An anode subassembly is provided for use in an implantable electrochemical
cell wherein the anode subassembly includes an anode current collector
designed to eliminate perforation edges in the final, outermost turn of a
coiled electrode assembly. The anode current collector may be of a
reduced size, discontinuous, or formed from alternating perforated and
solid areas. The anode subassembly may further include reinforcing
elements to support a thin anode layer in the outermost coil of a coiled,
anode-limited cell. Reinforcing elements may take the form of a spacer,
extensions extending from a reduced-size anode current collector, or
strips of alkali metal.