Locating a Neural Prosthesis using Impedance and Electrode Height

• US 20120203293A1
• Filed: 04/20/2012
• Published: 08/09/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Doheny Eye Institute, Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Doheny Eye Institute
• Inventors: Greenberg, Robert J., Roy, Arup, McMahon, Matthew J., Humayun, Mark S., Horsager, Alan M., Zhou, Dao Min, Hines, Amy, Yadav, Sumit, Dai, Rongqing, Fine, Jone, Welland, James David
• Granted Patent: US 9,597,495 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/2
• 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

Abstract

The invention is a method of identifying a preferred location for an electrode array to the neural characteristics of an individual subject. The response to electrical neural stimulation varies from subject to subject and array location to array location. Measure of impedance may be used to predict the electrode height from the neural tissue and, thereby, predict the preferred location. Alternatively, electrode height may be measured directly to predict the preferred location.

Claims

1. A method of determining proper placement of a neural stimulation electrode array comprising:

placing an electrode array in proximity of neural tissue;

measuring impedance across the electrode array;

determining, by the impedance, the proper placement of the electrode array;

attaching the electrode array to neural tissue in the proper placement; and

stimulating neural percepts with the electrode array.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

placing the electrode array in a plurality of locations;

measuring impedance across the electrode array in each location; and

determining, by the impedances, the best placement of the electrode array.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

communicating the impedance to an external device; and

displaying the impedance to a user on the external device.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein displaying the impedance to a user is displaying the impedance to a user with a graphical representation of the plurality of electrodes.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein displaying the impedance to a user is by sound.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein displaying the impedance to a user is by color.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein displaying the impedance to a user is by graphical symbol.