Retina implant assembly and methods for manufacturing the same

US6847847B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Eberhard-Karls-Universität Tübingen Universitätsklinikum · DE

Inventors

• Wilfried Nisch · Tübingen, DE
• Alfred Stett · Reutlingen, DE
• Markus Schubert · Tübingen, DE
• Michael Graf · Belmont, US
• Heinz-Gerhard Graf · Magstadt, DE
• Hugo Hammerle · Bingen, DE
• Eberhart Zrenner · Bingen, DE
• Martin Stelzle · Reutlingen, DE
• Helmut Sachs · Regensburg, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 7, 2001
• Grant date: Jan 25, 2005
• Expiry date: Mar 9, 2022

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61N1/3787
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A retina implant including a chip adapted to be implanted into the interior of eye in subretinal contact with the retina. The chip has a plurality of pixel elements on a side thereof facing the lens for receiving an image projected into the retina and a plurality of electrodes for stimulating retina cells. The implants further includes a receiver coil for inductively coupling thereinto electromagnetic energy. The receiver coil coupled to a means for converting an alternating voltage induced into the receiver coil in a direct voltage suited for supplying the chip. The receiver coil is configured as a component separate from the chip, and for being positioned on the eye ball outside the sclera. The chip is connected to the receiver coil via a connecting lead which, in the implanted condition interconnects the interior and the exterior of the eye ball.