01 - Chemical and biological materials for industrial, scientific and agricultural use
05 - Pharmaceutical, veterinary and sanitary products
10 - Medical apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
Nanoporous membranes used in drug delivery devices injected through a small needle for controlling the rate of release of the subject therapeutic compound by selecting nano-pores slightly larger than the molecular diameter of the therapeutic compound; nanoporous membranes used for controlling the rate of release of the subject therapeutic compound by selecting nano-pores slightly larger than the molecular diameter of the therapeutic compound that control the amount and rate of drug released from a drug implant injected through a small needle where the drug reservoir dictates the duration of therapy delivered from the drug implant Implantable drug delivery devices injected through a small needle having a drug reservoir filled with pharmaceutical preparations and a nanoporous membrane for improving medication adherence in the treatment of chronic diseases including, for example, metabolic diseases such as diabetes, obesity or non-alcoholic steatohepatits, and psychological diseases such as Alzheimer's, dementia, sociopathy or psychopathy Implantable drug delivery devices injected through a small needle having a drug reservoir and a nanoporous membrane; Nanoporous membranes used in drug delivery devices injected through a small needle for improving medication adherence in the treatment of chronic diseases including, for example, metabolic diseases such as diabetes, obesity or non-alcoholic steatohepatits, and psychological diseases such as Alzheimer's, dementia, sociopathy or psychopathy; miniature long-term drug implants utilizing proprietary implantable drug delivery technology; nanoporous membranes used for improving medication adherence in the treatment of chronic diseases including, for example, metabolic diseases such as diabetes, obesity or non-alcoholic steatohepatits, and psychological diseases such as Alzheimer's, dementia, sociopathy or psychopathy that control the amount and rate of drug released from a drug implant injected through a small needle where the drug reservoir dictates the duration of therapy delivered from the drug implant for treatment of metabolic diseases such as diabetes, obesity or non-alcoholic steatohepatits, and psychological diseases such as Alzheimer's, dementia, sociopathy or psychopathy, and other diseases treated with small drug molecules
The present invention is a depth sensing visual prosthesis. By depth sensing objects within an image, items located at a certain depths from the user can be removed to declutter an image. The resulting image presents only objects within a range of depth from the visual prosthesis user. Depth sensing can be accomplished in various ways including structured light, time of flight, or preferably, a stereo camera pair.
The present invention is an improved system for use of eye tracking including spatial mapping percepts in a visual prosthesis by presenting an electrically induced precept through a visual prosthesis, requesting a subject look to the direction of the percept and tracking their eye movement. Eye movement is both faster and more accurate than asking a visual prosthesis user to point to the location of a percept. This method can be beneficial in a retinal prosthesis, but is particularly useful in a cortical visual prosthesis where visual cortex does not match the retinotopic map. Methods are presented for calibrating an eye tracker. Eye tracking hardware may also be used for blanking video information base on the subject's natural blink reflex.
Electrode arrays for biological implants are disclosed, particularly for stimulating a retina. The present disclosure provides array for improving apposition (reducing the space between the array and the retina. The present disclosure also provides electrode array designs that can be made approximately spherical to increase the field of view of a visual prosthesis while still maintaining good apposition.
The present invention consists of an implantable device with a hermetic electronics package that houses electronics. The hermetic package is attached to a flexible circuit electrode array having its electrodes arranged in a trapezoidal electrode array field that is suitable to stimulate the visual cortex. The hermetic electronics package is provided with a fixation structure that secures, protects and dissipates heat from the electronics package. The entire implantable device can be entirely implanted within the head.
Systems and methods for detecting and displaying obstacles to visually impaired persons are disclosed. Images from a captured scene are analyzed to detect obstacles. A V-Disparity algorithm is employed to detect the ground plane and remove it from the images, thereby enhancing the capacity of retinal implants to display only obstacles. The system includes cameras to capture images; a processor with memory to detect obstacles in the captured images, to remove a ground plane, and to calculate a map of pixels representing the obstacles; and a retinal implant configured to receive the map of pixels and display the obstacles to a system user by electrically stimulating retinal nerves. The method includes synchronizing captured images and calculating a disparity map between the captured images to detect obstacles and remove a ground plane from processed images. A map of pixels representing the obstacle is transmitted to a retinal implant. Depth information may derive from stereo cameras, a time of flight camera or a structured light camera.
The present invention is a visual prosthesis adapted for implantation in the brain, and more particularly with an electrode array adapted for implantation in the Calcarine Sulcus of the visual cortex. The electrode array of the invention has electrodes on each side and spaced appropriately for the Calcarine Sulcus and driven by an electronic circuit within a hermetic package small enough to be implanted with a skull.
It is critical in an inductively linked medical implant, such as a visual prosthesis or other neural stimulator, to adjust the external coil (4) to a position to maximize communication between the external coil and internal coil. Converting the signal strength to a signal easily discernible by a clinician, preferably an audible tone, facilitates the adjustment of the external coil to a preferred position.
The present invention is an improved fitting and training system for a visual prosthesis. Fitting a visual prosthesis through automated means is challenging and fitting a visual prosthesis manually is tedious for clinician and patent, and provides great opportunity for error. A hybrid of computer controlled and manual fitting provides effective, efficient and controlled fitting process. The process includes testing a group of electrodes in random order by providing a prompt followed by stimulation and the patient responding if they saw a percept. After each set, a maximum likelihood algorithm is used to determine the next stimulation level, or if further stimulation is needed for each electrode.
