Neural electrode array
OwnerPhilip Kennedyinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A neural electrode array includes an electrode support member, a conductor and at least one anchor structure. The electrode support member is substantially rigid and non-conductive and defines a plurality of spaced-apart holes passing therethrough. An electrically conductive contact is disposed adjacently to each hole. The conductor uniquely connects each contact to a bus. The anchor structure includes a portion for engagement with tissue that is capable of maintaining the support member in a substantially fixed relationship with a neural region.
Claims33
A neural electrode array, comprising:
- a. a substantially rigid and non-conductive electrode support member defining a plurality of spaced-apart holes passing therethrough;
- b. an electrically conductive contact disposed adjacently to each hole;
- c. a conductor that uniquely connects each contact to a bus;
- and
- d. at least one anchor structure including a portion for engagement with tissue that is capable of maintaining the support member in a substantially fixed relationship with a neural region.
A retinal electrode array, comprising:
- a. a substantially rigid and non-conductive electrode support member defining a plurality of spaced-apart holes passing therethrough;
- b. an electrically conductive contact disposed adjacently to each hole;
- c. a conductor that uniquely connects each contact to a bus;
- and
- d. at least one sclera anchor structure including a portion for engagement with sclera tissue that is capable of maintaining the support member in a substantially fixed relationship with a retinal area of an eye.
A device for transmitting electrical impulses to an optic nerve, comprising:
- a. a retinal electrode array configured to receive growth of optic nerve cells into a plurality of electrodes;
- and
- b. a bus that includes a plurality of conductors, each conductor in electrical communication with a different electrode of the plurality of electrodes, the bus capable of transmitting electrical pulses from an electrical pulse source to each of the plurality of electrodes.
A neural electrode, comprising:
- a. a substrate that defines a hole passing therethrough into which nerve tissue may grow;
- b. an electrode contact exposed to the hole;
- and
- c. an electrical conductor that electrically couples the electrode contact to a source of electrical stimulation.
A method of transmitting electrical pulses to optic nerve cells, comprising the steps of:
- a. applying a retinal electrode array to a retinal area of an eye, the retinal electrode array including a rigid and nonconductive support member defining a plurality of holes passing therethrough, a plurality of electrodes, each in contact with a separate one of the plurality of holes, and a plurality of conductors, each conductor capable of placing a different line of a bus in electrical contact with a separate one of the plurality of electrodes;
- b. allowing nerve tissue to grow into at least a portion of the plurality of holes, thereby establishing contact between nerve cells and the plurality of electrodes;
- and
- c. applying a stimulus to at least one of the electrodes, thereby stimulating a nerve cell.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.