INTRAOCULAR AND EXTRAOCULAR DEVICES
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.
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The present invention relates generally to implantable medical devices, and specifically to an intraocular implant.
BACKGROUNDThe cornea is a transparent, dome-shaped outermost layer of the eye. The cornea covers the iris and the pupil and plays a role in protecting the eye from germs, dust, and other harmful matter. The cornea additionally functions to focus vision, typically contributing to more than 50 percent of the eye's total focusing power. Light that passes through the cornea is refracted onto the lens of the eye and further focused by the lens onto the retina. Thus, a healthy cornea is typically clear and transparent to allow passing of light there through. Corneal opacities can cause vision impairment and blindness.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,736,390 to Aharoni describes an artificial vision system including a sealed capsule adapted for intraocular placement upstream of a retina, an electronic display located within the sealed capsule and focusing optics located within the sealed capsule and arranged for focusing an image on the electronic display onto the retina.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,653,751 to Samiy describes apparatus and methods that project images onto the retina of an eye. The apparatus can include an image memory element for storing an image signal representative of a visual image, a projection element in an electrical circuit with the image memory element for generating an optical image signal of the type suitable for detection by a retina and being representative of the visual image, and a focus element that is adapted for implantation into the eye at a position in the eye which is posterior to the cornea and anterior to the retina and that is optically coupled to the projection element for focusing the optical image onto the retina. The projection element can include a display device that is dimensionally adapted for disposition within the eye at a position posterior to the cornea. The display device can be a liquid crystal display element that has an illuminator element optically coupled to the display device or alternatively can include a laser diode element that optically couples to a scanning mirror that projects light through a damaged cornea.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONSome applications of the present invention provide intraocular apparatus for providing at least partial vision in a subject suffering from a corneal disease. Typically, the intraocular apparatus is used in combination with an extraocular imaging device that captures an image that is in turn displayed by the intraocular apparatus onto the retina of the subject, thereby providing vision to the subject.
In accordance with some applications of the present invention, the intraocular apparatus is encapsulated e.g., within a glass encapsulation, and is shaped and sized to be implanted in an anterior segment of the eye, typically, in a capsular bag of the eye.
For some applications, the intraocular apparatus comprises a photovoltaic energy receiver on an anterior side of the intraocular apparatus, the photovoltaic energy receiver being configured to receive energy from outside the eye and to power the intraocular apparatus. Typically, the photovoltaic energy receiver receives infrared light from an external light source, e.g., a laser, and converts the received energy from the laser into electrical energy for powering the intraocular apparatus. Typically, the cornea is opaque and therefore not transparent to visible light. However, some residual transparency of the cornea to infrared light exists. The photovoltaic energy receiver is typically configured to absorb the IR light.
Additionally, the intraocular apparatus typically comprises a photodiode on the anterior side of the intraocular apparatus, and circuitry and an electronic display both positioned on an application-specific-integrated-circuit (ASIC) (or a dedicated display microchip), on a posterior side of the intraocular device.
The photodiode typically receives data from the extraocular imaging device, and the circuitry processes the data from the photodiode into an image. The electronic display, typically a light-emitting diode (LED) display, emits light representing the image, such that the image is displayed onto the retina. For some applications, at least two through-silicon vias connect the ASIC to the photovoltaic energy receiver and to the photodiode. Typically, the intraocular apparatus further comprises a lens positioned posterior to the LED display and configured to focus the image onto the retina.
For some applications, the LED display comprises a central polychrome portion (e.g., showing red and green, or showing red, green, and blue) and a peripheral monochrome portion (e.g., “black and white”) which may be implemented with any single color, surrounding the central portion.
There is therefore provided in accordance with some applications of the present invention, intraocular apparatus (i) shaped and sized to be implanted entirely in a subject's eye, (ii) having an anterior side and a posterior side, and (iii) configured for use with an extraocular imaging device, the intraocular apparatus including:
a photovoltaic energy receiver on the anterior side of the intraocular apparatus configured to receive energy from outside the eye and to power the intraocular apparatus;
a photodiode on the anterior side of the intraocular apparatus configured to receive data from the extraocular imaging device;
an application-specific-integrated-circuit (ASIC) on the posterior side of the intraocular apparatus including (i) circuitry configured to process the data from the photodiode into an image, (ii) an electronic display configured to emit light representing the image, and (iii) at least two through-silicon vias connecting the ASIC to the photovoltaic energy receiver and to the photodiode.
