Abstract: Intraocular apparatus is provided, having an anterior side and a posterior side, and configured for use with an extraocular imaging device. The intraocular apparatus includes a photovoltaic energy receiver, or an RF energy receiver, on the anterior side which receives energy from outside the eye to power the intraocular apparatus. Additionally, the intraocular apparatus includes a photodiode on the anterior side of the intraocular apparatus which receives data from the extraocular imaging device. An application-specific-integrated-circuit (ASIC) is positioned on the posterior side of the intraocular apparatus and includes (i) circuitry configured to process the data from the photodiode into an image, (ii) an electronic display, e.g., a light-emitting diode (LED) display, which emits light representing the image, and (iii) at least two through-silicon vias connecting the ASIC to the photovoltaic energy receiver and to the photodiode. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Intraocular apparatus is provided that is shaped and sized to be implanted entirely in a subject's eye and configured for use with an extraocular imaging device. The intraocular apparatus includes an energy receiver configured to receive energy from outside the eye and to power the intraocular apparatus; a data receiver configured to receive image data from the extraocular imaging device; circuitry configured to process the data received by the data receiver into an image; an electronic display configured to emit light representing the image; and an eye-tracking sensor configured to sense a position of the subject's eye and to generate a signal in response thereto, the electronic display being configured to emit light representing a portion of the image corresponding to the position of the subject's eye sensed by the eye-tracking sensor. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for implementing a CMOS buffer for driving a reference voltage that consumes very low current in normal operating conditions but drive high current when output voltage is off, tracking the required reference voltage. The circuit is operating in a “deadzone” most of the time, where pull-up and pull-down current paths are blocked, and ultra-low power comparators, with build-in offset, are monitoring the output voltage continuously, and driving compensation current, when needed. The circuit can be manufactured with a standard CMOS processing technology.

Abstract: Volatile memory is described, comprising: (i) a first inverter comprising a first p-type field effect transistor (FET) connected to a first n-type FET; (ii) a second inverter comprising a second p-type FET connected to a second n-type FET; (iii) a third p-type FET; (iv) a fourth p-type FET; and (v) a floating line connecting (i) a source of the third p-type FET, and (ii) a source of the fourth p-type FET, wherein: (a) the first data line is connected to: a gate of the second p-type FET, a gate of the second n-type FET, a drain of the third p-type FET, and a gate of the fourth p-type FET, and (b) the second data line is connected to: a gate of the first p-type FET, a gate of the first n-type FET, a drain of the fourth p-type FET, and a gate of the third p-type FET.

Abstract: A method for implementing a CMOS input buffer that consumes very low current even when input levels are less than full swing. An additional optional stage enables conversion to very low voltage swing. The circuit can be manufactured with a standard CMOS processing technology and with high immunity to variation of process parameters. The circuit provides some hysteresis response, enhancing the input voltage margin.

Abstract: Intraocular apparatus is provided, having an anterior side and a posterior side, and configured for use with an extraocular imaging device. The intraocular apparatus includes a photovoltaic energy receiver, or an RF energy receiver, on the anterior side which receives energy from outside the eye to power the intraocular apparatus. Additionally, the intraocular apparatus includes a photodiode on the anterior side of the intraocular apparatus which receives data from the extraocular imaging device. An application-specific-integrated-circuit (ASIC) is positioned on the posterior side of the intraocular apparatus and includes (i) circuitry configured to process the data from the photodiode into an image, (ii) an electronic display, e.g., a light-emitting diode (LED) display, which emits light representing the image, and (iii) at least two through-silicon vias connecting the ASIC to the photovoltaic energy receiver and to the photodiode. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: An external device is provided for use with an intraocular device configured to be implanted entirely in an eye of a subject. The external device includes a mount configured to be placed in front of the eye and a sensor coupled to the mount and configured to sense a level of ambient light. The external device additionally includes an external power source coupled to the mount and configured to (i) emit toward the eye non-visible light that is outside of 380-750 nm, and (ii) modulate the non-visible light based on the level of ambient light sensed by the sensor. Other application are also described.

Abstract: Intraocular apparatus is provided for be implantation entirely in a subject's eye. The intraocular apparatus includes a photosensor array including a plurality of photosensors configured to receive an ambient image, and a power source, for powering the apparatus. The intraocular apparatus additionally including a flexible 0.4-3 mm electrical connector, connecting the photosensor array to the power source. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: An external device is provided for use with an intraocular device configured to be implanted entirely in an eye of a subject. The external device includes a mount configured to be placed in front of the eye and a sensor coupled to the mount and configured to sense a level of ambient light. The external device additionally includes an external power source coupled to the mount and configured to (i) emit toward the eye non-visible light that is outside of 380-750 nm, and (ii) modulate the non-visible light based on the level of ambient light sensed by the sensor. Other application are also described.

