Power supply for a subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator

1 . A power supply for an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator for subcutaneous positioning between the third rib and the twelfth rib and for providing cardioversion/defibrillation energy to the heart, the power supply comprising:

a capacitor subsystem for storing the cardioversion/defibrillation energy for delivery to the patient's heart; and

a battery subsystem electrically coupled to the capacitor subsystem for providing electrical energy to the capacitor subsystem.

2 . The power supply of claim 1 , wherein the cardioversion/defibrillation energy is approximately 0.5 to approximately 350 joules.

3 . The power supply of claim 2 , wherein the cardioversion/defibrillation energy is approximately 0.5 to approximately 20 joules.

4 . The power supply of claim 2 , wherein the cardioversion/defibrillation energy is approximately 20 to approximately 40 joules.

5 . The power supply of claim 2 , wherein the cardioversion/defibrillation energy is approximately 210 to approximately 250 joules.

6 . The power supply of claim 2 , wherein the cardioversion/defibrillation energy is approximately 250 to approximately 300 joules.

7 . The power supply of claim 2 , wherein the cardioversion/defibrillation energy is approximately 300 to approximately 350 joules.

8 . The power supply of claim 1 , wherein the capacitor subsystem has an effective capacitance of approximately 25 microfarads to approximately 200 microfarads.

9 . The power supply of claim 1 , wherein the capacitor subsystem comprises one or more film capacitor(s).

10 . The power supply of claim 1 , wherein the capacitor subsystem comprises one or more aluminum electrolytic capacitor(s).

11 . The power supply of claim 1 , wherein the capacitor subsystem comprises one or more wet tantalum capacitor(s).

12 . The power supply of claim 1 , wherein the battery subsystem comprises one or more LiSVO battery(ies).

13 . The power supply of claim 1 , wherein the battery subsystem comprises one or more LiMnO 2 battery(ies).

14 . The power supply of claim 1 , wherein the battery subsystem comprises one or more LiI 2 battery(ies).

15 . The power supply of claim 1 , wherein the battery subsystem comprises one or more LICF x battery(ies).

16 . The power supply of claim 1 , wherein the battery subsystem comprises one or more thin film battery(ies).

17 . A power supply for an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator for subcutaneous positioning outside the ribcage and between the third rib and the twelfth rib within a patient and using a lead system that does not directly contact the patient's heart or reside in the intrathoracic blood vessels, and for providing cardioversion/defibrillation energy to the heart, the power supply comprising:

a capacitor subsystem for storing the cardioversion/defibrillation energy for delivery to the patient's heart; and

a battery subsystem electrically coupled to the capacitor subsystem for providing electrical energy to the capacitor subsystem.

18 . The power supply of claim 17 , wherein the cardioversion/defibrillation energy is approximately 0.5 to approximately 350 joules.

19 . The power supply of claim 18 , wherein the cardioversion/defibrillation energy is approximately 0.5 to approximately 20 joules.

20 . The power supply of claim 18 , wherein the cardioversion/defibrillation energy is approximately 20 to approximately 40 joules.

21 . The power supply of claim 18 , wherein the cardioversion/defibrillation energy is approximately 210 to approximately 250 joules.

22 . The power supply of claim 18 , wherein the cardioversion/defibrillation energy of approximately 250 to approximately 300 joules.

23 . The power supply of claim 18 , wherein the cardioversion/defibrillation energy is approximately 300 to approximately 350 joules.

24 . The power supply of claim 17 , wherein the capacitor subsystem has an effective capacitance of approximately 25 microfarads to approximately 200 microfarads.

25 . The power supply of claim 17 , wherein the capacitor subsystem comprises one or more film capacitor(s).

26 . The power supply of claim 17 , wherein the capacitor subsystem comprises one or more aluminum electrolytic capacitor(s).

27 . The power supply of claim 17 , wherein the capacitor subsystem comprises one or more wet tantalum capacitor(s).

28 . The power supply of claim 17 , wherein the battery subsystem comprises one or more LiSVO battery(ies).

29 . The power supply of claim 17 , wherein the battery subsystem comprises one or more LiMnO 2 battery(ies).

30 . The power supply of claim 17 , wherein the battery subsystem comprises one or more LiI 2 battery(ies).

31 . The power supply of claim 17 , wherein the battery subsystem comprises one or more LiCF x battery(ies).

32 . The power supply of claim 17 , wherein the battery subsystem comprises one or more thin film battery(ies).

33 . A voltage output system for an implantable heart stimulator for subcutaneous positioning between the third rib and the twelfth rib within a patient and employing a lead system that does not directly contact the patient's heart or reside in the intrathoracic blood vessels, comprising:

an energy storage system for storing electrical energy to generate an electrical stimulation pulse for delivery to the patient's heart; and

an energy source system operably connected to the energy storage system for providing the electrical energy to the energy storage system.

34 . The voltage output system of claim 33 , wherein the electrical stimulation pulse is approximately 40 to approximately 210 joules.

