Abstract: The present invention is an improved fitting and training system for a visual prosthesis. A patient, using the visual prosthesis observes a display and indicates location, movement, shape or other properties of the display image to provide for improved fitting and training. In one embodiment, the patient uses a touch screen monitory which displays an image. The patient touches the monitor at the location where the patient perceives the image. The system then corrects the image to the location indicated by the patient. In another embodiment a patient observes an image moving across the touch screen monitor and indicates by moving their hand across the monitor which direction the believe the image is moving. The system can then rotate the image to match the image perceived by the patient.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for controlling the stimulation of tissue. In one aspect, an apparatus includes an implantable stimulation device to elicit a response in a tissue by delivering one or more stimuli. The stimulation device includes a stimulus delivery element to deliver the one or more stimuli to elicit the response, a memory to store a range value identifying a range of values of a stimulation parameter relative to a first value, and a controller to control delivery of the stimuli by the stimulus delivery element in accordance with the range value. The stimulation parameter characterizes the stimuli to be delivered by the stimulation device.

Abstract: Systems of techniques for controlling charge flow during the electrical stimulation of tissue. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a charge setting describing an amount of charge that is to flow during a stimulation pulse that electrically stimulates a tissue, and generating and delivering the stimulation pulse in a manner such that an amount of charge delivered to the tissue during the stimulation pulse accords with the charge setting.

Abstract: A system and method for modifying the parameters of an implantable medical device includes an implantable medical device that communicates with a remote control device that, in turn, communicates through the browser of a computer or any other device capable of using mark-up language protocol. The computer optionally communicates with other computers and/or devices through a network.

Abstract: An implantable microminiature infusion device includes a reservoir for holding a therapeutic fluid or other substance and a driver, e.g., a pump, that delivers the therapeutic fluid or substance to a patient within whom the device is implanted. The device further includes at least two electrodes coupled to pulse generation circuitry, thereby allowing therapeutic electrical stimulation to also be delivered to the patient.

Abstract: A system and method for modifying the parameters of an implantable medical device includes an implantable medical device that communicates with a remote control device that, in turn, communicates through the browser of a computer or any other device capable of using mark-up language protocol. The computer optionally communicates with other computers and/or devices through a network.

Abstract: Techniques and functional electrical stimulation to eliminate discomfort during electrical stimulation of the retina are provided. According to a first technique, discomfort is eliminated through control of timing group assignment. According to a second technique, discomfort is eliminated through an edge detection method. According to a third technique, brightness clipping is used to eliminate discomfort. According to a fourth technique, direct reduction of current is obtained by scaling it down by a factor which is dependent on the sum of current in all electrodes. According to a fifth technique, the current being fed to each electrode is adjusted, by dividing it by a weighted sum of currents fed to the surrounding electrodes. According to a sixth technique, a method based on the current summation effect is used. According to a seventh technique, a large return electrode is used. According to an eighth technique, the return electrode is used for a pseudo-multi-polar stimulation.

Abstract: Digital image filters and related methods for image contrast enhancement are disclosed. According to one aspect of the method, an invariant brightness level is initially determined. For each pixel of an input image, the invariant brightness level is subtracted from the input brightness of the pixel. The resulting value is multiplied with a contrast adjustment constant. After that, the invariant brightness level is added. Further aspects of the method can involve histogram equalization.

Abstract: This system gives the experimenter great flexibility to present spatio-temporal stimulation patterns to a subject. A video configuration file (VCF) editor allows the experimenter to determine the electrical stimulation parameters for each electrode. A Pattern Stimulation software program allows direct stimulation of chosen patterns of electrodes, scaled by the subject's VCF, through a Graphical User Interface. The subject then responds by drawing the outline of the phosphene he or she perceives on a touchscreen. The Pattern Stimulation program saves all of the trial parameters and the parameters of an ellipse fit to their drawing, as well as a raw data file containing the input to the touchscreen is saved. After the experiment, offline image analysis can be performed to obtain a detailed quantitative description of the subject's percepts. Image descriptors can assigned to the touchscreen data; these image descriptors can be used to make formalized comparisons between various experimental conditions.