Abstract: Power monitoring circuitry is provided, comprising a capacitor configured to receive a current, so as to charge the capacitor and a switching device, connected to the capacitor. The switching device is configured to periodically discharge the capacitor in response to receipt of a clock signal from a circuit being monitored. The power monitoring circuitry also comprises a comparator, configured to perform a comparison of a voltage developed by the capacitor with a threshold voltage, and to output an indication of a change in power supplied to the circuit in response to the comparison. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided, including an external device, including a mount, placed in front of an eye, and a laser which emits toward the eye radiation that is outside of 380-750 nm. The apparatus additionally includes an intraocular device which is implanted entirely in the eye, and includes an energy receiver, a plurality of stimulating electrodes, a plurality of photosensors, and driving circuitry coupled to the energy receiver and to the photosensors, and configured to drive the electrodes to apply currents to a retina of the eye in response to the signals from the photosensors. The photosensors are (a) generally insensitive to the energy from the laser, and (b) generally sensitive to visible light. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided, including an external device, including a mount, placed in front of an eye, and a laser which emits toward the eye radiation that is outside of 380-750 nm. The apparatus additionally includes an intraocular device which is implanted entirely in the eye, and includes an energy receiver, a plurality of stimulating electrodes, a plurality of photosensors, and driving circuitry coupled to the energy receiver and to the photosensors, and configured to drive the electrodes to apply currents to a retina of the eye in response to the signals from the photosensors. The photosensors are (a) generally insensitive to the energy from the laser, and (b) generally sensitive to visible light. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described, including a method for transmission of power and data during a plurality of consecutive time intervals. During a power-transmission portion of each of the plurality of consecutive time intervals, a power signal, in which no data is encoded, is transmitted. During a power-and-data-transmission portion of each of the plurality of consecutive time intervals, a power-and-data signal, in which is encoded a single bit, is transmitted. The power-and-data signal includes: (a) a high-level power-and-data signal portion, and (b) a low-level power-and-data signal portion. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Volatile memory is described, comprising: (i) a first inverter comprising a first p-type field effect transistor (FET) connected to a first n-type FET; (ii) a second inverter comprising a second p-type FET connected to a second n-type FET; (iii) a third p-type FET; (iv) a fourth p-type FET; and (v) a floating line connecting (i) a source of the third p-type FET, and (ii) a source of the fourth p-type FET, wherein: (a) the first data line is connected to: a gate of the second p-type FET, a gate of the second n-type FET, a drain of the third p-type FET, and a gate of the fourth p-type FET, and (b) the second data line is connected to: a gate of the first p-type FET, a gate of the first n-type FET, a drain of the fourth p-type FET, and a gate of the third p-type FET.

Abstract: Apparatus for use with an external non-visible light source is provided. The apparatus comprises an intraocular device configured for implantation in a human eye, and comprising an energy receiver. The energy receiver is configured to receive light emitted from the external non-visible light source, and extract energy from the emitted light for powering the intraocular device. The intraocular device is configured to regulate a parameter of operation of the intraocular device based on a modulation of the light emitted by the external non-visible light source and received by the energy receiver. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A medical device includes an array of electrodes, configured for implantation in contact with tissue in an eye of a living subject. Driver circuitry is configured to drive the electrodes in an alternating pattern, such that different groups of the electrodes are driven to stimulate the tissue during different, predetermined respective time periods. A power sensor, may be coupled to deactivate a first group of the electrodes when the available electrical power drops below a predetermined threshold, while a second group of the electrodes remains active. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described, including a method for transmission of power and data during a plurality of consecutive time intervals. During a power-transmission portion of each of the plurality of consecutive time intervals, a power signal, in which no data is encoded, is transmitted. During a power-and-data-transmission portion of each of the plurality of consecutive time intervals, a power-and-data signal, in which is encoded a single bit, is transmitted. The power-and-data signal includes: (a) a high-level power-and-data signal portion, and (b) a low-level power-and-data signal portion. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus for use with an external non-visible light source is provided. The apparatus comprises an intraocular device configured for implantation in a human eye, and comprising an energy receiver. The energy receiver is configured to receive light emitted from the external non-visible light source, and extract energy from the emitted light for powering the intraocular device. The intraocular device is configured to regulate a parameter of operation of the intraocular device based on a modulation of the light emitted by the external non-visible light source and received by the energy receiver. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Power monitoring circuitry is provided, comprising a capacitor configured to receive a current, so as to charge the capacitor and a switching device, connected to the capacitor. The switching device is configured to periodically discharge the capacitor in response to receipt of a clock signal from a circuit being monitored. The power monitoring circuitry also comprises a comparator, configured to perform a comparison of a voltage developed by the capacitor with a threshold voltage, and to output an indication of a change in power supplied to the circuit in response to the comparison. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus for use with an external non-visible light source is provided. The apparatus comprises an intraocular device configured for implantation in a human eye, and comprising an energy receiver. The energy receiver is configured to receive light emitted from the external non-visible light source, and extract energy from the emitted light for powering the intraocular device. The intraocular device is configured to regulate a parameter of operation of the intraocular device based on a modulation of the light emitted by the external non-visible light source and received by the energy receiver. Other embodiments are also described.