Abstract: A system and method of coupling acoustic and electrical stimulation of noninvasive neuromodulation is a therapeutic system and method preferably designed for the diagnosis and/or treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and neurological disorders including, but not limited to, tinnitus, hyperacusis, sleep disorder, depression, anxiety, dizziness, migraine, or ear suffocation. The system includes acoustic signal devices for deep brain electrical stimulation and electrical pulse devices for shallow brain electrical stimulation. Further, the system includes a signal-coupling module that includes an algorithm for coupling acoustic signals to electrical pulses. Parameters of each the acoustic signals and the electrical pulses are adjusted in order for the acoustic signals to be coupled to the electrical pulses. These parameters can also be adjusted based on patient feedback.

Abstract: Flexible implant for electrically recording or stimulating a nerve structure, said flexible implant comprising: a first layer of electrically insulating diamond; an electrode of electrically conductive doped diamond, in contact with the first layer of electrically insulating diamond; an electrically conductive layer in contact with the electrode and the first layer, so as to define a conductive track for the electrode; and a second layer of electrically insulating diamond, at least in contact with the electrically conductive layer and a remaining portion of the first layer, all of the above arranged such that: electrically insulating diamond/electrically conductive doped diamond sealing is provided at the electrode (3) by resumption of epitaxial growth; and the electrically conductive layer is encapsulated by the electrode (3), the first layer and the second layer, at the electrode and over the entirety of the remaining surface thereof except over an area defining an electrical contact.

Abstract: A landslide recognition method based on Laplacian pyramid remote sensing image fusion includes: performing original remote sensing image reconstruction based on extracted local features and global features of remote sensing images through a Laplacian pyramid fusion module to generate a fused image, constructing a deep learning semantic segmentation model through a semantic segmentation network, labeling the fused image to obtain a dataset of landslide disaster label map, and training the deep learning semantic segmentation model by the dataset, and then storing when a loss curve is fitted and a landslide recognition accuracy of remote sensing image of the deep learning semantics segmentation model meets a requirement by modifying a structure of the semantic segmentation network and adjusting parameters of the deep learning semantics segmentation model.

Abstract: Disclosed is an artificial retinal stimulator and an artificial retinal device which are for providing image jittering. The artificial retinal stimulator for providing the image jittering includes: a photodiode configured to sense light stimulation and generate a current based on an intensity of the stimulation; a pulse generator configured to generate a pulse to be provided to a corresponding stimulation electrode on the basis of the current coming from the photodiode; a switch configured to connect an output terminal of the pulse generator and ground; and a jittering switch configured to determine whether to transfer the generated pulse to the corresponding stimulation electrode or to transfer to a stimulation electrode corresponding to another artificial retinal stimulator. According to the present disclosure, an image jittering function capable of emulating an eye blinking effect is provided, so that it is possible to enable a low vision patient to see images better.

Abstract: Electrical stimulation of neural activity in the neural innervation of the spleen that is associated with neurovascular bundles provides a useful way to treat acute medical conditions, such as trauma, hemorrhaging and shock.

Abstract: Stimulation of neural activity in a nerve supplying the spleen, wherein the nerve is adjacent to the splenic artery at a position where the splenic artery is not in direct contact with the pancreas, can modulate pro- and anti-inflammatory molecules levels, thereby reducing inflammation and providing ways of treating disorders, such as disorders associated with inflammation. The invention provides improved ways of reducing inflammation with minimized off-target effects, in particular surgical trauma.

Abstract: Systems and methods for psycho-signal processing. According to an aspect, a method includes receiving a visual representation of a subject. The method also includes performing a structured motion operation on the received visual representation to generate a modified visual representation of the subject. The method further includes presenting, via a user interface, the modified visual representation.

Abstract: The present invention is a depth sensing visual prosthesis. By depth sensing objects within an image, items located at a certain depths from the user can be removed to declutter an image. The resulting image presents only objects within a range of depth from the visual prosthesis user. Depth sensing can be accomplished in various ways including structured light, time of flight, or preferably, a stereo camera pair.

