Systems and methods for enhanced dielectric properties for electrolytic capacitors

Abstract

This disclosure relates to methods and apparatus for enhanced dielectric properties for electrolytic capacitors to store energy in an implantable medical device. One aspect of the present subject matter includes a method for manufacturing a capacitor adapted to be disposed in an implantable device housing. An embodiment of the method includes providing a dielectric comprising aluminum oxide and doping the aluminum oxide with an oxide having a dielectric constant greater than aluminum oxide. Doping the aluminum oxide includes using sol-gel based chemistry, electrodeposition or atomic layer deposition (ALD) in various embodiments.

1 . A system, comprising:
 a medical device having a housing, including an energy storage capacitor disposed in the housing, the capacitor including a dielectric comprising aluminum oxide doped with a metal oxide having a dielectric constant greater than aluminum oxide, wherein the metal oxide is integrated into the aluminum oxide, and wherein the doped aluminum oxide is distributed evenly throughout the entirety of the dielectric in contact with an anode and a cathode and configured to provide an increased energy storage capacity per volume for the capacitor; and pulse control electronics disposed in the housing and connected to the capacitor.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the medical device is an implantable pacemaker. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the medical device is an implantable defibrillator. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the medical device is an implantable nerve stimulation device. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the medical device is an external defibrillator. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a lead system connected to the medical device using a header. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a battery coupled to the pulse control electronics. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the capacitor includes a cylindrical capacitor. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the capacitor includes a stacked capacitor. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the capacitor includes a folded capacitor. 
     
     
         11 . An implantable medical device, comprising:
 an implantable housing;   a capacitor disposed in the implantable housing, the capacitor including a dielectric comprising aluminum oxide doped with a metal oxide having a dielectric constant greater than aluminum oxide, wherein the metal oxide is integrated into the aluminum oxide, and wherein the doped aluminum oxide is distributed evenly throughout the entirety of the dielectric in contact with an anode and a cathode and configured to provide an increased energy storage capacity per volume for the capacitor.   
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the metal oxide includes a mixed metal oxide. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the metal oxide includes titanium oxide. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the metal oxide includes zirconium oxide. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the metal oxide includes cobalt oxide. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the metal oxide includes hafnium oxide. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the metal oxide includes silicon oxide. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the metal oxide includes tantalum oxide. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the metal oxide includes tungsten oxide. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the metal oxide includes niobium oxide.