Transretinal implant and method of manufacture

• US 20040186533A1
• Filed: 03/21/2003
• Published: 09/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Doheny Eye Institute, Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Doheny Eye Institute
• Inventors: Greenberg, Robert, Humayan, Mark
• Granted Patent: US 7,483,750 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/54
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/0008 Introducing ophthalmic products into the ocular cavity or retaining products therein putting in contact lenses A61F9/0061; introducing or retaining media in cavities of the body in general A61M31/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/0017 implantable in, or in contact with, the eye, e.g. ocular inserts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/0026 Ophthalmic product dispenser attachments to facilitate positioning near the eye
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/08 Devices or methods enabling eye-patients to replace direct visual perception by another kind of perception
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0612 Eyes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 31/00 Devices for introducing or retaining media, e.g. remedies, in cavities of the body A61M25/00 takes precedence ; introducing or retaining ophthalmic products into the ocular cavities A61F9/0008
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 31/002 Devices for releasing a drug at a continuous and controlled rate for a prolonged period of time artificial gland structures or devices A61F2/022; intra-uterine contraceptive devices A61F6/14; tampons for introducing into the vagina A61F13/20, A61L15/00; suppositories or bougies for intra-vaginal or intra-uterine application A61K9/02; physical forms of medicinal preparations for sustained or differential drug release A61K9/20, A61K9/50
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 37/00 Other apparatus for introducing media into the body for reproduction or fertilisation A61B17/425; apparatus for iontophoresis or cataphoresis A61N1/30; Percutany, i.e. introducing medicines into the body by diffusion through the skin salt baths A61H33/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0543 Retinal electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/30 Apparatus for iontophoresis, i.e. transfer of media in ionic state by an electromotoric force into the body, or cataphoresis
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/303 Constructional details electrodes for external use A61N1/0428
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/306 Arrangements where at least part of the apparatus is introduced into the body

Abstract

The invention is a retinal implant device to stimulate a retina of an eye thereby producing a specific effect in an eye, such as vision or drug treatment of a chronic condition. The retinal device is made of a retinal implant that is positioned subretinally and that contains a multitude of stimulation sites that are in contact with the retina. A connection carries the stimulating electrical signal or drug. The connection passes transretinally through the retina and into the vitreous cavity of the eye, thereby minimizing damage to the nutrient-rich choroid. The lead is attached to a source of drugs or electrical energy, which is located outside the eye. The lead passes through the sclera at a point near the front of the eye to avoid damage to the retina.

Claims

1. An implantable device to affect an eye, the eye having a retina, a sclera, and a vitreous cavity, said device comprising:

a retinal implant that is positioned subretinally;

said retinal implant comprising at least one electrode connected with a stimulating source;

at least one connection with said stimulating source and with said at least one electrode, wherein said connection is suitable to pass transretinally into the vitreous cavity of the eye;

said connection suitably designed to pass through the sclera at a point where there is no retina; and

said stimulating source is suitable to be located outside the sclera.

2. The implantable device according to claim 1, wherein said retinal implant is configured to enable electrical stimulation of a retina of an eye to produce artificial vision.

3. The implantable device according to claim 2, wherein said stimulating source is comprised of a source of electrical signal.

4. The implantable device according to claim 2, wherein said connection is comprised of an electrical lead.

5. The implantable device according to claim 2, wherein said at least one electrode that is configured to pass an electrical signal to the retina.

6. The implantable device according to claim 2, wherein said retinal implant that is positioned subretinally is suitable to be positioned between the photoreceptor cell layer and the retinal pigment epithelium.

7. The implantable device according to claim 2, wherein said stimulating source comprises electrical coupling with a secondary coil, which receives electromagnetic signals from a primary coil, said primary coil located outside the sclera.

8. The implantable device according to claim 7, wherein said secondary coil is suitable to be located inside the eye.

9. The implantable device according to claim 7, wherein said secondary coil is suitable to be located outside the sclera.

10. A implantable device to deliver drugs to an eye, the eye having a retina, a sciera, and a vitreous cavity, said device comprising:

a retinal implant that is positioned subretinally for drug release;

said retinal implant comprising a drug delivery device connected with a drug reservoir;

at least one connection between said drug reservoir and said retinal implant, wherein said connection is suitable to pass transretinally into the vitreous cavity of the eye;

said connection being suitable to pass through the sclera at a point where there is no retina; and

said drug reservoir is located outside the eye.

11. The implantable device according to claim 10, wherein said implantable device delivers the drugs electrophoretically.

