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US 2015/0306416 A2Published application
Development of Active Cells with a Stimulating Prosthesis
OwnerShaun Ashwin Kumar, Paul Michael Carterinventors
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Abstract
Presented herein are techniques that transform a recipient's cells into active cells. More specifically, the techniques presented herein transfect optically-sensitive elements into the cells. The optically-sensitive elements may cause the nerve cells to fire or activate (i.e., generate an action potential) in the presence of electromagnetic radiation, or may prevent the nerve cells from firing or activating in the presence of electromagnetic radiation.
Claims20
A stimulating prosthesis, comprising:
- a delivery mechanism configured to introduce optically-sensitive elements into a proximity of cells of a recipient;
- and
- a stimulating assembly comprising one or more electrical stimulating contacts configured to apply an electrical field to the cells of the recipient so such that the optically-sensitive elements are transfected into the cells during the electroporation of the cells.
A stimulating prosthesis, comprising:
- a delivery mechanism configured to introduce optically-sensitive elements into a proximity of a recipient's cells;
- and
- one or more stimulating contacts disposed in the recipient's cochlea configured to open pores in the recipient's cells such that the optically-sensitive elements are transfected into the cells.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.