Optogenetic artificial retina

Abstract

The application relates to a photo-genetic artificial retina, which comprises a light-emitting assembly, the light-emitting assembly comprising a plurality of LED lamps for stimulating light-sensitive proteins on visual neurons; a substrate layer, the light-emitting assembly being arranged on the substrate layer, the substrate layer comprising a flexible circuit board; and a driving assembly, the driving assembly being connected to the substrate layer to drive the LED lamps, the driving assembly comprising a driver. The photo-genetic artificial retina provided in the application is connected to the substrate layer through the driving assembly to drive the LED lamps thereon, light is emitted through the LED lamps to stimulate the light-sensitive proteins on the visual neurons, so that the patient can obtain visual signals, the visual neurons are stimulated by using the photo-genetic technology, the retina does not need to be contacted in the operation, the risk of operation implantation is reduced, and the damage to the neurons of the retina after installation of the equipment is small; different types of LED lamps can be carried on the light-sensitive proteins on different visual neurons, the selectivity is high, the precision of treatment is higher, and the effect is better.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of visual treatment, in particular to a light genetic artificial retina. BACKGROUND

[0002] About 80% of the information obtained from the outside world comes from vision, and retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration are currently the two main causes of blindness, and it is difficult to restore vision through drug therapy or surgery. Artificial retina is currently the most effective method to solve this problem, its working principle is to use the camera installed on the glasses to shoot the image, convert the image into an electrical signal through the implanted device, and transmit the visual signal to the brain through the stimulation of the retina, thereby forming vision.

[0003] The current common technology includes subretinal implantation and extraretinal implantation technology. The subretinal implantation technology is to implant a chip between the retinal neurosensory epithelium and the pigment epithelium, replace the photoreceptor cells to receive light, and directly use the encoding and decoding mechanism of the retina to convert the electrical signal into vision. The extraretinal implantation technology is to tightly attach the electrode array to the outer surface of the retina, and directly stimulate the optic nerve cells with the signal transmitted outside the eye. Compared with the former, the extraretinal implantation surgery does not need to tear the eyeball, has small surgical risk and low difficulty, and has small side effects, but in the implantation, the electrode needs to be as close as possible to the retina, so that the electrode can directly stimulate the visual nerve to obtain better treatment effect, but the electrode is difficult to adhere to the retina, and the artificial retina needs to be fixed to prevent loosening in subsequent use. The technical requirements for the operator during the operation process are high. SUMMARY

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to provide a light genetic artificial retina in view of the problem that the electrode needs to be as close as possible to the retina in the artificial retina surgery, thereby increasing the difficulty of the surgery and improving the risk.

[0005] A light genetic artificial retina, comprising a light emitting assembly, the light emitting assembly comprising a plurality of LED lamps to stimulate light-sensitive proteins on visual neurons; a base layer, the light emitting assembly being disposed on the base layer, the base layer comprising a flexible circuit board; a driving assembly connected to the base layer to drive the LED lamps, the driving assembly comprising a driver.

[0006] Further, the base layer is further provided with a mounting hole for the visual nerve to pass through.

[0007] Further, the outer side of the base layer is provided with a slot, and the slot is in communication with the mounting hole.

[0008] Further, the notch is trumpet-shaped, and a diameter of one end close to the mounting hole is smaller than a diameter of the other end away from the mounting hole.

[0009] Further, the base layer comprises a plurality of base sections, all the base sections are spliced to form the mounting hole; at least one base section comprises the flexible circuit board on which the light emitting assembly is arranged.

[0010] Further, all the base sections are connected with the same driving assembly, or each base section is connected with an independent driving assembly.

[0011] Further, the base section is provided with an electrical interface, and all the base sections form an electrical connection loop after being spliced through the electrical interface.

[0012] Further, the driving assembly further comprises a connecting line connecting the flexible circuit board and the driver.

[0013] Further, the LED lamp is arranged in an array.