35 . The voltage output system of claim 34 , wherein the electrical stimulation pulse is approximately 0.5 to approximately 20 joules.

36 . The voltage output system of claim 34 , wherein the electrical stimulation pulse is approximately 20 to approximately 40 joules.

37 . The voltage output system of claim 34 , wherein the electrical stimulation pulse is approximately 210 to approximately 250 joules.

38 . The voltage output system of claim 34 , wherein the electrical stimulation pulse is approximately 250 to approximately 300 joules.

39 . The voltage output system of claim 34 , wherein the electrical stimulation pulse is approximately 300 to approximately 350 joules.

40 . The voltage output system of claim 34 , wherein the energy storage system has an effective capacitance of approximately 25 microfarads to approximately 200 microfarads.

41 . The voltage output system of claim 33 , wherein the capacitor subsystem comprises one or more film capacitor(s).

42 . The voltage output system of claim 33 , wherein the capacitor subsystem comprises one or more aluminum electrolytic capacitors(s).

43 . The voltage output system of claim 33 , wherein the capacitor subsystem comprises one or more wet tantalum capacitor(s).

44 . The voltage output system of claim 33 , wherein the battery subsystem comprises one or more LiSVO battery(ies).

45 . The voltage output system of claim 33 , wherein the battery subsystem comprises one or more LiMnO 2 battery(ies).

46 . The voltage output system of claim 33 , wherein the battery subsystem comprises one or more LiI 2 battery(ies).

47 . The voltage output system of claim 33 , wherein the battery subsystem comprises one or more LiCF x battery(ies).

48 . The voltage output system of claim 33 , wherein the battery subsystem comprises one or more thin film battery(ies).

49 . An implantable cardioverter-defibrillator for subcutaneous positioning outside the ribcage and between the third rib and the twelfth rib within a patient, the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator comprising:

a housing having an electrically conductive surface on an outer surface of the housing;

a lead assembly electrically coupled to the housing and having an electrode, wherein the lead assembly does not directly contact the patient's heart or reside in the intrathoracic blood vessels;

a capacitor subsystem located within the housing and electrically coupled to the electrically conductive surface and the electrode for storing cardioversion/defibrillation energy and for delivering the cardioversion/defibrillation energy to the patient's heart through the electrically conductive surface and the electrode; and

a battery subsystem electrically coupled to the capacitor subsystem for providing the cardioversion/defibrillation energy to the capacitor subsystem.

50 . The implantable cardioverter-defibrillator of claim 49 , wherein the cardioversion/defibrillation energy is approximately 0.5 to approximately 350 joules.

51 . The implantable cardioverter-defibrillator of claim 50 , wherein the cardioversion/defibrillation energy is approximately 0.5 to approximately 20 joules.

52 . The implantable cardioverter-defibrillator of claim 50 , wherein the cardioversion/defibrillation energy is approximately 20 to approximately 40 joules.

53 . The implantable cardioverter-defibrillator of claim 50 , wherein the cardioversion/defibrillation energy is approximately 210 to approximately 250 joules.

54 . The implantable cardioverter-defibrillator of claim 50 , wherein the cardioversion/defibrillation energy of approximately 250 to approximately 300 joules.

55 . The implantable cardioverter-defibrillator of claim 50 , wherein the cardioversion/defibrillation energy is approximately 300 to approximately 350 joules.

56 . The implantable cardioverter-defibrillator of claim 50 , wherein the capacitor subsystem has an effective capacitance of approximately 25 microfarads to approximately 200 microfarads.

57 . The implantable cardioverter-defibrillator of claim 49 , wherein the capacitor subsystem comprises one or more film capacitor(s).

58 . The implantable cardioverter-defibrillator of claim 49 , wherein the capacitor subsystem comprises one or more aluminum electrolytic capacitor(s).

59 . The implantable cardioverter-defibrillator of claim 49 , wherein the capacitor subsystem comprises one or more wet tantalum capacitor(s).

60 . The implantable cardioverter-defibrillator of claim 49 , wherein the battery subsystem comprises one or more LiSVO battery(ies).

61 . The implantable cardioverter-defibrillator of claim 49 , wherein the battery subsystem comprises one or more LiMnO 2 battery(ies).

62 . The implantable cardioverter-defibrillator of claim 49 , wherein the battery subsystem comprises one or more LiI 2 battery(ies).

63 . The implantable cardioverter-defibrillator of claim 49 , wherein the battery subsystem comprises one or more LiCF x battery(ies).

64 . The implantable cardioverter-defibrillator of claim 49 , wherein the battery subsystem comprises one or more thin film battery(ies).

65 . A method of supplying power for an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator for subcutaneous positioning outside the ribcage and between the third rib and the twelfth rib within a patient and using a lead system that does not directly contact the patient's heart or reside in the intrathoracic blood vessels, the method comprising:

generating cardioversion/defibrillation energy;

storing the cardioversion/defibrillation energy; and

delivering the cardioversion/defibrillation energy to the patient's heart.

