3D Retinal Electrode Conformal Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrode devices struggle to maintain close contact with the retina due to its curved shape and varying eyeball sizes, leading to detachment and potential damage during electrical stimulation, and require additional devices for fixation, increasing surgical time and cost.
Innovation Solution
A three-dimensional electrode device with a flexible, transparent board and electrodes that can be deformed to match the retina's shape, featuring a photo diode for converting light energy into electrical signals, and a deposition layer to reduce impedance, allowing for stable and damage-free contact with the retina.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional electrode devices are used, then the structure is simple, but the electrodes cannot maintain close contact with the curved retina, leading to detachment and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode device is designed with a curved surface that matches the curvature of the retina, allowing the electrodes to conform to and maintain close contact with the retinal surface. This curvature adaptation eliminates the need for additional fixation devices while ensuring stable electrical contact throughout the device's operational life.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode device employs a flexible substrate that can bend and adapt to the curved retinal surface. This flexibility allows the rigid electrodes to be mounted on a compliant base that conforms to the retina's shape, maintaining reliable contact without requiring complex fixation mechanisms.
2Reliability
If additional fixation devices are used to prevent detachment, then contact stability is improved, but surgical time and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode device is designed to be self-fixating through its curved geometry that naturally conforms to the retina's surface. The device's own structure provides the fixation function, eliminating the need for separate fixation devices and reducing surgical time while maintaining stable attachment throughout operation.
3Reliability
If pointed electrodes are used to fix to the retina, then attachment stability is improved, but the risk of damaging retinal cells increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode tips are designed with localized contact points that distribute the attachment force across multiple small areas rather than concentrating it at single pointed tips. This local quality optimization maintains stable attachment while reducing the risk of penetrating or damaging retinal cells through excessive localized pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The curved surface of the electrode device allows the electrodes to contact the retina at multiple distributed points along the curve, rather than using sharp pointed tips that concentrate force. This geometric approach provides stable fixation while minimizing the risk of cell damage through force distribution.
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 accurate and stable electrical stimulation or signal measurement from the retina without additional fixation devices, reducing surgical time and cost, while minimizing the risk of retinal damage.
Implementation Method 1
the photo diode may convert light energy incident through the board into electric energy to enable the electrodes to stimulate the retina or measure an electrical signal from the retina
Data Source
AI summary
A three-dimensional electrode device and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. A three-dimensional electrode device as disclosed can be in close contact with target cells in a retina without damaging the retina to apply electrical stimulation to the retina. The three-dimensional electrode device can include a board prepared to be inserted into a photoreceptor layer in an eyeball and formed of a transparent material; and a plurality of electrodes formed on the board and configured to stimulate a retina. The board can be prepared to be deformed corresponding to a shape of the retina and configured to make the electrodes be in close contact with the retina.