27.11.2025 electrode portion of the first electrode and the second electrode, and a second separator is arranged between the second electrode portion of the first electrode and the second electrode. In one embodiment, the first electrode portion of the first electrode is in electrically conductive and physical contact with the first housing part, particularly designed as a can, and the second electrode portion of the first electrode is electrically in conductive and physical contact with the second housing part, particularly designed as a lid.

[0025] In one embodiment, the insulating element comprises or is formed by a first insulating frame and a second insulating frame, wherein the first insulating frame is connected to the first separator, and the second insulating frame is connected to the second separator such that the first separator is arranged between the first electrode portion of the first electrode and the second electrode, and the second separator is arranged between the second electrode and the second electrode portion of the first electrode. In one embodiment, the first insulating frame and the second insulating frame are configured to be mated and connected to one another, particularly by means of a form-fitting or snap-fit connection. In one embodiment, the first insulating frame and / or the second insulating frame is made from a material essentially consisting of or comprising a plastic material, particularly a polypropylene, a polyethylene, a polyurethane, particularly, a thermoplastic polyurethane, or a silicone. Particularly, the insulating element may comprise or may be formed by more than two parts, particularly more than two insulating frame parts. In one embodiment, each of the separators is arranged on and attached to the respective insulator frame such that the separator is recessed with respect to an upper edge of the insulating frame, thereby formed a receptacle for one of the anode portions. In one embodiment, the insulating element is configured to receive a portion of the feedthrough, particularly the sleeve or flange, the insulator and an internal portion of the feedthrough pin.

[0026] In another embodiment, the insulating element comprises a bottom and a circumferential lateral wall protruding from the bottom, wherein the lateral wall surrounds the current collector and the second electrode, or the first electrode portion of the second electrode and the second electrode portion of the second electrode. In one embodiment, the insulating element, particularly the bottom of the insulating element is permeable for the electrolyte.

[0027] 22.183P-WO | 27.11.2025 In one embodiment, the insulating element, particularly the bottom of the insulating element is made from a porous material.

[0028] In one embodiment,

[0029] - the second electrode, or the first portion of the second electrode, or the second portion of the second electrode comprises a through-hole,

[0030] - the insulating element, or the first separator, or the second separator comprises a through-hole, and optionally the first portion of the first electrode, or the second portion of the first electrode comprises a through-hole, wherein said through-holes are aligned with one another, and wherein the electrode assembly comprises a connecting element arranged in said through-holes and extending from the first housing part or the second housing part to the current collector to electrically connect the feedthrough pin of the electrical feedthrough current collector.

[0031] In one embodiment, the second electrode and the insulating element comprise a through- hole, respectively, wherein the through-holes are aligned with one another, and wherein the electrode assembly comprises a connecting element arranged in said through-holes and extending from the first housing part or the second housing part to the current collector to electrically connect the feedthrough pin of the electrical feedthrough current collector.

[0032] In one embodiment, the second electrode, the insulating element and an electrode portion of the first electrode being arranged adjacent the insulting element comprise a through-hole, respectively, wherein the through-holes are aligned with one another, and wherein the electrode assembly comprises a connecting element arranged in said through-holes and extending from the first housing part or the second housing part to the current collector to electrically connect the feedthrough pin of the electrical feedthrough current collector.

[0033] In one embodiment, the insulating element, an electrode portion of the second electrode being adjacent the insulating element and an electrode portion of the first electrode being arranged adjacent the insulting element comprise a through hole, respectively, wherein the through holes are aligned with one another, and wherein the electrode assembly comprises

[0034] 22.183P-WO | 27.11.2025 a connecting element arranged in said through-holes and extending from the first housing part or the second housing part to the current collector to electrically connect the feedthrough pin of the electrical feedthrough current collector.

[0035] In one embodiment, the connecting element comprises an electrically conducting metallic core and an outer electrical insulation surrounding the core. Particularly, the outer electrical insulation is formed out of or comprises one of: PEEK (polyether ether ketone), PP (polypropylene) an LCP (liquid crystal polymer).

[0036] Within the meaning of the present invention, the term "liquid crystal polymer" is used in the meaning known to and commonly used by a person skilled in the art. A "liquid crystal polymer" in particular refers to an aromatic polymer, which has highly ordered or crystalline regions in the molten state or in solution. Non-limiting examples include aromatic polyamides such as aramid (Kevlar) and aromatic polyesters of hydroxybenzoic acid, such as a polycondensate of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and 6-hydroxynaphthalene-2-carboxylic acid (Vectran).

[0037] In one embodiment, the insulator of the electrical feedthrough made from or comprises a ceramic, a glass or glass solder, or a polymer, particularly an epoxy resin, silicone, or a liquid crystal polymer.

