DEVELOPMENT/TESTING OF ARTIFICIAL RETINAS FOR THE BLIND

描述(摘自申请者的摘要)：我们为此提出的研究 伙伴关系赠款是开发一种长期可植入的视网膜刺激器，用于 因视网膜外层变性而失明的患者。使用开发的技术 由Alfred E.Mann集团公司在过去30年中为植入物 刺激物，我们将开发一种慢性视网膜刺激物并与之相关 用于研究和临床设备的外部硬件。按顺序 为了实现这一目标，仍需要进行几个领域的研究。在这 生物工程研究伙伴关系，学术界将与产业界合作 完成必要的基础研究，使慢性视网膜假体成为 现实。我们将重点关注的基础研究领域包括：电极 视网膜的几何形状和电极材料的选择、手术固定 植入、低功耗电子电路设计、密封封装。每一个 这些领域需要更多的研究来创造一个最佳的慢性 视网膜假体，将使人能够因视网膜外而失明 退化是为了找回他们所遭受的最重要的损失-- 机动性。这项为期五年的建议的目标是完成设计和 视网膜假体及相关外部硬件和测试的制造 它在动物身上是慢性的，所以研究设备的应用可以 在为临床试验做准备时向FDA提出的。

DESCRIPTION (Adapted from applicant's abstract): Our proposed research for this partnership grant is to develop a long-term implantable retinal stimulator for patients blinded by outer retinal degenerations. Using technologies developed by the Alfred E. Mann group of companies over the past 30 years for implantable stimulators, we will develop a chronic retinal stimulator and associated external hardware for use both in research and as a clinical device. In order to achieve this goal, several areas of research are still needed. In this bioengineering research partnership, academia will collaborate with industry to accomplish the basic research necessary to make a chronic retinal prosthesis a reality. Areas of basic research that we will focus on include: electrode geometry and electrode material selection, surgical attachment of the retinal implant, low power electronic circuit design, and hermetic packaging. Each of these areas needs additional research for the creation of an optimal chronic retinal prosthesis which will enable persons blinded by outer retinal degeneration to regain the most important loss they have suffered--the loss of mobility. The aim of this five-year proposal is to complete the design and manufacture of a retinal prosthesis and associated external hardware and tests it chronically in animals, so that an investigational device application can be made to the FDA in preparation for a clinical trial.