The present application describes an implantable device with at least one package (214) that houses electronics that sends and receives data or signals, and optionally power, from an external system through at least one coil (216) attached to the at least one package and processes the data, including recordings of neural activity, and delivers electrical pulses to neural tissue through at least one array of multiple electrodes (210) attached to the at least one package. The device is intended to be installed in the head, or on or in the cranium or on the dura, or on or in the brain and is adapted to electrocorticographic (ECoG) and local field potential (LFP) signals.
The invention is a device and method for connecting a hermetic package to a flexible circuit such as for an electrode array in an implantable device. Attaching metal pads on a flexible circuit to metal pads on a hermetic device by conductive adhesive is known. A smooth metal, such as platinum, does not bond well to conductive epoxy. The invention provides a roughened surface, such as by etching or by applying high surface area platinum gray, to improve adhesion to platinum or other metal pads.
The present invention is a visual prosthesis including a visor with an embedded camera and changeable optical filters to limit light entering the lens of the camera. This invention will allow use of custom filters to limit light intensity or certain light frequencies sent to the camera of the visual prosthesis in a variety of brightness conditions which will remove glare. It will allow modification of the color of the light sent to camera of the visual prosthesis to respond to different environments. Users may choose the best filter to suit their needs in real time.
The present invention is an improved fitting and training system for a visual prosthesis. A patient, using the visual prosthesis observes a display and indicates location, movement, shape or other properties of the display image to provide for improved fitting and training. In one embodiment, the patient uses a touch screen monitory which displays an image. The patient touches the monitor at the location where the patient perceives the image. The system then corrects the image to the location indicated by the patient. In another embodiment a patient observes an image moving across the touch screen monitor and indicates by moving their hand across the monitor which direction the believe the image is moving. The system can then rotate the image to match the image perceived by the patient.
Techniques and functional electrical stimulation to eliminate discomfort during electrical stimulation of the retina are provided. According to a first technique, discomfort is eliminated through control of timing group assignment. According to a second technique, discomfort is eliminated through an edge detection method. According to a third technique, brightness clipping is used to eliminate discomfort. According to a fourth technique, direct reduction of current is obtained by scaling it down by a factor which is dependent on the sum of current in all electrodes. According to a fifth technique, the current being fed to each electrode is adjusted, by dividing it by a weighted sum of currents fed to the surrounding electrodes. According to a sixth technique, a method based on the current summation effect is used. According to a seventh technique, a large return electrode is used. According to an eighth technique, the return electrode is used for a pseudo-multi-polar stimulation.
Digital image filters and related methods for image contrast enhancement are disclosed. According to one aspect of the method, an invariant brightness level is initially determined. For each pixel of an input image, the invariant brightness level is subtracted from the input brightness of the pixel. The resulting value is multiplied with a contrast adjustment constant. After that, the invariant brightness level is added. Further aspects of the method can involve histogram equalization.
This system gives the experimenter great flexibility to present spatio-temporal stimulation patterns to a subject. A video configuration file (VCF) editor allows the experimenter to determine the electrical stimulation parameters for each electrode. A Pattern Stimulation software program allows direct stimulation of chosen patterns of electrodes, scaled by the subject's VCF, through a Graphical User Interface. The subject then responds by drawing the outline of the phosphene he or she perceives on a touchscreen. The Pattern Stimulation program saves all of the trial parameters and the parameters of an ellipse fit to their drawing, as well as a raw data file containing the input to the touchscreen is saved. After the experiment, offline image analysis can be performed to obtain a detailed quantitative description of the subject's percepts. Image descriptors can assigned to the toucscreen data; these image descriptors can be used to make formalized comparisons between various experimental conditions. Various types of image descriptors can be used, including simple ellipse fitting, projections of the 2-D drawings onto one-dimensional axes, calculations of Hu moments, PCA, and ICA.
The present invention is an electrode array for neural stimulation suitable to be attached to neural tissue such that the attachment point acts as a fulcrum like point and contact with an end of the array body presses the other end of the array body into the neural tissue to be stimulated. This invention is particularly useful in a retinal electrode array for a visual prosthesis. By curving an electrode portion of an array body to approximate but not exceed (never more tightly curved) the curvature of the retina and applying force to the array by external means at the fulcrum like point, approximately even pressure across all electrodes is achieved.
An electrode array attached to neural tissue, such as the retina, necessarily has graded pressure exerted on the tissue, with higher pressure near the attachment point. Greater pressure improves contact between the electrodes and neural tissue while too much pressure may damage neural tissue. Hence it is advantageous to obtain equal pressure across the array field. In the present invention multiple and selective attachment points are provided on an electrode array allowing a surgeon to select the attachment points providing the best electrode tissue contact.
An electrode surface coating and method for manufacturing the electrode surface coating comprising a conductive substrate; and one or more surface coatings comprising one or more of the following metals titanium, niobium, tantalum, ruthenium, rhodium, iridium, palladium, or gold, or an alloy of two or more metals, or a combination of two or more alloys or metal layers thereof having an increase in the surface area of 5 times to 500 times of the corresponding surface area resulting from the basic geometric shape.