[0038] In one embodiment, the feedthrough pin comprises a through-hole configured as an electrolyte filling port for the battery. In one embodiment, said feedthrough pin comprises an external end section facing an outside of said battery and an internal end section facing the internal space of the battery, wherein said through-hole of the feedthrough pin is preferably closable or sealable within said external end section, particularly by means of a cap, a plug, a pin, a screw or by welding, particularly laser welding. In one embodiment of the battery according to the invention, the feedthrough pin is characterized by a diameter in the range of 3 mm to 6 mm, and the through-hole therein is characterized by a diameter in the range of 0.05 mm to 1.5 mm. In case the battery uses a solid electrolyte, the feedthrough pin is preferably formed as a pin having a solid core, i.e., does not comprise such a through- hole.

[0039] 22.183P-WO | 27.11.2025 In one embodiment,

[0040] - the first portion of the first electrode, or the second portion of the first electrode comprises a through-hole,

[0041] - the insulating element, the first separator or the second separator comprises a through-hole, and optionally the second electrode, or the first portion or the second portion of the second electrode comprises a through-hole, wherein said through-holes are aligned with one another, and wherein the electrode assembly comprises an electrically insulating insert being arranged in said through-holes and extending from the current collector towards a bottom of the first housing part or the second housing part particularly for reducing a free volume in the electrode assembly.

[0042] In one embodiment, one portion of the first electrode, the separator, the electrically insulating insert, the second electrode, the current collector, the insulating element, and the connecting element together form a repeating unit of the electrode assembly, wherein particularly the other portion of the first electrode is in electrically conductive and physical contact with the housing. In one embodiment, the electrode assembly comprises a plurality of the repeating unit, wherein the repeating units are stacked on top of one another.

[0043] In one embodiment, the electrode assembly is formed as a stack, the stack comprising: a first portion of the first electrode on top of the stack, a second portion of the first electrode at the bottom of the stack and a plurality of intermediate portions of the first electrode, wherein the first portion and / or the second portion of the first electrode is in electrically conductive and physical contact with the housing, a plurality of portions of the second electrode, one or more portions of the second electrode arranged between two portions of the first electrode, respectively, a plurality of current collectors, each of current collectors being in electrically conductive connection to a portion of the second electrode, respectively, wherein particularly each of the current collectors is arranged between two portions of the second electrode, respectively, and

[0044] 22.183P-WO | 27.11.2025 a common current collector being in electrically conductive contact with each of the portions of the first electrode.

[0045] In one embodiment, each portion of the first electrode and the second electrode comprises a through-hole forming a cavity extending through the stack, wherein each of the polarity of current collectors comprises a tab extending into the cavity, wherein each of the tabs are electrically connected with one another by one or more connecting elements. In one embodiment, the common current collector is arranged in the cavity. In another embodiment, the common current collector is arranged a peripheral edge or outside of the stack.

[0046] In one embodiment, the first electrode comprises an alkali metal, particularly selected from lithium, sodium or potassium. The battery may be a primary battery or a secondary battery. Particularly, the feedthrough pin may be made from or comprises molybdenum, stainless steel, nickel, titanium, titanium alloy, or aluminum.

[0047] Furthermore, according to one embodiment, the first electrode comprises particularly an alkali metal as an electrode active material, particularly selected from lithium, sodium or potassium, and particularly the second electrode comprises as an electrode active material carbon monofluoride (CFx), manganese dioxide (MnCh), graphite, iodine (I2), silver vanadium oxide (SVO), copper silver vanadium oxide (CSVO), V2O2, TiS2, CuCh, 12S, FeS, FeS2, Ag2O, Ag2C>2, CuF, Ag2CrC>4, CuO, CU2P2O7, CU4P2O9, CU5P2O10, Ag2Cu2?2O8, Ag2Cu3?2O9, copper vanadium oxide or a mixture thereof, e.g., a mixture of CFx and SVO..

[0048] According to a further embodiment, the battery is a secondary battery, wherein first electrode comprises particularly an alkali metal as an electrode active material, particularly selected from lithium, sodium, potassium or carbon, particularly graphite, hard carbon or nongraphitizing carbon, and second electrode comprises as an electrode active material particularly lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2), lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (mixed oxides of LiCoCh, LiNiCh and LiMnCh), lithium nickel cobalt aluminum oxide (NCA), lithium manganese oxide (LiM^CU), or lithium iron phosphate (LiFePCU).