Abstract: Systems for adjusting a position of an implanted medical device within a patient include an engagement tool configured to couple to the implanted medical device. The engagement tool adjusts the position of the medical device when coupled to the implanted medical device. Methods of adjusting a position of an implanted medical device within a patient include locating the implanted medical device, coupling an engagement tool to the medical device, and adjusting a position of the engagement tool to adjust the position of the medical device.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of improving the persistence of electrical neural stimulation, and specifically a method of improving the persistence of an image supplied to a retina, or visual cortex, through a visual prosthesis. A continuously stimulated retina, or other neural tissue, will desensitize after a time period in the range of 20 to 150 seconds. However, an interruption of the stimulation on the order of a few milliseconds will restore the retinal sensitivity without the user perceiving the interruption, or with the user barely perceiving the interruption.

Abstract: A cochlear stimulation device comprising an electrode array designed to provide enhanced charge injection capacity necessary for neural stimulation. The electrode array comprises electrodes with high surface area or a fractal geometry and correspondingly high electrode capacitance and low electrical impedance. The resultant electrodes have a robust surface and sufficient mechanical strength to withstand physical stress vital for long term stability. The device further comprises wire traces having a multilayer structure which provides a reduced width for the conducting part of the electrode array. The cochlear prosthesis is attached by a grommet to the cochleostomy that is made from a single piece of biocompatible polymer. The device, designed to achieve optimum neural stimulation by appropriate electrode design, is a significant improvement over commercially available hand-built devices.

Abstract: The present invention consists of an implantable device with at least one package that houses electronics that receives input data or signals, and optionally power, from an external system through at least one coil attached to the at least one package, processes the input data and delivers electrical pulses to neural tissue through at least one array of multiple electrodes that is/are attached to the at least one package. The invention, or components thereof, is/are intended to be installed in the head, or on or in the cranium or on the dura, or on or in the brain.

Abstract: In a visual prosthesis electrodes stimulate retinal tissue to induce the perception of light to a user implanted with the prosthesis. The prosthesis must have a return, or common, electrode to make a complete circuit with the retinal tissue. To avoid stimulating tissue with the return electrode, it is advantageous if the electrode is large. The invention involver a flexible circuit electrode array comprising a polymer base layer, metal traces deposited on said polymer base layer, including electrodes suitable to stimulate neural tissue a polymer top layer deposited on said polymer base layer and said metal traces, and a return electrode separate from said stimulating electrodes. The flexible circuit electrode array comprises a secondary coil for receiving visual data; an electronics package electrically coupled to said receiving coil, and a plurality of stimulating electrode electrically coupled to said electronics package.

Abstract: A visual prosthesis apparatus comprising: a video capture device for capturing a video image; a video processing unit associated with the video capture device, the video processing unit configured to convert the video image to stimulation patterns; and a retinal stimulation system configured to stimulate neural tissue in a subject's eye based on the stimulation patterns, wherein the video processing unit is configured to be powered on after a first time interval upon activation of a power button, wherein the video processing unit is configured to be powered off after a second time interval upon activation of a power button.

Abstract: A video processing unit configured to convert a video image to stimulation patterns for stimulating neural tissue in a subject's eye and comprising a power button, wherein the video processing unit is configured to be powered on after a first time interval upon activation of a power button, wherein the video processing unit is configured to be powered off after a second time interval upon activation of a power button.

Abstract: A video processing unit configured to convert a video image to stimulation patterns for stimulating neural tissue in a subject's eye, the video processing unit comprising a video processor for converting a video image to a digital video stream; a memory for storing the digital video stream; and a video preprocessor data interface for forming stimulation patterns based on the stored digital video stream.