Retina implant

• US 6,298,270 B1
• Filed: 04/23/1999
• Issued: 10/02/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Retina Implant AG
• Original Assignee: Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen
• Inventors: Graf, Michael, Schubert, Markus B., Hierzenberger, Anke, Wanka, Harald N., Stelzle, Martin, Weiss, Stefan, Nisch, Wilfried, Stett, Alfred, Zrenner, Eberhart, Graf, Heinz Gerhard
• Primary Examiner(s): MANUEL, GEORGE C
• Application Number:
  US09/298,684
• Time in Patent Office: 893 Days
• Field of Search: 607/54, 607/116, 607/148, 623/6.63, 128/898
• US Class Current: 607/54
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/14 Eye parts, e.g. lenses, corneal implants; Implanting instruments specially adapted therefor; Artificial eyes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/08 Devices or methods enabling eye-patients to replace direct visual perception by another kind of perception
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0543 Retinal electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36046 of the eye

Abstract

A retina implant has a substrate with a surface for applying same to a retina. The substrate comprises electrodes for stimulating cells within the retina. The electrodes are provided on the surface and are exposed to visible light impinging on the retina such that stimuli are exerted on the cells by the electrodes. The implant, further, comprises a photovoltaic layer responsive to non-visible light. The stimuli are locally switched utilizing a voltage generated by the photovoltaic layer.

Claims

1. A retina implant having a substrate with a first surface for applying same to a retina, said substrate comprising:

electrode means for stimulating cells within said retina, said electrode means being provided on said first surface and being exposed to visible light impinging on said retina;

a photovoltaic layer responsive to non-visible light, said photovoltaic layer generating a voltage when said non-visible light impinges thereon, and

switch means for locally interconnecting said photovoltaic layer with said electrode means, said switch means being controlled by said visible light.

2. The implant of claim 1, wherein said substrate has a second surface and said photovoltaic layer occupies a substantial portion of said second surface.

3. The implant of claim 2, wherein said photovoltaic layer is configured as an infrared diode.

4. The implant of claim 2, wherein said photovoltaic layer is highly dope and has a high lateral conductivity.

5. The implant of claim 1, wherein said switch means is configured as an area in a switch layer of said substrate, said switch layer being electrically non-conductive when exposed to said non-visible light and being electrically conductive when exposed to said visible light.

6. The implant of claim 5, wherein said switch layer is comprised of amorphous, hydrogenized silicon (a-Si:

H).

7. The implant of claim 5, wherein said switch layer is comprised of amorphous, hydrogenized silicon (a-Si:

H) alloys.

8. The implant of claim 5, wherein said electrode means are configured as surfaces of said areas of said switch layer.

9. The implant of claim 1, wherein said non-visible light is infrared light.

10. The implant of claim 1, wherein said implant is configured as a subretinal implant.

11. The implant of claim 1, wherein said implant is configured as an epiretinal implant and is substantially permeable for said visible light.

12. The implant of claim 1, wherein said substrate is provided with through-openings.

13. The implant of claim 12, wherein said substrate is rigid.

14. The implant of claim 12, wherein said substrate is flexible.

15. The implant of claim 12, wherein said substrate is configured as a net made from a flexible carrier material.

16. The implant of claim 1, wherein said electrode means are configured as an electrode layer.

17. The implant of claim 16, wherein in a top plan view said electrode means are surrounded by said photovoltaic layer.

18. The implant of claim 17, wherein said electrode means occupy between 10% and 50% of said first surface.

19. The implant of claim 16, wherein said electrode layer consists of a metal and is configured to be permeable for said visible light and impermeable for said infrared light.

20. A system for improving vision comprising:

a retina implant having a substrate with a first surface for applying same to a retina, said substrate including

electrode means for stimulating cells within said retina, said electrode means being provided on said first surface and being exposed to visible light impinging on said retina;

a photovoltaic layer responsive to non-visible light, said photovoltaic layer generating a supply voltage; and

switch means for selectively interconnecting said photovoltaic layer with said electrode means, said switch means being controlled by said visible light; and

means for applying said non-visible light on said implant.

21. A retina implant having a substrate with a first surface for applying same to a retina, said substrate comprising:

a first layer being a photovoltaic layer responsive to non-visible light,

a second layer being electrically non-conductive when exposed to said non-visible light and being electrically conductive when exposed to visible light, said second layer being comprised of amorphous, hydrogenized silicon (a-Si;

H), and

electrodes for stimulating cells within said retina, said electrodes being provided on said first surface and being exposed to said visible light impinging on said retina such that stimuli are exerted on said cells by said electrodes;

wherein said stimuli are locally switched utilizing a voltage generated by said first layer, said electrodes comprising a switch, said switch being adapted to be actuated optically and feeding through said voltage as said stimulus when being in a closed state, wherein said switch is configured as an area in said second layer.

22. A retina implant having a substrate with a first surface for applying same to a retina, said substrate comprising:

a first layer being a photovoltaic layer responsive to non-visible light,

a second layer being electrically non-conductive when exposed to said non-visible light and being electrically conductive when exposed to visible light, said second layer being comprised of, amorphous, hydrogenised silicon (a-Si;

H) alloys, and

electrodes for stimulating cells within said retina, said electrodes being provided on said first surface and being exposed to said visible light impinging on said retina such that stimuli are exerted on said cells by said electrodes;

wherein said stimuli are locally switched utilizing a voltage generated by said first layer, said electrodes comprising a switch, said switch being adapted to be actuated optically and feeding through said voltage as said stimulus when being in a closed state, wherein said switch is configured as an area in said second layer.