Abstract: A pulse current generation circuit (100) for neural stimulation includes an analogue signal receiving device (101) for receiving an analogue signal; an analogue-to-digital converter (102) for converting the analogue signal into a digital control signal; a current signal controller (103) for producing, according to the digital control signal, pulse current parameters for generating bidirectional pulse current signals; and a current generator (104) for generating, according to the pulse current parameters, bidirectional pulse current signals for neural stimulation, and the current generator can generate pulse currents of different precisions according to the pulse current parameters. In addition, the present invention further relates to a charge compensation circuit, a charge compensation method, and an implantable electrical retina stimulator using the pulse current generation circuit or the charge compensation circuit.

Abstract: A method for providing a neural interface system. At least one primary metallization layer is deposited on a substrate. The primary metallization layer has a thickness. A monolayer of nanospheres is deposited in a substantially uniform distribution. The nanospheres contact an upper surface of the primary metallization layer. The upper surface of the primary metallization layer not contacted by the nanospheres is treated to form a plurality of undulating structures having a substantially uniform arrangement. The treating comprises etching recesses part-way through the thickness of exposed portions of the primary metallization layer from the upper surface thereof.

Abstract: An image-processing apparatus including: an image processor including circuitry or a hardware processor that operates under control of a stored program, the image processor being configured to execute processes including: a saliency-map calculating process that calculates saliency maps on a basis of at least one type of feature quantity obtained from an input image; a salient-region-identifying process that identifies a salient region by using the saliency maps; a salient-region-score-calculating process that calculates a score of the salient region by comparing a distribution of values of the saliency map in the salient region and a distribution of values of the saliency map in a region other than the salient region; and a saliency-evaluating process that evaluates the saliency of the salient region on a basis of the score.

Abstract: An electrotherapeutic device for treating a visual disease using microcurrent stimulation is provided. The device includes a signal generator in which a waveform controller digitally controls a waveform signal source so as to generate a waveform in which one or more waveform parameters (e.g., pulse width, pulse period, pulse position, pulse coding, peak current amplitude, duty cycle, and/or pulse shape) are varied in accordance with a protocol for treating a visual disease. The device also includes an applicator connected to the signal generator and configured to apply the waveform to at least one stimulation point within an eye region.

Abstract: A transmitter coil inductively couples to a receiver coil contained in a contact lens. In one approach, the transmitter coil is contained in a headgear, for example a head band. When the user wears the headgear, the transmitter coil is positioned on a side of the user's head and between the user's ear and the user's eye opening. In one implementation, a head band loops from one ear behind the user's head to the other ear, and also extends slightly forward of each ear. The transmitter coil(s) may be located in the portion of the headband that extends forward of each ear. This places the transmitter coil close to the receiver coil, typically within 40-50 mm of the user's eye opening, while still maintaining an unobtrusive aesthetic.

Abstract: A graphene bio-device for electrotherapy, includes: a flexible substrate; An electrode made of graphene on the flexible substrate; and an insulation layer on the graphene electrode; wherein the graphene bio-device comprises electrodes for ground, reference, recording and stimulation, wherein the graphene bio-device is measured corticography with low noise and alleviated seizure signals successfully by imposing electrical stimulation.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved system for use of eye tracking including spatial mapping percepts in a visual prosthesis by presenting an electrically induced precept through a visual prosthesis, requesting a subject look to the direction of the percept and tracking their eye movement. Eye movement is both faster and more accurate than asking a visual prosthesis user to point to the location of a percept. This method can be beneficial in a retinal prosthesis, but is particularly useful in a cortical visual prosthesis where visual cortex does not match the retinotopic map. Methods are presented for calibrating an eye tracker. Eye tracking hardware may also be used for blanking video information base on the subject's natural blink reflex.

