Device and method for production of visual sensations by optic nerve stimulation

• US 6,442,431 B1
• Filed: 08/17/2000
• Issued: 08/27/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AXON Engineering, Inc.
• Original Assignee: AXON Engineering, Inc.
• Inventors: Mortimer, J. Thomas, Veraart, Claude G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Layno, Carl
• Application Number:
  US09/622,464
• Time in Patent Office: 740 Days
• Field of Search: 607/54
• US Class Current: 607/54
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0543 Retinal electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0556 Cuff electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36046 of the eye

Abstract

A method and device for producing visual sensations within blind persons includes installing a self-sizing spiral nerve cuff electrode about the optic nerve of a blind person then transmitting electrical pulses to the nerve to generate phosphenes within the patient'"'"'s visual field.

Claims

1. A method for stimulating the optic nerve of a mammal to induce visual perception in the eye, comprising the steps of:

implanting a cuff electrode about the optic nerve;

coupling said cuff electrode to a signal generating controller;

and transmitting a series of electrical signals from said controller to the optic nerve through said cuff electrode in order to induce a visual response in the eye.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said cuff electrode comprises a spiral electrode.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said electrode is self-sizing.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said series of electrical signals comprises a bipolar pulse train.

5. The method of claim 1, herein said series of electrical signals comprises pulses having a charge density below 150 μ

C/(cm² phase).

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said series of electrical signals comprises single pulses.

7. The method of claim 1, whereby said visual response comprises the generation of phosphenes within the visual field of the eye.

8. A device for stimulating the optic nerve of a visually impaired patient, comprising:

a cuff electrode, capable of being positioned about and in contact with the optic nerve of a visually impaired patient;

and control means, electrically coupled to said cuff electrode, for transmitting electrical signals to the optic nerve through said electrode to induce visual perception in said patient.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein said cuff electrode comprises a spiral cuff electrode.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein said electrode is self-sizing.

11. The device of claim 8, wherein said control means generates an electrical pulse train.

12. The device of claim 8, wherein said cuff electrode includes four contacts.

13. The device of claim 8, whereby said electrical signals generate phosphenes within the patient'"'"'s visual field.

14. The device of claim 8, wherein said electrical signals from said control means stimulate the axons of the retinal ganglion cells of said patient.