Novel Ultra-Flexible Hybrid Circuits for Intraocular Retinal Prostheses

描述(申请人提供)：目前正在开发的视网膜假体设备旨在绕过患有视网膜色素变性(RP)和老年性黄斑变性(AMD)等疾病的患者的视觉通路(光感受器层)的非功能部分。目前的设备使患者只能看到物体位置和阅读大字母，需要进一步的技术进步来改善视力和设备安全性。这些改进包括高分辨率神经接口、全眼内植入、视网膜附近电极的无钉固定以及超灵活、可靠的包装。这个项目将满足每一个或这些需求。 这个小型企业技术转移第二阶段项目提出了用于眼内视网膜假体的新型超柔性混合电路的开发。在这些柔性视网膜植入物中，超薄硅集成电路(IC)将电连接到柔性电极阵列和薄膜天线线圈，然后在多层聚合物之间完全封装，从而形成单片可植入神经接口。这种可植入的神经接口将由微刺激器IC、电极阵列、射频天线和组件之间的高密度连接组成。聚合物层不仅用作设备基板，还将保护组件免受生物流体的腐蚀影响。该设备将根据眼睛的曲率进行预成型，并与上层建筑相结合，以便在植入眼睛后处于轻微压力下，帮助保持其安全并使电极稳定在视网膜表面。这将导致一种视力更好的设备，以及一种不使用视网膜粘连的更安全的视网膜假体。 以及需要一根穿过眼壁的电缆。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): 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 proximit 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 flexibl 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.