Abstract: An optical structure and corresponding process of manufacture for light guide optical elements (LOEs) which guide light by reflection at major surfaces. The structure further includes light directing surfaces for coupling light out of the LOE, obliquely inclined with respect to the major surfaces. The optical structure is formed from a stack of multiple optically transparent layers each of which has a surface pattern of regions configured as light directing surfaces which are arranged in an X-Z plane in a spaced-apart relationship along at least the X-axis with optically transparent regions between them. The layers are stacked along a Y-axis so that each of the surface patterns is located at an interface between two adjacent layers and the patterns of the layers are aligned with a shift of a predetermined value along one or both of the X-axis and Z-axis.

Abstract: The present technology relates to an image processing apparatus and an image processing method capable of suppressing an increase in a load on a subject and obtaining a captured image of the subject with higher image quality. An imaging unit reduces a light amount and performs imaging of the fundus of the eye so as to generate a plurality of fundus images. A biological information alignment processing unit aligns fundus images by using biological information of a subject. A super-resolution processing unit superimposes an aligned input image on a previous super-resolution result image so as to generate a new super-resolution result image. The super-resolution processing unit stores or outputs the super-resolution result image in a storage unit or from an output unit, and supplies the super-resolution result image to a super-resolution result image buffer so as to be stored.

Abstract: A transmitter coil inductively couples to a receiver coil contained in a contact lens. In one approach, the transmitter coil is contained in a headgear, for example a head band. When the user wears the headgear, the transmitter coil is positioned on a side of the user's head and between the user's ear and the user's eye opening. In one implementation, a head band loops from one ear behind the user's head to the other ear, and also extends slightly forward of each ear. The transmitter coil(s) may be located in the portion of the headband that extends forward of each ear. This places the transmitter coil close to the receiver coil, typically within 40-50 mm of the user's eye opening, while still maintaining an unobtrusive aesthetic.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved visual prosthesis including a video processing unit with user controls optimized for use by blind individuals. The controls include easily identifiable shapes. The controls are programmable to provide improved usability with a simple tactile interface.

Abstract: A method of assembling an implantable electrode array from a coupon (108) formed from plastically deformable material. Layers of material are disposed on the coupon to form the electrodes (48) and conductors (62) of one or more electrode arrays. Sections of the coupon on which the electrodes and conductors are removed, along with the electrodes and conductors to form the electrode arrays. The removed sections of the coupon thus function as plastically deformable carriers (74) for the arrays (40).

Abstract: Described here are devices, systems, and methods for increasing tear production by stimulating the cornea, conjunctiva, and/or subconjunctiva. In some variations, the devices may be in the form of a contact lens. The contact lens may comprise a lens body and a stimulator chip, where the stimulator chip is embedded in the lens body. An external power source wirelessly transmits energy to the stimulator chip, where the stimulator chip may convert the energy to an electric waveform to stimulate the cornea, conjunctiva, and/or subconjunctiva. Stimulation may activate the lacrimal reflex to increase tear production. The devices and systems for increasing tear production may be used in methods of treating dry eye, reducing the symptoms of tired eye, increasing comfort for contact lens wearers, and extending the number of years a contact lens user can wear contacts. Also described are methods of manufacturing a contact lens.

Abstract: Example devices and methods of tongue stimulation for communication of information to a user are disclosed herein. In an example, a tongue stimulation device may include a body configured to be placed entirely within a mouth of the user and atop the tongue of the user. An array of electro-tactile elements may be distributed on the body, wherein each of the electro-tactile elements is configured to stimulate an area of the tongue adjacent the electro-tactile element. A wireless receiver coupled to the body may be configured to receive stimulation information wirelessly from outside the mouth of the user. At least one processing unit coupled to the body may be configured to transform the received stimulation information into a stimulation signal for each of the electro-tactile elements, and to provide the stimulation signals to the electro-tactile elements.

Abstract: A method of making a device includes providing a fluorinated material layer over the device substrate having one or more target areas for patterning. One or more lift-off structures are formed at least in part by developing a first pattern of one or more open areas in the fluorinated material layer in alignment with the one or more target areas by contact with a developing agent including a fluorinated solvent which dissolves the fluorinated material at a first rate. After patterning, the lift-off structures are removed by contact with a lift-off agent including a fluorinated solvent wherein the lift-off agent dissolves the fluorinated material at a second rate that is at least 150 nm/sec and higher than the first rate.

