FLEXIBLE ARTIFICIAL RETINA DEVICE

摘要

An implant apparatus comprising a plurality of photo sensors, a plurality of micro electrodes, a plurality of guard rings surrounding the micro electrodes and circuitry coupled to the photo sensors and the micro electrodes are described. The photo sensors may receive incoming light. The circuit may drive the micro electrodes to stimulate neuron cells for enabling perception of a vision of the light captured by the photo sensors. The guard rings may confine electric flows from the micro electrodes to the targeted neuron cells. The apparatus may be implemented in a flexible material to conform to a shape of a human eyeball to allow the micro electrodes aligned with the neuron cells for the stimulation.

主权项

1. An implant apparatus comprising:
a plurality of photo sensors to receive light; a plurality of micro electrodes to stimulate neuron cells for enabling perception of a vision of the light captured by the photo sensors; a plurality of guard rings, each micro electrode surrounded by one of the guard rings to provide local return paths to confine electric flows from the electrode to targeted neuron cells; and circuitry coupled to the photo sensors and the micro electrodes, the circuit to drive the micro electrodes for the stimulation of the neuron cells, wherein the apparatus is implemented in an integrated semiconductor device with a bendable flexibility to conform to a shape of a human eyeball and allow the micro electrodes in close proximity to the neuron cells for the stimulation.