A cochlear stimulation device comprising an electrode array designed to provide enhanced charge injection capacity necessary for neural stimulation. The electrode array comprises electrodes with high surface area or a fractal geometry and correspondingly high electrode capacitance and low electrical impedance. The resultant electrodes have a robust surface and sufficient mechanical strength to withstand physical stress vital for long term stability. The device further comprises wire traces having a multilayer structure which provides a reduced width for the conducting part of the electrode array. The cochlear prosthesis is attached by a grommet to the cochleostomy that is made from a single piece of biocompatible polymer. The device, designed to achieve optimum neural stimulation by appropriate electrode design, is a significant improvement over commercially available hand-built devices.
The present invention is an electrode array for neural stimulation. In particular it is an electrode array for use with a visual prosthesis with the electrode array suitable to be positioned on the retina. The array includes multiple attachment points to provide for even pressure across the electrode array surface. The attachment points are arranged so as to not damage retinal tissue stimulated by the electrode array.
The present invention consists of an implantable device with at least one package that houses electronics that receives input data or signals, and optionally power, from an external system through at least one coil attached to the at least one package, processes the input data and delivers electrical pulses to neural tissue through at least one array of multiple electrodes that is/are attached to the at least one package. The invention, or components thereof, is/are intended to be installed in the head, or on or in the cranium or on the dura, or on or in the brain.
In a visual prosthesis electrodes stimulate retinal tissue to induce the perception of light to a user implanted with the prosthesis. The prosthesis must have a return, or common, electrode to make a complete circuit with the retinal tissue. To avoid stimulating tissue with the return electrode, it is advantageous if the electrode is large. The invention involver a flexible circuit electrode array comprising a polymer base layer, metal traces deposited on said polymer base layer, including electrodes suitable to stimulate neural tissue a polymer top layer deposited on said polymer base layer and said metal traces, and a return electrode separate from said stimulating electrodes. The flexible circuit electrode array comprises a secondary coil for receiving visual data; an electronics package electrically coupled to said receiving coil, and a plurality of stimulating electrode electrically coupled to said electronics package.
A method for fabricating the hermetic electrical feedthrough. The method comprises providing a ceramic sheet having an upper surface and a lower surface, forming at least one via hole in said ceramic sheet extending from said upper surface to said lower surface, inserting a conductive thickfilm paste into said via hole, laminating the ceramic sheet with paste filled via hole between an upper ceramic sheet and a lower ceramic sheet to form a laminated ceramic substrate, firing the laminated ceramic substrate to a temperature to sinter the laminated ceramic substrate and cause the paste filled via hole to form metalized via and cause the laminated ceramic substrate to form a hermetic seal around said metalized via, and removing the upper ceramic sheet and the lower ceramic sheet material from the fired laminated ceramic substrate to expose an upper and a lower surface of the metalized via.
A flexible circuit electrode array, which comprises: a polymer base layer; metal traces deposited on said polymer base layer, including electrodes suitable to stimulate neural tissue; a polymer top layer deposited on said polymer base layer and said metal traces; and a partial or entire coating of the base and top layer by a soft polymer. A method of preparing a flexible circuit electrode array, comprising: (a) providing a first soft polymer layer; (b) depositing a first a base layer on the first soft polymer layer; (c) providing a metal thin film on the base layer; (d) depositing a top polymer layer on the metal thin film; (e) providing holes in the top polymer layer; (f) depositing a second soft polymer layer on the top polymer layer; (g) providing holes in the second soft polymer layer for bond pads and electrodes; and (h) preparing electrodes in the provided holes. A method of preparing a flexible circuit electrode array, comprising: (a) providing a first soft polymer layer; (b) depositing a first a base layer on the first soft polymer layer; (c) providing a metal thin film on the base layer; (d) depositing a top polymer layer on the metal thin film; (e) depositing a second soft polymer layer on the top polymer layer; (f) providing holes in the second soft polymer layer and in the top polymer layer for bond pads and electrodes; and (g) preparing electrodes in the provided holes.
A visual prosthesis apparatus and a method for providing artificial vision are disclosed in the present disclosure. The visual prosthesis apparatus comprises a video capture device for capturing a video image, a video processing unit associated with the video capture device, the video processing unit configured to convert the video image to stimulation patterns, and a retinal stimulation system configured to stimulate neural tissue in a subject's eye based on the stimulation patterns, wherein the video processing unit is configured to be powered on after a first time interval upon activation of a power button, wherein the video processing unit is configured to be powered off after a second time interval upon activation of a power button.
A method of editing a video configuration file downloadable to or from a video processing unit of a fitting system for a visual prosthesis is shown. The visual prosthesis has a plurality of electrodes and the video configuration file defines mapping of a video signal captured from a camera of the visual prosthesis to an electrical signal for the electrodes. The editing controls a brightness map for an individual electrode or electrode groups, together with a temporal stimulation pattern to which an individual electrode or electrode groups are assigned. A related computer-operated system is also disclosed.