[0049] 22.183P-WO | 27.11.2025 Furthermore, according to one embodiment, the battery comprises an electrolyte, particularly a non-aqueous electrolyte, wherein particularly first electrode comprises as an electrode active material an alkali metal, particularly selected from lithium, sodium or potassium. Suitable electrolytes include, without being restricted to, non-aqueous, preferable aprotic, solvents, such as an ester, an ether and a dialkyl carbonate, particularly tetrahydrofuran, methyl acetate, diglyme (bi s(2-m ethoxy ethyl)ether), triglyme (tri s(2-m ethoxy ethyl)ether), tetraglyme (tetra(2-m ethoxy ethyl)ether), 1,2-dimethoxy ethane, 1,2-di ethoxy ethane, 1- ethoxy-2-methoxyethane, dimethyl carbonate, diethyl carbonate, dipropyl carbonate, ethyl methyl carbonate, methyl propyl carbonate, ethyl propyl carbonate or a mixture thereof, or a cyclic carbonate, a cyclic ester, a cyclic amide, particularly propylene carbonate, ethylene carbonate, butylene carbonate, y-butyrolactone, N-methyl pyrrolidinone or a mixture thereof. Suitable electrolytes also comprise polar non-aqueous solvents such as acetonitrile, dimethyl sulfoxide, dimethyl formamide, dimethyl acetamide or a mixture thereof.

[0050] In a further embodiment, the electrolyte comprises at least one conductive salt. The conductive salt is preferably an inorganic alkali metal salt, whereby the alkali metal cation is the same as the active material of the first electrode, the conducting salt is preferably an inorganic salt of the alkali metal of the first electrode (or anode). Suitable anions are PFe , BF4, AsF6, SbF6, C1O4, O2, AlCh , GaCU", SCN , SO3(C6F5) , C(SO2CF3)3, N(SO2CF3)2 and SO3CF3among others. In one embodiment, the conductive salt is selected from LiPF6, LiC104, LiFSI, LiTFSI, LiAsF6, LiBOB, LiODFB, or LiNO3. In one embodiment, the conducting salt is present in a concentration in the range of 0.5 mol*?1to 2.0 mol*?1, and preferably in the range of 0.8 mol*?1to 1.5, 2.0 mol*?1,

[0051] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a method for manufacturing a battery is disclosed, particularly a battery according to the present invention, wherein the method comprises the steps of

[0052] - providing a housing comprising a first housing part defining an internal space and a second housing part,

[0053] - providing an electrode assembly comprising a first electrode, a second electrode, a separator arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode, a current

[0054] 22.183P-WO | 27.11.2025 collector in electrically conductive contact with the second electrode, and an insulating element for electrically insulating the second electrode with respect to the housing,

[0055] - accommodating the electrode assembly in an internal space defined by the first housing part, and

[0056] - connecting the second housing part to the first housing part for hermetically sealing the internal space, wherein the first electrode is in electrically conductive and physical contact with the housing.

[0057] In one embodiment, a force is exerted onto the electrode assembly by means of the first housing part and / or the second housing part upon connecting the second housing part to the first housing part, so as to compress the electrode assembly upon closing the first housing part with the second housing part.

[0058] According to a further aspect, the insulating element for a battery as described above is provided. The insulating element comprises or is formed by a first insulating frame and a second insulating frame, wherein the first insulating frame is connected to the first separator, and the second insulating frame is connected to the second separator such that the first separator is arranged between the first electrode portion of the first electrode and the second electrode, and the second separator is arranged between the second electrode and the second electrode portion of the first electrode. In one embodiment, the first insulating frame and the second insulating frame are configured to be mated and connected to one another, particularly by means of a form-fitting or snap-fit connection. In one embodiment, the first insulating frame and / or the second insulating frame is made from a material essentially consisting of or comprising a plastic material, particularly a polypropylene, a polyethylene, a polyurethane, particularly, a thermoplastic polyurethane, or a silicone. Particularly, the insulating element may comprise or may be formed by more than two parts, particularly more than two insulating frame parts. In one embodiment, each of the separators is arranged on and attached to the respective insulator frame such that the separator is recessed with respect to an upper edge of the insulating frame, thereby formed a receptacle for one of the anode portions. In one embodiment, the insulating element is configured to receive a portion of the feedthrough, particularly the sleeve or flange, the insulator and an internal portion of the feedthrough pin.

[0059] 22.183P-WO | 27.11.2025 The method according to the present invention can be further specified based on the embodiments and features described in conjunction with the battery according to the present invention.

[0060] Further details of aspects of the present invention will be explained with respect to embodiments and accompanying Figures. In the Figures:

[0061] Figs. 1 - 2A show a battery according to the known prior art,

[0062] Fig. 2B shows a schematic depiction of an embodiment of a battery according to the present invention allowing to exert a pressure onto an electrode assembly of the battery by means of a lid of the battery,

[0063] Fig. 3 shows an exploded view of an embodiment of a battery according to the present invention comprising an anode and a cathode,

[0064] Fig. 4 shows an exploded view of a further embodiment of a battery according to the present invention comprising two anodes and two cathode portions,

[0065] Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of a connecting element of the embodiment shown in Fig. 4,

