In medical device design, there is very little margin for error. Whether it’s a handheld diagnostic tool, a high power imaging system, or a portable life-support system, the energy storage component at the heart of the device has to perform, reliably, consistently, and for a very long time. That’s a tall order, and it’s exactly where Tecate Group’s TPLCE Series Lithium-Ion Capacitors (LICs) stand apart from the crowd.
At Area51 Electronics, we take pride in connecting our customers with components that don’t just meet the spec sheet, they exceed expectations in the field. The TPLCE series is one of those rare finds: a genuinely innovative product from a manufacturer with decades of proven expertise, solving real engineering challenges with elegant technology.
Founded over five decades ago, Tecate Group has built a reputation as a trusted global supplier of ultracapacitors, capacitors, and electronic assemblies. Serving industries ranging from data storage and smart grid to military, medical, and telecommunications, they bring deep engineering knowledge and a commitment to quality that shows in every product they design.
Their TPLCE series is a testament to that expertise, a hybrid capacitor that bridges the gap between traditional ultracapacitors and lithium-ion batteries, delivering the best characteristics of both in a single compact package.
A Lithium-Ion Capacitor (LIC) is a hybrid energy storage device that combines electric double-layer capacitor (EDLC) technology with lithium-ion chemistry. The result is a component that delivers higher energy density than a standard ultracapacitor and faster charge/discharge capability than a traditional lithium-ion battery.
For medical device engineers, this matters in several concrete ways:
The TPLCE series covers a wide range of capacitance values, from 3F all the way to 1,400F, giving engineers the flexibility to right-size their energy storage for the application at hand. Here are the headline specs:
That 250,000-cycle figure deserves special attention. Competing products in this space typically fall well short of that number, the TPLCE delivers roughly 12 times the cycle life of comparable offerings, which translates directly into lower lifetime maintenance costs and greater device reliability over the product’s entire lifespan.
Medical device designers face a unique set of constraints that make component selection particularly challenging. Regulatory requirements demand proven reliability. Patient safety means failure is not an option. And increasingly, devices are moving toward smaller, lighter, and more portable form factors, all while being expected to last longer between service intervals.
The TPLCE series addresses each of these pain points head-on:
From blood glucose monitors to portable ECG readers, handheld medical devices are everywhere, and they all share the same challenge: cramming reliable energy storage into a tight enclosure. The TPLCE’s compact radial cylindrical form factor makes it a natural fit, delivering high energy density without consuming valuable board space.
In medical environments, a sudden loss of power can mean lost patient records, interrupted monitoring, or a disrupted procedure. The TPLCE’s low self-discharge rate and high energy reserve make it an ideal backup power source, ensuring devices stay live through short outages and that critical data is never lost.
Modern medical IoT devices, from wireless patient monitors to remote diagnostic sensors, require periodic bursts of high current for wireless transmission. Drawing these bursts directly from a battery degrades it rapidly. Pairing a primary battery with a TPLCE capacitor allows the capacitor to handle the surge while the battery operates in its ideal, steady-state range.
One of the TPLCE’s most compelling selling points for medical applications is its potential as a maintenance-free battery replacement. With a service life of up to 10 years and 250,000 cycles, it can outlast the device it powers, reducing the total cost of ownership and eliminating the need for scheduled battery replacements in deployed systems.
We know you have options when it comes to component sourcing, and we know that choosing the right distributor matters just as much as choosing the right component. Here’s what sets Area51 apart:
If you’re working on a medical device, or any application where reliability, compactness, and long cycle life are non-negotiable, the Tecate Group TPLCE Lithium-Ion Capacitor deserves a serious look. It’s the kind of component that makes a difference not just on paper, but in the field, over years of real-world operation.
Reach out to the Area51 Electronics team today. We’re happy to walk you through the product lineup, help you identify the right part number for your application, and get you a quote. Let’s build something great together.
