A61N1/36046

APPARATUSES AND METHODS FOR WIRELESSLY POWERED CHARGE-BALANCED ELECTRICAL STIMULATION

Apparatuses and methods are disclosed for efficient wireless powering of an electrical load with precise external control over pulsed voltage waveform and metering of charge delivered. The system interfaces to an inductive coil for RF power delivery from an external duty-cycled RF power transmitter, and the electrical load. The electrical load may be a photosensitive array of electrodes for an optically addressed, electrically activated retinal prosthesis. The voltage waveform to activate the load is controlled by the transmitted RF amplitude, including switching between cathodic and anodic phases of electrical stimulation. Charge delivered to the load is quantified as discharge events through a series capacitor, transmitted by backtelemetry to the receiver for continuous monitoring throughout the stimulation phases. The subject disclosure further provides for calibration of voltage amplitude and charge metering, to compensate for variable wireless link and load conditions, through additional stimulation phases with a supplementary load with known and stable characteristics.

SALIENT OBJECT DETECTION FOR ARTIFICIAL VISION
20230040091 · 2023-02-09 ·

There is provided a method for creating artificial vision with an implantable visual stimulation device. The method comprises receiving image data comprising, for each of multiple points of the image, a depth value, performing a local background enclosure calculation on the input image to determine salient object information, and generating a visual stimulus to visualise the salient object information using the visual stimulation device. Determining the salient object information is based on a spatial variance of at least one of the multiple points of the image in relation to a surface model that defines a surface in the input image.

CORNEAL DENERVATION FOR TREATMENT OF OCULAR PAIN

Methods and apparatus for the treatment of the eye to reduce pain can treat at least an outer region of the tissue so as to denervate nerves extending into the inner region and reduce the pain. For example, the cornea of the eye may comprise an inner region having an epithelial defect, and an outer portion of the cornea can be treated to reduce pain of the epithelial defect. The outer portion of the cornea can be treated to denervate nerves extending from the outer portion to the inner portion. The outer portion can be treated in many ways to denervate the nerve, for example with one or more of heat, cold or a denervating noxious substance such as capsaicin. The denervation of the nerve can be reversible, such that corneal innervation can return following treatment.

IMPLANTABLE DEVICE, ENCAPSULATING METHOD AND CEREBRAL CORTEX STIMULATION-BASED VISUAL PROSTHESIS
20230001186 · 2023-01-05 ·

An implantable device includes a flexible cable, a circuit chip, a fluid adhesion layer, and a vapor deposited layer. The flexible cable includes a lead-in part, a stimulation part and a connection part connected between the lead-in part and the stimulation part. The circuit chip is fixed to a surface of one side of the lead-in part, and is electrically connected to the lead-in part. The fluid adhesion layer is adhered to an outer side of the circuit chip and an outer side of the lead-in part. The vapor deposited layer (4) is directly deposited on an outer side of the fluid adhesion layer.

THERAPEUTIC DEVICES FOR PLACEMENT UNDERNEATH THE EYELID AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS, DEVICES, AND METHODS FOR DRY EYE TREATMENT
20230001207 · 2023-01-05 ·

According to some aspects, a device is presented herein that is configured to be located underneath an eyelid and worn by a user for treating dry eye. The device includes a first surface configured to face a portion of a sclera of the eye, and a second surface configured to face an eyelid and to be completely covered by the eyelid. In some embodiments, the device further includes a plurality of stimulation electrodes proximal to the first surface, wherein the plurality of stimulation electrodes is configured to stimulate the sclera. The device further includes an energy storage element coupled to the plurality of stimulation electrodes. The energy storage element is configured to supply power to the plurality of stimulation electrodes. The device further includes a processor configured to control a supply of energy from the energy storage element to the plurality of stimulation electrodes to stimulate the sclera.

RUNTIME OPTIMISED ARTIFICIAL VISION
20230025743 · 2023-01-26 ·

A method for creating artificial vision with an implantable visual stimulation device. The method comprises receiving image data comprising, for each of multiple points of an image, a depth value, performing a local background enclosure calculation on the image data to determine salient object information, and generating a visual stimulus to visualise the salient object information using the implantable visual stimulation device. Performing the local background enclosure calculation is based on a subset of the multiple points of the input image, and the subset of the multiple points is defined based on the depth value of the multiple points.

Photosensitive array
11559684 · 2023-01-24 · ·

The present invention relates to photosensitive arrays comprising a plurality of photosensitive elements disposed in or on a suitable substrate. The photosensitive arrays are useful as implants, in particular as retinal implants. Methods for manufacturing such arrays are also provided.

THERAPEUTIC DEVICES FOR STIMULATING NERVES AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS, DEVICES, AND METHODS
20230011432 · 2023-01-12 ·

Devices and methods for treating dry eye and other ophthalmic conditions are provided. The devices may be configured to be located in a patient's fornix. In one embodiment, a device includes a flexible substrate, an antenna disposed on a first side of the substrate, one or more electronic components disposed on the first side of the substrate, and a first electrode and a second electrode disposed on a second side of the substrate opposite the first side. Each of the first electrode and the second electrode comprises an electrode surface and a plurality of slots in the electrode surface defining a plurality of electrode prongs. The plurality of slots facilitate or promote near-field coupling between a transmitter and the antenna. The one or more electronic components are configured to provide electrical power to the first electrode and the second electrode.

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR HIGH-BANDWIDTH MINIMALLY INVASIVE BRAIN-COMPUTER INTERFACES

Systems and methods for high-bandwidth, minimally invasive brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) are disclosed. The BCIs are configured for deployment and operation in conjunction with a comprehensive interventional electrophysiology procedural suite. Three primary methods of minimally invasive electrode array delivery are disclosed: (1) cortical surface delivery, (2) ventricular delivery, and (3) endovascular delivery. Additionally, systems and methods for interacting with such high-bandwidth electrode arrays are discussed, including real-time imaging, signal processing, and neural decoding. Systems and methods for architectures for accelerating the underlying computational processes (such as graphics processing units or tensor processing units) are also discussed. Multiple applications of BCIs are discussed, with emphasis on restoration, rehabilitation, and augmentation of neurologic function.

BIOMIMETIC STIMULATOR SYSTEM FOR NEURAL IMPLANT

A neural stimulator system which generates stimulation from an implantable stimulator circuit which generates stimulation outputs which mimic biological signals. The user/operator can select stimulation generated from recorded waveforms, or by selecting the characteristics for generating stimulation based on randomized inter-pulse-intervals (IPI). A control unit controls the operation of the implantable stimulator circuit, and receives sets of stimulation parameters based on user input from a user input device executing application specific programming.