[0066] Fig. 6 shows an exploded view of a further embodiment of a battery according to the present invention comprising multiple anodes and multiple cathodes, wherein the electrode assembly comprises a plurality of repeating units stacked on top of one another,

[0067] Fig. 7 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a battery according to the present invention, wherein the battery comprises a circular cylindrical can with a central feedthrough pin,

[0068] 22.183P-WO | 27.11.2025 Fig. 8 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a battery according to the present invention, wherein the battery comprises a can having a semicircular wall section,

[0069] Fig. 9 shows a perspective cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a battery of the type shown in Fig. 4,

[0070] Fig. 10 shows a perspective exploded view of another embodiment of the battery according to the invention,

[0071] Fig. 11 shows a perspective views of an insulating element of the battery of Fig. 10,

[0072] Fig. 12 shows perspective views of two alternative of the battery of Fig. 10,

[0073] Fig. 13 shows a perspective exploded view of a further embodiment of the battery according to the invention,

[0074] Fig. 14 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of the battery according to the invention, and

[0075] Fig. 15 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of the battery according to the invention.

[0076] Figures 1 and 2A illustrate a battery design known in prior art. Such battery may be, for example, designed as an implantable battery and may have a hermetically sealed housing formed by a can 22 and a lid 20 that may be made from a conductive material, such as titanium, or a titanium alloy, particularly when the battery is used in implantable medical devices. The battery comprises two openings in a lid 20, wherein in one opening an electrical feedthrough 10 is arranged, while the other opening typically serves as a filling port 20a for an electrolyte. In such a battery, a pressure on the electrode assembly 2 in the can 22 is provided from the inside of the can, due to a swelling of the electrode materials in an

[0077] 22.183P-WO | 27.11.2025 electrolyte. Furthermore, due to the relatively small cross-sectional area A of the lid 20 and the can 22 perpendicular to an insertion direction of the electrode assembly (as shown in Fig. 2A), applying mechanical forces onto the electrode packet proves to be rather difficult.

[0078] In contrast thereto, the battery design according to the present invention allows to exert pressure onto the electrode assembly using the lid 37 of the battery 1, as shown in Fig. 2B.

[0079] Fig. 3 shows an exploded view of an embodiment of a battery according to the present invention having the principle design features indicated in Fig. 2B. The design shown in Fig. 3 is a minimal design comprising an electrode assembly 2 having a single anode 32 and a single cathode 35. The electrode assembly 2 is accommodated in a cylindrical housing formed by a can 31 that is sealed with a lid 37, wherein both the can 31 and the lid 37 are made from an electrically conductive material, such as for example stainless steel, titanium, or a titanium alloy. Particularly apart from the anode 32 and cathode 35, the electrode assembly 2 comprises a circular disk-shaped separator 33 arranged between the circular diskshaped anode 32 and the circular disc-shaped cathode 35. Furthermore, a current collector 34 is arranged between the separator 33 and the cathode 35. However, the current collector may also be embedded within the cathode 35, or within the active cathode material, respectively.

[0080] Finally, an insulating element 36 of the electrode assembly 2 comprising a bottom 362 and a circumferential wall 361 accommodates the cathode 35 and the current collector grid 34 for electrically insulating the cathode with respect to the can 31. The components 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 of the electrode assembly 2 are stacked on top of one another in a stacking direction Z that extends orthogonal to a bottom 3 la of the can 31 and to the lid 37.

[0081] Further, the complete electrode assembly 2 itself is accommodated in the can 31 with the anode adjacent the bottom 31a of the can 31 and the bottom 360 of the insulating element 36 being arranged adjacent the lid 37 closing the can 31 thereby pressing against the electrode assembly 2 and enclosing the latter in an internal space defined by the can 31.

[0082] 22.183P-WO | 27.11.2025 Furthermore, an internal portion of a feedthrough pin 40 arranged in the lid 37 protrudes through a through-hole 360 formed in the insulating element 36 and through a through-hole 350 formed in the cathode to contact a central portion of the current collector 34. Particularly, the anode 32 is in electrically conductive and physical contact with the can 32. However, it is also conceivable, that the order of the stacked components 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 is reversed, i.e., the anode 32 is arranged adjacent the lid 37, while the insulating element 36 is arranged adjacent the bottom 31a of the can 31, the anode 32 being in electrically conductive and physical contact with the lid 37.

[0083] Further, Fig. 4 shows in conjunction with Figs. 5 and 9 a modification of the basic embodiment shown in Fig. 3, wherein here the electrode assembly 2 comprises an anode formed by two anode portions 32a, 32b and a cathode formed of two cathode portions 35, 350.