For some applications, the apparatus further includes a lens posterior to the ASIC, configured to focus the light emitted by the electronic display onto a retina of the subject.
For some applications, the intraocular apparatus is shaped and sized to be implanted in a capsular bag of the subject.
For some applications, the apparatus further includes an encapsulation, at least partially including glass, the encapsulation configured to encapsulate the photovoltaic energy receiver, the photodiode, and the ASIC.
For some applications, a posterior side of the encapsulation forms a lens configured to focus the light emitted by the electronic display onto a retina of the subject.
For some applications, the at least two through-silicon vias include exactly three through-silicon vias.
For some applications, the at least two through-silicon vias include exactly four through-silicon vias.
For some applications, the apparatus further includes an eye-tracking sensor configured to sense a position of the subject's eye and to generate a signal in response thereto, and in response to the signal, the electronic display is configured to emit light representing an image corresponding to the position of the subject's eye sensed by the eye-tracking sensor.
For some applications, the extraocular imaging device is configured to change a view captured by the extraocular imaging device in response to the signal.
For some applications, the electronic display includes a light-emitting diode (LED) display.
There is further provided in accordance with some applications of the present invention, intraocular apparatus (i) shaped and sized to be implanted entirely in a subject's eye, and (ii) configured for use with an extraocular imaging device, the intraocular apparatus including:
an energy receiver configured to receive energy from outside the eye and to power the intraocular apparatus;
a data receiver configured to receive data from the extraocular imaging device;
circuitry configured to process the data from the data receiver into an image;
an electronic display configured to emit light representing the image; and
an encapsulation (i) configured to fully encapsulate the energy receiver, the data receiver, the circuitry, and the electronic display, and (ii) forming a lens on a posterior side of the encapsulation, the lens configured to focus the light emitted by the electronic display onto a retina of the subject.
For some applications, the energy receiver includes a photovoltaic energy receiver, and the data receiver includes a photodiode.
For some applications, the apparatus includes at least two through-silicon vias connecting:
(a) the electronic display and the circuitry, to
(b) the data receiver and the energy receiver.
For some applications, the energy receiver includes a radiofrequency (RF) power receiving coil, and the data receiver includes a radiofrequency (RF) data receiver.
There is further provided in accordance with some applications of the present invention, intraocular apparatus shaped and sized to be implanted entirely in the subject's eye and configured for use with an extraocular imaging device, the intraocular apparatus including:
an electronic display including:
a central polychrome portion; and
a peripheral monochrome portion, surrounding the central portion,
the electronic display being configured to emit light representing an image received by the imaging device.
For some applications, the electronic display includes a light-emitting diode (LED) display.
There is further provided in accordance with some applications of the present invention, intraocular apparatus shaped and sized to be implanted entirely in a subject's eye and configured for use with an extraocular imaging device, the intraocular apparatus including:
an electronic display including:
a central portion; and
a peripheral portion, surrounding the central portion,
the peripheral portion having resolution that is higher than a resolution of the central portion.
For some applications, the electronic display includes a light-emitting diode (LED) display.
For some applications, the central portion includes a polychrome portion; and the peripheral portion includes a monochrome portion.
There is further provided in accordance with some applications of the present invention, intraocular apparatus (i) shaped and sized to be implanted entirely in a subject's eye, and (ii) configured for use with an extraocular imaging device, the intraocular apparatus including:
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.
For some applications, in response to the signal generated by the eye-tracking sensor, the circuitry changes the image captured by the extraocular imaging device such that the portion of the image corresponding to the position of the subject's eye, as sensed by the eye-tracking sensor, is displayed onto the electronic display.
For some applications, the extraocular device is configured to change a view captured by the extraocular imaging device in response to the signal.
There is further provided in accordance with some applications of the present invention, an extraocular device for use with an intraocular apparatus configured to display an image onto a retina of a subject, the extraocular device including:
a camera configured to capture the image; and
an eye-tracking sensor coupled to the camera and configured to sense a position of the subject's eye and to generate a signal in response thereto
such that in response to the signal, the intraocular apparatus displays onto the retina a portion of the image corresponding to the position of the subject's eye as sensed by the eye-tracking sensor.
For some applications, the extraocular device is a component in a vision system and the vision system additionally includes the intraocular apparatus, including:
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 the image, an electronic display configured to emit light representing the image.
