Electrical apparatus and methods and apparatus for positioning and implanting components thereof
Inventors
Williams, Christopher Edward • Villa, Joel Villalobos • Burns, Owen
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10058700-B2
Publication Date
2018-08-28
Expiration Date
Abstract
An anchor device is described that is adapted to support one or more conductors extending out of an opening in an outer surface of an eye, from a device implanted in the eye to a communications interface. The anchor device comprises a conductor receiving portion including a channel, the conductors being positionable through the channel; and a fixation portion connected to the conductor receiving portion, the fixation portion being adapted to be secured to the outer surface of the eye. The conductor receiving portion is configured to allow movement of the channel and/or conductors relative to the fixation portion. A visual prosthesis comprising the anchor device is also described, along with apparatus and methods for positioning the visual prosthesis or other types of implantable electrical apparatus.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a visual prosthesis apparatus comprising a device implantable in an eye that includes one or more electrodes configured to apply electrical current to retinal cells. A lead is connected to the eye-implantable device and is configured to connect the device to a communications interface external to the eye, with conductors connected to the electrodes and extending from the implantable device through lead sections toward the communications interface.
The lead includes a reinforcement device elongated between a first end and a second end, where the reinforcement device is positionable at an orbital bone when the device is implanted in the eye. The reinforcement device has a greater outer diameter than the first and second lead sections, and includes a pre-shaped bend region that extends around a surface of the orbital bone and maintains an acute angle between first and second reinforcement regions.
The reinforcement device further defines a first reinforcement section extending from the bend region to the first end and a second reinforcement section extending from the bend region to the second end. In dependent forms, a tapered transition region and a notch formed in the orbital bone are used to locate or transition between portions of the lead and reinforcement device.
Claims Coverage
The document provides two independent claims covering a visual prosthesis apparatus for an eye implant and specified reinforcement and lead geometry. Across the independent claims, the core inventive structure is concentrated in the reinforcement device positioned at an orbital bone with a pre-shaped acute-angle bend region that maintains routing around the orbital bone surface, together with the lead sections carrying conductors to an external communications interface.
Visual prosthesis apparatus with orbital-bone reinforcement device and pre-shaped acute-angle bend region
A visual prosthesis apparatus comprising a device implantable in an eye with one or more electrodes to apply electrical current to retinal cells, and a lead connected to the device and configured to connect the device to a communications interface external to the eye. The lead comprises a reinforcement device positionable at an orbital bone, first and second lead sections connected to the reinforcement device ends, and one or more conductors connected to the electrodes and extending from the implantable device through the first lead section, reinforcement device, and second lead section toward the communications interface. The reinforcement device has a greater outer diameter than the first and second lead sections and includes a pre-shaped bend region to extend around a surface of the orbital bone, a first reinforcement section extending from the bend region to the first end, and a second reinforcement section extending from the bend region to the second end, wherein the bend region maintains an acute angle between the first and second reinforcement regions.
Reinforcement and lead diameter ranges in the apparatus
The apparatus wherein the diameter of the reinforcement device is between 1 mm and 5 mm and the diameter of the first and second lead sections is between 0.5 mm and 3 mm.
Overall, the claims cover a visual prosthesis lead that uses an orbital-bone-positionable reinforcement device with a pre-shaped acute-angle bend region for routing around the orbital bone surface, and further constrain structural dimensions of the reinforcement device and lead sections via specified diameter ranges.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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