[0084] Here, the electrode assembly 2 is stacked in the stacking direction Z as follows. Particularly, the electrode assembly 2 comprises a first anode portion 32a being in electrically conductive and physical contact to the can 31, and particularly being arranged adjacent the bottom 31a of the can 31, a cathode formed by two cathode portions 35a, 35b, wherein a current collector 34 is sandwiched between the cathode portions 35a, 35b. While Fig.4 shows two cathode portions 35a, 35b, it is also conceivable that the current collector 34 is embedded within a single cathode portion. For example, the cathode material is pressed onto and around the current collector to form an integrally formed cathode portion. Further, the electrode assembly 2 comprises a second anode portion 32b being in electrically conductive and physical contact with the lid 37 (here the cathode portions 35a, 35b are arranged between the first and second anodes 32, 320).

[0085] Furthermore, the electrode assembly 2 comprises a separator 33 arranged between the first anode portion 32a and the cathode portion 35a adjacent to the first anode 32a. As before, the electrode assembly 2 comprises an insulating element 36 having a circular bottom 362 and a circumferential lateral wall 361, which encompasses the two cathode portions 35a, 35b and the current collector 34 therebetween for electrical insulation of the cathode portions 35a, 35b with respect to the can 31. Particularly, the insulating element 36, particularly the

[0086] 22.183P-WO | 27.11.2025 circular bottom 362 is permeable for the electrolyte, particularly to allow a free transport of charge carriers between and the second anode portion 32b and the cathode portion 35b adjacent to the second anode portion 32b.

[0087] Furthermore, the first anode portion 32a, the separator 33, and the cathode portion 35a (adjacent to the first anode portion 32a and arranged between the current collector 34 and the separator 33) each comprise a through-hole 320a, 330, 350a, wherein said through-holes 320a, 330, 350a are aligned with one another, and wherein the electrode assembly 2 comprises an electrically insulating insert 38 being arranged in said through-holes 32b, 330, 350b and extending from a central portion of the current collector 34 towards the bottom 31a of the can 31, particularly for reducing a free volume in the electrode assembly 2.

[0088] Furthermore, also second anode potion 32b, the bottom 362 of the insulating element 36 and the other cathode portion 35b (being adjacent the insulating element 36 and being arranged between the current collector 34 and the insulating element 36) each comprise a through- hole 320b, 360, 350b, wherein these through-holes 320b, 360, 350b are aligned with one another as well, and wherein the electrode assembly 2 comprises a connecting element 39 arranged in said through-holes 320b, 360, 350b and extending from the lid 37 to the central portion of the current collector grid 34 to electrically connect the internal portion of the feedthrough pin 40 of the electrical feedthrough of the lid 37 to the current collector 34. As indicated in Fig. 5, the connecting element 39 comprises an electrically conducting metallic core 39a establishing said electrical connection, and an outer electrical insulation 39b surrounding the core 39a.

[0089] In the above-described embodiments, the electrical feedthrough 42 of the lid 37 comprises the feedthrough pin 40 and particularly an insulator 41, preferably made of or comprising a glass or a glass solder. Furthermore, the feedthrough 42 may be housed in a sleeve or flange 43 (not shown in Figs. 3 and 4) in form of a hollow cylinder, preferably made from the same material as the lid 37, e.g. titanium or a titanium alloy, wherein the sleeve or flange 43 may be welded to the lid 37. Furthermore, an electrolyte filling port 40a may be formed by a through-hole 40a extending through the feedthrough pin 40 (in the stacking direction Z) via which a liquid electrolyte may be introduced or filled into the can 31 of the battery 1. The

[0090] 22.183P-WO | 27.11.2025 through-hole 40as may be closed in a suitable manner to seal the electrolyte filling port, e.g., as described herein. In case the battery used solid electrolytes, said through-hole 40a can be omitted.

[0091] While the embodiment of Figs 4 and 9 comprises two anode portion 32a, 32b, two cathode portions 35a, 35b, the electrode assembly 2 may comprise even more electrodes, i.e. a plurality of anode portions and cathode portions. Particularly as indicated in Fig. 6, the electrode assembly 2 may comprise a repeating unit R that may be repeated by stacking it in the stacking direction Z as often as required. This repeating unit R is formed by one anode portion 32a, the separator 33, the electrically insulating insert 38, both cathode portion 35a, 35b, the current collector 34, the insulating element 36, and the connecting element 39. Having stacked the desired numbers of repeating units R on top of one another, the other anode portion 35b (not forming part of the repeating unit R) closes the stack. Particularly, the can 31 may comprise an outer diameter D being larger than a height H of the can 31 (cf. e.g. Fig. 9).

