Prosthetic vision system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A prosthetic vision system for a vision-impaired user, comprising:
- (a) lens means for receiving and sensing optic conditions;
(b) electrode array means adapted to be implanted on the visual cortex of the user'"'"'s brain for stimulating the visual cortex of the user in response to the sensed optical conditions; and
(c) fiberoptic conductor means for transferring the sensed optic conditions from said lens means directly to said electrode array means on the visual cortex.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A prosthetic vision system is provided with a lens implanted in an ocular socket to focus light onto a coherent fiberoptic bundle. The fiberoptic bundle conveys the received light to photovoltaic semiconductors mounted in a gate array. The gate array is mounted in the region of the calcarine fissure in the user'"'"'s cortex. The photovoltaic semiconductors stimulate the optic tract or visual cortex much in the manner done in a person having sight.
63 Citations
15 Claims
-
1. A prosthetic vision system for a vision-impaired user, comprising:
-
(a) lens means for receiving and sensing optic conditions; (b) electrode array means adapted to be implanted on the visual cortex of the user'"'"'s brain for stimulating the visual cortex of the user in response to the sensed optical conditions; and (c) fiberoptic conductor means for transferring the sensed optic conditions from said lens means directly to said electrode array means on the visual cortex. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
-
-
6. A prosthetic vision system for a vision-impaired user, comprising:
-
(a) lens means for receiving and sensing optic conditions; (b) electrode array means for stimulating the visual cortex of the user in response to the sensed optical conditions; and (c) fiberoptic conductor means for transferring the sensed optic conditions from said lens means to said electrode array means;
said electrode array means comprising means for converting luminous energy sensed by said lens means into electrical energy; and
means for transferring the electrical energy to the visual cortex of the user. - View Dependent Claims (7)
-
-
8. A prosthetic vision system for a vision-impaired user, comprising:
-
(a) lens means for receiving and sensing optic conditions; (b) electrode array means for stimulating the visual cortex of the user in response to the sensed optical conditions; and (c) fiberoptic conductor means for transferring the sensed optic conditions from said lens means to said electrode array means;
said electrode array means comprising, a plurality of photovoltaic cells mounted in an array of rows and columns on a conductive substrate. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. A prosthetic vision system for a vision-impaired user, comprising:
-
(a) lens means for receiving and sensing optic conditions; (b) electrode array means for stimulating the visual cortex of the user in response to the sensed optical conditions; and (c) fiberoptic conductor means for transferring the sensed optic conditions from said lens means to said electrode array means;
said fiberoptic conductor means comprising, a plurality of individual fiber light guides having input ends arranged in a matrix to receive light from the sensed optic conditions and further having output ends arranged in a corresponding matrix adjacent said electrode array means.
-
-
14. A prosthetic vision system for a vision-impaired user, comprising:
-
(a) lens means for receiving and sensing optic conditions; (b) electrode array means for stimulating the visual cortex of the user in response to the sensed optical conditions; (c) fiberoptic conductor means for transferring the sensed optic conditions from said lens means to said electrode array means; and (d) second lens means for transferring sensed optic conditions from said fiberoptic conductor means to said electrode array means.
-
-
15. A prosthetic vision system for a vision-impaired user, comprising:
-
(a) lens means for receiving and sensing optic conditions; (b) electrode array means for stimulating the visual cortex of the user in response to the sensed optical conditions; and (c) fiberoptic conductor means for transferring the sensed optic conditions from said lens means to said electrode array means;
said lens means including a composition which darkens when exposed to ultraviolet light.
-
Specification