[0014] Further, the LED lamp comprises one or more of infrared light, red light, yellow light, green light and blue light.

[0015] Further, the light wave wavelength of the LED lamp ranges between 465nm-470nm.

[0016] Further, the flexible circuit board is in an arc surface structure.

[0017] Further, the base layer further comprises an encapsulation body arranged outside the LED lamp to store the LED lamp, and the encapsulation body is made of biocompatible material.

[0018] The optogenetic artificial retina provided in the application is composed of a light emitting assembly, a base layer and a driving assembly, wherein the light emitting assembly is arranged on the base layer and comprises a plurality of LED lamps configured to emit light to stimulate light-sensitive proteins on visual neurons; the base layer comprises a flexible circuit board; the driving assembly comprises a driver; the driving assembly is connected with the base layer to drive the LED lamps thereon; the LED lamps emit light to stimulate light-sensitive proteins on visual neurons, so that the patient obtains visual signals. The optogenetic artificial retina provided in the application stimulates visual neurons by using the optogenetic technology, and does not need to contact the retina during the operation, thereby reducing the risk of surgical implantation and causing less damage to the neurons of the retina after the device is installed; different types of LED lamps can be carried according to different light-sensitive proteins on visual neurons, and the optogenetic artificial retina has high selectivity, higher treatment precision and better effect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 A perspective view of the optogenetic artificial retina according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0020] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the installation of the optogenetic artificial retina according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0021] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the working process of the optogenetic artificial retina according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0022] Wherein, 1, light emitting assembly, 11, LED lamp; 2, base layer, 21, flexible circuit board, 22, mounting hole, 23, notch; 3, connecting line; 10, eyeball, 20, visual nerve, 30, pigment layer, 40, visual neuron, 50, light-sensitive protein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] In order to make the above objectives, characteristics and advantages of the present application more apparent, specific embodiments of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, a large number of specific details are set forth in order to provide a sufficient understanding of the present application. However, the present application can be implemented in many different ways other than those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar improvements without departing from the scope of the present application, so the present application is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0024] In the description of the present application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "transverse", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential" and the like indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and are only for the purpose of facilitating the description of the present application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the present application.

[0025] In addition, the terms "first", "second" are only for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, the features defined with "first", "second" can explicitly or implicitly include at least one of the features. In the description of the present application, the meaning of "a plurality of" is at least two, for example, two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0026] In the present application, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "mounting", "connecting", "connecting", "fixing" and the like should be understood broadly, for example, it can be fixedly connected, or it can be detachably connected, or it can be integrated; it can be mechanically connected, or it can be electrically connected; it can be directly connected, or it can be indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, or it can be the internal communication of two elements or the interaction relationship of two elements, unless otherwise explicitly limited. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in the present application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0027] In the present application, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the first feature is "on" or "under" the second feature, which can be direct contact between the first and second features, or indirect contact between the first and second features through an intermediate medium. Moreover, the first feature "above", "above" and "above" the second feature can be directly above or obliquely above the first feature, or only indicate that the horizontal height of the first feature is higher than that of the second feature. The first feature "below", "below" and "below" the second feature can be directly below or obliquely below the first feature, or only indicate that the horizontal height of the first feature is less than that of the second feature.

[0028] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as "fixed to" or "provided on" another element, it can be directly on another element or there can be a middle element. When an element is considered to be "connected" to another element, it can be directly connected to another element or there can be a middle element. The terms "vertical", "horizontal", "up", "down", "left", "right" and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not the only embodiment.

