Active retina implant with a multiplicity of pixel elements

US7751896B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• RETINA IMPLANT AG · DE

Inventors

• Heinz-Gerhard Graf · Magstadt, DE
• Alexander Dollberg · Dortmund, DE
• Bernd Hoefflinger · Sindelfingen, DE
• Wilfried Nisch · Tübingen, DE
• Hugo Haemmerle · Lörrach, DE
• Alfred Stett · Reutlingen, DE
• Martin Stelzle · Reutlingen, DE
• Eberhart Zrenner · Bingen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 19, 2005
• Grant date: Jul 6, 2010
• Expiry date: Oct 22, 2027

Classification

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

Abstract

An active retina implant has a multiplicity of pixel elements that convert incident light into electric stimulation signals for cells of the retina with which stimulation electrodes are to make contact. Each pixel element is provided with at least one image cell that converts incident light into electric signals, there being provided at least one amplifier whose input is connected to the image cell and whose output is connected to at least one stimulation electrode to which it supplies a stimulation signal. Also provided is an energy supply which provides externally coupled external energy as supply voltage for the image cells and the amplifiers. The image cell has a logarithmic characteristic according to which incident light of specific intensity is converted into electric signals of specific amplitude. The stimulation signal is supplied in the form of analog voltage pulses of specific pulse length and pulse spacings, the pulse amplitude being a function of the intensity of the incident light.