CAREER: A Biomimetic Microsystems Technology towards a Novel Retinal Prosthesis

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0449352SaggereThe applicant proposes research in the area of retinal prosthesis to assist people affected by degenerative photoreceptor diseases. In contrast to most other retinal prosthesis developed so far, the PI proposes a biomimetic approach using a chemical-based interface instead of an electrical interface to stimulate neurons. He proposes to develop a microsystem, which can locally dispense stored neurotransmitters to stimulate the neurons, with the microsystem being fully powered by the light naturally entering the eye. The proposed approach circumvents power issues in retina prosthesis with electrical stimulation and problems with electrochemical reactions in these devices, dissolving interconnect structures and wires. Compared to the large consortia working on implants with electrical stimulation (e.g. in the US and in Germany), only two groups, according to the PI, are considering currently the chemical stimulation. The proposed prosthesis comprises an array of light activated microfluidic dispensers incorporating solar cells for power generation, piezoelectric actuators for fluid dispensing, fluid chambers for the neurotransmitter and the ports for their local dispensing. The PI has performed preliminary work, indicating that the solar cells can generate sufficient power to drive the actuators, showing the feasibility of the dispensing process, and studying suitable actuation and detection mechanisms.