[0029] Figure 1 A perspective view of the optogenetic artificial retina of an embodiment of the present application is shown. The working principle of the optogenetic artificial retina provided by the present application is to use light genetic technology to precisely control visual neurons. When the light-sensitive protein on the visual neuron is stimulated by light, the light-sensitive protein can be activated and the light signal can be transmitted to the brain, so that the patient's vision is improved. The optogenetic artificial retina provided by the present application includes a light-emitting assembly 1, a substrate layer 2 and a driving assembly (not shown), and the assembly relationship of each part is that the driving assembly is connected to the substrate layer 2, the light-emitting assembly 1 is arranged on the substrate layer 2, and the substrate layer 2 can be arranged behind the eyeball. The LED lamp 11 on the light-emitting assembly 1 is driven by the driving assembly to emit light to stimulate the light-sensitive protein on the visual neuron, thereby activating the light-sensitive protein to form a light signal and transmitting the signal to the brain.

[0030] Specifically, the light-emitting assembly 1 comprises a plurality of LED lamps 11 configured to emit light to stimulate the light-sensitive protein on the visual neuron, restore the activity of the light-sensitive protein and transmit the light signal to the brain; the base layer 2 comprises a flexible circuit board 21, and the plurality of LED lamps 11 are arranged on the flexible circuit board 21 and connected by means of, for example, adhesion, welding, etc., and the driving assembly comprises a driver configured to drive the LED lamps 11 to emit light through the flexible circuit board 21.

[0031] In an embodiment of the present application, the plurality of LED lamps 11 are arranged in an array on the flexible circuit board 21, and the distribution density and size thereof can be adjusted according to different individuals, which are not limited herein.

[0032] Further, since the visual neurons of patients are different, the light-emitting artificial retina provided by the present application can be loaded with various types of light sources, so as to meet the needs of different patients, and those skilled in the art can select different LED lamps 11 according to actual needs.

[0033] Further, the LED lamp 11 provided by the present application includes, but is not limited to, one or more of infrared light, red light, yellow light, green light and blue light.

[0034] Further, since the visual neurons carry light-sensitive proteins with different sensitivities, the effective light wavelength range required to stimulate different light-sensitive proteins is also different. The light wavelength of the LED lamp 11 provided by the present application can be set according to different visual neurons, and the light-sensitive protein on the visual neuron will drive the visual neuron to be excited after receiving light stimulation of a specific wavelength, so that the visual neuron starts to move. Alternatively, the light wavelength range is between 465 nm and 470 nm.

[0035] In an embodiment of the present application, the flexible circuit board 21 has an arc surface structure, so as to facilitate the flexible circuit board 21 to be attached to the eyeball of the patient. Alternatively, the flexible circuit board 21 is in a circular arc transition from the center to the periphery, and the specific structure can be designed according to the shape of the eyeball of different patients.

[0036] In order to facilitate the LED lamp 11 to directly act on the visual neurons, the base layer 2 should be arranged as close to the visual neurons as possible when being attached to the eyeball of the patient, and meanwhile, the base layer 2 should not affect the visual neurons when being attached, so the mounting hole 22 is arranged on the base layer 2, thereby facilitating the visual neurons of the patient's eyeball to pass through the base layer 2. On the one hand, the light genetic artificial retina is placed around the visual neurons by using the mounting hole 22, so that it can be fixed at the back of the eyeball, and the stability is good, and the misalignment is not easy to occur, thereby affecting the stimulation effect; on the other hand, in order to better avoid the visual neurons, the mounting hole 22 structure is arranged, so that the base layer 2 has a larger area, thereby being more conducive to directly stimulating the visual neurons, and the treatment effect is better.

[0037] In an embodiment of the present application, the outer side of the base layer 2 is provided with a notch 23, and the notch 23 is communicated with the mounting hole 22. Further, the notch 23 extends along the radial direction of the mounting hole 22. The notch 23 is used to facilitate the installation of the light genetic artificial retina provided by the present application on the patient's eyeball, and the visual neurons extending out of the patient's eyeball can enter the mounting hole 22 through the notch 23, thereby facilitating the installation of the light genetic artificial retina. This kind of way can reduce the difficulty of the product in the installation process, thereby facilitating to improve the safety of the operation.

