Novel Ultra-Flexible Hybrid Circuits for Intraocular Retinal Prostheses

摘要 目前正在开发的视网膜假体设备旨在绕过 个体视觉通路的非功能部分(光感受器层) 患有各种疾病，包括视网膜色素变性(RP)和老年性黄斑 退行性变(AMD)。目前的设备使患者只能看到物体的位置和 阅读大字母，需要进一步的技术进步来改善视力 和设备安全。这些改进包括高分辨率神经接口，完全 眼内植入，电极的无钉固定在接近眼球的位置 视网膜，以及超灵活、可靠的包装。该项目将解决每一个或这些 需要。 这一小型企业技术转移第二阶段项目提出了发展 用于眼内视网膜假体的新型超柔性混合电路。在这些灵活的 视网膜植入物、超薄硅集成电路(IC)将与 一种柔性电极阵列和薄膜天线线圈，然后完全封装在 多层聚合物形成了整体式可植入神经接口。这 植入式神经接口将由微刺激器IC、电极阵列、射频 天线，以及组件之间的高密度连接。聚合物层将 不仅用作器件衬底，而且还用于保护组件免受 生物流体的腐蚀作用。设备将按照以下方式预制 眼睛的弯曲，与上层建筑相结合，以使其略低于 眼内植入后的压迫，有助于保持安全并稳定眼球 电极对着视网膜表面 这将导致视力更好的设备和更安全的视网膜假体 不需要使用视网膜钉子，也不需要电缆穿透眼壁。

Abstract Retinal prosthetic devices currently under development are designed to bypass the non-functioning portion of the visual pathway (photoreceptor layer) in individuals suffering from diseases including retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Current devices enable patients to only see object positions and read large letters, and further technical advancements are required for improved vision and device safety. These advancements include high resolution neural interfacing, fully intraocular implantation, tack-free fixation of the electrodes in close proximity to the retina, and ultra-flexible, reliable packaging. This project will address each or these needs. This Small Business Technology Transfer Phase II project proposes development of Novel Ultra-Flexible Hybrid Circuits for Intraocular Retinal Prostheses. In these flexible retinal implants, ultra-thin silicon integrated circuits (IC's) will be electrically connected to a flexible electrode array and thin-film antenna coil, then fully encapsulated between multiple layers of polymers resulting in a monolithic implantable neural interface. This implantable neural interface will consist of a microstimulator IC, an electrode array, a RF antenna, and high density connections between components. The polymer layers will serve not only as the device substrate but also as protection for the components from the corrosive effects of the biological fluids. The device will be pre-formed following the curvature of the eye and coupled with a superstructure so as to be under slight compression after implantation in the eye, helping to hold it secure and stabilize the electrodes against the surface of the retina This will lead to a device with better visual acuity and to a safer retinal prosthesis without the use o a retinal tack and the need of a cable penetrating the eye wall.