Flexible Electrode Array with Polymer Skirt for Retinal Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing retinal prosthetic devices are large and bulky, unable to provide adequate simulated vision for the visually impaired, and require mechanical stability with minimal compression of retinal neurons for effective stimulation.
Innovation Solution
A flexible circuit electrode array with multiple attachment points and a soft polymer skirt to distribute pressure evenly, avoiding damage to retinal tissue, and a strap system to avoid nerve fibers and blood vessels, ensuring mechanical stability and minimizing tissue compression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If electrodes are placed close together to improve stimulation resolution, then the ability to stimulate smaller cells improves, but the risk of damaging retinal tissue increases
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible polymer layer is introduced as an intermediary between the rigid electrode array and the retinal tissue. This soft polymer skirt acts as a mediator that distributes the mechanical stress from the electrodes across a larger area of the retina, preventing localized damage while maintaining close electrode spacing for high-resolution stimulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a flexible polymer skirt that conformally covers the electrode array. This thin film structure allows the electrodes to be positioned close together for high resolution while the flexible polymer distributes mechanical pressure evenly across the retinal surface, preventing tissue damage.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the electrode array is made rigid to maintain mechanical stability, then the stability of the device improves, but the compression of retinal neurons increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode array is covered with a flexible polymer skirt that conforms to the retinal surface. This flexible outer layer allows the rigid electrode structure to maintain its shape and stability while the flexible polymer absorbs and distributes compression forces, preventing direct transmission of harmful forces to the retinal neurons.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the mechanical parameters of the device by adding a flexible polymer layer with specific material properties (softness, elasticity). This modifies the overall device from purely rigid to a composite structure that combines rigidity for stability with flexibility for force distribution, reducing compression on neural tissue.
3Area of stationary object
If the electrode array is made larger to improve coverage area, then the area of stimulation improves, but the device becomes bulkier
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible polymer skirt conforms tightly to the retinal surface, allowing the electrode array to maximize its coverage area without adding significant bulk. The thin film nature of the polymer allows the device to lie flat against the retina, maintaining a compact profile while providing extensive stimulation coverage.
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
The electrode array provides stable and even pressure on the retina, allowing for effective electrical stimulation of retinal neurons, enhancing visual perception in visually impaired individuals without causing tissue damage.
Implementation Method 1
Neural tissue can be artificially stimulated and activated by prosthetic devices that pass pulses of electrical current through electrodes on such a device. The passage of current causes changes in electrical potentials across retinal neuronal cell membranes, which can initiate retinal neuronal action potentials
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is an electrode array for neural stimulation. In particular it is an electrode array for use with a visual prosthesis with the electrode array suitable to be positioned on the retina. The array includes multiple attachment points to provide for even pressure across the electrode array surface. The attachment points are arranged so as to not damage retinal tissue stimulated by the electrode array.