Vision prosthesis for the blind and method for implementing same
OwnerGregg J. Suaning, Nigel H. Lovell +1inventors
InventorsGregg J. Suaning, Nigel H. Lovell, Yves K. Kerdraon
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention described herein comprises an electronic retinal prosthesis for the treatment of some forms of blindness in animals (humans inclusive) wherein surviving retinal neurons of an intact, damaged, or diseased retina, may be physiologically activated by way of electrical stimulation delivered from electrodes placed in biologically sustainable positions so as to produce the perception of light in said animal.
Claims10
A surgical procedure for implanting first and second electrodes in an eye, wherein the eye comprises a vitreous chamber, a retina, and a sclera, the surgical procedure comprising:
- making electrical contact with the sclera by engaging the sclera with the first electrode spaced from the retina;
- implanting the second electrode in the vitreous chamber spaced from the retina, wherein the first and second electrodes are disposed on opposite sides of the retina;
- and
- stimulating at least a portion of the retina by directing current through the retina between the first and second electrodes.
A visual prosthesis for producing light perception in an eye, wherein the eye comprises a vitreous chamber, a sclera, and a retina, the visual prosthesis comprising:
- a first electrode spaced from the retina and engaged with the sclera to make electrical contact with the sclera;
- a second electrode located within the vitreous chamber and spaced from the retina, wherein the first and second electrodes are disposed on opposite sides of the retina;
- stimulating electronics connected to the first and second electrodes, said stimulating electronics configured to direct a current from at least one of the first electrodes, through the retina, to at least one of the second electrodes;
- and
- imaging electronics comprising:
- an image capturing device to capture images;
- processing electronics to process the captured images and to generate a data signal corresponding to the processed images;
- and
- transmission electronics to transmit the data signal to the stimulating electronics.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.