Electrode array for neural stimulation

• US 20060036296A1
• Filed: 08/17/2005
• Published: 02/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.
• Inventors: Greenberg, Robert J., Schulman, Joseph H.
• Granted Patent: US 7,894,911 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/54
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0543 Retinal electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36046 of the eye
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37247 User interfaces, e.g. input or presentation means
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/16225 the item being non-metallic, e.g. insulating substrate with or without metallisation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49165 by forming conductive walled aperture in base

Abstract

The present invention is an improved electrode array for neuro-stimulation. The electrode array of the present invention is ideally suited for a visual prosthesis for the restoration of sight in patients with lost or degraded visual function. The electrode array of the present invention improves connectivity between a prosthesis and neurons.

Claims

3. An implantable electrode array comprising:

an electrode array body;

insulation covering said electrode array body forming voids; and

a plurality of electrodes recessed within said voids.

4. The implantable electrode array according to claim 3, wherein said plurality of electrodes stimulates a retina.

5. The implantable electrode array according to claim 3, wherein at least one side of said insulation forms a curved surface.

6. The implantable electrode array according to claim 3, wherein said plurality of electrodes is recessed within said voids, but exposed in more than one dimension.

7. The implantable electrode array according to claim 3, wherein said plurality of electrodes are metal slugs attached to a substrate by conductive adhesive.

8. An electrode array for retinal stimulation comprising:

an electrode array body;

a plurality of electrodes deposited on said electrode array body and positioned adjacent to

a retina; and

insulation covering said plurality of electrodes whereby said plurality of electrodes forms capacitors with the retina.

9. The electrode array according to claim 8, wherein said plurality of electrodes are metal, at least partially coated in ceramic.

10. The electrode array according to claim 8, wherein said plurality of electrodes are formed from tantalum.

11. The electrode array according to claim 8, wherein said plurality of electrodes are formed from titanium.

12. An electrode array for neural stimulation comprising:

an electrode array body; and

a plurality of pyrolytic carbon electrodes on said electrode array body.

13. An eye-implantable retinal electrode array comprising:

an epiretinal electrode; and

a subretinal electrode.

14. The eye-implantable retinal electrode array according to claim 13, wherein said epiretinal electrode and said subretinal electrode are held in a prescribed relationship to each other by magnets.

15. The eye-implantable retinal electrode array according to claim 13, wherein said epiretinal electrode and said subretinal electrode are held in a prescribed relationship to each other by pins.

16. The eye-implantable retinal electrode array according to claim 13, wherein said epiretinal electrode and said subretinal electrode are held in a prescribed relationship to each other by snap-together mating parts.

17. An electrode array for neural stimulation comprising:

an electrode array body;

a plurality of electrodes; and

a control unit activating said electrodes in multipolar patterns of stimulation, including more than two electrodes.

18. The electrode array according to claim 17, wherein said plurality of electrodes stimulate visual neurons.

19. The electrode array according to claim 17, wherein said control unit activates said plurality of electrodes in an electric field focusing arrangement.

20. The electrode array according to claim 17, wherein said plurality of electrodes stimulate visual neurons.

21. The electrode array according to claim 17, wherein said control unit activates said plurality of electrodes in groups.

22. An electrical contact for an implantable device comprising:

an implantable device;

a metallic pad on said implantable device;

a biocompatible metallic thin film covering said metallic pad; and

insulation deposited on said adhesion ring.

1. An implantable electrode array comprising:

an electrode array body; and

a plurality of protuberances, each having a base end connected to said array body and a tip end, wherein said tip end is larger than said base end.

2. The implantable electrode array according to claim 1, wherein said protuberances are generally mushroom shaped.

23. The electrical contact according to claim 22, further comprising an adhesion ring deposited on said biocompatible metallic thin film.

24. The electrical contact according to claim 23, wherein said adhesion ring is deposited by ion-beam assisted deposition.

25. The electrical contact according to claim 24, wherein said adhesion ring is titanium.

26. The electrical contact according to claim 22, wherein said biocompatible metallic thin film is deposited by ion-beam assisted deposition.

27. The electrical contact according to claim 22, wherein said biocompatible metallic thin film is iridium.

28. The electrical contact according to claim 22, wherein said insulation is deposited by ion-beam assisted deposition.

29. The electrical contact according to claim 28, wherein said insulation is a diamond coating.

30. The electrical contact according to claim 28, wherein said insulation is aluminum oxide.

31. The electrical contact according to claim 28, wherein said insulation is selected from the group consisting of titanium oxide, tantalum oxide and aluminum nitride.

32. The electrical contact according to claim 28, wherein said insulation is aluminum oxide.

33. The electrical contact according to claim 22, wherein said biocompatible metallic thin film is attached to said metallic pad by conductive glue.

34. The electrical contact according to claim 22, wherein said biocompatible metallic thin film is a group 8 metal.

30-1. The electrical contact according to claim 28, wherein said insulation is zirconium oxide.

35. An implantable electrode array comprising:

an electrode array body; and

a plurality of electrodes, on said electrode array body, having different lengths.

36. The implantable electrode array according to claim 35, wherein said electrode array body is generally flat.

37. The implantable electrode array according to claim 35, wherein said plurality of electrodes are spike shaped.

38. An implantable electrode array comprising:

an electrode array body; and

a plurality of electrodes, on said electrode array body, wherein tips of said plurality of electrodes lie on a curve in more than one direction.

39. An implantable electrode array comprising:

an electrode array body;

a plurality of elongated electrodes; and

insulation deposited on portions of said plurality of elongated electrodes by ion-beam assisted deposition.

40. The electrode array according to claim 39, wherein said electrodes are from 100 microns to 500 microns in length.

41. A visual prosthesis comprising:

a video receiver for receiving a video image and converting said video image to an electrical signal;

a video processing unit, coupled to said video receiver and processing said electrical signal;

an external communication unit, coupled to said video processing unit, transmitting said electrical signal;

an internal communication unit implanted in a living body receiving said electrical signal;

a plurality of electrodes driven by said internal communication unit and implanted subretinally, stimulating a retina to create a perception of said video image.

42. The visual prosthesis according to claim 41, wherein at least a portion of said internal communications unit is implanted in an eye, distant from said plurality of electrodes.

43. The visual prosthesis according to claim 41, wherein at least a portion of said internal communications unit is implanted outside an eye, but within a living body.

44. The visual prosthesis according to claim 41, wherein at least a portion of said internal communications unit is implanted subretinally.

45. The visual prosthesis according to claim 41, wherein at least a portion of said internal communications unit is implanted under a choroid.

46. A visual prosthesis comprising:

an external unit outside a living body providing power;

an internal unit within the living body receiving said power; and

a subretinal electrode array powered by said internal unit.

47. The visual prosthesis according to claim 46, wherein said power is inductive power.

48. An implantable retinal electrode array comprising:

an electrode array body; and

a plurality of elongated spike electrodes on said electrode array body and inserted into a retina from behind.

49. The implantable retinal electrode array according to claim 48, wherein said elongated spike electrodes are implanted from behind a sclera.