12. The implantable device according to claim 10, wherein said connection comprises a tube.

13. The implantable device according to claim 10, the retina additionally is comprised of a photoreceptor cell layer and a retinal pigment epithelium wherein said retinal implant that is positioned subretinally is suitable to be positioned between the photoreceptor cell layer and the retinal pigment epithelium.

14. An artificial retinal device to electrically stimulate a retina of an eye to produce artificial vision, the eye having a sclera, and a vitreous cavity, said artificial retinal device comprising:

a retinal implant that is positioned subretinally;

said retinal implant comprising at least one stimulating electrode connected with an electrical source that is located outside the eye;

at least one electrical lead connected with said electrical source and with said at least one stimulating electrode, wherein said electrical lead is suitable to pass transretinally into the vitreous cavity of the eye; and

said electrical lead passing through the sclera at a point where there is no retina.

15. The artificial retinal device according to claim 14 wherein said electrical source is suitable to affix to the sclera of the eye with sutures.

16. The artificial retinal device according to claim 14 wherein said electrodes are facing the retinal.

17. The artificial retinal device according to claim 14, the retina additionally is comprised of a photoreceptor cell layer and a retinal pigment epithelium wherein said retinal implant that is positioned subretinally is suitable to be positioned between the photoreceptor cell layer and the retinal pigment epithelium.

18. An implantable device drug delivery device to deliver drugs for treatment to affect an eye, the eye having a retina, a sciera, and a vitreous cavity, said device comprising:

a retinal implant that is positioned subretinally;

said retinal implant comprising at least one orifice connected with a drug reservoir;

at least one delivery conduit connected with said drug reservoir and with said at least one orifice, wherein said delivery conduit is suitable to pass transretinally into the vitreous cavity of the eye;

said delivery conduit suitably designed to pass through the sclera at a point where there is no retina; and

said drug reservoir is suitable to be located outside the sclera.

19. The implantable device according to claim 18, wherein said retinal implant releases said drugs electrophoretically.

20. The implantable device according to claim 18, wherein said delivery conduit is a tube that transfers said drugs from said drug reservoir to said retinal implant.

21. The implantable device according to claim 18, wherein said drug is suitable to stimulate living tissue.

22. The implantable device according to claim 18, wherein said retinal implant that is positioned subretinally is suitable to be positioned between the photoreceptor cell layer and the retinal pigment epithelium.

23. The implantable device according to claim 18, wherein said implantable device comprises an electrophoretic drug delivery device.

24. The implantable device according to claim 18, wherein said retinal implant is configured to enable drug stimulation of a retina of an eye to produce artificial vision.

25. A method for producing an artificial retinal device suitable to electrically stimulate a retina of an eye to produce artificial vision, the eye having a sclera, and a vitreous cavity, said method comprising the steps of:

selecting a biocompatible retinal implant;

placing at least one stimulating electrode in said retinal implant that is suitable for electrically stimulating the retina;

connecting an electrical lead to said stimulating electrode;

adapting said electrical lead to pass transretinally into the vitreous cavity of the eye;

attaching said electrical lead to an electrical source that is located outside the eye; and

passing said electrical lead through the sclera at a point where there is no retina.

26. A method for producing artificial vision in an eye using an artificial retinal device, the eye having a sclera, a retina, and a vitreous cavity, wherein said artificial retinal device comprises a retinal implant further comprising at least one stimulating electrode in said retinal implant, said stimulating electrode connected with an electrical source, at least one electrical lead connected with said electrical source and said electrode, the method comprising the steps of:

adapting said retinal implant to be positionable in the subretinal position in the eye;

adapting said electrical lead to be suitable to pass transretinally through the retina of the eye into the vitreous cavity; and

adapting said electrical lead to be suitable to pass through the sclera at a point where there is no retina.

27. The method according to claim 26 further comprising the step of is attaching said electrical source to the sclera by sutures.

28. The method according to claim 26 further comprising the step of positioning said electrodes to face the retina.

29. A visual prosthesis, comprising:

means for perceiving a visual image where said means is suitable to be located outside the eye of a user, said means producing a visual signal output in response thereto;

retinal tissue stimulation means adapted to be operatively attached to a retina of a user, where said retinal stimulation means is suitable to be located below the retina of a user; and

wireless visual signal communication means for transmitting said visual signal output to said retinal tissue stimulation means.

30. A method of at least partially restoring vision to a user who suffers from photoreceptor degenerative retinal conditions of the eye, comprising the steps of:

perceiving a visual image and producing a visual signal output in response thereto;

wirelessly transmitting the visual signal output into the eye of a user; and

stimulating retinal tissue of the user by means of an electrode, that is suitable to be placed below the retina of a user, in accordance with the visual signal output.