Abstract: An implantable micro-miniature device is disclosed. The device comprises a thin hermetic insulating coating and at least one thin 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 titanium. 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.

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. Then 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 state the name of the person in the visual scene, otherwise communication id 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 flexible circuit electrode array for neural stimulation including a polymer base layer, a metal trace layer on the polymer base layer, and a polymer top layer on the metal traces layer, where the metal trace layer forms at least one electrode made of multiple smaller common electrodes connected by electrical traces.

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: 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, 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.

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: 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: 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 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.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a flexible circuit electrode array, comprising: a) depositing a metal trace layer containing a base coating layer, a conducting layer and a top coating layer on the insulator polymer base layer; b) applying a layer of photoresist on the metal trace layer and patterning the metal trace layer and forming metal traces on the insulator polymer base layer; c) activating the insulator polymer base layer and depositing a top insulator polymer layer and forming one single insulating polymer layer with the base insulator polymer layer; d) applying a thin metal layer and a layer of photoresist on the surface of the insulator polymer layer and selective etching the insulator layer and the top coating layer to obtain at least one via; and e) filling the via with electrode material. A layer of polymer is laid down. A layer of metal is applied to the polymer and patterned to create electrodes and leads for those electrodes.

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 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, and 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: 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 processing of platinum metallized high temperature co-fired ceramic (HTCC) components with minimum deleterious reaction 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: 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.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a flexible circuit electrode array adapted to electrically communicate with organic tissue including the following steps: a) providing a flexible polymer base layer; b) curing the base layer; c) depositing a metal layer on base layer; d) patterning the metal layer and forming metal traces on the base layer; e) roughening the surface of the base layer; f) chemically reverting the cure of the surface of the base layer; g) depositing a flexible polymer top layer on the surface of the base layer and the metal traces; h) curing the top layer and the surface of the base layer forming one single flexible polymer layer; and i) creating openings through the single layer to the metal trace layer.