Abstract: The invention is an antenna for use with an implantable microdevice, such as a microstimulator or microsensor, having a dipole antenna that is formed by ceramic processes on the inner or outer surface of the ceramic case of the microdevice. The antenna receives data transmitted from an external device, and transmits data to an external device. A dipole antenna may be formed from two radiating elements separated by an insulating material. A tuning circuit comprising capacitors and/or inductors is used to obtain resonance in the dipole antenna. In a preferred embodiment, the antenna is formed of a biocompatible material by applying a metal-containing paste to the ceramic case of the microdevice and thermally processing it.

Abstract: The stimulation device is an improved array for neuro-stimulation. The electrode array of the stimulation device is ideally suited for a visual prosthesis for the restoration of sight in patients with lost or degraded visual function. The electrode array of the stimulation device improves connectivity between a prosthesis and neurons.

Abstract: Communication techniques are described that can improve signal reception from an implanted wireless device to a main control unit (MCU) while in the presence of a narrowband interferer. The implanted wireless device can be any appropriate device such as a microtransponder, microstimulator, a sensor device or a drug delivery device. The MCU captures samples of signals emanating from the wireless device during an expected transmission time interval. The captured samples are evaluated and transformed into a series of spectral terms that are then evaluated to identify narrowband interference signals. The identified narrowband interference terms can be initialized to a null value to remove the signal spectrum resulting from the communication, and an inverse transformation can be used to generate a time domain signal that is free from interference. Overlapping windows and other signal processing techniques can also be applied to improve overall communications.

Abstract: A visual prosthesis for restoring color vision to patients with lost or impaired visual function. The prosthesis creates the perception of a color image by electrically stimulating visual neurons in patterns consistent with the electrically patterns naturally produced by the retina in response to a color image.

Abstract: An electrode array adapted for stimulating the retina to create the perception of vision in blind patients. The electrode array may be embodied as a combination of a subretinal electrode array and an epiretinal electrode array, with an electronics unit external to the eye. The subretinal and epiretinal arrays are in electrical communication with each other and are suitable to pass an electrical signal through retinal tissue.

Abstract: An implantable sensor includes electronic circuitry for automatically performing on a periodic basis, e.g., every 1 to 24 hours, specified integrity tests which verify proper operation of the sensor.

Abstract: An implantable enzyme-based monitoring system suitable for long term in vivo use to measure the concentration of prescribed substances such as glucose is provided. In one embodiment, the implantable enzyme-based monitoring system includes at least one sensor assembly, an outer membrane surrounding the sensor assembly and having a window therein, and a polymeric window cover affixed to the outer membrane and covering the window. Preferably, the outer membrane of the monitoring system is silicone and the window cover is a polymer of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), N,N,-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) and methacrylic acid (MA). Also provided herein is an implantable enzyme-based monitoring system having at least one sensor assembly, an outer membrane surrounding the sensor assembly and a coating affixed to the exterior surface of the outer membrane, wherein the coating resists blood coagulation and protein binding to the exterior surface of the outer membrane.

Abstract: The present invention is an implantable electronic device formed within a biocompatible hermetic package. Preferably the implantable electronic device is used for a visual prosthesis for the restoration of sight in patients with lost or degraded visual function. The package may include a hard hermetic box, a thin film hermetic coating, or both.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for protecting an electronic implantable medical device prior to it being implanted in a patient's body. The apparatus affords protection against electronic component damage due to electrostatic discharge and/or physical damage due to improper handling. The apparatus is comprised of a circuit board having conductive surface means for receiving and releasably grasping the electrodes of the medical device to support the device's housing proximate to the surface of the circuit board. First and second conductive paths are formed on the circuit board extending between the first and second conductive surfaces for shunting electrostatic discharge currents to prevent such currents from passing through the device's electronic circuitry. The respective shunt paths include oppositely oriented diodes, preferably comprising diodes which emit light (i.e., LEDs) when current passes therethrough. Additionally, means are provided to enable functional testing of the medical device.

Abstract: The present invention is a visual prosthesis for the restoration of sight in patients with lost or degraded visual function. The visual prosthesis includes a user interface which controls function of the visual prosthesis to optimize operation for each individual patient. The user interface controls functions such as brightness, contrast, magnification, frequency, pulse width, or amplitude. The user interface may also individually control points of neural stimulation.

