109 results about "Retinal Prosthesis" patented technology

An electrode array for neural stimulation is disclosed which has particular applications for use in a retinal prosthesis. The electrode array can be formed as a hermetically-sealed two-part ceramic package which includes an electronic circuit such as a demultiplexer circuit encapsulated therein. A relatively large number (up to 1000 or more) of individually-addressable electrodes are provided on a curved surface of a ceramic base portion the electrode array, while a much smaller number of electrical connections are provided on a ceramic lid of the electrode array. The base and lid can be attached using a metal-to-metal seal formed by laser brazing. Electrical connections to the electrode array can be provided by a flexible ribbon cable which can also be used to secure the electrode array in place.

Apparatus and methods for encoding sensory input information into patterns of pulses and message multiplexing. In one implementation, the patterns of pulses are polychronous (time-locked by not necessary synchronous), and a retinal prosthetic encodes the input signal into the polychronous patterns for delivery via stimulating electrodes. Different polychronous patterns simultaneously encode different sensory signals; (such as different features of the image), thus providing for message multiplexing. Increasing data transmission capacity allows for a reduction in the number of electrodes required for data transmission. In one implementation, an adaptive feedback mechanism is employed to facilitate encoder operation. In another aspect, a computer vision system is described.

An ocular device that can more safely and effectively perform all functions needed of a retinal prosthesis with electronic components that are placed outside the wall of an eye, are powered wirelessly provided by an external power source, and which provide a patient with a view determined by natural motion of the eye and triggered by natural incident light converging at the retina. In one aspect, the invention is an externally powered, light-activated, sub-retinal prosthesis in which natural light entering the eye conveys visual details to the sub-retinal prosthesis, while wireless radiofrequency transmission provides the power needed to stimulate the retina, which would be insufficient if it were obtained from the intensity of incoming light alone.

An intraocular camera for retinal prostheses may include an optical imaging system comprising a set of optical elements for forming an image of the external world on an image sensor array, wherein the optical elements and the image sensor array may be enclosed in an implantable biocompatible housing that may employ haptic elements for stabilization within the eye. The set of optical elements may be designed to have a short focal length and to provide adequate resolution images that can be transformed into a set of stimulation signals applied to a pixellated microstimulator array. Transmission of the signals from the intraocular camera to a microstimulator driver circuit may be accomplished either by a wired or wireless communication device. Power and control signals may be provided to the intraocular camera by a wired or wireless communication device, or optically by means of ambient illumination or an optical beam.

Prosthetic capsular devices (e.g., bag, bowl, housing, structure, cage, frame) include technology devices such as a computer, virtual reality device, display device, WiFi/internet access device, image receiving device, biometric sensor device, game device, image viewers or senders, GPSs, e-mail devices, combinations thereof, and/or the like. The technology devices can be used in combination with an intraocular lens. The output from the technology device(s) can be fed to the retina of the user to provide a visual image, can be otherwise connected to the user, and/or can be used to control the properties of the intraocular lens or of the prosthetic capsular device. Wearable technology that provides biometric data, such as blood glucose levels, body temperature, electrolyte balance, heart rate, EKG, EEG, intraocular pressure, sensing ciliary muscle contraction for accommodation stimulus, dynamic pupil change and retinal prostheses, combinations thereof, and the like can assist in technology-assisted health care functions.

A wide-filed retinal prosthesis enables an increased field of vision with a relatively small scleral incision. The retinal prosthesis includes a flexible substrate comprising a central member and at least one wing, with an array of electrodes disposed therein that are configured to stimulate the central and peripheral nerves of the retina.

A method and apparatus for improving visual acuity when providing a visual image from a “high” resolution input device to a “low” resolution output device. The described invention is of particular use when the output device is an array of electrodes as part of a retinal prosthesis used to restore vision to a visually-impaired patient. In that various limitations may, within the foreseeable future, limit the density of such an electrode array (and thus the resolution of the output image), the present invention teaches techniques to assign processed pixel subsets of a higher resolution image to a single electrode. By varying the pixel subsets, e.g., by jittering, and/or altering the processing criteria, the perceived visual acuity may be further improved. Alternatively and additionally, such processing may be further extended to drive neighboring electrodes in combination to thus stimulate virtual electrode sites and thus further enhance visual acuity.

Polymer materials are useful as electrode array bodies for neural stimulation. They are particularly useful for retinal stimulation to create artificial vision, cochlear stimulation to create artificial hearing, and cortical stimulation, and many related purposes. The pressure applied against the retina, or other neural tissue, by an electrode array is critical. Too little pressure causes increased electrical resistance, along with electric field dispersion. Too much pressure may block blood flow. Common flexible circuit fabrication techniques generally require that a flexible circuit electrode array be made flat. Since neural tissue is almost never flat, a flat array will necessarily apply uneven pressure. Further, the edges of a flexible circuit polymer array may be sharp and cut the delicate neural tissue. By applying the right amount of heat to a completed array, a curve can be induced. With a thermoplastic polymer it may be further advantageous to repeatedly heat the flexible circuit in multiple molds, each with a decreasing radius. Further, it is advantageous to add material along the edges. It is further advantageous to provide a fold or twist in the flexible circuit array. Additional material may be added inside and outside the fold to promote a good seal with tissue.

