Visual prosthesis including enhanced receiving and stimulating portion

A visual prosthesis for at least partially restoring vision to a user suffering from a photoceptor degenerative condition, said prosthesis comprising:

• an image acquiring portion for producing a real image signal representative of a real image;
• and a stimulating portion for electrically stimulating the user's retina to present an apparent image to the user;
• said stimulating portion including:
• an array of electrodes mounted in the user's eye proximate to said retina and electrically connected thereto;
• and a protective housing containing signal processing circuitry responsive to said real image signal for applying an apparent image signal to said electrode array for stimulating said retina to present said apparent image;
• and wherein said housing is mounted in the vitreous body of the user's eye in good thermal contact therewith.

A visual prosthesis for at least partially restoring vision to a user suffering from a photoceptor degenerative condition, said prosthesis comprising:

• an image acquiring portion including an extraocular primary coil for producing a real image signal representative of a real image;
• and a stimulating portion for electrically stimulating the user's retina to present an apparent image to the user;
• said stimulating portion including:
• a secondary coil coupled to said primary coil for producing an output signal in response to said real image signal;
• an array of electrodes mounted in the user's eye proximate to said retina and electrically connected thereto;
• and a protective housing containing signal processing circuitry responsive to said output signal for applying an apparent image signal to said electrode array for stimulating said retina to present said apparent image;
• and wherein said housing is mounted adjacent to the extraocular side of the user's sclera wall.

A method for implanting a visual prosthesis in the eye of a user including:

• fixing a secondary coil in the vitreous chamber of the user's eye in thermal contact with the vitreous body in the chamber;
• mounting a protective housing containing signal processing circuitry in close proximity to said secondary coil;
• connecting an electrode array to the user's retina;
• and electrically connecting said signal processing circuitry to said secondary coil and said electrode array.

A method of deploying a visual prosthesis for a user to at least partially restore vision comprising the steps of:

• generating a real image signal representative of a real image;
• mounting a protective housing containing signal processing circuitry in the vitreous body of a user's eye in good thermal contact therewith;
• coupling said real image signal to said signal processing circuitry to produce an apparent image signal;
• connecting an electrode array to the user's retina;
• and applying said apparent image signal to said electrode array.