A61N1/0543

Current generation architecture for an implantable stimulator device having coarse and fine current control

A current generation architecture for an implantable stimulator device such as an Implantable Pulse Generator (IPG) is disclosed. Current source and sink circuitry are both divided into coarse and fine portions, which respectively can provide coarse and fine current resolutions to a specified electrode on the IPG. The coarse portion is distributed across all of the electrodes and so can source or sink current to any of the electrodes. The coarse portion is divided into a plurality of stages, each of which is capable via an associated switch bank of sourcing or sinking a coarse amount of current to or from any one of the electrodes on the device. The fine portion of the current generation circuit preferably includes source and sink circuitry dedicated to each of the electrode on the device, which can comprise digital-to-analog current converters (DACs).

Visual prosthesis

A visual prosthesis apparatus and a method for providing artificial vision are disclosed in the present disclosure. The visual prosthesis apparatus comprises a camera for capturing a video image, a video processing unit configured to convert the video image to stimulation patterns, and a retinal stimulation system configured stimulate neural tissue in a subjects eye based on the stimulation patterns. An artificial vision may be provided by capturing a video image, converting the video image to stimulation patterns, and stimulating neural tissue in a subjects eye based on the stimulation patterns.

ENHANCING VISION FOR A VISION IMPAIRED USER
20170259060 · 2017-09-14 · ·

The present disclosure provides a computer-implemented method for enhancing vision for a vision impaired user. The method comprises, for a point in an input image, determining (210) a weight for the point based on visual importance of the point in the input image; comparing (220) the weight for the point to a threshold; and if the weight for the point meets the threshold, determining (230) a first output value for an imaging element of a vision enhancement apparatus so that a difference between the first output value and an intensity level of a portion of the input image neighbouring the point increases with the weight, wherein the difference is at least one Just-Noticeable-Difference of the vision enhancement apparatus, such that when the first output value is applied to the imaging element of the vision enhancement apparatus to create a first visual stimulus, the first visual stimulus is substantially perceivable by the vision impaired user.

Implantable devices with welded multi-contact electrodes and continuous conductive elements

An implantable device has a hermetically sealed enclosure, an electronic device within the hermetically sealed enclosure, and a plurality of feedthrough conductors in mechanical contact with the hermetically sealed enclosure and exposed outside of the hermetically sealed enclosure. The implantable device also has a flexible substrate with a plurality of therapy contacts, and a plurality of continuously conductive elements extending along the flexible substrate from the array of therapy contacts and terminating at a plurality of connection pads. Each of the continuously conductive element is integral with at least one therapy contact and at least one connection pad to electrically communicate the noted therapy contact(s) and the noted connection pad(s). The thickness of each continuously conductive element may be between about 5 and 190 microns. The implantable device also has a plurality of mechanical welded couplings that each couple at least one of the connection pads.

PHOTOSENSITIVE PIXEL STRUCTURE WITH INCREASED LIGHT ABSORPTION AND PHOTOSENSITIVE IMPLANT
20220226640 · 2022-07-21 ·

The present invention refers to a photosensitive pixel structure comprising a substrate with a front surface and a back surface, wherein at least one photosensitive diode is provided on one of the surfaces of the substrate. A first material layer is provided at least partially on the back surface of the substrate, wherein the material layer comprises a reflective layer, in order to increase a reflectivity at the back surface of the substrate. Further, the present invention refers to an array and an implant comprising such a photosensitive pixel structure, as well as to a method to produce the pixel structure.

Photosensitive pixel structure with increased light absorption and photosensitive implant
11197993 · 2021-12-14 · ·

The present invention refers to a photosensitive pixel structure (10) comprising a substrate (15) with a front surface and a back surface, wherein at least one photosensitive diode (12, 12′) is provided on one of the surfaces of the substrate (15). A first material layer (30) is provided at least partially on the back surface of the substrate (15), wherein the material layer (30) comprises a reflective layer, in order to increase a reflectivity at the back surface of the substrate. Further, the present invention refers to an array (1) and an implant comprising such a photosensitive pixel structure (10), as well as to a method to produce the pixel structure (10).

DEVICES FOR SUPPLYING ENERGY TO AN ACTIVE EYE IMPLANT

A device for supplying power to an active ocular implant in an eye of a user can include a spectacle lens with a first main surface and a second main surface, a light source, and an optical arrangement which is configured to input couple light from the light source into the spectacle lens and output couple said light from the first main surface of the spectacle lens to the user. The optical arrangement can include at least one diffractive element which is arranged in the spectacle lens. Each of the at least one diffractive element can have an associated first end and an associated second end. The associated first end and the associated second end each can have a different distance from the first main surface and/or each have a different distance from the second main surface.

METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PROJECTING A PATTERN OF INTEREST ON A MODIFIED RETINAL AREA OF A HUMAN EYE

The present invention pertains to a method for projecting a pattern of interest on a modified retinal area of a human eye, comprising the steps of providing a pulsed input light beam, modulation and dividing the pulsed input light beam into a pulsed modulated light pattern of modulated pulsed sub-beams based on a pattern of interest, wherein the modulated light pattern forms a pulsed output beam reflecting the pattern of interest, wherein performing an individual pulse width modulation of a modulation duty cycle of the modulated individual sub-beams forming the output beam, and to correspondingly adapted device.

ELECTRICAL APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR AN EYE

Disclosed is electrical stimulation apparatus and an associated method for delivering therapy to an eye of a patient is disclosed, the apparatus comprising: an implantable device comprising one or more electrodes for delivering therapeutic electrical stimulation to the eye, the implantable device being configured for implanting in a suprachoroidal space between the sclera and choroid layers of the eye. Also disclosed is 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. Also disclosed are implantable devices, apparatuses and methods for the eye.

ELECTRICAL APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR AN EYE

Disclosed is electrical apparatus for stimulating and/or monitoring an eye of a patient, comprising an implantable electrode device and a lead extending outwardly from the implantable device, the lead including a section that locates externally to the eye having at least one pre-formed bend. Also disclosed is a lead connected to an implantable electrode device, the lead having one or more stripes that extend along at least a portion of the lead. Also disclosed is an implantable device having a substrate and at least one electrode, the electrode having at least one aperture through which material of the substrate extends to anchor the electrode to the substrate. Other disclosed features relate to a foldable anchor device, a curved electrode substrate and depth markers, for example.