2.5V Lithium "AA" sized batteries: Where to find?

[Eric F.]

[This post involves a hand held lab computer, of which this particular 
model was made/purchased about 15 years ago.  Similar models have since 
been made, but without the problem I describe below.]


I have a hand held lab computer (manufactured & purchased in 1990) which 
takes quite an unusual battery.

The battery is the size of a regular "AA", but is 2.5V Lithium.  The 
company who used to manufacture them (SAFT) no longer does so. The SAFT 
battery model # is "LCP 6".



Picture of battery (and a regular "AA" for comparison):

http://home.san.rr.com/instep/saft-lcp6.jpg (~42KB)


Picture of lab computer:

http://home.san.rr.com/instep/labpartner-front.jpg (~58KB)
http://home.san.rr.com/instep/labpartner-back.jpg (~44KB)



The company who made the lab computer still offers to refurbish the unit 
for a new (more readily available) lithium battery pack, but I want to 
avoid doing that if at all possible. They also don't have any suggestions 
as to where to find a 2.5V Lithium "AA" sized battery.

AND -- I've Google'd high & low for an equivalent, but nothing pops up.

So I've come here to ask: does anyone know if an equivalent battery exists?

(And what's with the designer(s) decision to use such an obscure battery type?)