Visual prosthesis microelectrode array capable of generating converged virtual electrodes

Abstract

The invention discloses a visual prosthesis microelectrode array capable of generating converged virtual electrodes. The visual prosthesis microelectrode array comprises a microelectrode array, a common recovery electrode and a micro-current stimulator, wherein the micro-current stimulator stimulates adjacent ring electrodes in the microelectrode array according to a received external stimulationsignal; the microelectrode array is combined with the far-end common recovery electrode to generate virtual electrodes; the virtual electrodes move in a one-dimensional direction by adjusting the stimulation current proportion of two adjacent ring electrodes; and the virtual electrodes move in a two-dimensional region and converged virtual electrode stimulation is realized by adjusting the stimulation current proportion of four adjacent electrodes. According to the visual prosthesis microelectrode array, stimulation sites of the converged virtual electrodes can be adjusted, so that local virtual electrode stimulation of a retina is realized, the number of perception sites of a visual prosthesis implant is increased, and the perception visual sensitivity of the visual prosthesis implant isimproved. In addition, by disk electrodes, local physical electrode stimulation can further be realized, and the original physical electrode stimulation sites can be reserved while virtual electrode stimulation is carried out.

Description

technical field [0001] The invention relates to a technique in the field of biomedicine, in particular to a visual prosthetic microelectrode array capable of producing converging virtual electrodes. Background technique [0002] Retinal degeneration is an irreversible degenerative disease that causes blindness. Clinical acute electrophysiological studies have shown that patients with such diseases can perceive phosphenes after electrical stimulation. At present, three visual prostheses have been approved for clinical application in the world. However, due to the limitations of surgical safety and electrode manufacturing technology, visual prosthesis implanters can only obtain discrete low-resolution and low visual acuity visual perception. Existing technologies use image processing strategies or high-density microelectrode array stimulation, but the image processing strategy cannot add additional phosphene viewpoints. High-density microelectrode array stimulation methods st...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

At present, three visual prostheses have been approved for clinical application in the world, but due to the limitations of surgical safety and electrode manufacturing technology, visual prosthesis implanters can only obtain discrete low-resolution and low visual acuity visual perception

The existing technology adopts image processing strategy or high-density microelectrode array stimulation, but the image processing strategy cannot add additional phosphene viewpoint, and the high-density microelectrode array stimulation method still has many challenges in terms of technical implementation and biological tissue safety

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