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 in 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 and further electrode damage. Systems and stimulator control mechanisms to prevent damage to neural tissue.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved hermetic package for implantation in the human body. The implantable device includes an electrically non-conductive substrate with electrically conductive vias. A flip-chip circuit is attached to the substrate using conductive bumps and electrically connected to a first subset of the vias. The flip-chip circuit can contain one or more stacks or a folded stack. A wire-bonded circuit is also attached to the substrate and electrically connected to a second subset of the vias. A cover is bonded to the substrate. The cover, substrate, and vias form an improved hermetic package for implantation.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved hermetic package for implantation in the human body. The implantable device includes an electrically non-conductive substrate with electrically conductive vias. A flip-chip circuit is attached to the substrate using conductive bumps and electrically connected to a first subset of the vias. The flip-chip circuit can contain one or more stacks or a folded stack. A wire-bonded circuit is also attached to the substrate and electrically connected to a second subset of the vias. A cover is bonded to the substrate. The cover, substrate, and vias form an improved hermetic package for implantation.

Abstract: The present invention consists of an implantable device with at least one package that houses electronics that sends and receives data or signals, and optionally power, from an external system through at least one coil 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 that is/are attached to the at least one package. The device is adapted to electrocorticographic (ECoG) and local field potential (LFP) signals. The output signals provide control for a motor prosthesis and the inputs signals provide sensory feedback for the motor prosthesis. 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 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.

Abstract: 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, electrode capacitance measurement, and testing the electrode response to a test current pulse. Apparatus presented in the disclosure include circuitry and systems capable of performing the methods disclosed.

Abstract: A video processing unit configured to convert a video image to stimulation patterns for stimulating neural tissue in a subject's eye, the video processing unit comprising a video processor for converting a video image to a digital video stream; a memory for storing the digital video stream; and a video preprocessor data interface for forming stimulation patterns based on the stored digital video stream.

Abstract: A visual prosthesis apparatus comprising: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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, electrode capacitance measurement, and testing the electrode response to test current pulse. Apparatus presented in the disclosure include circuitry and systems capable of performing the methods disclosed.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Electronic neural tissue stimulators for 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, electrode capacitance measurement, and testing the electrode response to a test current pulse. Apparatus presented in the disclosure include circuitry and systems capable of performing the methods disclosed.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A video processing unit configured to convert a video image to stimulation patterns for stimulating neural tissue in a subject's eye, the video processing unit comprising a video processor for converting a video image to a digital video stream; a memory for storing the digital video stream; and a video preprocessor data interface for forming stimulation patterns based on the stored digital video stream.

Abstract: A video processing unit configured to convert a video image to stimulation patterns for stimulating neural tissue in a subject's eye and comprising a power button, 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.

Abstract: 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.