Electrode array for neural stimulation
| DWPI Title: Electrode array for use in retinal prosthesis to stimulate neural tissue i.e. ganglion cells, in retina to generate visual perception of light spots for restoring measure of sight to blind person, has electronic circuit generating signals |
| Abstract: An electrode array for neural stimulation is disclosed which has particular applications for use in a retinal prosthesis. The electrode array can be formed as a hermetically-sealed two-part ceramic package which includes an electronic circuit such as a demultiplexer circuit encapsulated therein. A relatively large number (up to 1000 or more) of individually-addressable electrodes are provided on a curved surface of a ceramic base portion the electrode array, while a much smaller number of electrical connections are provided on a ceramic lid of the electrode array. The base and lid can be attached using a metal-to-metal seal formed by laser brazing. Electrical connections to the electrode array can be provided by a flexible ribbon cable which can also be used to secure the electrode array in place. |
| Use: Electrode array for use in a retinal prosthesis to stimulate neural tissue i.e. ganglion cells, in the retina to generate a visual perception of spots of light or phosphenes corresponding to pixelized visual image for restoring a measure of sight to a blind person. |
| Advantage: The electronic circuit i.e. demultiplexer circuit, located within the interior region receives electrical input signals conducted through the set of electrical connections and generates electrical output signals that are communicated to the set of sintered metal electrodes, thus providing much longer operational lifetime of the prosthesis. The array includes a much larger number of electrodes up to one thousand or more individually addressable electrodes. The electronic circuit is able to be located inside the package, thus reducing the number of signal lines needed for operation of the electrode array. |
| Novelty: The array (10) has a two-part ceramic package (12) comprising a ceramic base (14) and a ceramic lid (16). One of the ceramic base and the lid has a ceramic lip (22) extending outward to define an interior region (24) between the base and the lid. An electronic circuit (26) i.e. demultiplexer circuit, located within the interior region receives electrical input signals conducted through a set of electrical connections (30) and generates electrical output signals that are communicated to a set of sintered metal electrodes (28). |
| Filed: 10/27/2006 |
| Application Number: US2006588905A |
| Tech ID: SD 10319.0 |
| This invention was made with Government support under Contract No. DE-NA0003525 awarded by the United States Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration. The Government has certain rights in the invention. |
| Data from Derwent World Patents Index, provided by Clarivate All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Clarivate content, including by framing or similar means, is prohibited without the prior written consent of Clarivate. Clarivate and its logo, as well as all other trademarks used herein are trademarks of their respective owners and used under license. |