Foveated retinal prosthesis

• US 9,370,417 B2
• Filed: 03/14/2013
• Issued: 06/21/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nano-Retina Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nano-Retina Inc.
• Inventors: Gefen, Ra'anan
• Primary Examiner(s): Malamud, Deborah
• Application Number:
  US13/827,919
• Publication Number:
  US 20140277435A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,195 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/1624 having adjustable focus; power activated variable focus means, e.g. mechanically or electrically by the ciliary muscle or from the outside
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0543 Retinal electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36046 of the eye

Abstract

Apparatus is provided having an intraocular device for implantation entirely in a subject'"'"'s eye, the intraocular device including: a photosensor array having a plurality of photosensors, each photosensor detects ambient photons and generates a signal in response thereto. A spatial density of the photosensors in a central portion of the array is greater than a spatial density of the photosensors in an outer portion of the array. The intraocular device additionally includes a plurality of stimulating electrodes and driving circuitry coupled to the photosensors, and configured to drive the electrodes to apply electrical pulses to a retina of the eye in response to the signals from the photosensors. Other applications are also described.

Claims

1. Apparatus comprising an intraocular device configured to be implanted entirely in a subject'"'"'s eye, the intraocular device comprising:

a photosensor array comprising a plurality of photosensors, each photosensor configured to detect ambient photons and to generate a signal in response thereto;

an arrangement of stimulating electrodes, a spatial density of the electrodes in a central portion of the arrangement being lower than a spatial density of the electrodes in an outer portion of the arrangement, the arrangement being such that;

(a) the outer portion surrounds the central portion, and (b) the central portion is large enough to contain therewithin a circle of diameter of at least 100 microns and has a diameter of less than 1000 microns; and

driving circuitry, coupled to the photosensors, and configured to drive the electrodes to apply electrical pulses to a retina of the eye in response to the signals from the photosensors.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the spatial density of the electrodes in the central portion is zero, and wherein the spatial density of the electrodes in the outer portion is at least 4 electrodes per mm^2.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the spatial density of the electrodes in the outer portion is between 10 and 100 electrodes per mm^2.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the outer portion of the arrangement comprises at least first and second sub-portions, the second sub-portion surrounding the first sub-portion, a spatial density of the electrodes in the second sub-portion of the arrangement being lower than a spatial density of the electrodes in the first sub-portion.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the electrodes in the first sub-portion are separated by a distance of 10-100 microns.

6. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the electrodes in the second sub-portion are separated by a distance of 300-500 microns.