Abstract: A carbon nanotube (CNT) based electrode and method of making the same is disclosed. The CNT based electrode can have a microelectrode made substantially from a substantially inert metal, a first CNT sheet and a second CNT sheet, wherein the first and second CNT sheets are embedded in a collagen film.

Abstract: Configurations are disclosed for a health system to be used in various healthcare applications, e.g., for patient diagnostics, monitoring, and/or therapy. The health system may comprise a light generation module to transmit light or an image to a user, one or more sensors to detect a physiological parameter of the user's body, including their eyes, and processing circuitry to analyze an input received in response to the presented images to determine one or more health conditions or defects.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a memory, one or more hardware engines, and a processor. The memory may be configured to store a feature map pyramid comprising an original feature map and a plurality of scaled feature maps. The one or more hardware engines may be configured to perform pooling operations utilizing power of two down sampling. The processor may be configured to generate the feature map pyramid from the original feature map using said one or more hardware engines.

Abstract: Described here are devices and methods for increasing ocular mucin and other tear protein release using intranasally delivered electrical stimulation. Generally, the devices may deliver electrical stimulation to the nasal mucosa. Intranasal stimulation may trigger degranulation of conjunctival goblet cells, which in turn releases secretory mucins into the tear fluid. The intranasal stimulation may also trigger release of lysozyme, lactoferrin, and other tear proteins into the aqueous layer of the tear film. The methods may further comprise obtaining feedback relating to the efficacy of the delivered electrical stimulation by measuring impedance or an electromyogram (EMG) signal.

Abstract: A visual image processing method is based on received spatial field information (302) from a spatial field sensor (116). A data store (804) is accessed, which contains a sensor map data structure (206) comprising a set of predefined regions (208) within a spatial field corresponding with the information received via the sensor input. Each predefined region is associated in the data structure with one or more of a set of stimuli (204) applicable to a biological visual system, and each stimulus corresponds with a visual percept (210). The spatial field information associated with each region is processed to generate stimulus control information which is applied to select, from within the sensor map data structure, stimuli from the set of stimuli for application to the biological visual system. Output stimulus signals (310) are generated, which are suitable for application to the biological visual system based upon the selected stimuli.

Abstract: Configurations are disclosed for a health system to be used in various healthcare applications, e.g., for patient diagnostics, monitoring, and/or therapy. The health system may comprise a light generation module to transmit light or an image to a user, one or more sensors to detect a physiological parameter of the user's body, including their eyes, and processing circuitry to analyze an input received in response to the presented images to determine one or more health conditions or defects.

Abstract: A device is provided for stimulating neurons that includes a non-invasive stimulation unit that generates stimuli in multiple stimulation channels. The stimulation unit generates the stimuli to stimulate a neuron population in the brain and/or spinal cord of a patient using the stimulation channels in different locations. Moreover, the device includes a control unit that controls the stimulation unit to repeatedly generates sequences of the stimuli with the order of the stimulation channels in which stimuli are generated within a sequence being constant for 20 or more successively generated sequences before it is varied.

Abstract: Configurations are disclosed for a health system to be used in various healthcare applications, e.g., for patient diagnostics, monitoring, and/or therapy. The health system may comprise a light generation module to transmit light or an image to a user, one or more sensors to detect a physiological parameter of the user's body, including their eyes, and processing circuitry to analyze an input received in response to the presented images to determine one or more health conditions or defects.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of generating visual percepts using conformal electrode arrays. The electrode arrays can be placed into the ventricular system or cerebral venous sinuses, which function as minimally invasive techniques for precise spatial and temporal localization of electrical activity within the brain, and precise electrical stimulation of brain tissue, to diagnose and restore function in conditions caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. The disclosure further comprises a system for using these arrays to generate time-varying electric fields to stimulate the visual pathways of the brain, including the optic radiations and the occipital cortex, in ways that lead to visual perception.

