A bionic system for artificial retina

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of artificial retina technology and provides a bionic artificial retina system, including an image acquisition module, a signal processing module, and a microneedle assembly. The image acquisition module is used to acquire images; the signal processing module is used to process the images acquired by the image acquisition module into electrical signals; the microneedle assembly is used to be implanted in the visual cortex of the human brain, receiving the electrical signals processed by the signal processing module and sending them to the visual cortex. This bionic artificial retina system of the present invention directly acquires on-site images through the image acquisition module, and then the signal processing module converts them into electrical signals that can be acquired by the microneedle assembly in real time. The microneedle assembly can then transmit the electrical signals to the visual cortex of the human brain, restoring visual perception in visually impaired organisms through electrical stimulation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of artificial retina technology, specifically to an artificial retina bionic system. Background Technology

[0002] Current artificial retinas typically involve surgically implanting a replacement device into the retinal structure of the human eye to perform photoelectric conversion. However, this method is technically challenging, has a high incidence of complications, a limited number of stimulation channels, and therefore yields unsatisfactory results. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide an artificial retina bionic system that can at least solve some of the defects in the prior art.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, embodiments of the present invention provide the following technical solution: an artificial retina bionic system, comprising an image acquisition module, a signal processing module, and a microneedle assembly.

[0005] The image acquisition module is used to acquire images;

[0006] The signal processing module is used to process the image acquired by the image acquisition module into an electrical signal;

[0007] The microneedle assembly is used to be implanted into the visual cortex of the human brain, and receives the electrical signals processed by the signal processing module and sends them to the visual cortex.

[0008] Furthermore, the image acquisition module includes a camera device that captures and acquires images of objects.

[0009] Furthermore, the signal processing module filters and amplifies the electrical signal before sending it to the visual cortex.

[0010] Furthermore, the filtering process includes spatial filtering and / or temporal filtering.

[0011] Furthermore, the image acquisition module and the signal processing module are located on the wearable device.

[0012] Furthermore, the signal processing module transmits electrical signals to the microneedle assembly via wireless or wired signal transmission.

[0013] Furthermore, the wireless signal transmission is one of Bluetooth transmission, Wi-Fi transmission, or audio transmission, and the wired signal transmission is wire transmission.

[0014] Furthermore, the microneedle assembly includes a microneedle body having a body electrode that can be implanted into the visual cortex of the human brain.

[0015] Furthermore, there are multiple body electrodes, and each body electrode is arranged in an array.

[0016] Furthermore, the microneedle body includes a hard needle and a soft needle. The hard needle has a hard needle tail and at least one hard needle body electrode formed on the hard needle tail. The soft needle has a soft needle tail and at least one soft needle body electrode formed on the soft needle tail. The soft needle body electrode and the hard needle body electrode, as well as the soft needle tail and the hard needle tail, are respectively fixed by a first fixing member and a second fixing member.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are: an artificial retina bionic system that directly acquires on-site images through an image acquisition module, and then converts them into electrical signals that can be acquired by a microneedle component in real time by a signal processing module. The microneedle component can then transmit the electrical signals to the visual cortex of the human brain, and restore the visual perception of visually impaired organisms through electrical stimulation. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an image acquisition module, a signal processing module, and an eyeglass frame for an artificial retina bionic system provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the implantation site of a microneedle component of an artificial retina bionic system implanted into the human brain, as provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a microneedle component of an artificial retina bionic system provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the positioning septum of the microneedle component of an artificial retina bionic system provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the microneedle body of a microneedle component of an artificial retina bionic system provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the fixing of the hard needle electrode and soft needle electrode of the microneedle component of an artificial retina bionic system provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the hard needle electrode of the microneedle component of an artificial retina bionic system provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the soft needle electrode of the microneedle component of an artificial retina bionic system provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 9 A schematic diagram showing the fixing of the hard needle tail and the soft needle tail of a microneedle assembly in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 10 A schematic diagram of the hard needle tail of a microneedle component of an artificial retina bionic system provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 11 A schematic diagram of the soft needle tail of a microneedle component of an artificial retina bionic system provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 12 A schematic diagram of the microneedle body and integrated circuit chip flip-soldering of a microneedle component of an artificial retina bionic system provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 13 A schematic diagram of the multilayer integrated circuit chip fixing of the microneedle component of an artificial retina bionic system provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 14 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of the hard needle and soft needle fixing parts of the microneedle assembly of an artificial retina bionic system provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] In the attached figures, the following labels are used: 1-Image acquisition module; 2-Signal processing module; 3-Microneedle assembly; 300-Connecting plate; 301-Rack; 302-Microneedle hole; 303-Microneedle body; 304-Steel needle; 305-Integrated circuit chip; 306-Positioning partition; 307-Body electrode; 308-Hard needle; 309-Soft needle; 310-Second fixing component; 311-First fixing component; 312-Hard needle body electrode; 313-Soft needle body electrode; 314-Hook structure; 315-Opening; 316-Unhooking part; 317-Hard needle tail; 318-Soft needle tail; 319-Pin structure; 320-Central symmetry pattern; 321-Pin hole; 4-Wearable device; 5-Implantation site. Detailed Implementation