A visual prosthesis and a method of operating a visual prosthesis are disclosed. Neural stimulation through electrodes is controlled by spatial maps, where a grouped or random association is established between the pixels of the acquired image and the electrodes. In this way distortions from the foveal pit and wiring mistakes in the implant can be corrected. Moreover, broken electrodes can be bypassed and a resolution limit can be tested, together with testing the benefit the patient receives from correct spatial mapping.
Stimulation inputs are provided to a visual prosthesis implant. The images captured by a video decoder are received and digitized to provide a plurality of video frames; integrity of the video frames is checked, the checked video frames are filtered, and the filtered video frames are converted to stimulation inputs. A similar system is also disclosed.
Saliency-based apparatus and methods for visual prostheses are disclosed. A saliency-based component processes video data output by a digital signal processor before the video data are input to the retinal stimulator. In a saliency-based method, an intensity stream is extracted from an input image, feature maps based on the intensity stream are developed, plural most salient regions of the input image are detected and one of the regions is selected as a highest saliency region.
A flexible circuit electrode array comprising: a polymer base layer; metal traces deposited on said polymer base layer, including electrodes suitable to stimulate neural tissue; a polymer top layer deposited on said polymer base layer and said metal traces; and a central opening in the area of the metal traces. A flexible circuit electrode array comprising: a polymer base layer; metal traces deposited on said polymer base layer, including electrodes suitable to stimulate neural tissue; a polymer top layer deposited on said polymer base layer and said metal traces; and a soft polymer filling an attachment point. A flexible circuit electrode array comprising: a polymer base layer; metal traces deposited on said polymer base layer, including electrodes suitable to stimulate neural tissue; a polymer top layer deposited on said polymer base layer and said metal traces; and a hump to avoid a touching of the flexible electrode array and the optic nerve.
A flexible circuit electrode array with more than one layer of metal traces comprising: a polymer base layer; more than one layer of metal traces, separated by polymer layers, deposited on said polymer base layer, including electrodes suitable to stimulate neural tissue; and a polymer top layer deposited on said polymer base layer and said metal traces. Polymer materials are useful as electrode array bodies for neural stimulation. They are particularly useful for retinal stimulation to create artificial vision, cochlear stimulation to create artificial hearing, or cortical stimulation many purposes. The pressure applied against the retina, or other neural tissue, by an electrode array is critical. Too little pressure causes increased electrical resistance, along with electric field dispersion. Too much pressure may block blood flow.
The disclosure relates to a flexible circuit electrode array comprising: a polymer base layer; metal traces deposited on said polymer base layer, including electrodes suitable to stimulate neural tissue; a polymer top layer deposited on said polymer base layer and said metal traces; and at least one support embedded in said array. The disclosure further relates to a flexible circuit electrode array comprising: a polymer base layer; metal traces deposited on said polymer base layer, including electrodes suitable to stimulate neural tissue; a polymer top layer deposited on said polymer base layer and said metal traces; and a folded flexible circuit cable connecting the electrode array with an interconnection pad. The disclosure further relates to a method of making a flexible circuit electrode array comprising: depositing a polymer base layer; depositing metal on said polymer base layer; patterning said metal to form metal traces; depositing a polymer top layer on said polymer base layer and said metal traces; heating said flexible circuit electrode array in a mold to form a three dimensional shape in said flexible circuit electrode array, embedding a support at least in the base layer, top layer or between the base and top layer, and/or folding a flexible circuit cable at least once connecting the electrode array with an interconnection pad the array.
A visual prosthesis apparatus including a video capture device for capturing a video image, a video processing unit associated with the video capture device, the video processing unit configured to convert the video image to stimulation patterns, and a stimulation system configured to stimulate subject's neural tissue based on the stimulation patterns, wherein the stimulation system provides a span of visual angle matched to the subject's neural tissue being stimulated.
A visor for retinal stimulation of visually impaired subjects is shown. The visor comprises a frame, an external coil, a camera and a mounting system. A connector allows the external coil to be positioned along a first direction. A sliding device allows the external coil to be positioned along a second direction. Positioning of the visor on a subject's nose allows the external coil to be positioned along a third direction. Positioning of the external coil along the first, second or third direction is useful to maximize coupling RF coupling between the external coil and an internal coil implanted on a subject wearing the visor.
A power scheme for an implant on a human or animal body comprises: a charging circuit to provide power to deliver controlled stimulation currents to a body tissue; a capacitive storage arrangement connected with the charging circuit and charged by the charging circuit; a shunting arrangement to limit voltage on the capacitive storage arrangement; a driver array configured to transfer charges from the capacitive storage arrangement to the tissue; and an electrode array connected with the driver array and the tissue.
A method for stimulating a subject's retina. The method comprising selecting at least a first and a second electrode each configured to apply current to a subject's retina, determining impedance for the at least first electrode and second electrode, and applying current to the subject's retina through the at least first and second electrode, wherein current to be applied by the first electrode and the second electrode is configured to be higher for the first electrode when the first electrode has an impedance lower than a second electrode's impedance.
A visual prosthesis apparatus and a method for limiting power consumption in a visual prosthesis apparatus. The visual prosthesis apparatus comprises a camera for capturing a video image, a video processing unit associated with the camera, the video processing unit configured to convert the video image to stimulation patterns, and a retinal stimulation system configured to stop stimulating neural tissue in a subject's eye based on the stimulation patterns when an error is detected in a forward telemetry received from the video processing unit.