For some applications, the extraocular device is configured to change a view captured by the extraocular imaging device in response to the signal.
The present invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of applications thereof, taken together with the drawings, in which:
Reference is made to
Extraocular imaging device 40 is coupled to a mount 22 that is placed in front of an eye 10 of the subject. Mount 22 typically comprises a pair of eyeglasses worn by the subject. Extraocular imaging device 40 captures an image, and transmits data representing that image to the intraocular apparatus.
Intraocular apparatus 30 typically comprises an implant which includes an encapsulated optics and electronics portion disposed within a central portion 21 of the implant, the implant being shaped and sized to be implanted in a capsular bag 90 of eye 10, following removal of a lens of the subject (as shown in
The data transmitted by extraocular imaging device 40 is received by intraocular apparatus 30 and displayed as an image onto a retina 106 of the subject, providing the subject with vision of the image. For some applications, intraocular apparatus 30 further comprises a lens 50 that focuses the image onto retina 106.
Reference is now made to
For some applications, intraocular apparatus 30 receives power and data by infrared (IR) light from a laser or LED light source. Intraocular apparatus 30 typically comprises a photovoltaic energy receiver 140 on anterior side 62 of intraocular apparatus 30. Photovoltaic energy receiver 140 is configured to receive energy from outside the eye, and to power intraocular apparatus 30. Typically, the photovoltaic energy receiver receives infrared light from an external light source, e.g., from a laser or LED coupled to mount 22, and converts the energy received from the light into electrical energy for powering intraocular apparatus 30.
Additionally, intraocular apparatus 30 typically comprises a photodiode 120 on anterior side 62. Photodiode 120 typically receives, in a wireless manner, image data from extraocular imaging device 40. Additionally, extraocular imaging device 40 may transmit configuration data, in addition to the image data. The configuration data may include, for example, display parameters, such as brightness, magnification, or various color settings. The configuration data may also change the configuration of a processor in intraocular apparatus 30 or enable changes to the format of the image data being transferred.
Posterior side 64 of intraocular apparatus 30 typically comprises an application-specific-integrated-circuit (ASIC) 110. ASIC 110 comprises circuitry 115 which processes the data from photodiode 120 into an image. ASIC 110 additionally comprises an electronic display 130, e.g., a micro-light-emitting diode (LED) display, which emits light representing the image, such that the image is displayed onto the retina. Individual LEDs of display 130 are shown in
Typically, at least two through-silicon vias 170 are provided to connect ASIC 110 to photovoltaic energy receiver 140 and to photodiode 120. As shown in
Alternatively or additionally, an interposer 150 connects ASIC 110 and photovoltaic energy receiver 140, as shown in
Electronic display 130 typically comprises a micro-LED display having a resolution of at least 50,000 and/or less than 1,000,000 pixels, typically with a pitch of at least 8 microns and/or less than 25 microns. For example, the light-emitting-diodes are positioned on ASIC 110 using pick-and-place technology, or transfer-printed technology. The pixels of display 130 may cover over 50% of the area of ASIC 110. Use of non-organic LEDs in electronic display 130 typically contributes to display 130 having low outgassing.
It is noted that for some applications electronic display 130 comprises a LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), a LCOS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon), an OLED (Organic Light Emitting diode), a micro OLED, a scanning mirror, and/or DLP (Digital Light Processing).
As shown, intraocular apparatus 30 additionally comprises lens 50 that focuses, onto retina 106, the light representing the image that is emitted by electronic display 130. For some applications, encapsulation 190 forms lens 50. In other words, lens 50 is not a separate component which is coupled to encapsulation 190, but rather, at least a portion of a posterior side of encapsulation 190, has the properties of a focusing lens.
Reference is now made to
Intraocular apparatus 320 is typically shaped to define an anterior side 62 and a posterior side 64. When implanted in eye 10 of the subject, anterior side 62 is positioned to face an iris of the eye, and posterior side 64 is positioned to face the posterior segment of eye 10.