[0033] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0034] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3This invention provides a bionic artificial retina system, including an image acquisition module 1, a signal processing module 2, and a microneedle assembly 3. The image acquisition module 1 is used to acquire images; the signal processing module 2 is used to process the images acquired by the image acquisition module 1 into electrical signals; the microneedle assembly 3 is implanted into the visual cortex of the human brain, receiving the electrical signals processed by the signal processing module 2 and sending them to the visual cortex. In this embodiment, the image acquisition module 1 directly acquires on-site images, which are then converted in real-time into electrical signals that the signal processing module 2 can acquire. The microneedle assembly 3 can then transmit the electrical signals to the visual cortex of the human brain, restoring visual perception in visually impaired organisms through electrical stimulation. Specifically, as... Figure 1 As shown, the image acquisition module 1, located on the wearable device 4, detects video images in real time and then transmits them to the signal processing module 2. The transmission can be via a data cable or wirelessly, such as via Bluetooth or WiFi. When the signal processing module 2 receives the image signal, it processes it into an electrical signal, such as... Figure 2 As shown, the microneedle component 3 is implanted into the human brain through the implantation site 5. It stimulates the visual cortex of the brain through electrical signals, thereby restoring visual perception in patients with visual impairment. Modern high-performance chips can achieve synchronous conversion between image signals and visual perception. That is, after the image is sent to the signal processing module 2, it can be quickly processed into an electrical signal and sent to the microneedle component 3. This conversion process can be completed before people even realize it, so that people's visual perception is just like seeing with normal eyes.

[0035] As an optimized solution for an embodiment of the present invention, please refer to Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 The image acquisition module 1 includes a camera device that captures and acquires images of objects. In this embodiment, the image acquisition method can employ a camera device, such as a miniature camera device, to capture and acquire object images by shooting images and videos. The camera device can be a common video camera.

[0036] As an optimized solution for an embodiment of the present invention, please refer to Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3The signal processing module 2 filters and amplifies the electrical signal before sending it to the visual cortex. The filtering process includes spatial filtering and / or temporal filtering. In this embodiment, the image input from the image acquisition module 1 can be processed by a combination of spatial and temporal filters before being sent to the visual cortex. This combined processing of the input image with spatial and temporal filters removes noise signals, enhances the specific features of the captured information, and generates stimulation signals applied to the microelectrodes within the cortex. Preferably, multiple spatial and temporal filters can be set as needed for better results.

[0037] As an optimized solution for an embodiment of the present invention, please refer to Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 The image acquisition module 1 is mounted on the wearable device 4. The wearable device 4 is an eyeglass frame. In this embodiment, the image acquisition module 1 can be mounted on a wearable device, such as an eyeglass frame, so that the image can be captured wherever the human eye looks. Of course, other types of wearable devices 4 are also feasible, such as hats, headscarves, or even bracelets, etc. As long as it is convenient to set up the image acquisition module 1, i.e., the camera, it is feasible, as long as it does not affect the image acquisition. However, an eyeglass frame is the optimal choice, just like wearing nearsighted glasses. Preferably, the signal processing module 2 is also mounted on the wearable device 4, and the two can communicate via, for example, Figure 1 Connect the data cables as shown.

[0038] As an optimized solution for an embodiment of the present invention, please refer to Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 The signal processing module 2 transmits electrical signals to the microneedle assembly 3 via wireless or wired signal transmission. In this embodiment, the electrical signals can be transmitted wirelessly or via a wired connection. Wireless transmission is more convenient and not limited by distance, as can other wearable devices 4 mentioned above, even at longer distances. Both are feasible solutions. Preferably, the wireless transmission method can be Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or audio transmission. The wired signal transmission is via a wire, specifically by integrating a Bluetooth transmitter on the signal processing module 2 and a Bluetooth receiver on the microneedle assembly 3.