Apparatus for use with an external non-visible light source is provided. The apparatus comprises an intraocular device configured for implantation in a human eye, and comprising an energy receiver. The energy receiver is configured to receive light emitted from the external non-visible light source, and extract energy from the emitted light for powering the intraocular device. The intraocular device is configured to regulate a parameter of operation of the intraocular device based on a modulation of the light emitted by the external non-visible light source and received by the energy receiver. Other embodiments are also described.

The present invention is an improved package and configuration for an implantable retinal prosthesis. The retinal prosthesis of the present invention includes an electrode array suitable to be mounted in close proximity to a retina, an electronics package and inductive receiving coil mounted next to each other on a strap surrounding the sclera so that the height above the sclera of the prosthesis is minimized.

Prosthetic capsular devices (e.g., bag, bowl, housing, structure, cage, frame) include technology devices such as a computer, virtual reality device, display device, WiFi/internet access device, image receiving device, biometric sensor device, game device, image viewers or senders, GPSs, e-mail devices, combinations thereof, and/or the like. The technology devices can be used in combination with an intraocular lens. The output from the technology device(s) can be fed to the retina of the user to provide a visual image, can be otherwise connected to the user, and/or can be used to control the properties of the intraocular lens or of the prosthetic capsular device. Wearable technology that provides biometric data, such as blood glucose levels, body temperature, electrolyte balance, heart rate, EKG, EEG, intraocular pressure, sensing ciliary muscle contraction for accommodation stimulus, dynamic pupil change and retinal prostheses, combinations thereof, and the like can assist in technology-assisted health care functions.

Intraocular retinal prosthesis systems and methods for fabricating the same are provided. In one aspect, fabrication of all or multiple components of a prosthesis device or system are combined into a single monolithic fabrication process. Also, many such entire systems can be fabricated simultaneously in a single microfabrication processing run. A prosthesis device includes a cable region that connects an electrode array region with a power and data management region. The electrode array region includes one or more arrays of exposed electrodes, and the power and data management region includes various power and control elements. The power and data management elements, in one aspect, include an RF coil or coils and circuit arrangements and/or chips configured to provide drive signals to the electrodes via a cable and receive power and signals from the RF coil or coils. Each region includes elements fabricated on or in a single polymer layer during the same fabrication process.

Apparatus is provided including an extraocular device, which includes an eyeglasses frame, which is placed in front of an eye of a subject, and a power source coupled to the eyeglasses frame and configured to emit a beam of light that is outside of 380-750 nm. A light-guiding element is coupled to the eyeglasses frame and at least one optical coupling-in element and at least one optical coupling-out element are optically coupled to the light-guiding element. The coupling-in element is positioned such that the beam of light is directed into the light-guiding element via the coupling-in element, and the coupling-in and coupling-out elements are positioned such that the beam diverges from a focal point located within 3 mm of the coupling-out element. Other applications are also described.

The retinal prosthesis test device is comprised of a thin wafer of glass made from nanochannel glass (NGC) with very small channels perpendicular to the plane of the wafer filled with an electrical conductor forming microwires. One surface of the glass is ground to a spherical shape consistent with the radius of curvature of the inside of the retina. The NGC is hybridized to a silicon de-multiplexer and a video image is serially input to a narrow, flexible micro-cable and read into a 2-D array of unit cells in a pixel-by-pixel manner which samples the analog video input and stores the value as a charge on a MOS capacitor. After all unit cells have been loaded with the pixel values for the current frame, a biphasic pulse is sent to each unit cell which modulates the pulse in proportion to the pixel value stored therein. Because the biphasic pulses flow in parallel to each unit cell from a global external connection, the adjacent retinal neurons are all stimulated simultaneously, analogous to image photons stimulating photoreceptors in a normal retina. A permanent retinal implant device uses a NGC array hybridized to a silicon chip, the image is simultaneously generated within each cell through a photon-to-electron conversion using a silicon photodiode. The photons propagate directly through into the backside of the device. Electrical power and any control signals are transmitted through an inductively driven coil or antenna on the chip. The device collects the charge in storage capacitors via the photon-to-electron conversion process, stimulates the neural tissue with biphasic pulses in proportion to the stored charges, and resets the storage capacitors to repeat the process.

A fabricating method for a Parylene-based 3D pinpoint electrode array is characterized in that 3D pinpoint electrode array based on the Parylene flexible substrate is prepared by a 3D silicon pinpoint array, and the electrode array is a three-layer structure similar to a sandwich structure (Parylene- metal layer-Parylene) and can be used for subretinal implantation surgery for artificial retinal prosthesis. The 3D pinpoint electrode array fabricated by the method can effectively improve the density of a chip electrode array, reduce the power consumption and the area of the chip, strengthen the rehabilitation effect of the retinal chip, and better adapt to the requirements of the subretinal implantation surgery.

A retinal prosthetic device comprises image capture means (20) arranged to capture an image, light producing means (30) arranged to define a plurality of light paths along each of which a light beam can be directed towards a respective position on a retina, and control means (24) arranged to process the captured image and control the light producing means so as to produce a stimulating array of light beams along a group of the light paths, the group being dependent upon the captured image.