Abstract: A method for providing electrical stimulation to a user, the method comprising: providing an electrical stimulation device, in communication with a controller, at a head region of the user; with the electrical stimulation device, providing a stimulation treatment having a waveform configured for neuromodulation in the user; with the controller, performing an adjustment to the stimulation treatment, wherein performing the adjustment includes: generating a transformed waveform with application of a transfer function to the waveform, wherein the transfer function scales the waveform and selectively attenuates extreme waveform values while maintaining a frequency characteristic of the waveform in the transformed waveform; and applying the transformed waveform with the electrical stimulation device, thereby modulating the stimulation treatment.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided including an implantable retinal stimulator, for implantation on a retina of an eye, and including (i) an electrode array including electrodes; (ii) a plurality of photosensors; and (iii) driving circuitry, configured to drive the electrodes to apply currents to the retina. The apparatus further includes an interface member disposed at an outer surface of the implantable retinal stimulator, e.g., a peripheral member surrounding at least a portion of the implantable retinal stimulator. The apparatus additionally includes a frame, (i) shaped and sized to couple to the peripheral member and to surround the implantable retinal stimulator at least in part, and (ii) shaped to define at least a first anchoring element receiving portion. An anchoring element is shaped and sized to be positioned in the anchoring element receiving portion and to penetrate scleral tissue of the subject. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: A neural sensing method includes the steps of: configuring an array of sensing units on a retina of a user, each of the sensing units detecting a signal and generating a sensed signal; generating a control signal by a control signal generator and transmitting the control signal to at least one electrode installed in a periphery of each of the sensing units; isolating each of the sensed signals by the control signal, thereby suppressing the mutual interference between the sensed signals by the control signal; and generating and outputting a processed signal to at least one neuron via a signal processing module with reference to the control signal and the sensed signals. The control signal has a signal strength lower than the sensing threshold of the at least one neuron.

Abstract: A system and method of treating hyperactivity of an eyelid closing muscle in a subject includes providing a stimulation system in the subject with the hyperactivity of the eyelid closing muscle, sensing an activity of the eyelid closing muscle, and selectively stimulating eyelid opening muscle(s) or innervating nerves, eyelid opening reflexes, or eyelid opening reflexes in non-muscular tissue, using the stimulation system, without substantially activating the eyelid closing muscle. The system and method evokes eyelid movement in the subject.

Abstract: Described here are devices, systems, and methods for treating one or more conditions (such as dry eye) or improving ocular health by providing stimulation to nasal or sinus tissue. Generally, the devices may be handheld or implantable. In some variations, the handheld devices may have a stimulator body and a stimulator probe having one or more nasal insertion prongs. When the devices and systems are used to treat dry eye, nasal or sinus tissue may be stimulated to increase tear production, reduce the symptoms of dry eye, and/or improve ocular surface health.

Abstract: A device for displaying an image sequence in the form of a pixel matrix, includes a control unit coupled to a projector. The control unit includes an input interface designed to receive asynchronous information representing, for each pixel of the matrix, events concerning the pixel, and a processor designed to control the activation of each pixel of the matrix at moments determined by the respective events indicated by the asynchronous information for the pixel. The projector is disposed on a support so as to illuminate the light receptors of the eye when the device is in use and is designed to project a light flux corresponding to the pixels activated by the control unit.

Abstract: An eye-mountable device is provided that includes a battery or other local power source and that can wirelessly power one or more intraocular devices using power from the battery. The eye-mountable device could be provided as a contact lens. The eye-mountable device could provide power to an intraocular device by emitting radio frequency energy, time-varying electrical fields through the conductive medium of the eye, or optical energy. The intraocular device could include an electronic lens configured to provide a controllable optical power to the eye. The intraocular device could include sensors configured to detect accommodation forces exerted by muscles of the eye; such detected forces could be used to control an electronic lens of the intraocular device or an electronic lens of the eye-mountable device. The battery could be rechargeable and the eye-mountable device could include instrumentation for receiving power to recharge the battery.