[0039] As an optimized solution for an embodiment of the present invention, please refer to Figures 4 to 13The microneedle assembly includes a microneedle body 303, which has a body electrode 307 implantable in the visual cortex of the human brain. Multiple body electrodes 307 are arranged in an array. In this embodiment, the body electrode 307 is implanted in the visual cortex of the human brain; the positioning septum, tail, and integrated circuit chip of the microneedle assembly do not enter the cerebral cortex, only the anterior body electrode 307 is inserted.

[0040] For further optimization of the above solution, please refer to [link / reference]. Figures 4 to 13 ,like Figure 4 As shown, this embodiment provides a positioning partition 306, including at least two comb-tooth structural members, which are stacked and arranged to form a plurality of microneedle holes 302 for the body electrodes of the microneedle to pass through. In actual use, the positioning partition is used in conjunction with the microneedle. The microneedle body 303 includes at least one body electrode 307, which passes through the corresponding microneedle holes 302 on the positioning partition 306 to fix and position the microneedle.

[0041] The number of micro-holes 302 can be one or more, depending on the number of body electrodes 307 contained in the micro-needle body 303. The distribution of the micro-holes 302 can be an array distribution or an interleaved distribution, depending on the distribution of the body electrodes contained in the micro-needle, and is not specifically limited here.

[0042] Specifically, in this embodiment, the comb-tooth structure includes a connecting plate 300 and a plurality of toothed strips 301 formed on the connecting plate 300. Each toothed strip 301 is connected side-by-side to the connecting plate 300 at equal intervals. The toothed strips 301 of the comb-tooth structure are stacked to form a plurality of microneedle holes 302 arranged in an array. Furthermore, the spacing between the toothed strips 301 of the comb-tooth structure is slightly larger than the width or thickness of the microneedle's body electrode, ensuring that the microneedle's body electrode can move up and down between the toothed strips without wobbling. The comb-tooth structure fixes and positions the microneedle in both the width and thickness directions of the body electrode, achieving precise implantation of the microneedle. Simultaneously, after the microneedle is fully implanted, the positioning diaphragm can be easily removed without causing damage to human organs and tissues.

[0043] like Figure 3As shown, the microneedle assembly includes a microneedle body 303 and an integrated circuit chip 305. The integrated circuit chip 305 is disposed at the tail of the microneedle body 303 and is connected to a signal processing module via Bluetooth. The body electrodes 307 of each microneedle body 303 pass through corresponding microneedle holes 302 on the positioning partition 306. In this embodiment, during the implantation of this array-type microneedle structure into tissue, the positioning partition 306 guides the implantation of each body electrode 307, achieving precise microneedle implantation. Simultaneously, the integrated design of the microneedle body 303 and the integrated circuit chip 305 enables on-site acquisition and stimulation of nerve signals, thereby optimizing the functionality of the neural interface and better meeting clinical needs.

[0044] Optimized implementation methods, such as Figure 5 , Figure 6 and Figure 9 As shown, the microneedle body 303 includes a hard needle 308 and a soft needle 309. The hard needle 308 has a hard needle tail 317 and at least one hard needle electrode 312 formed on the hard needle tail 317. The soft needle 309 has a soft needle tail 318 and at least one soft needle electrode 313 formed on the soft needle tail 318. The soft needle electrode 313 and the hard needle electrode 312 are correspondingly fixed by a first fixing member 311, and the soft needle tail 318 and the hard needle tail 317 are fixed by a second fixing member 310. Preferably, as shown... Figure 11 As shown, the integrated circuit chip 305 and the soft needle tail 318 are electrically connected by flip-soldering. The hard needle 308 has a certain rigidity and can be implanted into the soft tissue of a human or animal; for example, it can be made of silicon. The soft needle 309 has a certain flexibility and can be made of materials such as silicon nitride, polycrystalline silicon, or silicon carbide. In this embodiment, since the hard needle 308 has a certain rigidity, the soft needle 309 is laid flat on the upper surface of the hard needle 308. At the same time, the hard needle 308 and the soft needle 309 are fixed by the first fixing member 311 and the second fixing member 310. In this way, the hard needle 308 can drive the soft needle 309 to be implanted into the soft tissue of the human body or animal, and can ensure that there is no displacement between the hard needle 308 and the soft needle 309. After the soft needle 309 is implanted into the tissue, the hard needle 308 is pulled out, the hard needle 308 and the soft needle 309 are separated, and the soft needle 309 remains in the implanted tissue, thereby effectively avoiding the defects caused by using a single hard needle or soft needle.

