Eye implant apparatus and update system for the same

• US 9,031,660 B2
• Filed: 04/01/2013
• Issued: 05/12/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Neurotech Limited
• Original Assignee: Neurotech Limited
• Inventors: Lee, Winghong
• Primary Examiner(s): Layno, Carl
• Assistant Examiner(s): Morales, Jon Eric C
• Application Number:
  US13/854,228
• Publication Number:
  US 20130261700A1
• Time in Patent Office: 771 Days
• Field of Search: 607/29, 607/33, 623/4.1
• US Class Current: 607/53
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36046 of the eye
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37264 Changing the program; Upgrading firmware
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source

Abstract

The present disclosure discloses an apparatus to be implanted in eyes, including: a configuration memory used for storing signal parameter configuration; a signal generator connected to the configuration memory and used for generating stimulating signals according to the signal parameter configuration in the configuration memory; electrodes connected to the signal generator and contact with outer surface of eye ball after implanted; a communication assembly connected to the configuration memory and used for receiving the signal parameter configuration, storing the received signal parameter configuration in the configuration memory; and a power supply connected to the configuration memory, signal generator and communication assembly, used for providing power. An update system for the apparatus is also disclosed. By using the above apparatus and update system, when it needs to change waveform parameter of stimulating signals, there is no need to take the apparatus out, reducing harm on human body and improving safety.

Claims

1. An eye implant apparatus, comprising:

a configuration memory configured for storing signal parameter configuration;

a key memory connected to the signal processing module and configured for storing a pre-established communication key, the pre-established communication key including at least one of a globally unique device identification established at manufacture and a preset fingerprinting code established according to a patient identification;

a signal generator connected to the configuration memory and configured for generating stimulating signals according to the signal parameter configuration in the configuration memory;

an electrode connected to the signal generator and contacting an outer surface of an eye ball after the electrode is implanted, wherein the electrode is gold;

a communication assembly connected to the configuration memory and the key memory and configured for receiving and decrypting the signal parameter configuration according to the communication key, storing the received signal parameter configuration in the configuration memory; and

a power supply connected to the configuration memory, signal generator and communication assembly, the power supply being selectively configured for adjustably providing power responsive to a predetermined set of operational parameters and wherein the power supply is devoid of a battery.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the communication assembly comprises:

an antenna;

a signal processing module connected to the antenna and configured for decoding a received radio wave signal to the signal parameter configuration; and

wherein the communication assembly is connected to the configuration memory via the signal processing module.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the power supply comprises a power adjusting module, and the power supply is connected to the configuration memory, the signal generator and the communication assembly via the power adjusting module, the power supply is configured for AC-DC converting and voltage stabilization.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the power supply further comprises a power receiving module connected to the power adjusting module and antenna, the power receiving module is configured for obtaining power through the antenna.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the antenna comprises a receiving coil, and the power supply receives radio energy through the receiving coil.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power supply obtains electrical power by utilizing at least one way selected from human temperature, and muscle movement.

7. The apparatus as recited in claim 6, wherein the power supply obtains electrical power by muscle movement harnessed by a bendable nanowire disposed in contact therewith.

8. The apparatus as recited in claim 6, wherein the power supply further includes a thermoelectric cell obtaining power by temperature differential between the eyeball and an ambient temperature.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the signal parameter configuration comprises at least one waveform parameter selected from amplitude, waveform function, period and duty ratio of the stimulation signal.

10. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the apparatus is enclosed in a biocompatible material and the electrodes are formed of gold.

11. The apparatus as recited in claim 10, wherein the apparatus is enclosed in biocompatible silicone.

12. An update system for an eye implant apparatus, comprising:

an external update device; and

an eye implant apparatus comprising;

an electrode contacting the outer surface of the eyeball, wherein the electrode is gold;

a power supply devoid of a battery, the power supply being selectively configured for adjustably providing power to the eye implant apparatus responsive to muscle movement harnessed by a bendable nanowire disposed in contact therewith; and

,

a communication assembly including;

an antenna;

a signal processing module connected to the antenna and configured for decoding received radio wave signals to signal parameter configurations; and

,

a key memory connected to the signal processing module and configured for storing a pre-established communication key, the communication assembly is connected to a configuration memory via the signal processing module;

the external update device is configured for sending encoded signal parameter configurations via radio wave signals to the communication assembly of the eye implant apparatus through a wireless channel;

the communication assembly of the eye implant apparatus is also configured for receiving the signal parameter configuration, and updating the signal parameter configuration in the configuration memory.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the external update device is further configured for encrypting the signal parameter configuration according to preset communication key.

14. The system as recited in claim 12, wherein the eye implant apparatus is enclosed in a biocompatible material and the electrodes are formed of gold.

15. The system as recited in claim 14, wherein the eye implant apparatus is enclosed in biocompatible silicone.

16. The system as recited in claim 12, wherein, the pre-established communication key includes at least one of a globally unique device identification established at manufacture and a preset fingerprinting code established according to a patient identification.

17. An update system for an eye implant apparatus, comprising:

an external update device; and

an eye implant apparatus comprising;

an electrode contacting the outer surface of the eyeball, wherein the electrode is gold;

a power supply devoid of a battery, the power supply being selectively configured for adjustably providing power to the eye implant apparatus responsive to a predetermined set of operational parameters, the power supply having a thermoelectric cell obtaining power by temperature differential between the eyeball and an ambient temperature; and

,

a communication assembly including;

an antenna;

a signal processing module connected to the antenna and configured for decoding received radio wave signals to signal parameter configurations; and

,

a key memory connected to the signal processing module and configured for storing a pre-established communication key, the communication assembly is connected to a configuration memory via the signal processing module;

the external update device is configured for sending encoded signal parameter configurations via radio wave signals to the communication assembly of the eye implant apparatus through a wireless channel;

the communication assembly of the eye implant apparatus is also configured for receiving the signal parameter configuration, and updating the signal parameter configuration in the configuration memory.