Abstract: Apparatus is provided that includes a retinal stimulator, which includes an electrode array including electrodes, which are configured to be coupled to a retina of a subject's eye; and driving circuitry, configured to drive the electrodes to apply currents to the retina. The retinal stimulator further includes an elastic anchor that is coupled to the retinal stimulator and is configured to anchor the electrodes to the retina without the elastic anchor penetrating the retina. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus (20, 420) is provided that includes a retinal implant (40), configured for implantation on a retina (306) of a subject's eye (300) in an epi-retinal position; and an anchor (60, 460, 660) shaped to define (i) an anterior portion (70, 470, 670), (ii) a posterior portion (90, 490, 690) coupled to the retinal implant (40), and (iii) a middle portion (80, 480, 680) extending longitudinally between the anterior portion (70, 470, 670) and the posterior portion (90, 490, 690). The anchor (60, 460, 660) is configured to anchor the retinal implant (40) to the retina (306) such that when the retinal implant (40) is implanted on the retina (306), the anterior portion (70, 470, 670) of the anchor (60, 460, 660) is mounted against a ciliary sulcus (310) of the eye (300). Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided that includes a retinal stimulator, which includes an electrode array including electrodes, which are configured to be coupled to a retina of a subject's eye; and driving circuitry, configured to drive the electrodes to apply currents to the retina. The retinal stimulator further includes an elastic anchor that is coupled to the retinal stimulator and is configured to anchor the electrodes to the retina without the elastic anchor penetrating the retina. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided that includes an array of stimulating electrodes configured for implantation in a retina of a subject's eye; circuitry configured to drive the electrodes to apply currents to the retina; and a graspable portion coupled to the array and configured to facilitate positioning of the array in an epi-retinal position. A cord is removably coupled to the apparatus and (a) is not electrically coupled to the circuitry, and (b) is looped through an opening of the graspable portion. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A method is provided for implanting, in an eye of a subject, an implantable retinal stimulator having (i) an electrode array including electrodes; (ii) a plurality of photosensors; and (iii) driving circuitry, configured to drive the electrodes to apply currents to a retina of the eye. A surface of the retina is contacted with a tissue-contact surface of an anchoring-element-receiving portion of a frame. Subsequently, the frame is anchored to the retina by penetrating scleral tissue of the subject by advancing an anchoring element through an opening defined by the anchoring-element-receiving portion of the frame and into the scleral tissue such that the anchoring element secures the frame to the retina. Subsequently, using the frame, the implantable retinal stimulator is positioned in an epi-retinal position such that the electrode array penetrates the retina. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided that includes an array of stimulating electrodes configured for implantation in a retina of a subject's eye; circuitry configured to drive the electrodes to apply currents to the retina; and a graspable portion coupled to the array and configured to facilitate positioning of the array in an epi-retinal position. A cord is removably coupled to the apparatus and (a) is not electrically coupled to the circuitry, and (b) is looped through an opening of the graspable portion. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided including an implantable retinal stimulator, for implantation on a retina of an eye, and including (i) an electrode array including electrodes; (ii) a plurality of photosensors; and (iii) driving circuitry, configured to drive the electrodes to apply currents to the retina. The apparatus further includes an interface member disposed at an outer surface of the implantable retinal stimulator, e.g., a peripheral member surrounding at least a portion of the implantable retinal stimulator. The apparatus additionally includes a frame, (i) shaped and sized to couple to the peripheral member and to surround the implantable retinal stimulator at least in part, and (ii) shaped to define at least a first anchoring element receiving portion. An anchoring element is shaped and sized to be positioned in the anchoring element receiving portion and to penetrate scleral tissue of the subject. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: A method is provided for implanting, in an eye, apparatus having an electrode array including stimulating electrodes shaped to define distal tips protruding from the array, a plurality of photosensors, and driving circuitry, configured to drive the electrodes to apply currents to the retina. The method includes removing a lens of the eye and a vitreous body of the eye, creating a corneoscleral incision and inserting the apparatus through the corneoscleral incision into a vitreous cavity of the eye. During the inserting, an orientation of the distal tips is maintained pointing towards a cornea of the eye. Subsequently to the inserting, the apparatus is rotated such that the distal tips point towards a macula of the eye. Subsequently to the rotating, the apparatus is positioned epi-retinally, such that the distal tips of the electrodes penetrate the retina. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided including an implantable retinal stimulator, for implantation on a retina of an eye, and including (i) an electrode array including electrodes; (ii) a plurality of photosensors; and (iii) driving circuitry, configured to drive the electrodes to apply currents to the retina. The apparatus further includes an interface member disposed at an outer surface of the implantable retinal stimulator, e.g., a peripheral member surrounding at least a portion of the implantable retinal stimulator. The apparatus additionally includes a frame, (i) shaped and sized to couple to the peripheral member and to surround the implantable retinal stimulator at least in part, and (ii) shaped to define at least a first anchoring element receiving portion. An anchoring element is shaped and sized to be positioned in the anchoring element receiving portion and to penetrate scleral tissue of the subject. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: A method is provided for implanting, in an eye, apparatus having an electrode array including stimulating electrodes shaped to define distal tips protruding from the array, a plurality of photosensors, and driving circuitry, configured to drive the electrodes to apply currents to the retina. The method includes removing a lens of the eye and a vitreous body of the eye, creating a corneoscleral incision and inserting the apparatus through the corneoscleral incision into a vitreous cavity of the eye. During the inserting, an orientation of the distal tips is maintained pointing towards a cornea of the eye. Subsequently to the inserting, the apparatus is rotated such that the distal tips point towards a macula of the eye. Subsequently to the rotating, the apparatus is positioned epi-retinally, such that the distal tips of the electrodes penetrate the retina. Other applications are also described.