[0045] In a preferred embodiment, such as Figure 7 , Figure 8 and Figure 9As shown, the first fixing member 311 consists of a plurality of hook structures 314 spaced apart along the length direction of the hard needle electrode 312. Each hook structure 314 has a first part and a second part. The two ends of the second part are respectively connected to the first part and the surface of the hard needle electrode 312. The first part is parallel to the surface of the hard needle electrode 312, and the soft needle electrode 313 is located between the first part and the surface of the hard needle electrode 312. The second part forms a predetermined angle with the surface of the hard needle electrode 312. Correspondingly, the soft needle electrode 313 has an opening 315 at the position corresponding to the hook structure 314 for the hook structure 314 to pass through. The opening 315 has a disengagement structure for the hook structure 314 to detach from the soft needle 309. Specifically, the first part, the second part of the hook structure 314, and the surface of the hard needle electrode 312 form a groove facing the tip of the hard needle 308. The disengagement structure is located at the end of the opening 315 away from the tip of the soft needle 309. In preparing the microneedle composite of hard needle 308 and soft needle 309, a sacrificial layer of a certain thickness is first grown on the surface of the hard needle 308, and then the soft needle 309 is grown on the surface of the sacrificial layer. An opening 315 is made on the soft needle electrode 313 of the soft needle 309, and a decoupling structure is patterned on the soft needle 309. Then, the second part of the hook structure 314 is grown at the opening 315, and finally the first part of the hook structure 314 is grown. Then, the sacrificial layer between the hard needle 308 and the soft needle 309 is released, thereby releasing the soft needle electrode at the edge of the opening 315. The electrode 313 is pressed into the hook structure 314. When the hard needle 308 is implanted into the tissue, the soft needle 309 is implanted together through the hook structure 314. After reaching the implantation site, the hard needle 308 is pulled backward. After the hook structure 314 on the hard needle body electrode 312 contacts the disengagement structure at the rear end of the opening 315, the disengagement structure causes the hook structure 314 to separate from the soft needle body electrode 313. The fixation between the soft needle body electrode 313 and the hard needle body electrode 312 is released, so that the hard needle 308 is pulled out while the soft needle 309 remains in the tissue.

[0046] Preferred, such as Figure 8 and Figure 14As shown, the unhooking structure consists of two unhooking portions 316 extending from the edge of the opening 315 into the opening 315. The two unhooking portions 316 are symmetrically arranged about the axis of the opening, and there is a gap between the two unhooking portions 316. This gap is smaller than the width of the second part of the hook structure 314. There is a gap between the side edges of the two unhooking portions 316 and the corresponding side edges of the opening 315, so that the unhooking portions 316 can be flipped upwards and squeezed to both sides. When the hard needle 308 is pulled out, the hard needle 308 is pulled backwards. After the hook structure 314 contacts the unhooking portion 316, the unhooking portion 316 will slowly tilt upwards, thereby causing the hook structure 314 to withdraw downwards from the opening 315. Optimized design allows for the two disengagement portions 316 to be integrally formed with the soft needle electrode 313. In this way, as the two disengagement portions 316 open upwards, the second part of the hook structure 314 squeezes the disengagement portions 316, causing the disengagement portions 316 to tilt upwards along the direction of the retraction of the hard needle 308, thereby expanding the area of ​​the opening 315. The hook structure 314 then detaches from the soft needle 309 from the opening 315. The soft needle 309 and the disengagement portions 316 are made of elastic materials. After the hard needle 308 and the soft needle 309 detach, the tilted part of the disengagement portion 316 lowers and returns to its original shape.

[0047] Optional, such as Figure 6 , Figure 7 , Figure 8 and Figure 14 As shown, to improve the strength of the soft needle fixing component, the first and second parts of the soft needle fixing component are integrally formed. During the separation process of the hard needle 308 and the soft needle 309, in order to facilitate the soft needle fixing component to detach from the positioning opening 315, and to avoid the first part affecting the disengagement part 316 during the process of the soft needle fixing component pressing the disengagement part 316, in this embodiment, the bottom surface of the second part abuts against the surface of the hard needle, the top surface of the second part abuts against the bottom surface of the first part, and the bottom surface of the second part is larger than the top surface of the second part.

[0048] Please see Figure 14 Preferably, in order to facilitate the hard needle 308 to disengage from the soft needle 309, in this embodiment, the angle between the second part of the hook structure 314 and the surface of the hard needle body electrode 312 is set to an acute angle, that is, to prevent the first part from extending beyond the end of the second part in the direction away from the needle tip of the hard needle 308; at the same time, it is beneficial for the second part of the hook structure 314 to squeeze the unhooking part 316 so that the unhooking part 316 tilts upward.

