Visual prosthesis and method of using same
First Claim
1. A visual prosthesis, comprising:
- means for perceiving a visual image, said means producing a visual signal output in response thereto;
retinal tissue stimulation means adapted to be operatively attached to a retina of a user; and
wireless visual signal communication means for transmitting said visual signal output to said retinal tissue stimulation means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A visual prosthesis comprises a camera for perceiving a visual image and generating a visual signal output, retinal tissue stimulation circuitry adapted to be operatively attached to the user'"'"'s retina, and wireless communication circuitry for transmitting the visual signal output to the retinal tissue stimulation circuitry within the eye. To generate the visual signal output the camera converts a visual image to electrical impulses which are sampled to selecting an image at a given point in time. The sampled image signal is then encoded to allow a pixelized display of it. This signal then is used to modulate a radio frequency carrier signal. A tuned coil pair having a primary and a secondary coil are used to transmit and receive the RF modulated visual signal which is then demodulated within the eye. The retinal stimulation circuitry includes a decoder for decoding the visual signal output into a plurality of individual stimulation control signals which are used by current generation circuitry to generate stimulation current signals to be used by an electrode array having a plurality of electrodes forming a matrix. The intraocular components are powered from energy extracted from the transmitted visual signal. The electrode array is attached to the retina via tacks, magnets, or adhesive.
821 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A visual prosthesis, comprising:
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means for perceiving a visual image, said means producing a visual signal output in response thereto; retinal tissue stimulation means adapted to be operatively attached to a retina of a user; and wireless visual signal communication means for transmitting said visual signal output to said retinal tissue stimulation means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A medical device to at least partially restore vision in users who suffer from photoreceptor degenerative conditions, comprising:
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camera means for converting a visual image to electrical impulses; image sampling means coupled to said camera means for selecting an image at a given point in time; encoder means coupled to said image sampling means for encoding said selected image to allow a pixelized display thereof, said encoder means outputting a visual signal output; a carrier generator means for generating a radio frequency carrier signal; modulator means responsive to said radio frequency carrier signal and to said visual signal output for modulating said radio frequency carrier signal by said visual signal output, said modulator means producing a radio frequency modulated image signal; a tuned coil pair having a primary and a secondary coil, said primary coil operatively coupled to said modulator means to transmit said radio frequency modulated image signal, said secondary coil being tuned to receive said radio frequency modulated image signal; demodulator means coupled to said secondary coil for extracting said visual signal output from said radio frequency carrier signal; decoder means coupled to said demodulator means and responsive to said visual signal output for decoding said visual signal output into a plurality of individual stimulation control signals; current generation circuitry means coupled to said decoder means and responsive to said plurality of individual stimulation control signals for generating stimulation current signals; and an electrode array having a plurality of electrodes operatively coupled to said current generation circuitry means, said electrodes being responsive to said individual stimulation control signals to generate stimulation pulses sufficient to stimulate retinal tissue to generate phosphenes. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method of at least partially restoring vision to users who suffer from photoreceptor degenerative retinal conditions of the eye, comprising the steps of:
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perceiving a visual image and producing a visual signal output in response thereto; wirelessly transmitting the visual signal output into the eye; stimulating retinal tissue of the user in accordance with the visual signal output. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25)
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Specification