Visual Implant Micro-Electrode Nano-Structure Impedance Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing visual stimulation techniques face challenges due to high impedance at the electrode-tissue interface, requiring high currents and additional amplification, which can cause tissue damage and increase power consumption.
Innovation Solution
The visual implant features micro-electrodes with a layer of metal or metal oxide nano-structures on the tips to reduce impedance, allowing for lower stimulation currents and reduced amplification needs, along with an integrated circuit to control the stimulation current pattern.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high currents are used for visual stimulation, then effective visual sensation can be elicited, but tissue damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electrical parameters at the electrode-tissue interface by reducing impedance through surface modifications. This allows the same stimulation effect to be achieved at lower current levels, thereby reducing tissue damage while maintaining visual sensation effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite electrode structures combining different materials (e.g., iridium oxide coatings on metal electrodes) to achieve both low impedance and biocompatibility. This composite approach enables effective stimulation at reduced current levels, minimizing harmful effects on tissue
2Power
If additional amplification circuitry is used to compensate for high impedance, then stimulation current can be increased, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the impedance parameter of the electrode interface through surface modifications and coatings. This reduces the need for high-current amplification circuitry, thereby lowering power consumption while maintaining adequate stimulation current capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts or eliminates the need for complex high-current amplification circuitry by reducing electrode impedance at the source. This simplifies the power delivery system and reduces overall power consumption of the implant
3Device complexity
If high impedance at electrode-tissue interface is accepted, then simpler electrode design is maintained, but high currents and amplification are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality modifications only at the electrode-tissue interface (the tip or surface of the electrode) rather than throughout the entire electrode structure. This maintains overall electrode design simplicity while locally reducing impedance to minimize current requirements
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
This approach reduces tissue damage and power consumption while enabling more effective visual stimulation and research into visual perception, potentially restoring vision in individuals with sensory loss.
Implementation Method 1
a layer of metal or metal oxide nano-structures deposited on tips of the micro-electrodes at a front end for interfacing with a target site for visual stimulation
Data Source
AI summary
A visual implant (2) comprises an array of micro-electrodes (4) including at least two stimulation micro-electrodes each comprising: a core (106) of conducting material; insulating material (108) surrounding the core; and a layer (112) of metal or metal oxide nano-structures deposited on tips of the micro-electrodes at a front end for interfacing with a target site for visual stimulation; and an integrated circuit (6) to control a pattern of stimulation current driven through the array of micro-electrodes.