The Solid-State Lithium Battery: A New Improved Chemical Power Source for Implantable Cardiac Pacemakers

A new solid-state battery, designed for implantable prosthetics is described. Single cell voltage is 2.8 V. The anode is metallic lithium. The cathode is a proprietary iodide. The electrolyte is a crystal, lithium iodide. Cell impedance at 37°C for a typical pacemaker battery is under 1000Ω at beginning of life (BOL) and 16 000 Ω at end of life (EOL). The simple chemistry of the cell precludes hydrogen gas generation and thus, for the first time, permits hermetic sealing of a battery and/or pacemaker in a welded stainless-steel enclosure which may be used as the indifferent anode electrode in a monopolar system.