Electrode array

• US 8,170,676 B2
• Filed: 10/28/2007
• Issued: 05/01/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cortigent Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Second Sight Medical Products, Inc. (Vivani Medical, Inc.)
• Inventors: Greenberg, Robert J., Schulman, Joseph H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gedeon, Brian T
• Application Number:
  US11/926,053
• Publication Number:
  US 20080249588A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,647 Days
• Field of Search: 607/54, 607/121
• US Class Current: 607/54
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0543 Retinal electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36046 of the eye
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37247 User interfaces, e.g. input or presentation means
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/16225 the item being non-metallic, e.g. insulating substrate with or without metallisation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49165 by forming conductive walled aperture in base

Abstract

The present invention is an electrode array for neural stimulation. In particular, the present invention provides electrode shapes and electrode coating advantageous in maximizing the charge dissipation without harming neural tissue. Neurotrophic factors are used to further improve electrode performance.

Claims

1. An implantable electrode array comprising:

an electrode array body defining at least one void; and

at least one electrode within said void forming a protuberance, having a base portion connected to said array body and a tip portion larger in diameter than said base portion and said void, wherein said tip portion extends beyond and is larger than said void.

2. The implantable electrode array according to claim 1, wherein said protuberance is generally mushroom shaped.

3. The implantable electrode array according to claim 1, wherein said at least one electrode is suitable to stimulate a retina.

4. The implantable electrode array according to claim 1, wherein at least one side of said electrode array body forms a curved surface.

5. The implantable electrode array according to claim 1, wherein said at least one electrode is a metal slug attached to a substrate by conductive adhesive.

6. The implantable electrode array according to claim 1, further comprising neurotrophic factors in proximity to said at least one electrode.

7. The implantable electrode array according to claim 6, wherein said neurotrophic factors are a coating on said at least one electrodes.

8. The implantable electrode array according to claim 6, wherein said neurotrophic factors are nerve growth factors.

9. The implantable electrode array according to claim 6, wherein said implantable electrode array is suitable to stimulate visual neurons.