[0049] In a preferred embodiment, such as Figure 9 , Figure 10 and Figure 11As shown, the second fixing member 310 consists of several pin structures 319 spaced apart along the width direction of the hard needle 308 at the tail 317 of the hard needle. Each pin structure 319 is composed of two coaxial cylinders that are larger at the top and smaller at the bottom. The tail 318 of the soft needle is provided with a pin hole 321 corresponding to the pin structure 319, and several centrally symmetrical patterns 320 are provided on the tail 318 of the soft needle along the edge of the pin hole 321. For example, in this embodiment, the centrally symmetrical pattern 320 at the pattern can be a petal-like structure. The diameter of the upper cylinder of the pin structure 319 is larger than the diameter of the pin hole 321. During the fabrication of the microneedle, after growing a soft needle 309 on a hard needle 308, a pin hole 321 is formed on the tail 318 of the soft needle, and a centrally symmetrical figure 320 is drawn. Then, a pin structure 319 is grown at the pin hole 321. Since the diameter of the upper cylinder of the pin structure 319 is larger than the diameter of the pin hole 321, the upper cylinder will press against part of the soft needle structure at the edge of the pin hole 321, thereby fixing the soft needle 309 and ensuring that there is no displacement between the hard needle 308 and the soft needle 309; when the hard needle 308 carries... After the soft needle 309 is implanted into the tissue, pulling the hard needle 308 downwards causes the upper cylinder of the pin structure 319 to exert a downward force on the soft needle 309. The centrally symmetrical pattern 320 on the soft needle 309 will bend and deform to a certain extent until the pin structure 319 is completely disengaged. Then, pulling the hard needle 308 backwards causes the hook structure 314 on the hard needle 308 to disengage, thus completely separating the hard needle 308 and the soft needle 309. The hard needle 308 is then pulled out, leaving the soft needle 309 in the tissue. The center point of the centrally symmetrical pattern 320 coincides with the center point of the pin hole 321.

[0050] The optimized technical solutions mentioned above, such as Figure 13 As shown, the integrated circuit chip 305 has connection through holes at both ends. Multiple integrated circuit chips are assembled together by a binding structure, which passes through the connection through holes on the same side. This binding structure can be, but is not limited to, steel pins 304. Multiple integrated circuit chips 305 are connected and fixed by drilling holes and inserting steel pins 304. Compared with the conventional TSV process, this connection method of integrated circuit chips in this embodiment is simpler and more reliable to implement.

[0051] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A bionic artificial retina system, characterized in that: Includes an image acquisition module, a signal processing module, and microneedle components. The image acquisition module is used to acquire images; The signal processing module is used to process the image acquired by the image acquisition module into an electrical signal; The microneedle assembly is implanted into the visual cortex of the human brain, receives the electrical signals processed by the signal processing module, and sends them to the visual cortex. The microneedle assembly includes a microneedle body, which includes a hard needle and a soft needle. The hard needle has a hard needle tail, and the soft needle has a soft needle tail. The soft needle tail and the hard needle tail are fixed by a second fixing member. The second fixing member is a plurality of pin structures arranged at intervals along the width direction of the hard needle tail. The pin structure includes two coaxial cylinders that are larger at the top and smaller at the bottom. The diameter of the upper cylinder of the pin structure is larger than the diameter of the pin hole. The soft needle tail has a pin hole corresponding to the pin structure, and a plurality of centrally symmetrical patterns are arranged outward along the edge of the pin hole on the soft needle tail.

2. The artificial retina bionic system as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The image acquisition module includes a camera device that captures and acquires images of objects.

3. The artificial retina bionic system as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The signal processing module filters and amplifies the electrical signal before sending it to the visual cortex.

4. The artificial retina bionic system as described in claim 3, characterized in that: The filtering process includes spatial filtering and / or temporal filtering.

5. The artificial retina bionic system as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The image acquisition module and the signal processing module are located on the wearable device.

6. The artificial retina bionic system as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The signal processing module transmits electrical signals to the microneedle assembly via wireless or wired signal transmission.

7. The artificial retina bionic system as described in claim 6, characterized in that: The wireless signal transmission is one of Bluetooth transmission, Wi-Fi transmission, or audio transmission, and the wired signal transmission is wire transmission.

8. The artificial retina bionic system as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The microneedle has a body electrode that can be implanted into the visual cortex of the human brain. There are multiple body electrodes, and each body electrode is arranged in an array.

9. The artificial retina bionic system as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The hard needle has at least one hard needle body electrode formed on the tail of the hard needle, and the soft needle has at least one soft needle body electrode formed on the tail of the soft needle; the soft needle body electrode and the hard needle body electrode are fixed by a first fixing member.

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