An approach to the reliability of implantable lithium batteries

The reliability process for implantable lithium batteries begins with the cell development and design. After the design period and prototype production, a complete qualification program is performed in which a new cell design is subjected to environmental, safety, abuse, and performance testing. Early production of new cell designs includes significant sampling and testing to spot quality problems. Incoming inspection, in-process inspections, final acceptance testing, and routine destructive analysis are all part of the overall quality program. Complete documentation and traceability is conducted. The final component of the quality program is the life-test sampling, in which significant running samples of all cell models are subjected to conditions approximating the real-time use cycle.