Fitting a neural prosthesis using impedance and electrode height

US8190267B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Second Sight Medical Products, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Robert J. Greenberg · Los Angeles, US
• Ione Fine · Seattle, US
• Arup Roy · Burnaby, CA
• Matthew J. McMahon · Los Angeles, US
• Mark Humayun · Glendale, US
• James D. Weiland · Valencia, US
• Alan Horsager · Los Angeles, US
• Dao Min Zhou · Santa Clarita, US
• Amy Hines · Monterey Park, US
• Sumit Yadav · Los Angeles, US
• Rongqing Dai · Valencia, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 26, 2007
• Grant date: May 29, 2012
• Expiry date: Oct 26, 2027

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61N1/37247
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

The invention is a method of automatically adjusting an electrode array to the neural characteristics of an individual subject. The response to electrical neural stimulation varies from subject to subject. Measure of impedance may be used to predict the electrode height from the neural tissue and, thereby, predict the threshold of perception. Alternatively, electrode height may be measured directly to predict the threshold of perception. Also, impedance measurement may be used to quickly identify defective electrodes and proper electrode placement.