Methods and devices for inductively coupled implants on the human or animal body are disclosed. An external coil assembly to be used with the implant has a transmitting coil and one or more receiving coils. The number of the receiving coils, their distance from the transmitting coil and their shape is chosen to reduce the influence of a noise signal received by the external coil assembly.
The present invention is a method for measuring stable and reproducible electrode-tissue impedance, comprising preconditioning an electrode-tissue interface. Further aspect of the invention is a stimulation system for a visual prosthesis generating a stimulation signal to precondition the electrode-tissue interface, comprising a computer; software, loaded in the computer, adapted to perform a stimulating method for a visual prosthesis having a plurality of electrodes; a video processing unit; and an implanted neuron-stimulator.
The present invention is an improved hermetic package for implantation in the human body. The implantable device comprises an electrically non-conductive substrate; a plurality of electrically conductive vias through said electrically non-conductive substrate; a flip-chip circuit attached to said electrically non-conductive substrate using conductive bumps and electrically connected to a first subset of said plurality of electrically conductive vias, wherein said flip-chip circuit contains one or more stacks or a folded stack; a wire bonded circuit attached to said electrically non-conductive substrate and electrically connected to a second subset of said electrically conductive vias; and a cover bonded to said electrically non-conductive substrate, said cover, said electrically non-conductive substrate and said electrically conductive vias forming a hermetic package.
The invention is a method of automatically adjusting an electrode array to the neural characteristics of an individual patient. By recording neural response to a predetermined input stimulus, one can alter that input stimulus to the needs of an individual patient. A minimum input stimulus is applied to a patient, followed by recording neural response in the vicinity of the input stimulus. By alternating stimulation and recording at gradually increasing levels, one can determine the minimum input that creates a neural response, thereby identifying the threshold stimulation level. One can further determine a maximum level by increasing stimulus until a predetermined maximum neural response is obtained.
The present invention is a surgical tool for implanting retinal electrode array and its connected cable within an orbital socket. The insertion tool is used to aid the surgeon in pulling the electrode wire and array through the scull, four-rectus muscles of the eye, and the sclera. The insertion tool consists of a medical grade ABS material that is commonly used in various medical products.
The present invention relates to a process for cathodic protection of electrode or electrode materials wherein negative bias is applied on the electrode, the negative bias is obtained by asymmetric current pulse. The asymmetric current pulse is obtained by performing negative phase with higher amplitude. The asymmetric current pulse is obtained by performing negative phase with wider pulse width than that of the anodic phase. The asymmetric current pulse is obtained by performing negative phase with higher amplitude and with wider pulse width than that of the anodic phase. The present invention further relates to a process for cathodic protection of electrode or electrode materials, wherein negative bias is applied on the electrode, wherein the negative bias is obtained by asymmetric current pulse, wherein the asymmetric current pulse is obtained by performing negative phase with wider pulse width than that of the anodic phase. The wider pulse width is obtained by pulse trains.
C23F 13/02 - Inhibiting corrosion of metals by anodic or cathodic protection cathodic; Selection of conditions, parameters or procedures for cathodic protection, e.g. of electrical conditions
A visual prosthesis apparatus and a method for providing artificial vision are disclosed in the present disclosure. The visual prosthesis apparatus comprises a camera for capturing a video image, a video processing unit configured to convert the video image to stimulation patterns, and a retinal stimulation system configured stimulate neural tissue in a subjects eye based on the stimulation patterns. An artificial vision may be provided by capturing a video image, converting the video image to stimulation patterns, and stimulating neural tissue in a subjects eye based on the stimulation patterns.
Methods and devices for verifying that proper visual stimulation is applied to the visual prostheses are described. In one of the methods, a retinal stimulation system implanted on a subject is simulated externally. An external testing device is also discussed.
An apparatus and method for retinal stimulation are shown. The apparatus comprises an implantable and external portion, and the method comprises varied parameters, including frequency, pulse width, and pattern of pulse trains to determine a stimulation pattern and visual perception threshold.
The present invention provides an implantable electrode with increased stability having a clustered structure wherein the surface of the electrode is covered with a material comprising openings which are filled with sticks or posts. The present invention provides an implantable electrode with increased stability wherein the surface is of the electrode comprises mesh grids which are filled with sticks which are filed with a conducting or insulating material. The present invention provides a method of manufacturing an electrode with increased stability, comprising: depositing a metal layer on an base layer; applying photoresist layer on the metal layer; patterning the photoresist layer providing openings; electroplating the openings with metal; removing the photoresist layer leaving spaces; and filling the spaces with polymer. The present invention provides a method of manufacturing an electrode with increased stability, comprising: depositing a metal layer on an base layer; applying a polymer layer on the metal layer; applying photoresist layer on the polymer layer; patterning the photoresist layer providing openings; electroplating the openings with metal; and removing the photoresist layer.