[0038] Further, the notch 23 is in the shape of a trumpet mouth, and the diameter of one end close to the mounting hole 22 is smaller than the diameter of the other end away from the mounting hole 22. By using this structure, it is beneficial for the visual neurons to enter the mounting hole 22 through the notch 23.

[0039] In another embodiment of the present application, the base layer 2 includes a plurality of base parts, and all the base parts are spliced to form the mounting hole 22. By using this splicing method, the product can avoid the influence of the visual neurons during the installation process, and each base part can be gathered from the periphery of the visual neurons and connected by splicing, and finally the visual neurons are fixed in the mounting hole 22.

[0040] In an embodiment of the present application, at least one base part includes a flexible circuit board 21, and the flexible circuit board is provided with the light emitting assembly 1.

[0041] Further, all the base parts are connected with the same driving assembly, and when all the base parts are spliced and connected together, one driving assembly can drive the flexible circuit board 21 on at least one base part, thereby lighting the LED lamp 11 thereon.

[0042] In another embodiment of the present application, each substrate section is connected to an independent driving assembly, i.e. each substrate section has a corresponding driving assembly, and the driving assembly can independently act on the substrate section to light up the LED lamp 11 thereon. With independent driving assemblies, targeted maintenance can be performed when a substrate section fails, thereby reducing maintenance costs. However, compared with a unified driving assembly, the independent driving mode increases production costs. Therefore, a designer can selectively match the driving assemblies according to actual needs.

[0043] Further, in order to ensure that the flexible circuit board 21 on the substrate layer 2 formed by splicing has a complete electrical circuit to supply power to the LED lamp 11 thereon, the substrate sections are respectively provided with electrical interfaces, and the electrical interfaces are used to form an electrical connection circuit after all the substrate sections are spliced.

[0044] Further, when the substrate sections are respectively provided with independent driving assemblies, the interfaces at the splicing positions can also be simple mechanical interfaces, such as buckles.

[0045] Further, the plurality of substrate sections described above includes at least two.

[0046] It should be noted that, since the eyeball structures of patients are different, the sizes of the mounting holes 22 on the substrate layer 2 formed by any method are different, and the positions can be adjusted according to the eyeball and the visual nerves passing therethrough, and are not limited to Figure 1 the structures and sizes shown in the drawings.

[0047] Further, in order to protect the LED lamp 11 and the flexible circuit board 21, the substrate layer 2 further includes an encapsulating body, and the material of the encapsulating body is a biocompatible material, which ensures that the optogenetic artificial retina provided in the present application is isolated from body fluids when attached to the eyeball of a patient, and improves the biocompatibility of the product.

[0048] Optionally, the biocompatible material includes but is not limited to transparent silicone, for example, transparent silicone can be applied on the LED lamp 11 and the flexible circuit board 21 to form a protective layer.

[0049] Optionally, the driver is a micro motor, and a person skilled in the art can select a suitable driver according to the actual load, and the specific structure and performance of the driver can also refer to the related structures in the artificial cochlea, which will not be described in detail here.

[0050] In an embodiment of the present application, the driving assembly further includes a connecting line 3, and the connecting line 3 connects the driver and the flexible circuit board 21. The distance between the driver and the flexible circuit board 21 can be adjusted through the connecting line 3, thereby facilitating the installation of the product behind the eyeball.

