Flexible electrode array for artifical vision
First Claim
1. An electrode array for an artificial vision system that is adapted to transfer an image signal to a retina having tissue containing cells wherein the electrode array is adapted to provide connection to the tissue containing the cells, consisting of:
- a conformable substrate composed entirely of a flexible and stretchable polymer that has the ability to conform to various shapes of the tissue, andmicro-stimulator electrodes embedded in said conformable substrate composed entirely of a flexible and stretchable polymer for contacting the tissue wherein said conformable substrate is composed entirely of poly(dimethylsiloxane) and said conformable substrate composed entirely of poly(dimethylsiloxane) provides the support for said micro-stimulator electrodes.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An image is captured or otherwise converted into a signal in an artificial vision system. The signal is transmitted to the retina utilizing an implant. The implant consists of a polymer substrate made of a compliant material such as poly(dimethylsiloxane) or PDMS. The polymer substrate is conformable to the shape of the retina. Electrodes and conductive leads are embedded in the polymer substrate. The conductive leads and the electrodes transmit the signal representing the image to the cells in the retina. The signal representing the image stimulates cells in the retina.
94 Citations
18 Claims
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1. An electrode array for an artificial vision system that is adapted to transfer an image signal to a retina having tissue containing cells wherein the electrode array is adapted to provide connection to the tissue containing the cells, consisting of:
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a conformable substrate composed entirely of a flexible and stretchable polymer that has the ability to conform to various shapes of the tissue, and micro-stimulator electrodes embedded in said conformable substrate composed entirely of a flexible and stretchable polymer for contacting the tissue wherein said conformable substrate is composed entirely of poly(dimethylsiloxane) and said conformable substrate composed entirely of poly(dimethylsiloxane) provides the support for said micro-stimulator electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An electrode array for an artificial vision system for receiving an image signal representing an image and adapted for transferring the image signal to a retina having tissue containing cells wherein the electrode array is adapted to provide connection to the tissue containing the cells, consisting of:
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an electrode array including a conformable polymer substrate, said polymer substrate being a flexible and stretchable polymer composed entirely of poly(dimethylsiloxane) and having the ability to conform to the shape of the retina, and micro-stimulator electrodes embedded in said conformable polymer substrate wherein said conformable substrate composed entirely of a flexible and stretchable polymer provides the support for said micro-stimulator electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. An electrode array implant for an artificial vision system for receiving an image signal representing an image and adapted to transmit the image into an eye and to a retina having tissue containing cells, consisting of:
an implant adapted to be connected to the eye and the retina comprising a flexible polymer substrate, said flexible polymer substrate consisting of poly(dimethylsiloxane) and being flexible and stretchable and having the ability to conform to the shape of the retina, and micro-stimulator electrodes embedded in said flexible polymer substrate comprising poly(dimethylsiloxane) wherein said conformable substrate comprising poly(dimethylsiloxane) provides the support for said micro-stimulator electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
Specification