Independent photoelectric artificial retina device and method of using same
First Claim
1. A method of producing artificially formed vision in an eye, comprising the step of introducing a plurality of discrete microscopic photoelectric devices into the subretinal space of the eye wherein at least some of said photoelectric devices include a capacitative storage element that produces opposite direction electrical currents in light and darkness, permitting formed vision of light and dark images as a result of light and dark images received by the retina.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Microscopic photodiode devices with semi-transparent surface electrodes are combined with a liquid or other suitable vehicle. Together they are injected into the subretinal space of the eye. The purpose of these microphotodiode photovoltaic devices is to transduce incident light into electric current which stimulate the overlying cellular layers of the retina. In persons suffering from visual dysfunction due to outer retinal layer damage, such devices may allow useful formed artificial vision. These independent surface electrode microphotodiodes (ISEMCPs) may be in the shape of micro-spheres, micro-cylinders or other micro-shapes. An off-center embedded ferromagnetic layer will confer magnetic susceptibility to the ISEMCPs. A magnetic field applied in the vicinity of the eye will align the ISEMCPs within the subretinal space directing their photoactive surface toward incident light. Alternatively ISEMCPs may be embedded, prealigned, in a transparent flexible sheet permeable to nutrients and oxygen before implantation into the subretinal space. Such a sheet will allow passage of biological nutrients and oxygen around the ISEMCPs. This sheet may also dissolve leaving behind ISEMCP units lying separately, or in an arranged pattern produced by a surrounding mesh. ISEMCPs may be of the PiN or NiP type or a combination of both in a single unit. An electric capacitor layer may also be incorporated into the ISEMCP device (ISEMCP-C) to allow charge storage during exposure to light and charge release in darkness producing an opposite polarity current. This last modification will allow the generation of hyperpolarizing currents in light and depolarizing currents in darkness which is necessary to produce formed vision of light and dark images.
111 Citations
39 Claims
- 1. A method of producing artificially formed vision in an eye, comprising the step of introducing a plurality of discrete microscopic photoelectric devices into the subretinal space of the eye wherein at least some of said photoelectric devices include a capacitative storage element that produces opposite direction electrical currents in light and darkness, permitting formed vision of light and dark images as a result of light and dark images received by the retina.
- 18. A light powered artificial subretinal implant device comprising a carrier vehicle and a plurality of discrete photoelectric devices, wherein each photoelectric device comprises a photo-active surface and a corresponding first electrode disposed on the photoelectric device, a second electrode disposed on the photoelectric device spaced from the first electrode, and a capacitive storage element disposed on the photoelectric device and electrically connected to the second electrode to store electric charge generated by the photoelectric device in light conditions and to release electric charge in dark conditions to permit formed vision of light and dark images.
Specification