Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing an electrode, preferably an implantable electrode array comprising the following steps: Applying (101) a layer of electrically conducting material (4) above a substrate material (1) for forming the electrically conductive traces; applying (102) a layer of insulating material (6) directly on top of the layer of electrically conducting material (4) for covering the electrically conductive traces; patterning (103) the layer of insulating material (4) by partly exposing the layer of electrically conducting material (4) to form at least one contact area (8) on the layer of the electrically conducting material (4), wherein a mask for patterning the layer of insulating material (6) defines a region (9) in the at least one contact area (8) at which the insulating material (6) in the at least one contact area (8) remains; and partly applying (104) a top layer (13) of electrically conducting material (4) at the contact area (8) on top of the layer of insulating materi

Abstract: A polymer-based optoelectronic interface comprises an elastomeric substrate (10) and a plurality of discrete photovoltaic pixel elements (20) disposed on top of the substrate. Each pixel element comprises at least one active layer comprising a semiconducting polymer or polymer mixture. The pixel elements are excitable by light to generate an electric signal via a photovoltaic process. For mechanically protecting the pixel elements, an elastomeric encapsulation layer (30) can be disposed on top of the substrate, the encapsulation layer defining access openings (31) for the pixel elements (20). Pillar-like structures (40) can be disposed on the pixel elements. Methods for fabricating such an optoelectronic interface are also disclosed. The optoelectronic interface can be used as a retinal prosthesis.

Abstract: A polymer-based optoelectronic interface comprises an elastomeric substrate (10) and a plurality of discrete photovoltaic pixel elements (20) disposed on top of the substrate. Each pixel element comprises at least one active layer comprising a semiconducting polymer or polymer mixture. The pixel elements are excitable by light to generate an electric signal via a photovoltaic process. For mechanically protecting the pixel elements, an elastomeric encapsulation layer (30) can be disposed on top of the substrate, the encapsulation layer defining access openings (31) for the pixel elements (20). Pillar-like structures (40) can be disposed on the pixel elements. Methods for fabricating such an optoelectronic interface are also disclosed. The optoelectronic interface can be used as a retinal prosthesis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing an electrode, preferably an implantable electrode array comprising the following steps: Applying (101) a layer of electrically conducting material (4) above a substrate material (1) for forming the electrically conductive traces; applying (102) a layer of insulating material (6) directly on top of the layer of electrically conducting material (4) for covering the electrically conductive traces; patterning (103) the layer of insulating material (4) by partly exposing the layer of electrically conducting material (4) to form at least one contact area (8) on the layer of the electrically conducting material (4), wherein a mask for patterning the layer of insulating material (6) defines a region (9) in the at least one contact area (8) at which the insulating material (6) in the at least one contact area (8) remains; and partly applying (104) a top layer (13) of electrically conducting material (4) at the contact area (8) on top of the layer of insulating materi

Abstract: Devices are provided for inhibiting the electrical activity of an excitable cell through the application of a pulse of light which includes a substrate and a photoreactive film both of non-conducting material and laid directly on one another, in which the photoreactive film includes a layer of semiconductor polymer material and has an interface surface which can be placed in contact with an excitable cell and an electrolyte solution. After absorbing light, when placed in contact with the excitable cell and the electrolyte solution, the photoreactive film produces a potential difference across this interface surface which is capable of giving rise to hyperpolarization of the membrane of the excitable cell. Methods of inhibiting the electrical activity of excitable cells using such devices are also provided.

Abstract: Devices are provided for inhibiting the electrical activity of an excitable cell through the application of a pulse of light which includes a substrate and a photoreactive film both of non-conducting material and laid directly on one another, in which the photoreactive film includes a layer of semiconductor polymer material and has an interface surface which can be placed in contact with an excitable cell and an electrolyte solution. After absorbing light, when placed in contact with the excitable cell and the electrolyte solution, the photoreactive film produces a potential difference across this interface surface which is capable of giving rise to hyperpolarisation of the membrane of the excitable cell. Methods of inhibiting the electrical activity of excitable cells using such devices are also provided.

Abstract: An interface for neuronal photoactivation includes a semiconducting polymer material, the semiconducting polymer material being excitable by luminous radiation for photovoltaically generating an electric signal. The semiconducting polymer material forms a substrate for neuronal cell adhesion.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus and a method for optically stimulating and detecting the electrical activity of at least one cell (2A, . . . , 2D) in a cell culture (2) placed on a substrate (3). The apparatus (1) is capable of exciting a bio-activatable molecule (16) positioned in the vicinity of at least one cell (2A, . . . , 2D) through the introduction of a light stimulus in at least one transmission means (5, 5A, . . . , 5D), the latter being located in relation to said at least one cell (2A, . . . , 2D) in such a way that the light stimulus is propagated within said transmission means (5, 5A, . . . , 5D). The apparatus according to the invention has the feature of detecting a light component which is radiated by a fluorescent marker due to the generation of said electrical activity of said at least one cell (2A, . . . , 2D), said light component being propagated through said at least one transmission means (5, 5A, . . . , 5D).