[0092] An embodiment of the battery according to the present invention, comprising several repeating units as described above is depicted in detail in Figs. 14 and 15. Particularly, the electrode assembly 2 is formed as a stack, wherein the stack comprises an anode formed by a first anode portion 32a arranged on the top of the stack, a second anode portion 32b arranged at the bottom of the stack and a plurality of intermediary anode portions 32c arranged between the first or top anode portion 32 and the second or bottom anode portion 32 b. Particularly, the first (top) anode portion 2b is in electrical and physical contact with a housing part, particularly the can 31 (not shown in Figs. 14, 15), and second (bottom) anode portion 32b is in electrical and physical contact with the other housing portion, e.g., the lid 37. The stack further comprises a cathode formed by a plurality of cathode portions 35a, 36b. Here, a cathode subassembly is formed by two cathode portions 35a, 35b which enclose a cathode current collector. Such cathode subassembly is arranged between two adjacent anode portions, e.g., between the first (top) anode portion 32a and an adjacent anode portion 32c, or between two adjacent anode portions 32c, or between the second (bottom) anode portion 32n and an adjacent anode portion 32c. Moreover, the stack further comprises a plurality of separators 33, 33a, 33c (not shown in Figs. 14, 15), where one or more separators

[0093] 22.183P-WO | 27.11.2025 arranged between each anode portion 32a, 32b, 32c and an adjacent cathode portion 35a, 35b.

[0094] Furthermore, the stack may comprise an insulating element 36 as described above, the insulating element particularly having a circular bottom 362 and a circumferential lateral wall 361 (not shown in Figs. 14 and 15). Particularly, the circumferential bottom 362 may be arranged between the firs (top) anode portion 32a and an adjacent intermediary anode portion 32c or between the second (bottom) anode portion 32b and an adjacent intermediary anode portion 32c and may replace a separator there. Particularly, the insulating element 36, particularly at least the circular bottom 362 is permeable for the electrolyte.

[0095] Referring to Fig. 14, all anode portions 32a, 32b, 32c are electrically connected to one another by a common anode current collector 34b. The common anode current collector may be arranged in a central cavitary of the stack, formed by through-holes in the anode portions 32a, 32b, 32c and in the cathode portion 35a, 36, similar to the embodiment as shown in Fig. 9. Particularly, the cathode current collectors 34 may comprise a tab, respectively, the tab extending in the cavity, wherein each of the tabs may be electrically connected to one another, for example by one or more connecting elements 39 arranged in the cavity (the connecting elements 39 are omitted in Fig. 14 for the sake of visibility of the other elements, while being shown in Fig. 14B). Moreover, the cathode current collector may be connected to feedthrough pin 40 of an electrical feedthrough 42, the feedthrough pin 42 extending through an insulator 41, wherein the insulator may be arranged in a sleeve or flange 43 of the electrical feedthrough, being arranged in an opening in the first housing part 31 or the second housing part 37. Particularly, the common anode current collector 34b may be formed as a hollow cylinder, wherein the hollow cylinder may comprise a plurality of apertures, through which the tabs of the cathode current collectors 34 may extends into the cavity.

[0096] Referring to Fig, 15, the common anode current collector 34b may also be arranged at a peripheral circumferential edge of the stack, as depicted in Fig. 15, allowing the electrical connection of each anode portion 32a, 32b, 32c to one another.

[0097] 22.183P-WO | 27.11.2025 As indicated in Fig. 7, a battery 1 according to the present invention may comprise a circular cylindrical housing 31, 37. Alternatively, the housing 31, 37 may also comprise a semicircular portion combined with a straight opposing side and straight adjacent sides, as indicated in Fig. 8.

[0098] Figs. 10A and 10B show another embodiment of a battery according to the invention having a stacked arrangement. Similarly to the above-described embodiments, the battery 1 comprises a housing defining an internal space, wherein the housing comprises a first housing part 31, i.e. a can 31, and a second housing part (37), i.e. a lid, the lid 37 being configured to hermetically seal the can 31, e.g., by welding. Both the can 32 and the lid 37 are preferably made from an electrically conductive material, e.g., stainless steel, titanium or a titanium alloy.

[0099] The battery 1 further comprises an anode formed by a first anode portion 32a being arranged in the internal space and being attached to and in electrically conductive and physical contact with the lid 37 and a second anode portion 32b being arranged in the internal space and being attached to and in electrically conductive and physical contact with the can 31. The battery 1 further comprise a cathode 35 and a cathode current collector 34 being embedded in the cathode 35. The cathode 35 and the current collector 34 is at least partly enclosed in two separators 35a, 35b and insulating elements 36a, 36b, which are described in further detail in conjunction with Figs. 11 A and 1 IB below.