[0051] Figure 2An installation schematic diagram of the optogenetic artificial retina of an embodiment of the application is shown, Figure 3 An operation flow schematic diagram of the optogenetic artificial retina of an embodiment of the application is shown, Figure 2 、 Figure 3 As shown in the figure, the optogenetic artificial retina provided by the application can be arranged behind the eyeball 10, and the relative fixation of the position of the eyeball by the extrusion force of the adipose tissue behind the eyeball can make the base layer 2 adhere to the eyeball 10. The encapsulating body made of biocompatible material is arranged on the base layer 2, the encapsulating body is arranged outside the LED lamp, the LED lamp 11 is arranged on the base layer 2 and encapsulated by the encapsulating body, the encapsulating body protects the LED lamp 11 from the body fluid and improves the biocompatibility of the product at the same time. The visual nerve 20 extends through the mounting hole 22 on the base layer 2, the light emitted by the LED lamp 11 can directly penetrate the pigment layer 30 and other tissues of the fundus 10 and enter the inside of the eyeball 10 to act on the visual neuron 40 in the inside of the eyeball 10 to activate the photosensitive protein 50 thereon, and the photosensitive protein 50 will drive the visual neuron 50 to be excited after receiving the light stimulation of a specific wavelength, so that the visual neuron 50 starts to move.

[0052] The optogenetic artificial retina provided by the application is composed of a light-emitting assembly, a base layer and a driving assembly. The light-emitting assembly is arranged on the base layer and includes a plurality of LED lamps configured to emit light to stimulate photosensitive proteins on visual neurons. The base layer includes a flexible circuit board. The driving assembly includes a driver and is connected to the base layer to drive the LED lamps thereon to emit light to stimulate the photosensitive proteins on the visual neurons, thereby enabling the patient to obtain visual signals. The optogenetic artificial retina provided by the application uses the optogenetic technology to stimulate the visual nerves without contacting the retina during the operation, thereby reducing the risk of surgical implantation and causing less damage to the neurons of the retina after the device is installed. Different types of LED lamps can be carried on the photosensitive proteins on different visual neurons, which has high selectivity and higher treatment accuracy and better treatment effect.

[0053] The technical features of the above-described embodiments can be combined in any manner. To make the description concise, all possible combinations of the technical features in the above-described embodiments are not described, but as long as the combinations of the technical features do not contradict each other, they should be considered within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0054] The above-described embodiments only express several implementation manners of the present application, and the description is more specific and detailed, but it should not be understood as a limitation on the scope of the patent. It should be pointed out that for ordinary skilled persons in the art, some modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the concept of the present application, and these are within the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the patent of the present application should be subject to the appended claims.

Claims

1. An optogenetic artificial retina, characterized in that, include: A light-emitting component, comprising a plurality of LEDs, for stimulating photosensitive proteins on visual neurons; A base layer, on which the light-emitting component is disposed, the base layer including a flexible circuit board, the base layer being disposed behind the eyeball; A driving component, the driving component being connected to the substrate to drive the LED, the driving component including a driver; The base layer is also provided with mounting holes for the optic nerve to pass through; the outer side of the base layer is provided with a groove, which communicates with the mounting holes; the groove is funnel-shaped, and the diameter of the end near the mounting hole is smaller than the diameter of the end away from the mounting hole. The base layer includes multiple base portions, all of which are spliced ​​together to form the mounting hole; at least one base portion includes the flexible circuit board, on which the light-emitting component is disposed. All of the said base portions are connected to the same said drive assembly, or each of the said base portions is connected to an independent said drive assembly.

2. The optogenetic artificial retina according to claim 1, characterized in that, The base section is provided with an electrical interface, through which all the base sections are spliced ​​together to form an electrical connection circuit.

3. The optogenetic artificial retina according to claim 1, characterized in that, The drive assembly also includes a connecting wire that connects the flexible circuit board and the driver.

4. The optogenetic artificial retina according to claim 1, characterized in that, The LEDs are arranged in an array.

5. The optogenetic artificial retina according to claim 1, characterized in that, The LED light includes one or more of infrared light, red light, yellow light, green light, and blue light.

6. The optogenetic artificial retina according to claim 1, characterized in that, The wavelength range of the LED light is between 465nm and 470nm.

7. The optogenetic artificial retina according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flexible circuit board has an arc-shaped structure.

8. The optogenetic artificial retina according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The substrate layer also includes an encapsulation body disposed outside the LED lamp to encapsulate the LED lamp, and the encapsulation body is made of a biocompatible material.

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