Abstract: An interface for selective excitation or sensing of neural cells in a biological neural network is provided. The interface includes a membrane with a number of channels passing through the membrane. Each channel has at least one electrode within it. Neural cells in the biological neural network grow or migrate into the channels, thereby coming into close proximity to the electrodes. Once one or more neural cells have grown or migrated into a channel, a voltage applied to the electrode within the channel selectively excites the neural cell (or cells) in that channel. The excitation of these neural cell(s) will then transmit throughout the neural network (i.e. cells and axons) that is associated with the neural cell(s) stimulated in the channel.

Abstract: A self-sufficient retinal prosthesis powered by intra-ocular photovoltaic cells illuminated only by ambient light is provided. Photovoltaic cells can be disposed at the periphery of the retina or in the anterior chamber of the eye. An adaptive retinal prosthesis is also provided, such that the number of pixels energized in the prosthesis is selected according to the variable available power from ambient light.

Abstract: A high density polymer-based integrated electrode apparatus that comprises a central electrode body and a multiplicity of arms extending from the electrode body. The central electrode body and the multiplicity of arms are comprised of a silicone material with metal features in said silicone material that comprise electronic circuits.

Abstract: An ophthalmic treatment apparatus includes an electrode which is set on a place to apply electrical stimulation to cells constituting a retina; and an electrical stimulation pulse generator which is connected to the electrode, for generating, from the electrode, a predetermined electrical stimulation pulse whose electric current is set at 20 ?A or more but not exceeding 300 ?A.

Abstract: An implantable electrode and electrode system for contacting living biological material that includes an electrode assembly including at least a portion of the electrode, adapted to contact the living biological material at an electrode/tissue interface, exhibiting conduction that is substantially limited to electron or electron vacancy conduction. The implantable electrode is manufactured by coupling an electrode to a distal end of a conductor, and forming at least one surface of the electrode with a material that conducts electricity in a manner that is substantially limited to electron or electron vacancy conduction when the at least one surface is in contact with the living matter.

Abstract: An implantable miniature eyelid electrode apparatus that causes a paralyzed eyelid to close or open by passing an electrical stimulating current to a nerve or muscle, is comprised of a longitudinally flexible, nonconductive body containing electrodes that pass an electrical signal to the nearby nerve or muscle, which closes or opens the eyelid. The apparatus is electrically actuated by a source that may be located remotely from the apparatus. The electrical signal passes along wires from the source to the apparatus. The apparatus is biocompatible with the environment in the living tissue and is electrically insulated from the surrounding tissue, except where the electrodes contact the living tissue. The apparatus is very small and is not obvious to visual inspection when implanted.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing microcurrent stimulation (MSC) therapy. In accordance with the present invention, it has been determined that the application of microcurrent signals at particular frequencies to the eye for particular periods of time stabilizes and even improves conditions of macular degeneration and other ocular diseases. Experimental data from clinical trials shows that results of persons who underwent therapy are at least better than placebo (i.e., efficacious), and that the therapy is safe. In fact, experimental data from clinical trials showed that approximately 98% of the patients who underwent the MCS therapy of the invention experienced either stabilization or improvement of macular degeneration within one year of starting therapy. Of this percentage, approximately 65% of the patients subjected to the MCS therapy experienced improved vision, while approximately 32% experienced stabilization of macular degeneration (i.e., no further loss of vision).

Abstract: An artificial system for vision and the like, in which a camera views an object and creates signals corresponding thereto which are conveyed to the nervous system of the subject, in which observation, control and improvement of the system is achieved by providing a display which enables the supervisor to simultaneously see what the camera sees at any particular moment and what sensations the subject experiences, and to determine the relative locations of the sensations in the nervous system of a particular subject by producing individual sensations in a particular sequence and spatially locating the sensations in a particular fashion with the assistance of the subject.

Abstract: An artificial system for vision and the like, in which a camera views an object and creates signals corresponding thereto which are conveyed to the nervous system of the subject and produce corresponding sensations such as phosphenes in the subject's nervous system, in which observation, control and improvement of the system is achieved by providing the subject with means, such as a laser pointer, so that the supervisor can determine at any given moment where the subject is “looking”, and using a note-book computer to energize electrodes corresponding to phosphene positions in the subject's brain and using the output of that sub-notebook to create a visual representation of what the camera “sees”.