Abstract: Improved low-cost, highly reliable methods for increasing the electrochemical surface area of neural electrodes are described. A mono-layer of polymeric nanospheres is first deposited on a metallization supported on a dielectric substrate. The nanospheres self-assemble into generally repeating lattice forms with interstitial space between them. Then, the geometric surface area of the metallization material is increased by either selectively etching part-way into its depth at the interstitial space between adjacent nanospheres. Another technique is to deposit addition metallization material into the interstitial space. The result is undulation surface features provided on the exposed surface of the metallization. This helps improve the electrochemical surface area when the treated metallizations are fabricated into electrodes.

Abstract: An apparatus for improving performance of a retinal implant may include processing circuitry. The processing circuitry may be configured to receive image data corresponding to a camera field of view, determine whether a particular object is detected within the camera field of view, perform image data processing to enable a representation of a portion of the image data corresponding to an implant field of view to be provided on a retinal implant where the implant field of view is smaller than the camera field of view, and, responsive to the particular object being located outside the implant field of view, provide a directional indicator in the implant field of view to indicate a location of the particular object relative to the implant field of view.

Abstract: A device for inducing production of tears may include a body extending from a proximal end to a distal end. The body may be configured for insertion through a puncta of a subject. The device also may include a stimulus delivery mechanism positioned between the proximal end and the distal end and an induction coil operably coupled to the stimulus delivery mechanism. Further, the device may include an external controller wirelessly coupled to the induction coil for inductively transferring energy to the induction coil.

Abstract: An input signal (f) representative of a scene to be viewed comprises, for each pixel of a matrix of pixels, an event-based asynchronous-signal sequence obtained as a function of variations of light relating to the pixel in the scene. This input signal is transformed spatially within the matrix of pixels and temporally along the signal sequences to generate respective control signals (S) for pixel zones of a device for aiding vision (20).

Abstract: The present invention is an improved visual prosthesis including a video processing unit with user controls optimized for use by blind individuals. The controls include easily identifiable shapes. The controls are programmable to provide improved usability with a simple tactile interface.

Abstract: An implantable oxygenator may have a configuration that is suitable for implantation within a human body be implanted within a human body, such as within a human eye. The implantable oxygenator may include an electrolyte reservoir having a configuration suitable for storing electrolyte and an electrolysis system having a configuration that performs electrolysis on a portion of the electrolyte, thereby producing oxygen in the region of the electrolysis system.

Abstract: The present invention is a wireless transmission system for a prosthetic apparatus including a mounting system to be worn on a body, a wound wire transmission coil mounted to the mounting system and sending a stimulation signal, an implantable receiving coil receiving the stimulation signal and connected to a hermetic electronics package, an implantable telemetry transmitting coil connected to the hermetic electronics package, and a telemetry receiving coil printed on a printed circuit board, mounted to the mounting system and receiving the telemetry signal.

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: Apparatus, systems and methods employing contact lens as power source for powering a retinal implant are provided. In an aspect, a contact lens includes a substrate that forms at least part of a body of the contact lens and a circuit disposed on or within the substrate comprising. The circuit includes a power harvesting component configured to receive energy in a first form from an external power source and convert the energy from the first form to a second form and an energy transfer component configured to transmit the energy in the second form to device remote from the contact lens when the contact lens is worn over an eye.

Abstract: The present invention consists of an implantable device with a hermetic electronics package that houses electronics. The hermetic package is attached to a flexible circuit electrode array having its electrodes arranged in a trapezoidal electrode array field that is suitable to stimulate the visual cortex. The hermetic electronics package is provided with a fixation structure that secures, protects and dissipates heat from the electronics package. The entire implantable device can be entirely implanted within the head.

Abstract: A system for attaching a device to a glasses frame includes a spring clip that applies pressure to two sides of the glasses frame, and a magnet for attaching the device thereto. The device may attach directly to the magnet, or via a slide-on attachment piece. The spring clip may include a spring arm having distal ends that assist the spring clip in applying pressure to the glasses frames.