Electrical apparatus and methods for an eye

The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrical stimulus is delivered at a current of about 100 μA, 1 pulse per second, for 1 hour about 2 times per week, for at least 4 weeks.

The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrical stimulus is delivered with a minimum charge level of between 20 nC to 150 nC at 50 pulses per second.

The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrical stimulus is delivered with a maximum charge level of about 250 nC at 50 pulses per second.

The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims comprising a plurality of the electrodes.

The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the implantable device comprises a substrate, the one or more electrodes being located in or on the substrate.

The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims comprising a lead through which conductors extend from the implantable device, the conductors being connected to the one or more electrodes, the lead being configured to extend through an incision in the surface of the eye to enable electrical communication between the implantable device and one or more extra-ocular devices.

The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the implantable device is configured to locate at an inferior anterior temporal position of the eye or a temporal position under the lateral rectus muscle of the eye.

A method of delivering therapy to an eye of a patient, comprising:

• implanting an implantable device in a suprachoroidal space between the sclera and choroid layers of the eye;
• and
• delivering therapeutic electrical stimulation to the eye using one or more electrodes comprised in the implantable device.

A method of protecting against retinal degeneration in an eye comprising:

• delivering therapeutic electrical stimulation to the eye using one or more electrodes located in a suprachoroidal space between the sclera and choroid layers of the eye.

A method of protecting against photoreceptor loss in an eye comprising:

• delivering therapeutic electrical stimulation to the eye using one or more electrodes located in a suprachoroidal space between the sclera and choroid layers of the eye.

Electroretinography (ERG) apparatus for monitoring an eye of a patient, the apparatus comprising:

• an implantable device comprising one or more electrodes for monitoring properties of the eye, the implantable device being configured for implanting in a suprachoroidal space between the sclera and choroid layers of the eye at an inferior anterior temporal position of the eye or a temporal position under the lateral rectus muscle of the eye.

An electroretinography method comprising:

• monitoring properties of the eye using one or more electrodes comprised in a device implanted in the eye in a suprachoroidal space between the sclera and choroid layers of the eye.

Electrode apparatus comprising:

• an implantable device for implanting in a patient's eye, the implantable device comprising one or more electrodes configured to measure one or more ERG response signals resulting from stimulus delivered to the eye;
• processing apparatus configured to determine the polarity of the one or more ERG response signals and determine the location, or a change in location, of the one or more electrodes based on the polarity of the one or more ERG response signals.

A method of determining the location, or a change in location, of one or more electrodes implanted in a patient's eye, the method comprising:

• delivering stimulus to the patient's eye;
• measuring an ERG response signal received at the one or more electrodes resulting from the stimulus;
• determining the location, or a change in location, of the one or more electrodes relative to the retina of the eye based on the polarity of the ERG response signal.

An implantable device for stimulating and/or monitoring an eye of a patient, the implantable device comprising:

• a substrate comprising a first, non-conductive material;
• and
• at least one electrode comprising a second, conductive material, the at least one electrode being at least partially embedded in the first material of the substrate and comprising at least one aperture through which first material of the substrate at least partially extends to anchor the electrode to the substrate.

A method of securing a lead at an outer surface of an eye of a patient,

• the lead being connected to an implantable device implanted at a stimulation and/or monitoring position between first and second tissue layers of the eye, the implantable device comprising one or more electrodes, the lead extending through an opening at an outer surface of the eye;
• wherein an anchor device is provided comprising a proximal end portion fixed to the lead and a distal end portion connected to the proximal end portion, the anchor device being releasably secured in a folded configuration;
• the method comprising adjusting the anchor device from the folded configuration to an extended configuration by releasing the securing of the anchor device.