Abstract: Neural prosthesis for implantation within an eye. The prosthesis includes a foldable substrate and at least one electronic component supported by the substrate. At least one microchannel is disposed within the substrate. Upon inflation, the foldable substrate will unfold to provide for close contact of the electronic component with neural tissue, thus facilitating surgical implantation through a narrow incision, yet allowing the unfolded device to cover a sufficiently large portion of the patient's retina to provide useful vision.

Abstract: A combination of silicon processing technology advances and increased understanding of the mechanisms underlying phosphene generation in human retinas by surface electrical stimulation has now made it possible to conceive of a chronically implantable retinal prosthesis for the blind which will restore some useful vision to patients over at least several degrees of their former field of view. These thin, strong, and flexible epiretinal devices are constructed of or encapsulated in known biocompatible materials which will have a long working life in the eye's saline environment. The function of the implants is to electrically stimulate the ganglion cell layer at the surface of the retina using controlled current sources. Due to the exceptionally low mass of the implant and its flexible, nearly planar form, patient discomfort and fluid drag caused by the implant minimized.