Abstract: An improved electrode and method for manufacturing the improved electrode wherein the electrode having a fractal surface coating of platinum [which the present inventor refers to as “platinum gray”] with a increase in surface area of at least 5 times when compared to shiny platinum of the same geometry and also having improved resistance to physical stress when compared to platinum black having the same surface area. The process of electroplating the surface coating of platinum gray comprising plating at a moderate rate, i.e., at a rate that is faster than the rate necessary to produce shiny platinum and that is less than the rate necessary to produce platinum black.

Abstract: This invention is a method and apparatus for implanting retinal tacks and retinal electrode element with spiked electrodes. In one aspect of the invention, a tack suitable for insertion into the retina is driven into the retina by the repeated minute blows from the rapid contractions and expansions of the piezoelectric crystal. In a different aspect of the invention, a retinal electrode element with spiked electrodes suitable for insertion into the retina is driven into the retina by the repeated minute blows from the rapid contractions and expansions of the piezoelectric crystal. In another aspect of the invention, a single, short impulse is used to drive the tack home. In a different aspect of the invention, a single, short impulse is used to drive the retinal electrode element with spiked electrodes home. With this mode of tack and electrode element implanting, a remotely placed driver couples its motion to the tack using a thin, elongated tube filled with a suitable hydraulic fluid.

Abstract: This invention is for directly modulating a beam of photons onto the retinas of patients who have extreme vision impairment or blindness. Its purpose is to supply enough imaging energy to retinal prosthetics implanted in the eye which operate essentially by having light (external to the eye) activating photoreceptors, or photo-electrical material. The invention provides sufficient light amplification and does it logarithmically. While it has sufficient output light power, the output light level still remains at a safe level. Most preferred embodiments of this invention provide balanced biphasic stimulation with no net charge injection into the eye. Both optical and electronic magnification for the image, as for example, using an optical zoom lens, is incorporated. Otherwise, it would not be feasible to zoom in on items of particular interest or necessity. Without proper adjustment, improper threshold amplitudes would obtain, as well as uncomfortable maximum thresholds.

Abstract: This invention is a method and apparatus for implanting retinal tacks and retinal electrode element with spiked electrodes. In one aspect of the invention, a tack suitable for insertion into the retina is driven into the retina by the repeated minute blows from the rapid contractions and expansions of the piezoelectric crystal. In a different aspect of the invention, a retinal electrode element with spiked electrodes suitable for insertion into the retina is driven into the retina by the repeated minute blows from the rapid contractions and expansions of the piezoelectric crystal. In another aspect of the invention, a single, short impulse is used to drive the tack home. In a different aspect of the invention, a single, short impulse is used to drive the retinal electrode element with spiked electrodes home. With this mode of tack and electrode element implanting, a remotely placed driver couples its motion to the tack using a thin, elongated tube filled with a suitable hydraulic fluid.