Flexible Retina Prosthesis Integrating CMOS Chip for High Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional retinal prosthesis devices are limited by the size of wiring implants, electrode density, and mismatched shapes with retina tissues, resulting in restricted image resolution and field of view, which hinders effective vision restoration for patients with age-related macular disease and retinitis pigmentosa.
Innovation Solution
A flexible integrated circuit device with a CMOS chip that integrates pixel units with electrodes, photo sensors, and signal processors, capable of conforming to the retina's shape, featuring a mosaic structure, perforation holes for fluid flow, and adjustable electrode heights to minimize power loss and stimulate specific neuron cells, along with on-chip signal processing and external calibration for improved visual perception.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the number of electrodes is increased to improve image resolution, then image resolution is improved, but the size of wiring implant increases which limits the field of view
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the electrode array and driving circuit into a single integrated chip, eliminating the need for separate wiring implants. This integration allows high-density electrodes (improving image resolution) without proportionally increasing wiring implant size, as the circuitry is embedded within the same substrate as the electrodes.
Solution Approach 2:
The driving circuit is nested within the electrode array structure, with circuit elements positioned beneath or between electrode elements. This nested arrangement allows the circuit to occupy the same physical space as the electrode array, enabling high electrode density without increasing the overall device footprint.
2Device complexity
If separate driving circuit chips are used to control electrodes, then device complexity is reduced, but the number of electrical interconnections increases which limits image resolution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the driving circuit and electrode array into a single integrated chip, eliminating the need for numerous external electrical interconnections. This integration reduces the interconnection count to minimal on-chip bonds, enabling high electrode density (improving image resolution) while maintaining manageable device complexity through unified architecture.
3Ease of manufacture
If planar chip electrodes are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but mismatch with non-planar retina shapes causes interference which limits image resolution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible thin-film substrate that can be conformally deposited over the curved retina surface. This flexible film approach maintains ease of manufacture through standard thin-film fabrication processes while enabling the electrode array to conform to the non-planar retina geometry, eliminating shape mismatch interference and preserving image resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the electrode array with inherent curvature to match the spherical retina surface. The flexible substrate and electrode structures are fabricated to follow curved geometries, allowing the planar fabrication process to produce curved final products that conform to the retina's non-planar shape, thereby reducing interference and improving image resolution.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatuses to detect configuration commands from waveforms received at a retina prosthesis device for calibrating the device are described. The device can comprise an array of pixel units to receive light to stimulate neuron cells to cause an effect of visual sensation from the light. The pixel units may have configurable parameters for the stimulation to the neuron cells. The configurable parameters may be updated according to the configuration commands detected without requiring micro processor and non-volatile memory in the device. The stimulation may be generated according to the updated configurable parameters to improve the effect of visual sensation from the light including compensation for the physiological and environmental variations and drifts.