The present invention provides a flexible circuit electrode array adapted for neural stimulation, comprising: a polymer base layer; metal traces deposited on said polymer base layer, including electrodes suitable to stimulate neural tissue; a polymer top layer deposited on said polymer base layer and said metal traces at least one tack opening; wherein said polymer base layer, said metal traces and said polymer top layer are thermoformed in a three dimensional shape. The present invention provides further a method of making a flexible circuit electrode array comprising depositing a polymer base layer; depositing metal on said polymer base layer; patterning said metal to form metal traces; depositing a polymer top layer on said polymer base layer and said metal traces; preparing at least one tack opening; and heating said flexible circuit electrode array in a mold to form a three dimensional shape in said flexible circuit electrode array.
The present invention provides a flexible electrode array, comprising a silicone containing body, at least one metal trace layer and at least one electrode pad. on the surface. The present invention further provides a process of manufacturing a flexible electrode array, comprising: a) irradiating a surface area of a molded silicone containing layer yielding traces with a light beam emitted by a pulsed UV laser source, b) immersing said irradiated molded silicone layer for inducing the deposit of metal ions to form metal traces, c) applying a silicone containing layer on said silicone containing layer and said metal traces, d) irradiating the surface for drilling holes into the surface of the molded silicone containing layer, and e) immersing said irradiated molded silicone layer for inducing the deposit of metal ions to form metal electrode pads.
C23C 18/16 - Chemical coating by decomposition of either liquid compounds or solutions of the coating forming compounds, without leaving reaction products of surface material in the coating; Contact plating by reduction or substitution, i.e. electroless plating
C23C 18/20 - Pretreatment of the material to be coated of organic surfaces, e.g. resins
53.
APPARATUS TO PROVIDE IMPEDANCE SAFETY CHECKS FOR NEURAL STIMULATION
The present application deals generally with the stimulation of neural tissue by electronic means and specifically with controlling the level of electrical stimulation in order to prevent damage to the neural tissue. Methods presented in the disclosure include detecting current leakage via electrode impedance measurement.
Methods and devices for fitting a visual prosthesis are described. In one of the methods, threshold levels and maximum levels for the electrodes of the prosthesis are determined and a map of brightness to electrode stimulation levels is later formed. A fitting system for a visual prosthesis is also discussed, together with a computer-operated system having a graphical user interface showing visual prosthesis diagnostic screens and visual prosthesis configuration screens.
The invention is directed to a method of bonding a hermetically sealed electronics package to an electrode or a flexible circuit and the resulting electronics package that is suitable for implantation in living tissue, such as for a retinal or cortical electrode array to enable restoration of sight to certain non-sighted individuals. The hermetically sealed electronics package is directly bonded to the flex circuit or electrode by electroplating a biocompatible material, such as platinum or gold, effectively forming a plated rivet-shaped connection, which bonds the flex circuit to the electronics package. The resulting electronic device is biocompatible and is suitable for long-term implantation in living tissue.
The invention is a method of automatically adjusting an electrode array to the neural characteristics of an individual subject. The response to electrical neural stimulation varies from subject to subject. Measure of impedance may be used to predict the electrode height from the neural tissue and, thereby, predict the threshold of perception. Alternatively, electrode height may be measured directly to predict the threshold of perception. Also, impedance measurement may be used to quickly identify defective electrodes and proper electrode placement.
The present invention relates to a process for embedding at least one layer of at least one metal trace in a silicone containing polymer, comprising: a) applying a non adhering on a substrate; b) applying a polymer layer on the non adhering agent; c) irradiation at least one surface area of said polymer with a light beam emitted by an excimer laser; d) immersing said irradiated polymer in at least one autocatalytic bath containing metal ions of at least one metal and metallizing the polymer; e) thermally treating said metallized polymer; f) applying a polymer layer on said thermally treated metallized polymer; and g) thermally treating said metallized polymer.
C23C 18/16 - Chemical coating by decomposition of either liquid compounds or solutions of the coating forming compounds, without leaving reaction products of surface material in the coating; Contact plating by reduction or substitution, i.e. electroless plating
An implantable hermetically sealed microelectronic device, and method of manufacture are disclosed. The microelectronic device of the present invention is hermetically encased in a insulator, such as alumina formed by ion bean assisted deposition ('IBAD'), with a stack of biocompatible conductive layers extending from a contact pad on the device to an aperture in the hermetic layer. In a preferred embodiment, one or more patterned titanium layers are formed over the device contact pad, and one or more platinum layers are formed over the titanium layers, such that the top surface of the upper platinum layer defines an external, biocompatible electrical contact for the device. Preferably, the bottom conductive layer is larger than the contact pad on the device, and a layer in the stack defines a shoulder.
An electrode surface coating and method for manufacturing the electrode surface coating comprising a conductive substrate; and one or more surface coatings comprising one or more of the following metals titanium, niobium, tantalum, ruthenium, rhodium, iridium, palladium, or gold, or an alloy of two or more metals, or a combination of two or more alloys or metal layers thereof having an increase in the surface area of 5 times to 500 times of the corresponding surface area resulting from the basic geometric shape.
An improved platinum and method for manufacturing the improved platinum wherein the platinum having a fractal surface coating of platinum, platinum gray, with a increase in surface area of at least 5 times when compared to shiny platinum of the same geometry and also having improved resistance to physical stress when compared to platinum black having the same surface area. The process of electroplating the surface coating of platinum gray comprising plating at a moderate rate, for example at a rate that is faster than the rate necessary to produce shiny platinum and that is less than the rate necessary to produce platinum black. Platinum gray is applied to manufacture a fuel cell and a catalyst.
