Retina implant

US6298270A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Eberhard-Karls-Universität Tübingen Universitätsklinikum · DE

Inventors

• Wilfried Nisch · Tübingen, DE
• Martin Stelzle · Reutlingen, DE
• Stefan Weiss · Tübingen, DE
• Eberhart Zrenner · Bingen, DE
• Alfred Stett · Reutlingen, DE
• Heinz-Gerhard Graf · Magstadt, DE
• Michael Graf · Belmont, US
• Markus Schubert · Tübingen, DE
• Harald N. Wanka · Schorndorf, DE
• Anke Hierzenberger · Sindelfingen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 23, 1999
• Grant date: Oct 2, 2001
• Expiry date: Apr 23, 2019

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61N1/36046
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A retina implant has a substrate with a surface for applying same to a retina. The substrate comprises electrodes for stimulating cells within the retina. The electrodes are provided on the surface and are exposed to visible light impinging on the retina such that stimuli are exerted on the cells by the electrodes. The implant, further, comprises a photovoltaic layer responsive to non-visible light. The stimuli are locally switched utilizing a voltage generated by the photovoltaic layer.