Abstract: Method and system for processing light signals received by the eye of a human or other animal, where the eye may be compromised or non-functioning. Incident light is received at first and second pixels in a photodetector array and provides a pixel electrical signal representing the received light. Each of an array of carbon nanotube (CNT) towers is connected to a pixel, has a first tower end penetrating a retinal active layer of the animal and has a second tower end positioned to receive to receive and transport the pixel electrical signal to the retinal active layer. The CNT tower may be coated with a biologically active substance or chemically modified to promote neurite connections with the tower. The photoreceptor array can be provide with a signal altering mechanism that alters at least one of light intensity and wavelength intensity sensed by a first pixel relative to a second pixel, to correct for one or more selected eye problems.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for treating near vision loss or deficiency, such as presbyopia. In contrast to conventional techniques, a peripheral ablation is provided in an annular zone of the cornea ranging from 5.5 to about 10+mm to increase the dioptic power of this peripheral zone. The central zone disposed within the peripheral zone of the cornea is left untreated, is corrected for other vision deficiencies or is corrected so that it reverts to its characteristics prior to the peripheral ablation.

Abstract: A device for electrically exciting tissue in the uveal and periuveal areas of the eye includes a frame similar to an eyeglass frame in shape and construction. Two flat, disk-shaped electrodes are attached to the frame. When the frame is placed on the head of the patient, the electrodes are positioned adjacent the orbits of the patient's eyes. A voltage source and electronic circuitry is provided to establish a voltage differential between the electrodes thereby allowing electrical currents to flow from one electrode to the other, stimulating the tissue and other cells in the uveal and periuveal areas of the eyes. Alternatively, the patient's body can be isolated from ground and the voltage source used to place a negative charge on each electrode to thereby create beneficial negative ions in the uveal and periuveal areas of each eye.

Abstract: An artificial retina device and a method for stimulating and modulating its function is disclosed. The artificial retina device is comprised of plural multi-phasic microphotodiode subunits. In persons suffering from blindness due to outer retinal layer damage, a plurality of such devices, when surgically implanted into the subretinal space, may allow useful formed artificial vision to develop. One device, called a MMRI-4, transduces light into electric currents to stimulate the retina. The four microphotodiode subunits of the MMRI-4 are oriented so that each flattened sides of the MMRI-4 has two subunits in a PiN configuration and two subunits in a NiP configuration. The flattened cubic shape of the MMRI-4 will allow one or the other of the two flattened sides to be preferentially directed toward incident light when implanted in the subretinal space.

Abstract: A system and technique called magnetoresonant induction of an intrastromal implant that is adapted for corneal re-shaping. The technique is utilized to correct mild to high hyperopia and presbyopia by steepening the anterior corneal curvature in a single treatment, or in periodic treatments over the lifetime of the patient. The system comprises a combination of components including (i) at least one implantable magnetoresonant intrastromal segment, and (ii) an oscillating magnetic field generator together with a dosimetry control system including at least one emitter body adapted for positioning proximate to the patient's eye and intrastromal implant. The system can deliver thermal effects to appropriate stromal lamellae by non-contact inductive heating of the implant which in turn contracts or compresses stromal collagen fibrils into a circumferenitial cinch about an anterior layer of the cornea and steepens the anterior corneal curvature.

Abstract: An improved method and subconjunctival device for causing the eye to focus on a near object. The device automatically changes the focal length of the eye in response to a changing of the length of the medial rectus muscle or the inferior rectus muscle so that the eye can focus on a near object. The device is powered by a rechargeable battery and includes an electrode for stimulating the ciliary muscle as the length of the medial rectus muscle or the inferior rectus muscle changes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing microcurrent stimulation therapy to a body part is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method allows digital control of the modulation frequency of the microcurrent signal. The method includes receiving a first digital data word which is used to produce a first frequency related to the first digital data word, whereupon, a first microcurrent signal at the first frequency is applied to the body part. A second digital data word is received and used to produce a second frequency related to the second digital data word. A second microcurrent signal at the second frequency is applied to the body part. In another embodiment, a method allows direct digital synthesis of the microcurrent stimulation signal. A first digital data word is used to produce a first analog voltage which is applied to the body part.

