Segmented Cathode Pellet Battery for Pacemaker Structural Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional medical device batteries face challenges in providing consistent and reliable power with a compact shape, particularly for implantable devices like cardiac pacemakers, where existing designs may be prone to deformation and inefficient energy distribution.

Innovation Solution

A battery design featuring a housing with multiple cathode pellets and an anode extending through them, utilizing materials like titanium and lithium, with a porous polymeric separator and electrolyte, and a manufacturing method involving press forming and assembly to ensure uniform pore structure and efficient energy generation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional battery designs are used, then the battery can provide power, but the battery is prone to deformation and has inefficient energy distribution

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consistencyVSAvoidstructural stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The cathode is divided into multiple cylindrical pellets arranged in a specific configuration, with each pellet maintaining structural integrity independently. This segmentation allows the anode to extend through lumens in each pellet, creating a modular structure that reduces deformation while maintaining reliable power distribution across all cathode elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The anode extends through the lumens of the cylindrical cathode pellets, creating a nested configuration where the anode is positioned within the hollow centers of multiple cathode structures. This nested arrangement provides mechanical support and stabilizes the overall battery composition while enabling efficient energy distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Volume of moving object

If the battery is made compact for implantable devices, then the device size is reduced, but the energy distribution efficiency may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery volumeVSAvoidenergy distribution efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The battery design utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement with cylindrical cathode pellets positioned to create lumens through which the anode extends. This dimensional configuration maximizes energy distribution efficiency within a compact volume by optimizing the spatial relationships between anode, cathode pellets, and electrolyte-filled spaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the battery are optimized for specific functions: the cylindrical cathode pellets provide structured energy storage, the lumens provide pathways for anode extension and electrolyte distribution, and the porous polymeric separator ensures localized ion transport. This local optimization maintains energy distribution efficiency while keeping overall battery volume compact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Quantity of substance

If multiple cathode pellets are used, then energy capacity is increased, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy capacityVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The cathode is manufactured as multiple identical cylindrical pellets, each with a standardized structure including a lumen. This segmentation into repeatable units simplifies manufacturing by allowing mass production of identical components that are then assembled in a configured arrangement, increasing energy capacity while maintaining manufacturing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cathode pellets are pre-formed with lumens and porous structures before assembly into the final battery configuration. This preliminary manufacturing of standardized components with built-in features (lumens, porous surfaces) simplifies the final assembly process and enables efficient energy capacity scaling without proportionally increasing manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The battery design provides reliable and consistent power with a compact configuration, reducing the likelihood of deformation and enhancing energy distribution, suitable for implantable medical devices such as cardiac pacemakers.

Implementation Method 1

the anode includes a porous polymeric separator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPorosity: Porosity

Implementation Method 2

an electrolyte is disposed within the housing and positioned adjacent to the cathode pellets, the anode, or both

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIonic conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS9381369B2Battery for use with medical devices
Publication Date: 2016.07.05 CARDIAC PACEMAKERS INC

AI summary

Medical devices and batteries for use with medical devices are disclosed. An example battery may include a housing. A plurality of cathode pellets may be disposed within the housing. An anode may extend through at least some of the plurality of cathode pellets. A lid may be attached to the housing.