Back to results
US 4,628,933 AGranted
Method and apparatus for visual prosthesis
OwnerRobin P. Michelsoninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Loading patent…
Loading patent…
OwnerRobin P. Michelsoninventor
Estimating the term…
A visual prosthesis for blindness due to retinal malfunction includes a compact device having a close-packed array of photosensitive devices on one surface thereof. A plurality of electrodes extend from the opposed surface of the device and are connected to the outputs of the photosensitive devices. The device is adapted to be inserted in the posterior chamber of the eye, generally disposed at the focal plane of the optical pathway and impinging on the retina. Anchoring means secure the device with the electrodes operatively connected to the neuron array at the surface of the retina to stimulate the neurons in a pattern corresponding to the illumination pattern of the photosensitive array. The device is powered by externally induced electromagnetic or radio frequency energy, and is encased in a biologically inert housing. An amplifier array may be interposed between the sensing elements and the electrodes to amplify, shape, and time-process the visual signals.
A visual prosthesis for implantion in the eye in the optical pathway thereof, including a plurality of photosensitive elements disposed in an array at one surface of said prosthesis and oriented to receive light entering the eyeball, a plurality of electrode means extending from a second surface of the prosthesis and for contacting the visual neurons at the surface of the retina of the eyeball, and means for transferring the output signals from said plurality of photosensitive elements to said plurality of electrode means in a pattern corresponding to the illumination pattern of said photosensitive array.
A method for inducing visual perception in the eye, comprising the steps of:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.