Abstract: An eye treatment method and apparatus. The method including fitting a pair of electrodes to the temples around both the eyeballs. The temples are electrically stimulated by repeatedly imposing low-frequency signals having an output level that gradually increases from a substantial zero level and returns to the substantial zero level directly after reaching a maximum level each prescribed time on the electrodes. The apparatus includes a low-frequency signal generating means for generating low-frequency signals for electrically stimulating the ciliary muscle. Output control means is provided for causing the low-frequency signal generating means to repeatedly output the low-frequency signals in an output mode in which an output level gradually increases from the substantial zero level and returns to the substantial zero level directly after reaching the maximum level each prescribed time. The low-frequency signals are supplied to a pair of electrodes which may be fitted to the temples.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying an electrical signal to a body part in order to provide microcurrent stimulation therapy to the body part. The apparatus preferably comprises a first sweep wave or sweep frequency signal generator configured to generate a first sweep wave signal, a buffer amplifier circuit configured to receive the first sweep wave signal from the first sweep signal generator and amplify and buffer the sweep wave signal creating a buffered sweep wave signal. In addition, the apparatus preferably includes a current limiting circuit configured to receive the buffered sweep wave signal from the buffer amplifier circuit and limit the amount of current supplied to the body part. Finally, the apparatus preferably comprises a probe for applying the sweep wave signal to the body part. The apparatus may further comprise a second signal generator for generating a second signal which may comprise either a sweep wave signal or a non-sweep wave signal.

Abstract: A system and technique called magnetoresonant induction of an intrastromal implant that is adapted for corneal re-shaping. The technique is utilized to correct mild to high hyperopia and presbyopia by steepening the anterior corneal curvature in a single treatment, or in periodic treatments over the lifetime of the patient. The system comprises a combination of components including (i) at least one implantable magnetoresonant intrastromal segment, and (ii) an oscillating magnetic field generator together with a dosimetry control system including at least one emitter body adapted for positioning proximate to the patient's eye and intrastromal implant. The system can deliver thermal effects to appropriate stromal lamellae by non-contact inductive heating of the implant which in turn contracts or compresses stromal collagen fibrils into a circumferential cinch about an anterior layer of the cornea and steepens the anterior corneal curvature.

Abstract: A device and method for treating presbyopia by which the ciliary muscles of the eyes are electrically stimulated when the internal rectus muscles of the eyes are activated in order to focus the eyes on objects within the near field of vision. The amounts of electrical stimulation can be adjusted according to the individual needs of a patient and are preferably in direct proportion to the amounts of contraction of the internal muscles.

Abstract: A method for epi-retinal implantation of an object into a subject is disclosed. The method includes rendering the normally transparent cortical vitreous visible and separating at least a portion of a cortical vitreous of the subject away from an adherent retinal surface to form an epi-retinal space between the retina and the separated cortical vitreous material. An object to be implanted may be introduced into the epi-retinal space and the object engaged with a surface of the retina. In preferred embodiments, the object may then be adhered to the surface of the retina. A method for implantation of a neural contact structure for contact with neural tissue, for example, neural tissue of the retina within which are ganglion cells to be electrically stimulated is also described.

Abstract: Presbyopia and hyperopia are treated by a method which increases the amplitude of accommodation by increasing the effective working distance of the ciliary muscle in the presbyopic eye. The effective working distance of the ciliary muscle can be increased by expanding the sclera in the region of the ciliary body. This expansion is accomplished by suturing to the sclera a relatively rigid band having a diameter slightly greater than that of the sclera in the region of the ciliary body, by weakening the sclera overlying the ciliary body, by surgical procedures or treatment with enzymes, heat or radiation, whereby intraocular pressure expands the weakened sclera, or by surgical alloplasty. The effective working distance of the ciliary muscle can also be increased by shortening the zonules by application of heat or radiation, by repositioning one or both insertions of the ciliary muscle or by shortening the ciliary muscle.

Abstract: Macular degeneration and other ocular pathology in a subject is treated by the steps of: placing a positive electrode of a direct current source in electrical contact with a closed eyelid of a subject; placing a negative electrode of the source in electrical contact with the posterior neck of the subject; and causing a constant direct current of 200 .mu.A to flow between the electrodes through the subject for about 10 minutes. The source can be a portable, battery powered constant direct current generator which is affixed to the subject. The subject is thus enabled to ambulate during treatment.