An electrode surface coating and method for manufacturing the electrode surface coating comprising a conductive substrate; a surface coating of platinum having a rough configuration and an increase in the surface area of 5 times to 500 times of the corresponding surface area resulting from the basic geometric shape of the electrode. A method for electroplating an electrode surface with platinum coating having a rough surface, comprising electroplating the surface of a conductive substrate at a rate such that the metal particles form on the conductive substrate faster than necessary to form shiny platinum and slower than necessary to form platinum black.
An electrode surface coating and method for manufacturing the electrode surface coating comprising a conductive substrate; a surface coating of platinum having a rough configuration and an increase in the surface area of 5 times to 500 times of the corresponding surface area resulting from the basic geometric shape of the electrode. A method for electroplating an electrode surface with platinum coating having a rough surface, comprising electroplating the surface of a conductive substrate at a rate such that the metal particles form on the conductive substrate faster than necessary to form shiny platinum and slower than necessary to form platinum black.
An electrode surface coating and method for manufacturing the electrode surface coating comprising a conductive substrate; and one or more surface coatings comprising one or more of the following metals titanium, niobium, tantalum, ruthenium, rhodium, iridium, palladium, or gold, or an alloy of two or more metals, or a combination of two or more alloys or metal layers thereof having an increase in the surface area of 5 times to 500 times of the corresponding surface area resulting from the basic geometric shape.
B32B 3/00 - Layered products essentially comprising a layer with external or internal discontinuities or unevennesses, or a layer of non-planar form; Layered products essentially having particular features of form
B32B 5/18 - Layered products characterised by the non-homogeneity or physical structure of a layer characterised by features of a layer containing foamed or specifically porous material
B32B 15/01 - Layered products essentially comprising metal all layers being exclusively metallic
Applicant has proposed a combination of the subretinal and epiretinal methods by placing the electronics external to the eye, entering the eye through the pars plana and the piercing the retina (retinotomy) from inside the eye to stimulate subreintally. The present invention is an improved electrode array for subretinal stimulation. A hard polymer such as polyimide is biocompatible and strong for supporting an electrode array and supporting traces in a thin flex circuit array. In the present invention applicant takes advantage of the sharp nature of thin polyimide making a point on the end of the electrode array. This allows the flexible circuit electrode array to be both electrode array and surgical tool to cut the retinal and slide the array under the retina in a single action.
The present invention is a method of improving the contrast of electrical neural stimulation and expanding the dynamic range for brightness, and specifically a method of improving the contrast of an image supplied to the retina, or visual cortex, through a visual prosthesis. The background brightness for a blind subject is often not perfectly black, but a dark gray or brown. When stimulating visual neurons in the retina, low current stimulation tends to create a dark percept, the perception of a phosphene darker than the background brightness level perceived in the un-stimulated state. The human retina contains neurons that signal light increments ('on' cells) and neurons that signal light decrements ('off'cells). In a healthy retina, the on cells tend to fire in response to an increase in light above the background level, while the off cells tend to fire in response to a decrease in light below the background level.
The present invention is a method of neural stimulation and more specifically an improved method of providing flexible video/image possessing in a visual prosthesis by providing downloadable video filters. In a visual prosthesis, the input video image will, for the foreseeable future, be higher resolution than the output stimulation of the retina, optic nerve or visual cortex. This is due to limits of electrode array technology and the rapid advancement of video camera technology. It is therefore, advantageous to apply video processing algorithms (filters) to help provide the most useful information to the lower resolution electrode array. Different filters are more effective in different environments and for different subjects. Furthermore, filters will continue to improve over time. Examples of situation dependent filters include reverse image, contrast increasing, edge detection, segmentation using chromatic information and motion detection. Filters loaded in the video processing unit may be selected dynamically to suit the situation or the user's preference. It is therefore advantageous to provide flexibility in applying filters. However, it is also important to maintain the security necessary for a medical device. The present invention provides for an external (not implanted) video processing unit with downloadable video filters.
Polymer materials are useful as electrode array bodies for neural stimulation. They are particularly useful for retinal stimulation to create artificial vision, cochlear stimulation to create artificial hearing, and cortical stimulation, and many related purposes. The pressure applied against the retina, or other neural tissue, by an electrode array is critical. Too little pressure causes increased electrical resistance, along with electric field dispersion. Too much pressure may block blood flow. Common flexible circuit fabrication techniques generally require that a flexible circuit electrode array be made flat. Since neural tissue is almost never flat, a flat array will necessarily apply uneven pressure. Further, the edges of a flexible circuit polymer array may be sharp and cut the delicate neural tissue. By applying the right amount of heat to a completed array, a curve can be induced. With a thermoplastic polymer it may be further advantageous to repeatedly heat the flexible circuit in multiple molds, each with a decreasing radius. Further, it is advantageous to add material along the edges. It is further advantageous to provide a fold or twist in the flexible circuit array. Additional material may be added inside and outside the fold to promote a good seal with tissue.