Typically, intraocular apparatus 320 receives power and data by radiofrequency (RF) from an extraocular RF transmitting coil which is typically coupled to mount 22 and powered by a battery. As shown in
Intraocular apparatus 320 typically comprises an application-specific-integrated-circuit (ASIC) 110 (or a dedicated display microchip). ASIC 110 comprises circuitry 115 which processes the data from RF receiving coil 300 to form an image. On posterior side 64, intraocular apparatus 320 comprises an electronic display 130, e.g., a micro-light-emitting diode (LED) display, which emits light representing the image, such that the image is projected onto the retina. It is noted that although display 130 and ASIC 110 are shown as separate components, for some applications, display 130 is integrated into a posterior side of ASIC 110.
For some applications, intraocular apparatus 320 comprises a printed RF receiving coil 310 as shown in
Reference is now made to
Reference is made to
Reference is again made to
Typically, eye-tracking sensor 180 senses a position, e.g., an angle, of eye 10 and in response to the sensing, generates a signal which is sent to extraocular imaging device 40 or to circuitry coupled to extraocular imaging device 40. As appropriate, eye-tracking techniques known in the art may be used. Extraocular imaging device 40, in turn, may change a view it captures to correspond to the view to which eye 10 is directed. For some such applications, a motor element 182 moves extraocular imaging device 40 such that device 40 captures the view to which eye 10 is directed.
Alternatively, extraocular imaging device 40 generally always captures a large view by having a wide-angle lens (e.g., by having a fish-eye lens), but in response to the signal from eye-tracking sensor 180, only a portion of the full view (i.e., a portion of the view corresponding to the subject's gaze) is displayed onto electronic display 130.
For some applications, the signal from eye-tracking sensor 180 is sent to extraocular imaging device 40 or to circuitry coupled to extraocular imaging device 40. In response to the signal, circuitry coupled to extraocular imaging device 40 changes a portion of the view that is displayed on electronic display 130, to correspond to the subject's gaze.
For some applications, the signal from eye-tracking sensor 180 is sent to circuitry 115 of intraocular apparatus 30, instead of or in addition to the signal being sent to extraocular imaging device 40 or to the circuitry coupled to extraocular imaging device 40. In response to the signal, circuitry 115 changes a portion of the view that is displayed onto electronic display 130 corresponding to the subject's gaze.
Typically, displaying an image in accordance with movement of eye 10 generally reduces the need for the subject to move his head in order for imaging device 40 to capture a desired scene.
Reference is now made to
For some applications, electronic display 130 has a non-rectangular shape, e.g., a round shape or an octagonal shape, enabling a better fit into a cylindrical encapsulation, and/or a closer match to an overall round shape of the healthy viewing field.
Reference is now made to
It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather, the scope of the present invention includes both combinations and subcombinations of the various features described hereinabove, as well as variations and modifications thereof that are not in the prior art, which would occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description.
Claims
1-19. (canceled)
20. Intraocular apparatus (i) shaped and sized to be implanted entirely in a subject's eye, and (ii) configured for use with an extraocular imaging device, the intraocular apparatus comprising:
- 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.
21. The intraocular apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the circuitry is configured, in response to the signal generated by the eye-tracking sensor, to change the image captured by the extraocular imaging device such that the portion of the image corresponding to the position of the subject's eye, as sensed by the eye-tracking sensor, is displayed onto the electronic display.
22. The intraocular apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the extraocular device is configured to change a view captured by the extraocular imaging device in response to the signal.
23. An extraocular device for use with an intraocular apparatus configured to display an image onto a retina of a subject, the extraocular device comprising:
- a camera configured to capture the image; and
- an eye-tracking sensor coupled to the camera and configured to sense a position of the subject's eye and to generate a signal in response thereto,
- such that in response to the signal, the intraocular apparatus displays onto the retina a portion of the image corresponding to the position of the subject's eye as sensed by the eye-tracking sensor.
24. A vision system comprising the extraocular device according to claim 23, wherein the vision system additionally comprises the intraocular apparatus, the intraocular apparatus comprising:
- 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;
- an electronic display configured to emit light representing the image; and
- circuitry configured to process the data received by the data receiver into the image, and, in response to the signal generated by the eye-tracking sensor, to change the portion of the image that is displayed on the electronic display.
25. The extraocular device according to claim 23, wherein the extraocular device is configured to change a view captured by the extraocular imaging device in response to the signal.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 10, 2019
Publication Date: Feb 6, 2020
Applicant: Rainbow Medical Ltd. (Herzeliyah)
Inventors: Tuvia Liran (Qiryat Tivon), Yossi Gross (Moshav Mazor)
Application Number: 16/598,399