Tapered Visual Prosthesis Substrate for Suprachoroidal Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current visual prostheses face challenges in efficiently stimulating retinal cells and maintaining stability during implantation, particularly due to the use of ribbon cables that can cause scleral lesions and choroidal rupture, and the need for precise insertion without guides to avoid damaging eye tissue.
Innovation Solution
A visual prosthesis design featuring a substrate with a tapered thickness and flexible material, anchored by a polymeric anchor portion, which allows for insertion between the sclera and choroid without a guide, using coiled wires and a wireless interface to reduce tissue damage and enhance stability, and a method for creating a pocket between the sclera and choroid to ensure correct anatomical placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a ribbon cable is used to connect electrodes to the interface unit, then electrical connection is achieved, but scleral lesions and choroidal rupture occur causing tissue damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the harmful ribbon cable component from the system. Instead of using a ribbon cable to connect electrodes to the interface unit, the invention integrates the electrodes directly onto the substrate, eliminating the need for external cables and thereby preventing scleral lesions and choroidal rupture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the electrodes and substrate into a single integrated structure. The electrodes are formed directly on the substrate surface, combining previously separate components (electrodes and substrate) into one unified implantable device, which eliminates the need for ribbon cables and reduces tissue damage risk.
2Manufacturing precision
If a guide is used during insertion, then precise placement is achieved, but the insertion process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by designing the substrate with a specific tapered shape that is optimized for insertion. The substrate has a first end with a smaller cross-sectional area and a second end with a larger cross-sectional area, creating a natural guidance mechanism that facilitates precise placement without requiring external guides, thereby simplifying the insertion process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates preliminary action by pre-shaping the substrate with a tapered configuration before implantation. This pre-formed geometry prepares the device for smooth insertion through the sclera and into the suprachoroidal space, ensuring correct anatomical placement is achieved automatically during the insertion process without needing additional guiding tools.
3Ease of manufacture
If the substrate has constant thickness, then manufacturing is simplified, but insertion between tissue layers becomes difficult and may cause tissue damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by designing the substrate with a tapered thickness profile rather than constant thickness. The substrate has a first end with a smaller cross-sectional area and a second end with a larger cross-sectional area. This asymmetric geometry facilitates smooth insertion between the sclera and choroid by allowing the smaller end to enter first, reducing tissue damage while remaining manufacturable.
4Ease of operation
If the electrode interface unit is placed externally to the sclera, then insertion is simpler, but device stability and comfort are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the nested doll principle by nesting the electrode interface unit within the suprachoroidal space. The interface unit is positioned between the sclera and choroid, with the sclera forming an outer layer and the choroid forming an inner layer. This nested arrangement provides enhanced device stability and comfort while maintaining relatively simple insertion procedures.
Data Source
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AI summary
A prosthesis is provided comprising a substrate having a distal end and a proximal end; and a plurality of electrodes located at or adjacent the distal end of the substrate. The distal end of the substrate is configured for insertion, via an incision, between first and second tissue layers, such as the sclera and choroid in the eye. The prosthesis tapers in thickness towards the distal end and has a substantially curved profile at least on one surface so that the prosthesis can be inserted into position without needing a guide and without causing damage to the tissue or the prosthesis. The prosthesis can include an electrode interface unit located at or adjacent the proximal end of the substrate which locates between the tissue layers. An anchor portion can be provided that extends from the substrate into the incision.