Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The present invention is a system for detecting, tracking and recognizing human faces in a visual prosthesis. In a visual prosthesis, the input camera is always higher resolution than the electrode array providing percepts to the subject. It is advantageous to detect, track and recognize human faces. This information can be provided to the subject by highlighting the face in the visual scene, providing auditor or vibratory notice that a human face is in the visual scene, looking up the face in a database to identify and annunciate the name of the person in the visual scene, or otherwise communicate the identity of the person, like providing a custom vibratory pattern corresponding to known individuals (like custom ring tones associated with caller ID) or automatically zooming in on a face to aid the subject in identifying the face.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of processing a video image in an electronic video processor, including the steps of receiving an input image having an input field of view, generating a processed image from the input image, and having an output field of view smaller than the input field of view, searching for a predetermined pattern within the input image, providing an indication when the predetermined pattern is found in the input image, zooming the processed image to the input field of view and highlighting the predetermined pattern in the processed image in response to the indication.

Abstract: In electrically stimulating neural tissue it is important to prevent over stimulation and unbalanced stimulation, which would cause damage to the neural tissue, the electrode, or both. It is critical that neural tissue is not subjected to any direct current or alternating current above a safe threshold. Further, it is important to identify defective electrodes, as continued use may result in neural damage and further electrode damage. The present invention presents system and stimulator control mechanisms to prevent damage to neural tissue.

Abstract: Electrode arrays for biological implants are disclosed. The present disclosure provides array designs for improving apposition (reducing the space between the array and neural tissue). 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 to neural tissue.

Abstract: In electrically stimulating neural tissue it is important to prevent over stimulation and unbalanced stimulation, which would cause damage to the neural tissue, the electrode, or both. It is critical that neural tissue is not subjected to any direct current or alternating current above a safe threshold. Further, it is important to identify defective electrodes, as continued use may result in neural damage and further electrode damage. The present invention presents system and stimulator control mechanisms to prevent damage to neural tissue.

Abstract: In electrically stimulating neural tissue it is important to prevent over stimulation and unbalanced stimulation, which would cause damage to the neural tissue, the electrode, or both. It is critical that neural tissue is not subjected to any direct current or alternating current above a safe threshold. Further, it is important to identify defective electrodes, as continued use may result in neural damage and further electrode damage. The present invention presents system and stimulator control mechanisms to prevent damage to neural tissue.

Abstract: In electrically stimulating neural tissue it is important to prevent over stimulation and unbalanced stimulation, which would cause damage to the neural tissue, the electrode, or both. It is critical that neural tissue is not subjected to any direct current or alternating current above a safe threshold. Further, it is important to identify defective electrodes, as continued use may result in neural damage and further electrode damage. The present invention presents system and stimulator control mechanisms to prevent damage to neural tissue.

Abstract: The invention is a method of automatically adjusting a visual prosthesis electrode array to the neural characteristics of an individual patient. By recording electrically evoked responses 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 an electrically evoked response to the input stimulus. By gradually increasing stimulus 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.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for the processing of platinum metallized high temperature co-fired ceramic (HTCC) components with minimum deleterious reactions between platinum and the glass constituents of the ceramic-glass body. The process comprises co-firing a multilayer laminate green ceramic-glass body with via structures filled with a platinum powder-based material in a reducing atmosphere with a specified level of oxygen partial pressure. The oxygen partial pressure should be maintained above a minimum threshold value for a given temperature level.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved visual prosthesis including a video processing unit with user controls optimized for use by blind individuals. The controls include easily identifiable shapes. The controls are programmable to provide improved usability with a simple tactile interface.

Abstract: The present invention is a fitting system with a graphical interface with specific interface screens for specific functions. 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The present invention is a system for detecting, tracking and recognizing human faces in a visual prosthesis. In a visual prosthesis, the input camera is always higher resolution than the electrode array providing percepts to the subject. It is advantageous to detect, track and recognize human faces. This information can be provided to the subject by highlighting the face in the visual scene, providing auditor or vibratory notice that a human face is in the visual scene, looking up the face in a database to identify and annunciate the name of the person in the visual scene, or otherwise communicate the identity of the person, like providing a custom vibratory pattern corresponding to known individuals (like custom ring tones associated with caller ID) or automatically zooming in on a face to aid the subject in identifying the face.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The present invention is a cortical visual prosthesis. The cortical visual prosthesis includes an implanted portion and an external portion. The implanted portion includes an implanted coil, electronics package, and a plurality of electrodes adapted to stimulate neural tissue. The implanted coil transfers power and data to the electronics package and the electronics package drives the electrodes. The external portion includes a video processor and a pair of glasses adapted to be supported by a user's nose and ears. The glasses include a support adapted to hold an external coil in close proximity to the implanted coil when implanted; the external coil supplies power and data to the implanted coil.

Abstract: A visor for visual stimulation of visually impaired subjects is shown. The visor comprises a frame, a coil, a camera and a mounting system. A connector allows the coil to be positioned along a first direction. A sliding device allows the coil to be positioned along a second direction. Positioning of the visor on a subject's nose allows the coil to be positioned along a third direction. Positioning of the coil along the first, second or third direction is useful to maximize coupling RF coupling between the coil and an internal coil implanted on a subject wearing the visor.

Abstract: An implantable device having a biocompatible hermetic package made from a biocompatible electrically non-conductive substrate and a cover bonded to the substrate. In integrated circuit and passive circuits all bonded directly to the substrate.