Abstract: The task of providing a device which makes it possible for the natural visual faculty of a partially vision-impaired person to be restored or supported as realistically as possible by means of a visual aid or visual prosthesis is achieved with the visual aid according to the invention in that, beyond the pure acquisition of a two-dimensional image, additional information is included in the image processing. For this purpose, a visual aid system is proposed which, during the reproduction of the processed image, visualizes additional information regarding the spatial position and/or specific attributes of objects in the acquired image which is associated with objects in the acquired image.

Abstract: A system for generating artificial vision in a subject, comprising: an image capture means for capturing an image from a surrounding environment; an image processing means for processing the image and converting the image into an image signal; and a retinal implant or stimulation device (10) configured to be implanted within an eye of a patient and positioned on or adjacent the retina. The implant or stimulation device (10) comprises a substrate (11) and a plurality of light sources (12) arranged in an array on the substrate (11) for stimulating nerve cells of the retina, wherein each of the plurality of light sources (12) is configured to emit infrared radiation to stimulate one or more nerve cells in response to a respective stimulation signal derived from the image signal.

Abstract: A visual prosthesis system comprises a retina implant at least partly located in the interior of a patient's eye. The retina implant comprises an array of micro-contacts adapted for contacting ganglia of the patient's retinal tissue. The visual prosthesis system further comprises a data processing unit with an additional interface for receiving an external signal from an external signal source, the data processing unit being adapted for converting the external signal into corresponding stimulation data for the retina implant, and a wireless transmission unit adapted for transmitting the stimulation data to the retina implant via wireless transmission. The retina implant is adapted for receiving the stimulation data and for stimulating the micro-contacts according to the stimulation data.

Abstract: The object, to create a method for producing multilayers or multilayer systems wherein the structures generated on a substrate can easily be jointly detached from the substrate and are preserved in a composite, is achieved by the present invention by means of a method for producing implant structures comprising generating a first metal layer on a substrate, generating a second metal layer above the first metal layer, producing a number of multilayered implant structures above the second metal layer, removing the first metal layer between the substrate and the second metal layer, and releasing the implant structures from the substrate in a coherent composite. With the method according to the invention, between the implant structures and the substrate a release layer is generated consisting of two or three metal layers which serve as sacrificial layer in the course of releasing the fully processed multilayers by means of an under-etching process.

Abstract: An artificial retina device to electrically stimulate a neuroretina of an eye to produce artificial vision, the artificial retina device comprising: an electrical source; at least one stimulating electrode connected with the electrical source; and at least one ground return electrode connected with the electrical source, wherein the stimulating electrode and ground return electrode are configured to be disposed within the eye on opposite sides of the neuroretina.

Abstract: The present invention provides a visual prosthesis comprising: image capture means for capturing an image from a surrounding environment; image processing means for processing the image and converting the image into a transmissible image signal; signal processing means for processing and converting the image signal into a stimulation signal; and a retina stimulation device (10) adapted to stimulate the retina of both left and right eyes in accordance with the stimulation signal. The retina stimulation device (10) comprises a left-side stimulation unit (11) having an electrode array (12) for stimulating the retina of the left eye, and a right-side stimulation unit (11?) having an electrode array (12?) for stimulating the retina of the right eye, with the left-side stimulation unit (11) having a configuration which is reversed with respect to a configuration of the right-side stimulation unit (11?).

Abstract: The present invention provides a plug device or grommet (1) for sealing an incision in tissue of a human or animal body, such as an incision in the tissue of the sclera (S) made during a surgical intervention for the implantation of a visual prosthesis. The device (1) comprises: a cover part (10) for covering the incision and an area of the tissue (S) around the incision; and an insertion part (20) extending from the cover part (10) for insertion into the incision through the tissue (S). The insertion part (20) defines a sealable passage (30) which is adapted to extend through the incision, and the insertion part (20) is preferably flexible and resiliency deformable to open and close the sealable passage (30) there-through. The sealable passage (30) extends through the incision to provide communication between an outer side (S0) of the tissue and an inner side (Si) of the tissue. The passage (30) may accommodate a component which provides a connection or interconnection through the tissue (S).

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrode array for a medical implant device, comprising a substrate supporting a plurality of electrodes, the substrate comprising at least two layers of material including a first layer and a second layer, wherein the first layer of material and the second layer of material have different coefficients of thermal expansion. The plurality of electrodes may be supported on the first layer of material, and are preferably incorporated in and/or project from the second layer of material. The second layer of material may itself have a layered structure comprising multiple material layers, with the plurality of electrodes incorporated within the said multiple material layers. The first layer of material preferably has a higher coefficient of thermal expansion than the second layer of material. The invention furthermore provides a medical implant device including an electrode array according to the invention, and a method of manufacturing such an electrode array.

Abstract: An artificial retina device to electrically stimulate a neuroretina of an eye to produce artificial vision, the artificial retina device comprising: an electrical source; at least one stimulating electrode connected with the electrical source; and at least one ground return electrode connected with the electrical source, wherein the stimulating electrode and ground return electrode are configured to be disposed within the eye on opposite sides of the neuroretina.

Abstract: Mechanically activated objects or devices for use in treating degenerative retinal diseases are provided. Such devices apply mechanical forces to tissues of an eye to effectuate treatment and are configured for chronic implantation (thereby applying chronic stimulation/irritation) in or on the eye. The devices may be configured for contact with a retina of the eye, preferably positioned in a subretinal space. Various embodiments comprise a moving member configured for chronic contact with at least a portion of the eye, which moving member is activated by an actuator. In some embodiments, the actuator may be distally located relative to the moving member. Alternatively, the moving member may be supported by a body member that, optionally, also supports the actuator.

Abstract: An artificial retinal device, implanted in the subretinal space of the eye in persons with certain types of retinal blindness, induces artificial vision by electrical stimulation of the remaining viable cells of the retina. The artificial retina device includes a stimulating electrode unit preferably placed in the subretinal space.

Abstract: A retinal prosthesis that provides power control capabilities through the temporal integration of electrical charge is provided. The retinal prosthesis comprises at least one stimulating component, each stimulating component in turn comprising a photojunction element (e.g., a photodiode) in electrical communication with an electrode. A pulse generation circuit provides a reverse-bias signal and, from time to time, a pulsatile forward-bias signal to the photojunction element. During application of the reverse-bias signal, light incident upon the photojunction element causes electrical charge to be accumulated. Upon application of the pulsatile forward-bias signal, the accumulated electrical charge is injected via the electrode into retinal tissues, thereby stimulating the retina. By appropriately selecting the bias signal parameters, a sufficient amount of charge may be accumulated to ensure reaching stimulation thresholds.

Abstract: The object,—to create a printed circuit board for an implant having improved properties in connection with the electrical contacting via the contact points of the conductor tracks on the printed circuit board,—is achieved, according to the present invention, by means of a device for contacting and/or electrostimulation of living tissue cells or nerves with having a printed circuit board having with at least one contact point for electrical contacting, the printed circuit board encompassing comprising a flexible multilayer system with at least one conductor track. In accordance with the invention, the contact points for the conductor track in the multilayer system are galvanically reinforced. To this end, a galvanically reinforced layer is grown onto the already preprocessed contact point, for example by means of a galvanic process.

Abstract: A retinal implant has at least one functional unit positioned internally inside an eye and at least one functional unit positioned externally outside the eye and at least one functional unit positioned outside the eye, which are separably connected to one another via a signal path in a manner designed for signal or data transmission. The patient's residual vision which may still remain is preserved because the signal path extends through the sclera of the eye and does not incorporate the anterior eye section.