Abstract: Presbyopia and hyperopia are treated by a method which increases the amplitude of accommodation by increasing the effective working distance of the ciliary muscle in the presbyopic eye. The effective working distance of the ciliary muscle can be increased by expanding the sclera in the region of the ciliary body. This expansion is accomplished by suturing to the sclera a relatively rigid band having a diameter slightly greater than that of the sclera in the region of the ciliary body, by weakening the sclera overlying the ciliary body, by surgical procedures or treatment with enzymes, heat or radiation, whereby intraocular pressure expands the weakened sclera, or by surgical alloplasty. The effective working distance of the ciliary muscle can also be increased by shortening the zonules by application of heat or radiation, by repositioning one or both insertions of the ciliary muscle or by shortening the ciliary muscle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reactivating a paralyzed or non-inervated lateral rectus muscle of the eye. The paralyzed lateral rectus muscle is reactivated by providing a stimulation signal of equal magnitude and frequency of neuronal impulses received by the contralateral medial rectus muscle and detected by an electrode installed therein. The stimulation signal is provided to the paralyzed lateral rectus muscle by way of an electrode installed therein. Control circuitry operates such that the stimulation signal will only be provided to the paralyzed lateral rectus muscle when neuronal impulses are being received by the contralateral medial rectus muscle but not the ipsilateral medial rectus muscle alone and not simultaneously with the ipsilateral medial rectus. The control circuitry will also provide a tonic pulse of predetermined frequency and magnitude to the paralyzed lateral rectus muscle when no neuronal impulses are being sent to the contralateral or ipsilateral medial rectus muscles.

Abstract: Presbyopia and hyperopia are treated by a method which increases the amplitude of accommodation by increasing the effective working distance of the ciliary muscle in the presbyopic eye. The effective working distance of the ciliary muscle can be increased by expanding the sclera in the region of the ciliary body. This expansion is accomplished by suturing to the sclera a relatively rigid band having a diameter slightly greater than that of the sclera in the region of the ciliary body, by weakening the sclera overlying the ciliary body, by surgical procedures or treatment with enzymes, heat or radiation, whereby intraocular pressure expands the weakened sclera, or by surgical alloplasty. The effective working distance of the ciliary muscle can also be increased by shortening the zonules by application of heat or radiation, by repositioning one or both insertions of the ciliary muscle or by shortening the ciliary muscle.

Abstract: Presbyopia and hyperopia are treated by a method which increases the amplitude of accommodation by increasing the effective working distance of the ciliary muscle in the presbyopic eye. The effective working distance of the ciliary muscle can be increased by expanding the sclera in the region of the ciliary body. This expansion is accomplished by suturing to the sclera a relatively rigid band having a diameter slightly greater than that of the sclera in the region of the ciliary body, by weakening the sclera overlying the ciliary body, by surgical procedures or treatment with enzymes, heat or radiation, whereby intraocular pressure expands the weakened sclera, or by surgical alloplasty. The effective working distance of the ciliary muscle can also be increased by shortening the zonules by application of heat or radiation, by repositioning one or both insertions of the ciliary muscle or by shortening the ciliary muscle.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for preferentially stimulating neural somas over neural axons located around the somas but not integral with the somas. In the invention, a positive electrical pulse is applied to a region of neural tissue consisting of one or more neural somas to be stimulated and neural axons, and due to the physiology of the somas, they are preferentially stimulated by the electrical pulse over the neural axons not integral with the somas to be stimulated. The preferential soma stimulation provided by the invention achieves the advantage of locally focusing external stimulation such that it may be directed to particular soma locations for indicating location-dependent sensory information. Thus the pulse scheme of the invention may be employed in prosthetic applications directed to, for example, the retinal ganglia neural tissue.

Abstract: Microscopic photoelectric devices with semitransparent surface electrodes are combined with a liquid or other suitable vehicle. Together they are injected into the subretinal space of the eye. The microscopic photoelectric devices transduce incident light into electric current that will stimulate the overlying cellular layers of the retina. In persons suffering from visual disfunction due to outer retinal layer damage, such devices may allow useful formed artificial vision. The preferred independent surface electrode microphotodiodes (ISEMCP's) may be in the shape of microspheres, microdiscs or other microshapes. The ISEMCP's are formed of either PiN or NiP type semiconductors, or a combination of both, in a single unit. These devices will form a dipole when exposed to light due to the electric current generated. A magnetic field applied in the vicinity of the eye may help align the ISEMCP's within the retina so that their photo-active surfaces face the incident light.

Abstract: A method and device for improving cranial nerve function to improve muscle function and thereby overcome visual/perceptual dysfunction of a user includes a voltage source and electrodes positioned on the user proximate a cranial nerve for receiving a voltage signal from the voltage source and for transmitting an electrical stimulus to the cranial nerve of the user. A timer is electrically connected to the voltage source and the electrodes for establishing a first predetermined period of time in which the voltage signal is provided to the electrodes and a second predetermined period of time in which the voltage signal is suppressed.