US 6,982,543 B2
Methods to improve efficiency of lithium/silver vanadium oxide cell discharge energy in implantable medical device applications
Kenneth Syracuse, Williamsville, N.Y. (US); Noelle Waite, Clarence Center, N.Y. (US); Hong Gan, Williamsville, N.Y. (US); and Esther S. Takeuchi, East Amherst, N.Y. (US)
Assigned to Wilson Greatbatch Technologies, Inc., Clarence, N.Y. (US)
Filed on Feb. 10, 2004, as Appl. No. 10/775,621.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/446150, filed on Feb. 10, 2003.
Prior Publication US 2004/0161660 A1, Aug. 19, 2004
Int. Cl. H02J 7/00 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 320—132 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. 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 (DOD1) 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 (DOD2) at which the periodic pulse discharges for the cell reform protocol will be discontinued;
e) upon the cell reaching the predetermined DOD1, 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 DOD2.