Visual prosthesis for improved circadian rhythms and method of improving the circadian rhythms

• US 20060173511A1
• Filed: 12/01/2005
• Published: 08/03/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cortigent Incorporated, Doheny Eye Institute
• Original Assignee: Doheny Eye Institute
• Inventors: Greenberg, Robert Jay, Humayun, Mark S.
• Granted Patent: US 8,068,913 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

Abstract

Present invention is a method of improving circadian rhythms in blind people by stimulation the visual neural system. Ideally a retinal prosthesis of the type used to restore vision can be used to restore normal circadian rhythms. Additionally, brightness on the prosthesis can be increased in the morning and decreased in the evening to stimulate normal Circadian rhythms. Alternatively, if a retinal prosthesis is not preferable, the retina can be stimulated externally, during the day and not at night. While such eternal stimulation can not produced artificial vision, it can stimulate normal circadian rhythms.

Claims

1. A prosthesis for stimulating circadian rhythms comprising:

at least one electrode suitable for electrically stimulating visual neurons;

an electrical driver for applying a controlled electrical potential on said electrode; and

a control circuit including a timer for controlling said electrical driver.

2. The prosthesis for stimulating circadian rhythms according to claim 1, wherein said control circuit increases intensity of said driver during morning hours.

3. The prosthesis for stimulating circadian rhythms according to claim 1, wherein said control circuit decreases intensity of said driver during evening hours.

4. The prosthesis for stimulating circadian rhythms according to claim 1, wherein said control circuit disables said driver during night time hours.

5. The prosthesis for stimulating circadian rhythms according to claim 1, wherein said control circuit further includes user selectable means for varying time based intensity patterns.

6. The prosthesis for stimulating circadian rhythms of claim 1 comprising at least one flexible circuit electrode array.

17. A method of using of a prosthesis of claim 1 for improving the circadian rhythms.

18. A method of using of a prosthesis of claim 1 for increasing the melatonin levels.

7. A prosthesis for stimulating circadian rhythms comprising:

at least one electrode suitable for electrically stimulating visual neurons;

an electrical driver for applying a controlled electrical potential on said electrode; and

a control circuit that varies intensity of said driver in accordance with measured external light conditions.

8. The prosthesis for stimulating circadian rhythms of claim 7 wherein said light is ambient.

19. A method of using of a prosthesis of claim 7 for improving the circadian rhythms.

20. A method of using of a prosthesis of claim 7 for increasing the melatonin levels.

9. A flexible circuit electrode array for improving circadian rhythms, comprising:

a) an insulating polymer layer;

b) at least one trace containing a base coating layer, a conducting layer and a top coating layer, embedded in said insulating polymer layer; and

c) at least one electrode connected to said conducting layer of said trace through a via in said insulating polymer layer and said top coating layer.

10. The flexible circuit electrode array of claim 9 wherein said insulating polymer layer contains polyfluorocarbons, polyethylene, polypropylene, silicone, polyamide, polyimide, liquid crystal polymer, poly-paraxylylene, polyaryletherketone and/or derivatives and/or mixtures thereof.

11. The flexible circuit electrode array of claim 9 wherein said conducting layer contains platinum, tantalum, iridium, palladium, rhodium, rhenium, gold, chrome, molybdenum, or carbon, or an alloy thereof or a combination of two or more alloys or metal layers thereof.

12. The flexible circuit electrode array of claim 9 wherein said trace contains a titanium/platinum/titanium film stack.

13. The electrode array of claim 9 wherein said surface coating has at least 5 times the surface area of that for the corresponding surface area resulting from the basic geometric shape of the electrode.

14. The flexible circuit electrode array of claim 9 wherein said surface coating is biocompatible.

15. The flexible circuit electrode array of claim 9 wherein said surface coating has a surface area of less than 500 times the corresponding surface area resulting from the basic geometric shape.

16. The flexible circuit electrode array of claim 9 comprising platinum having a fractal configuration, titanium nitride, iridium oxide, or mixtures thereof.