Scanning laser device and methods of use
First Claim
1. A vision prosthesis system, comprising a light energy generator operably connected to a wearable head piece comprising a device for directing light energy produced by the light energy generator onto a mammalian retina, wherein the light energy generator is tuned to emit light energy of sufficient power to directly modulate neural activity in the retina in neurons other than rods and cones, and wherein the light energy generator is a light source selected form the group consisting of a femtosecond-pulsed light source and a picosecond-pulsed light source.
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Abstract
In one aspect, the invention provides vision prosthesis systems. Exemplary vision prosthesis systems of the invention comprise a light energy generator operably connected to a wearable head piece comprising a device for directing light energy produced by the light energy generator onto a mammalian retina, wherein the light energy generator is tuned to emit light energy of sufficient power to modulate neural activity in the retina. In another aspect, the invention provides methods for irradiating neurons in the retina of the mammalian eye by directing light energy produced by a light energy generator onto a mammalian retina. The methods of the invention may be used to directly modulate the activity of retinal neurons or to introduce molecules into retinal cells.
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18 Claims
- 1. A vision prosthesis system, comprising a light energy generator operably connected to a wearable head piece comprising a device for directing light energy produced by the light energy generator onto a mammalian retina, wherein the light energy generator is tuned to emit light energy of sufficient power to directly modulate neural activity in the retina in neurons other than rods and cones, and wherein the light energy generator is a light source selected form the group consisting of a femtosecond-pulsed light source and a picosecond-pulsed light source.
- 12. A method for modulating neural activity in the retina of a mammalian eye, comprising the step of directing light energy produced by a light energy generator onto a mammalian retina to directly modulate the activity of retinal neurons other than rods and cones, and wherein the eye comprises an artificial lens, the method further comprising the step of directing light energy through the artificial lens to focus the light energy onto the retina.
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