[0100] The battery 1 further comprises a feedthrough assembly 42 comprising a sleeve or flange 43, preferably made from the same material as the housing 31, 37, an insulator 41, particularly a glass or glass solder, e.g., CABAL-12, arranged in and attached to the sleeve or flange 43 and a feedthrough conductor 40 extending through the insulator 41, wherein the feedthrough conductor 40 is particularly designed in form of a pin, e.g. made from molybdenum. The feedthrough pin 40 is in electrically conductive contact to the current collector 34, and particularly attached, preferably welded, to the current collector 34. The feedthrough assembly 42 is arranged in an opening of the housing, for example in an opening in the can 31 (cf. Fig. 12a). Here, the feedthrough pin 40 extends along a direction X, being orthogonal to the stacking direction Z. Also, an electrolyte fill port 40a may be formed in the side of the

[0101] 22.183P-WO | 27.11.2025 can 31 at which the feedthrough assembly 42 is arranged. However, the feedthrough assembly may also be arranged in an opening of the lid (cf. Fig. 12b). In this case, the feedthrough pin 40 extends along the stacking direction Z. Also here, an electrolyte fill port 40a may be formed in the lid 37.

[0102] The cathode 35 is electrically insulated from the housing by the aforementioned insulating element 36 and is physically separated by the two separators 33a, 33b from the first anode portion 32a and second anode portion 32b, respectively. The insulating element 36 comprises a first insulating frame 36a and a second insulating frame 36b, the first 36a and second insulating frame 36b being configured to at least partly electrically insulate a peripheral (circumferential edge) portion of the cathode 35 from the housing 31, 37. Particularly, each of the insulating frames 36a, 36b are connected, e.g., welded to one of the separator 33a, 33b, respectively, wherein the respective separator 33a, 33b is arranged on the respective frame 36a, 36b such the respective separator is arranged between the cathode 35 and one of the anode portions 32a, 32b. Furthermore, each of the separators 33a, 33b is arranged on and attached to the respective insulator frame 36a, 36b such that the separator 33a, 33b is recessed with respect to an upper edge of the insulating frame 36a, 36b, thereby formed a receptacle for one of the anode portions 32a, 32b. Furthermore, the insulating element 36, 36a, 36b is configured to receive a portion of the feedthrough, more precisely the sleeve or flange 43, the insulator 41 and an internal portion of the feedthrough pin 40. As shown in Fig. 10A and 11A, the insulating frames 36a, 36b may have a substantially rectangular shape. Alternatively, the insulating frames 36, 36b may have a rectangular portion and an arced portion (Fig. 10B and 1 IB). However, any shape may be conceivable.

[0103] As an alternative to the embodiment shown in Fig. 10, the cathode 35 may be enclosed by at least two separators 33a, 33b being connected, e.g. welded, at a circumferential portion of each separator (as shown in Fig. 13). Preferably, the cathode 35 is enclosed by a first pair of separators 33a, 33b and a second pair of separators 33c, 33d. As another difference to the embodiment of Fig. 10, the insulating element 36 only electrically insulates an edge portion of the cathode 35, more precisely, the edge portion from which a portion of the current collector 34 embedded in the cathode protrudes out of the cathode 35, the portion being configured to be connected to the feedthrough pin 40.

[0104] 22.183P-WO | 27.11.2025

Claims

Claims1. A battery (1), particularly for a medical implant, comprising:- a battery housing (31, 37) comprising a first housing part (31) and a second housing part (37) made from an electrically conductive material, wherein the housing (31, 37) defines an internal space,- an electrode assembly (2) arranged in the internal space, the electrode assembly (2) comprising a first electrode (32, 32a, 32b, 32c) having a first polarity, particularly an anode, a second electrode (35, 35a, 35b) having an second polarity opposite to the first polarity, particularly a cathode, a separator (33, 33a, 33b, 33c, 33d) arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode, a current collector (34) being in electrical conductive connection to the second electrode, and an insulating element (36, 36a, 36b) for at least partly electrically insulating the second electrode with respect to the battery housing (31),- an electrical feedthrough (42) comprising an insulator (41) and a feedthrough conductor (40) extending through the insulator (41), wherein the electrical feedthrough (42) is arranged at the housing (31, 37), wherein the current collector (34) is in electrically conductive contact to the feedthrough conductor (40), and the first electrode is in electrically conductive and physical contact to the housing (31, 37), and the first housing part (31) and the second housing part (37) are attached to one another, particularly joined, such that the internal space is hermetically closed.

2. The battery according to claim 1, wherein the first housing part (31) and / or the second housing part (37) presses against the electrode assembly (2) for compressing the electrode assembly (2).

3. The battery according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first housing part (31) or the second housing part (37) is characterized by an outer diameter (D) being larger than a height (H).22.183P-WO | 27.11.20254. The battery according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second electrode is formed by a first electrode portion (35a) and a second electrode portion (35b), wherein the current collector (34) is arranged between the first electrode portion (35a) and the second electrode portion (35b) of the second electrode.