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 photoelectrical 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: An implantable electronic device is formed within a biocompatible hermetic package. Preferably the implantable electronic device is used for a visual prosthesis for the restoration of sight in patients with lost or degraded visual function. The package may include a hard hermetic box, a thin film hermetic coating, or both.

Abstract: An implantable substrate sensor has electronic circuitry and electrodes formed on opposite sides of a substrate. A protective coating covers the substrate, effectively hermetically sealing the electronic circuitry under the coating. Exposed areas of the electrodes are selectively left uncovered by the protective coating, thereby allowing such electrodes to be exposed to body tissue and fluids when the sensor is implanted in living tissue. The substrate on which the electronic circuitry and electrodes are formed is the same substrate or “chip” on which an integrated circuit (IC) is formed, which integrated circuit contains the desired electronic circuitry. Such approach eliminates the need for an hermetically sealed lid or cover to cover hybrid electronic circuitry, and allows the sensor to be made much thinner than would otherwise be possible. In one embodiment, two such substrate sensor may be placed back-to-back, with the electrodes facing outward.

Abstract: Directly modulating a beam of photons onto the retinas of patients who have extreme vision impairment or blindness. Supplying enough imaging energy to retinal prosthetics implanted in the eye which operate by having light (external to the eye) activating photoreceptors, or photoelectrical material. Providing sufficient light amplification and does it logarithmically. Having sufficient output light power, the output light level still remains at a safe level. Providing balanced biphasic stimulation with no net charge injection into the eye. Both optical and electronic magnification for the image is incorporated. It would not be feasible to zoom in on items of particular interest or necessity. Improper threshold amplitudes would obtain uncomfortable maximum thresholds. Proper adjustment for the threshold amplitudes and maximum comfortable thresholds is provided.

Abstract: A system for monitoring and/or affecting parameters of a patient's body and more particularly to such a system comprised of a system control unit (SCU) and one or more other devices, preferably battery-powered, implanted in the patient's body, i.e., within the envelope defined by the patient's skin. Each such implanted device is configured to be monitored and/or controlled by the SCU via a wireless communication channel. In accordance with the invention, the SCU comprises a programmable unit capable of (1) transmitting commands to at least some of a plurality of implanted devices and (2) receiving data signal from at least some of those implanted devices. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the system operates in closed loop fashion whereby the commands transmitted by the SCU are dependent, in part, on the content of the data signals received by the SCU.

Abstract: An automatic tuning system for a magnetic field generating tuned circuit includes a processor configured to maintain the resonant frequency of a tuned circuit equal to a reference frequency. The tuned circuit is driven by a power amplifier whose output provides an amplified signal at the reference frequency. The tuned circuit includes a magnetic field generating inductor and a bank of individually switchable capacitors controlled by the processor capable of adding and removing the respective capacitances to and from the tuned circuit. The inductor includes a Faraday shield to shield the tuned circuit from the influence of electric fields. In an embodiment of the invention, the variable capacitor is in the form of a diode variable capacitor (varicap) in parallel circuit relationship with the tuned circuit capacitor and the inductor.

Abstract: The present invention is a low profile hermetic package for an implantable medical device. The package includes a non-conductive substrate including a plurality of straight conductive vias through the non-conductive substrate. A conductive cover hermetically enclosing an electronics circuit is bonded to the non-conductive substrate. The device is low profile. The width of the non-conductive substrate is grater than the height of the cover.

Abstract: A system and method that facilitates stimulating neural pathways, e.g., muscles and/or associated nerves, of a patient's body for the purpose of therapeutic medical treatment by rehabilitating weakened muscles and using neuroplasticity to retrain sequential muscle movements and/or to provide the ability to directly deliver functional motor movements. Use of the present invention is of particular value for treating a patient following a stroke. More particularly, such systems are characterized by a plurality of discrete devices, preferably battery powered but may alternatively include RF-powered devices as well or in combination, configured for implanting within a patient's body via injection, each device being configured to affect a parameter, e.g., via nerve and/or muscle stimulation and/or to sense a body parameter, e.g., temperature, O2 content, physical position, electrical potential, etc.

Abstract: The present invention is a visual color prosthesis. The prosthesis creates the perception of a color image by electrically stimulating visual neurons in patterns consistent with the electrically patterns naturally produced by the retina in response to a color image.

Abstract: A method for facilitating placement of an implantable device configured for implantation beneath a patient's skin for the purpose of tissue, e.g., nerve or muscle, stimulation and/or parameter monitoring and/or data communication. A placement structure is shown for facilitating placement of the implantable device proximate to neural/muscular tissue.