Electrode array for neural stimulation

• US 8,180,453 B2
• Filed: 11/09/2001
• Issued: 05/15/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.
• Inventors: Greenberg, Robert J., Mech, Brian V., Schulman, Joseph H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Layno, Carl H
• Assistant Examiner(s): OROPEZA, FRANCES P
• Application Number:
  US10/033,576
• Publication Number:
  US 20020091421A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,840 Days
• Field of Search: 600/377, 600/393, 607/53, 607/54, 607/116, 623/6.11, 623/6.22, 623/6.63
• US Class Current: 607/54
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0543 Retinal electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36046 of the eye

Abstract

The present invention is an implantable visual prosthesis where the neural stimulator includes an electrode array body suitable to be placed in an epiretinal location with insulation covering the electrode array body and forming voids. Electrodes are recessed within those voids.

Claims

1. An implantable visual prosthesis comprising:

an electrode array body suitable to be placed in an epiretinal location to stimulate visual percepts;

insulation covering said electrode array body forming voids; and

electrodes within the voids consisting of one electrode recessed within each void.

2. The implantable visual prosthesis according to claim 1, wherein said electrodes are exposed in more than one dimension.

3. The implantable visual prosthesis according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of electrodes have different lengths.

4. The implantable visual prosthesis according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of electrodes are spike shaped.

5. The implantable visual prosthesis according to claim 1, wherein said electrode array body includes an integrated circuit.

6. The implantable visual prosthesis according to claim 1, wherein said electrode array body has a generally curved surface on at least one side.

7. The implantable visual prosthesis according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of electrodes are metal, at least partially coated in ceramic.

8. The implantable visual prosthesis according to claim 1, further comprising insulation covering said plurality of electrodes whereby said plurality of electrodes forms capacitors with the retina.