In order to generate the smallest phosphenes possible, it is advantageous to selectively stimulate smaller cells. By hyperpolarizing the somas of the large cells selectively with sub-threshold anodic 'pre-pulse' stimuli (making them more difficult to stimulate) and then selectively depolarize the smaller cells one can selectively stimulate smaller cells. Alternatively, one can hyperpolarize the dendrites of the cells with larger dendritic fields by applying sub-threshold anodic currents on surrounding electrodes and then depolarizing the smaller cells in the center. Further, one can manipulate the phases of an individual biphasic wave to affect selective stimulation resulting in more focal responses. It is possible to increase resolution with the 'pre-pulse' described above. One can also effect resolution by modifying the pulse order of the cathodic and anodic phases. Further, one can isolate the effect of the phases by separating them in time (long inter-phase interval) or by making one of the phases long and low amplitude - always keeping equal total charge for the two phases. As an example, one can preferentially stimulate smaller ganglion cells by providing a longer sub-threshold anodic pulse balanced with a shorter supra-threshold cathodic pulse. Preferentially stimulating the smaller ganglion cells will allow stimulation of different brightness levels while maintaining high spatial resolution.
The present invention is an improved hermetic package for implantation in the human body. The implantable device of the present invention includes an eclectically non-conductive bass including electrically conductive vias through the substrate. A circuit is flip-chip bonded to a subset of the vias. A second circuit is wire bonded to another subset of the vias. Finally, a cover is bonded to the substrate such that the cover, substrate and vias form a hermetic package.
The artificial percept of light may be created by electrically stimulating the neurons of the retina. While a photolithographed array internal to the retina provides superior resolution, an array external to the retina provides easier implantation and improved manufacturability. Therefore it is advantageous to supply a high-resolution electrode array internal to the sclera, near the fovea and a lower-resolution electrode array external to the sclera near the periphery of the retina. The preferred method of manufacturing a high-resolution electrode array is through photolithography, which requires the array to be made flat. While it is possible to curve the array afterward, it is difficult and costly. I small high-resolution array can be implanted near the fovea. Due to its small size, curvature is less of an issue. A larger lower-resolution array can be molded in silicone or similar method and placed around the periphery, of the retina, where the retina is naturally lower resolution. Further, the lower-resolution array can be implanted external to the sclera reducing the number of electrical connectors passing through the sclera. Even if a separate lower-resolution array is implanted internal to the sclera, super-choroidal (between the choroid and sclera) or intra-scleral (between the layers of the sclera), it is easier to make a lower-resolution array in a curved shape.
Polymer materials are useful as electrode array bodies for neural stimulation. They are particularly useful for retinal stimulation to create artificial vision, cochlear stimulation to create artificial hearing, or cortical stimulation many purposes. The pressure applied against the retina, or other neural tissue, by an electrode array is critical. Too little pressure causes increased electrical resistance, along with electric field dispersion. Too much pressure may block blood flow. Common flexible circuit fabrication techniques generally require that a flexible circuit electrode array be made flat. Since neural tissue is almost never flat, a flat array will necessarily apply uneven pressure. Further, the edges of a flexible circuit polymer array may be sharp and cut the delicate neural tissue. By applying the right amount of heat to a completed array, a curve can be induced. With a thermoplastic polymer it may be further advantageous to repeatedly heat the flexible circuit in multiple molds, each with a decreasing radius. Further, it is advantageous to add material along the edges. It is further advantageous to provide a fold or twist in the flexible circuit array. Additional material may be added inside and outside the fold to promote a good seal with tissue.
An implantable micro-miniature device is disclosed. The device comprises a thin hermetic insulating coating and at least one thin polymer or metal secondary coating over the hermetic insulating layer in order to protect the insulating layer from the erosive action of body fluids or the like. In one embodiment the insulating layer is ion beam assisted deposited (IBAD) alumina and the secondary coating is a parylene polymer. The device may be a small electronic device such as a silicon integrated circuit chip. The thickness of the insulating layer may be ten microns or less and the thickness of the secondary layer may be between about 0.1 and about 15 microns.
The invention is a method of automatically adjusting an electrode array to the neural characteristics of an individual patient. The perceptual response to electrical neural stimulation varies from patient to patient and The response to electrical neural stimulation varies from patient to patient and the relationship between current and perceived brightness is often non-linear. It is necessary to determine this relationship to fit the prosthesis settings for each patient. It is advantageous to map the perceptual responses to stimuli. The method of mapping of the present invention is to provide a plurality of stimuli that vary in current, voltage, pulse duration, frequency, or some other dimension; measuring and recording the response to those stimuli; deriving a formula or equation describing the map from the individual points; storing the formula; and using that formula to map future stimulation.
The present invention is directed to neural stimulation and more specifically to an improved apparatus and method of neural stimulation for improved persistence of electrical neural stimulation, and specifically an apparatus and a method of improving the persistence of an image supplied to the retina, or visual cortex, through a visual prosthesis. A continuously stimulated retina, or other neural tissue, will adapt or desensitize after a time period in the range of 20 to 150 seconds. However, an interruption of the stimulation on the order of a few milliseconds will restore the retinal sensitivity without the user perceiving the interruption, or with the user barely perceiving the interruption. A typical perceptual response to a constant stimulus begins to decay immediately. A stimulus creates a percept (50) that gradually decays (52) until the precept disappears, (54). An interruption of the stimulus, (56) brings the precept back to a full response (58) and decay begins again.