66 . The method of claim 65 , wherein the cardioversion/defibrillation energy is approximately 0.5 to approximately 350 joules.

67 . The method of claim 66 , wherein the cardioversion/defibrillation energy is approximately 0.5 to approximately 20 joules.

68 . The method of claim 66 , wherein the cardioversion/defibrillation energy is approximately 20 to approximately 40 joules.

69 . The method of claim 66 , wherein the cardioversion/defibrillation energy is approximately 210 to approximately 250 joules.

70 . The method of claim 66 , wherein the cardioversion/defibrillation energy of approximately 250 to approximately 300 joules.

71 . The method of claim 66 , wherein the cardioversion/defibrillation energy is approximately 300 to approximately 350 joules.

72 . The method of claim 65 , wherein the energy storage system has an effective capacitance of approximately 25 microfarads to approximately 200 microfarads.

73 . The method of claim 65 , wherein the capacitor subsystem comprises one or more film capacitor(s).

74 . The method of claim 65 , wherein the capacitor subsystem comprises one or more aluminum electrolytic capacitor(s).

75 . The method of claim 65 , wherein the capacitor subsystem comprises one or more wet tantalum capacitor(s).

76 . The method of claim 65 , wherein the battery subsystem comprises one or more LiSVO battery(ies).

77 . The method of claim 65 , wherein the battery subsystem comprises one or more LiMnO 2 battery(ies).

78 . The method of claim 65 , wherein the battery subsystem comprises one or more LiI 2 battery(ies).

79 . The method of claim 65 , wherein the battery subsystem comprises one or more LiCF x battery(ies).

80 . The method of claim 65 , wherein the battery subsystem comprises one or more thin film battery(ies).

81 . A power supply for an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator for subcutaneous positioning outside the ribcage and between the third rib and the twelfth rib within a patient and using a lead system that does not directly contact the patient's heart or resided in the intrathoracic blood vessels, and for providing cardioversion/defibrillation energy to the heart, the method comprising:

means for storing the cardioversion/defibrillation energy and delivering the cardioversion/defibrillation energy to the patient's heart;

means for providing cardioversion/defibrillation energy to the means for storing the cardioversion/defibrillation energy.

82 . The power supply of claim 81 , wherein the cardioversion/defibrillation energy is approximately 0.5 to approximately 350 joules.

83 . The power supply of claim 82 , wherein the cardioversion/defibrillation energy is approximately 0.5 to approximately 20 joules.

84 . The power supply of claim 82 , wherein the cardioversion/defibrillation energy is approximately 20 to approximately 40 joules.

85 . The power supply of claim 82 , wherein the cardioversion/defibrillation energy is approximately 210 to approximately 250 joules.

86 . The power supply of claim 82 , wherein the cardioversion/defibrillation energy of approximately 250 to approximately 300 joules.

87 . The power supply of claim 82 , wherein the cardioversion/defibrillation energy is approximately 300 to approximately 350 joules.

88 . The power supply of claim 81 , wherein the means for storing the cardioversion/defibrillation energy has an effective capacitance of approximately 25 microfarads to approximately 200 microfarads.

89 . The power supply of claim 81 , wherein the capacitor subsystem comprises one or more film capacitor(s).

90 . The power supply of claim 81 , wherein the capacitor subsystem comprises one or more aluminum electrolytic capacitor(s).

91 . The power supply of claim 81 , wherein the capacitor subsystem comprises one or more wet tantalum capacitor(s).

92 . The power supply of claim 81 , wherein the battery subsystem comprises one or more LiSVO battery(ies).

93 . The power supply of claim 81 , wherein the battery subsystem comprises one or more LiMnO 2 battery(ies).

94 . The power supply of claim 81 , wherein the battery subsystem comprises one or more LiI 2 battery(ies).

95 . The power supply of claim 81 , wherein the battery subsystem comprises one or more LiCF x battery(ies).

96 . The power supply of claim 81 , wherein the battery subsystem comprises one or more thin film battery(ies).

97 . The power supply of claim 81 , wherein the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator is positioned subcutaneously between the third and fifth ribs.

98 . The power supply of claim 81 , wherein the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator is positioned subcutaneously between the fourth and sixth ribs.

99 . The power supply of claim 81 , wherein the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator is positioned subcutaneously between the sixth and eighth ribs.

100 . The power supply of claim 81 , wherein the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator is positioned subcutaneously between the eighth and tenth ribs.

101 . The power supply of claim 81 , wherein the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator is positioned subcutaneously between the tenth and twelfth ribs.

102 . The power supply of claim 81 , wherein the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator provides anti-tachycardia pacing energy to the heart for treatment of atrial fibrillation.

103 . The power supply of claim 81 , wherein the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator provides anti-tachycardia pacing energy to the heart for treatment of ventricular tachycardia.