Visual prosthesis including enhanced receiving and stimulating portion
US7103416B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 16, 2001 |
| Grant date | Sep 5, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 16, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N1/0543
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A visual prosthesis including an enhanced receiving and stimulating portion for electrically stimulating retinal tissue to present an apparent image to a user. The prosthesis includes an extracellular camera which responds to a real image to generate a real image signal. The real image signal is coupled, e.g., RF coupling, from an extracellular primary coil to a secondary coil. The secondary coil is preferably affixed within the vitreous body of the user's eye positioned for good signal coupling to the primary coil and arranged to be in good thermal contact with the vitreous body which acts as a heat sink. A hermetically sealed housing containing signal processing circuitry is also preferably placed in the vitreous body to assure efficient heat transfer away from the housing. The circuitry is electrically connected to the secondary coil and responds to an output signal therefrom to produce an apparent image signal for driving an electrode array. The electrode array is configured to electrically stimulate the eye's retinal tissue to enable a user to perceive an apparent image.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.