Visual prosthesis and method of using same

A medical device to at least partially restore vision in users who suffer from photoreceptor degenerative conditions, comprising:

• camera means for converting a visual image to electrical impulses;
• image sampling means coupled to said camera means for selecting an image at a given point in time;
• encoder means coupled to said image sampling means for encoding said selected image to allow a pixelized display thereof, said encoder means outputting a visual signal output;
• a carrier generator means for generating a radio frequency carrier signal;
• modulator means responsive to said radio frequency carrier signal and to said visual signal output for modulating said radio frequency carrier signal by said visual signal output, said modulator means producing a radio frequency modulated image signal;
• a tuned coil pair having a primary and a secondary coil, said primary coil operatively coupled to said modulator means to transmit said radio frequency modulated image signal, said secondary coil being tuned to receive said radio frequency modulated image signal;
• demodulator means coupled to said secondary coil for extracting said visual signal output from said radio frequency carrier signal;
• decoder means coupled to said demodulator means and responsive to said visual signal output for decoding said visual signal output into a plurality of individual stimulation control signals;
• current generation circuitry means coupled to said decoder means and responsive to said plurality of individual stimulation control signals for generating stimulation current signals;
• and
• an electrode array having a plurality of electrodes operatively coupled to said current generation circuitry means, said electrodes being responsive to said individual stimulation control signals to generate stimulation pulses sufficient to stimulate retinal tissue to generate phosphenes.