5. The battery according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first electrode comprises by a first electrode portion (32a) and a second electrode portion (32b), the first portion (32) and the second portion (32) of the first electrode being in electrically conductive and physical contact with housing (31, 37), wherein a first separator (33a, 33c) is arranged between the first portion (32a) of the first electrode and the second electrode (35, 35a, 35b), and a second separator (33b, 33d) is arranged between the second portion (32b) of the first electrode and the second electrode (35, 35a, 35b), wherein particularly the first electrode portion (32a) of the first electrode is in electrically conductive and physical contact with the first housing part (31), and the second electrode portion (32b) of the first electrode is electrically in conductive and physical contact with the second housing part (37).

6. The battery according to claim 5, wherein the insulating element comprises a first insulating frame (36a) and a second insulating frame (36b), wherein the first insulating frame (36a) is connected to the first separator (33a), and the second insulating frame (36b) is connected to the second separator (33b) such that the first separator (33a) is arranged between the first electrode portion (32a) of the first electrode and the second electrode (35, 35a, 35b), and the second separator (33b) is arranged second electrode (35, 35a, 35b) and the second electrode portion (32b) of the first electrode.

7. The battery according to one of claims 1 to 5, the insulating element (36) comprises a bottom (362) and a circumferential lateral wall (361) protruding from the bottom (361), wherein the lateral wall (361) surrounds the current collector (34) and the second electrode (35), or the first electrode portion (35a) of the second electrode and the second electrode portion (35b) of the second electrode.22.183P-WO | 27.11.20258. The battery according to one of the preceding claims, wherein- the second electrode (35), or the first portion (35a) of the second electrode, or the second portion (35b) of the second electrode comprises a through hole (350, 350a, 350b),- the insulating element (36), or the first separator (33 a), or the second separator (33b) comprises a through hole (360, 330a, 330b), and- optionally the first portion (32a) of the first electrode, or the second portion (32b) of the first electrode comprises a through hole (320a, 320b), wherein said through-holes (350, 350a, 350b, 360, 330a, 330b, 320a 320b) are aligned with one another, and wherein the electrode assembly (2) comprises a connecting element (39) arranged in said through-holes (350, 350a, 350b, 360, 330a, 330b, 320a 320b) and extending from the first housing part (31) or the second housing part (37) to the current collector (34) to electrically connect the feedthrough pin (40) of the electrical feedthrough (42) current collector (34).

9. The battery according to claim 8, wherein the connecting element (39) comprises an electrically conducting metallic core (39a) and an outer electrical insulation (39b) surrounding the core (39a).

10. The battery according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the feedthrough conductor (40) comprises a through-hole (40a) configured as an electrolyte filling port for the battery (1).

11. The battery according to one of the claims 4 to 10, wherein- the first portion (32a) of the first electrode, or the second portion (32b) of the first electrode comprises a through hole (320a, 320b),- the insulating element (36), the first separator (33a) or the second separator (33b) comprises a through hole (360, 330a, 330b), and22.183P-WO | 27.11.2025- optionally the second electrode (35), or the first portion (35a) or the second portion (35b) of the second electrode comprises a through hole (350, 350a, 350b), wherein said through-holes (350, 350a, 350b, 360, 330a, 330b, 320a 320b) are aligned with one another, and wherein the electrode assembly (2) comprises an electrically insulating insert (38) being arranged in said through-holes (350, 350a, 350b, 360, 330a, 330b, 320a 320b) and extending from the current collector (34) towards a bottom (31a) of the first housing part (31) or the second housing part (37).

12. The battery according to one of the preceding claims 4 and 5, or one of claims 7 to 11, when referred to claims 4 and 5, wherein a portion (32a, 32b, 32c) of the first electrode, the separator (33), the electrically insulating insert (38), the current collector (34), the second electrode (35, 35a, 35b), the insulating element (36), and the connecting element (39) together form a repeating unit (R) of the electrode assembly (2).

13. The battery according to claim 12, wherein the electrode assembly (2) comprises a plurality of the repeating unit (R), wherein the repeating units (R) are stacked on top of one another.

14. A method for manufacturing a battery (1), particularly a battery according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps of- providing a housing comprising a first housing part (31) defining an internal space and a second housing part (37),- providing an electrode assembly (2) comprising a first electrode (32, 32a, 32b, 32c), a second electrode (35, 35a, 35b), a separator (33, 33a, 33b, 33 ,34,) arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode, a current collector (34) in electrically conductive contact with the second electrode, and an insulating element (36) for electrically insulating the second electrode with respect to the housing,- accommodating the electrode assembly (2) in an internal space defined by the first housing part (31), and22.183P-WO | 27.11.2025- connecting the second housing part (37) to the first housing part (31) for hermetically sealing the internal space, wherein the first electrode in electrically conductive and physical contact with the housing (31, 37).

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein a force is exerted onto the electrode assembly (2) by means of the first housing part (31) and / or the second housing part (37) upon connecting the second housing part (37) to the first housing part (31).22.183P-WO | 27.11.2025

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