Intraocular Camera for Retinal Prostheses Using Curved Substrates
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current retinal prostheses face challenges such as difficulty in integrating photosensitive elements on curved substrates, fragile retinal tissue damage, heat dissipation issues, and the need for external cameras that cause disorientation due to their size and power consumption.
Innovation Solution
An intraocular camera with a compact optical system, designed to work with the corneal lens, providing images directly to a microstimulator array within the eye, using a biocompatible housing and haptic elements for stabilization, with antireflection coatings and power management to reduce heat and mass, allowing for chronic implantation and natural foveation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If photosensitive elements are incorporated within the microstimulator array, then the existing corneal lens and crystalline lens can be used for image formation, but the planar substrate becomes increasingly difficult to implant as the array size increases due to the curved retinal surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a planar substrate to a curved substrate that conforms to the retinal surface. The microstimulator array is fabricated on a curved surface that matches the curvature of the retina, allowing the array to adapt to the anatomical geometry of the eye while maintaining the integration of photosensitive elements with the existing lens system.
2Device complexity
If photosensitive elements are incorporated within the microstimulator array, then image capture is integrated, but the fragile retinal tissue is easily damaged by the proximal implantation of devices with hard edges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible, thin-film substrate that can conform to the retinal surface without rigid edges. This flexible substrate reduces mechanical stress and damage risk to the fragile retinal tissue while maintaining the integrated structure of photosensitive elements and stimulation electrodes.
3Device complexity
If photosensitive elements are incorporated without associated amplification, then the structure is simpler, but the signals are not directly appropriate for localized electrical stimulation of the inner or outer layers of the retina
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines photosensitive elements, signal amplification circuitry, and stimulation electrode array into a single integrated microstimulator device. The amplification circuitry is fabricated directly on the same substrate as the photosensitive elements, enabling signal processing and stimulation delivery within the same implant without requiring separate components.
4Productivity
If photosensitive elements and associated circuitry are incorporated within the microstimulator array, then space is utilized, but as the array is scaled up to higher densities, the available space is increasingly required for stimulation electrodes and interconnection wiring, leaving little if any space for photosensitive elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional planar layout to a three-dimensional integrated structure. By fabricating circuitry and photosensitive elements in multiple layers on the curved substrate, the design accommodates higher densities of both stimulation electrodes and photosensitive elements without sacrificing space for either function.
5Device complexity
If photosensitive elements and associated amplifiers are incorporated within the microstimulator array, then image processing is integrated, but an additional source of heat dissipation is placed directly in contact with the thermally-sensitive retina
Solution Approach 1:
The use of a thin-film substrate provides thermal isolation between the active electronics and the retinal tissue. The thin film acts as a thermal barrier that reduces heat transfer to the retina while still allowing optical transmission and electrical functionality.
6Ease of operation
If an external camera is used to supply images, then the microstimulator array can receive visual input, but the patient must employ rapid head motion to search the visual field, leading to disorientation, dizziness, and nausea
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the camera function from an external device and integrates it directly into the intraocular implant. This eliminates the need for external cameras and rapid head motions, as the camera is now positioned within the eye to capture images naturally aligned with the patient's visual axis.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables natural foveation, expanded depth of field, and enhanced patient acceptability by providing continuous video streams to the microstimulator array, reducing heat and mass within the eye, and eliminating the need for external cameras, thus improving image clarity and reducing disorientation.
Implementation Method 1
an optical imaging system, which includes a set of optical elements configured to be used in conjunction with the corneal lens or refracting surface for forming images on an image sensor array
Implementation Method 2
with antireflection coatings
Data Source
AI summary
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.