Retina implant assembly and methods for manufacturing the same

• US 20020198573A1
• Filed: 11/07/2001
• Published: 12/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Retina Implant AG
• Original Assignee: Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen
• Inventors: Stett, Alfred, Sachs, H., Schubert, Markus, Stelzle, Martin, Graf, Michael, Nisch, Wilfried, Hammerle, Hugo, Zrenner, Eberhart, Graf, Heinz Gerhard
• Granted Patent: US 6,847,847 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/54
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/14 Eye parts, e.g. lenses, corneal implants; Implanting instruments specially adapted therefor; Artificial eyes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/08 Devices or methods enabling eye-patients to replace direct visual perception by another kind of perception
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0543 Retinal electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source

Abstract

A retina implant to be implanted into an eye having an eye ball with an exterior and an interior, a sclera, a lens, and a retina is disclosed. The implant comprises a chip adapted to be implanted into the interior of the eye in contact with the retina. The chip, when in an implanted condition, has a plurality of pixel elements on a side thereof facing the lens for receiving an image projected onto the retina. The chip, further, comprises a plurality of electrodes for stimulating retina cells. The electrodes are located on the side of the chip having the pixel elements thereon, such that the chip is adapted to be implanted into a subretinal space of the eye. The implant, further, comprises a receiver coil for inductively coupling thereinto electromagnetic energy. The receiver coil is coupled to a means for converting an alternating voltage induced into the receiver coil in a direct voltage suited for supplying the chip. The receiver coil is configured as a component separate from the chip, and configured for being positioned on the eye ball outside the sclera. The chip is connected to the receiver coil via a connecting lead which, in the implanted condition interconnects the interior and the exterior of the eye ball.

Claims

1. A retina implant to be implanted into an eye having an eyeball with an exterior and an interior, a sclera, a lens, and a retina, the implant comprising:

a chip adapted to be implanted into said interior of said eye being in contact with said retina, said chip, when in an implanted condition, having a plurality of pixel elements on a side thereof facing said lens for receiving an image projected onto said retina, as well as a plurality of electrodes for stimulating cells of said retina, said electrodes being located on said side of said chip having said pixel elements thereon, such that said chip is adapted to be implanted into a subretinal space of said eye;

a receiver coil for inductively coupling thereinto electromagnetic energy, said receiver coil being coupled to a means for converting an alternating voltage induced into said receiver coil in a direct voltage suited for supplying said chip, said receiver coil being configured as a component separate from said chip, and configured for being positioned on said eyeball outside said sclera, said chip being connected to said receiver coil via a connecting lead which, in said implanted condition, interconnects said interior and said exterior of said eye ball.

2. The retina implant of claim 1, wherein said receiver coil, said chip as well as connecting leads leading to said chip are housed within a flat plastic material body.

3. The retina implant of claim 1, wherein said converting means is configurated as a unit separate from said chip.

4. The retina implant of claim 2, wherein said plastic material body comprises an annular portion having a central opening, said annular portion being adjoined by a flat extension.

5. The retina implant of claim 4, wherein said annular portion is dimensioned as to enclose a lateral straight eye muscle rudiment.

6. The retina implant of claim 5, wherein said converting means is comprised within said plastic material body in a position adjacent said receiver coil.

7. The retina implant of claim 3, wherein said receiver coil comprises windings integrated into said annular portion.

8. The retina implant of claim 7, wherein said windings are configured in a spiralled pattern.

9. The retina implant of claim 4, wherein said annular portion is subdivided into a plurality of sections in a circumferential direction, said sections being separated from each other by gaps and being electrically and mechanically interconnected.

10. The retina implant of claim 8, wherein said sections are interconnected with each other by a fin in a radial direction.

11. The retina implant of claim 8, wherein said sections adhere each other in a spiralled configuration.

12. The retina implant of claims 8, wherein said sections are molded together in a spheric body having a curvature being adapted to a surface of said eyeball.

13. The retina implant of claim 1, wherein strain relief means are provided at least between said converter means and a connection lead leading to said chip or to said receiver coil.

14. The retina implant of claim 1, wherein said receiver coil has a number of windings of between 50 and 200.

15. The retina implant of claim 14, wherein said receiver coil has between 90 and 110 windings.

16. The retina implant of claim 1, wherein said receiver coil has an outer diameter of between 12 and 20 mm and an inner diameter at a central opening thereof of between 8 and 16 mm.

17. The retina implant of claim 4, wherein said flat extension is provided with a plurality of perforations.

18. The retina implant of claim 4, wherein said chip is embedded in said flat extension.

19. The retina implant of claim 2, wherein said flat plastic material body is provided with lugs for affixing said plastic material body to said eyeball.

20. The retina implant of claim 1, wherein said converter means comprises means for processing an information signal transmitted together with said electromagnetic energy.

21. The retina implant of claim 20, wherein said information signal is a reference signal indicative for ambient brightness.

22. A method for manufacturing a retina implant having a chip for subretinal implantation, and comprising a receiver coil for inductively coupling electromagnetic energy thereinto, means for converting an alternating voltage induced into said receiver coil into a direct voltage suited for supplying said chip, the method comprising the steps of:

a) manufacturing a flat plastic material body having an annular portion with a central opening, said annular portion being adjoined by a flat extension;

b) depositing metallic strip conductors on a surface of said annular portion in a spiralled configuration for making windings of said receiver coil and for creating connecting leads between said receiver coil, said converter means, and said chip;

c) affixing said chip and said converter means to said plastic material body; and

d) depositing an isolation layer over said metallic strip conductors.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein said flat plastic material body is generated on an auxiliary substrate and is then separated therefrom.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein said strip conductors are generated on said surface by means of a thin film process and are then microstructured photolithographically.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein said converter means is affixed to said plastic material body by gluing.

26. The method of claim 22, wherein said converter means is affixed to said plastic material body by bonding with said metallic strip conductors.

27. The method of claim 22, wherein said converter means is affixed to said plastic material body by injection-molding in a plastic material mass.

28. The method of claim 22, wherein said annular portion is subdivided into a plurality of sections in a circumferential direction, said sections being separated from each other by gaps and being electrically and mechanically interconnected.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein said sections are molded together in a spherical calotte body having a curvature being adapted to a surface of said eyeball.

30. The method of claims 22, wherein said plastic material body is manufactured from polyimide, polymethacrylate (PMMA) or epoxy resin.

31. The method of claim 22, wherein said plastic material body together with said isolation layer is manufactured with a thickness of between 5 and 15 micrometers.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein said plastic material body together with said isolation layer is manufactured with a thickness of between 5 and 15 micrometers.

33. The method of claim 22, wherein said metallic strip conductors are generated with a thickness (X) of between 0.5 to 2 micrometers.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein said metallic strip conductors are generated with a thickness (X) of between 0.8 to 1.2 micrometers.

35. The method of claim 22, wherein said flat plastic material body is provided with perforations in an area of said flat extension.