US Patent 7179562 Battery electrode assembly and fabrication method therefor

An electrode assembly and construction method therefor for use in small high performance batteries suitable for implantable medical device applications. The electrode assembly comprises a stack of precisely aligned planar elements including alternately arranged positive and negative planar electrodes having a planar separator interposed between adjacent electrodes. Each electrode is preferably formed of a thin metal substrate carrying active material on front and rear faces. The peripheral edge of each electrode defines an active area and a tab extending therefrom. The front and rear faces of the active area each carries a layer of active material. The faces of the tab area are preferably bare. The positive electrode tabs are located at a first position along the peripheral edge whereas the negative tabs are located at a second position spaced from said first position. Each tab carries a clip to form a reinforcing strip adjacent each tab face. Alignment holes are formed in the clips and tabs.