Implantable retinal electrode array configuration for minimal retinal damage and method of reducing retinal stress
First Claim
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1. An electrode array body comprising:
- a body having a generally oval shape in the plane of the retina, the oval shaped body being curved such that it substantially conforms to the spherical curvature of the retina of the recipient'"'"'s eye thus minimizing stress concentration in the retina.
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Abstract
This invention is a retinal electrode array assembly and methods of using the same that facilitate surgical implant procedures by providing the operating surgeon with visual references and grasping means and with innovations that reduce actual and potential damage to the retina and the surrounding tissue.
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Citations
51 Claims
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1. An electrode array body comprising:
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a body having a generally oval shape in the plane of the retina, the oval shaped body being curved such that it substantially conforms to the spherical curvature of the retina of the recipient'"'"'s eye thus minimizing stress concentration in the retina. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 50, 51)
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48. A retinal electrode array comprising:
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a silicone electrode array body having a hardness of about 50 or less on the Shore A scale as measured with a durometer, the electrode array body having an oval shape, the electrode array body having a curved shape such that it substantially conforms to the spherical curvature of the retina of the recipient'"'"'s eye minimizing stress concentration in the retina, the electrode array body having at least one mounting aperture for attaching the electrode array to the retina, the electrode array body having a reinforcing ring surrounding the mounting aperture in the array for locating the mounting aperture during surgery and for structural support of a surgical tack, the electrode array body having a strain relief slot curved part of the way around the reinforcing ring for relief of stresses formed when the electrode array body is attached to the retina of the recipient, the electrode array body having a rounded edge to eliminate stress concentrations in the retina from the electrode array body, the electrode array body having a decreasing radius near its edges causing the edge of the array to lift off of the retina and thus eliminating stress concentrations in the retina from the electrode array body, the electrode array body having a grasping handle attached to the array for holding during implantation, the electrode array body having an array of conductive electrodes to transmit electrical signals to the retina, the electrode array body having at least one conductive electrode serving as a reference or ground potential source, an electronics package to transmit signals to the electrodes, a feeder cable to carry electrical signals between the electrodes and the electronics.
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49. A method of reducing stress in the retina caused by the electrode array body comprising:
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rounding the edges of the electrode array body to avoid contact stresses with the retina or tearing of the retina, reducing the radius of spherical curvature, which approximates the curvature of the eye, near the edge of the electrode array body, shaping the electrode array body into an oval shape avoiding stress concentrations in the retina from corners of the array.
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Specification