May 2004
Volume 45, Issue 13
Free
ARVO Annual Meeting Abstract  |   May 2004
Design and Fabrication of an Ab–Externo Retinal Prosthesis
Author Affiliations & Notes
  • D.B. Shire
    Cornell NanoScale Facility, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
  • M. Gingerich
    Cornell NanoScale Facility, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
  • S. Retterer
    Cornell NanoScale Facility, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
  • L. Theogarajan
    Electrical Engineering, MIT, Cambridge, MA
  • S. Kelly
    Electrical Engineering, MIT, Cambridge, MA
  • M. Markova
    Electrical Engineering, MIT, Cambridge, MA
  • M. Raj
    Electrical Engineering, MIT, Cambridge, MA
  • S. Cogan
    EIC Laboratories, Norwood, MA
  • J. Wyatt
    Electrical Engineering, MIT, Cambridge, MA
  • J.F. Rizzo
    Center for Innovative Visual Rehabilitation (CIVR), Boston VAMC, Jamaica Plain, MA
  • Footnotes
    Commercial Relationships  D.B. Shire, None; M. Gingerich, None; S. Retterer, None; L. Theogarajan, None; S. Kelly, None; M. Markova, None; M. Raj, None; S. Cogan, None; J. Wyatt, None; J.F. Rizzo, None.
  • Footnotes
    Support  VA CIVR
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science May 2004, Vol.45, 4177. doi:
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      D.B. Shire, M. Gingerich, S. Retterer, L. Theogarajan, S. Kelly, M. Markova, M. Raj, S. Cogan, J. Wyatt, J.F. Rizzo; Design and Fabrication of an Ab–Externo Retinal Prosthesis . Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2004;45(13):4177.

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      © ARVO (1962-2015); The Authors (2016-present)

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Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose: To microfabricate a flexible, yet robust, wirelessly–powered retinal stimulating device capable of ab–externo implantation using minimally invasive surgical techniques. Methods: 'Mother' flexible polymer circuits were microfabricated at the Cornell NanoScale Facility. Reactive ion etching (RIE) was used to define the outline of the parylene–C and/or polyimide flexible circuits, and the metallization used was 5 µm thick electroplated Au. The backside of the implants was coated with a large platinum ground return electrode for contacting the external surface of the sclera after the encapsulation steps were performed. The stimulating arrays were microfabricated separately in parylene–C films by first depositing the parylene onto a Si substrate, then lifting off a Ti/Au/Ir metal layer. A second parylene film was then added, and the electrodes were patterned using a local Ti mask and O2 RIE. The electrode arrays were then separated from the host substrate and the IrOx stimulation sites were activated using cyclic voltammetry. The assembly process for the implants is discussed in a related poster, as is the multilayered, biocompatible thin film encapsulation scheme which was also developed. Results: A 10 µm thick flexible substrate for a retinal prosthesis was designed which conforms to the contours of the outer surface of the sclera and allows sufficient internal space for dissection of a flap of sclera tissue. The stimulating microelectrode array was bonded to the mother flexible circuit by gold bump bonding and conductive and non–conductive epoxies, and it was inserted into the subretinal space under this dissected flap. The completed assemblies have been soak tested in biological saline, and preliminary results from animal surgical trials will be presented at the meeting. Conclusions: A process for fabricating and implanting the intraocular components of a wirelessly–powered ab–externo retinal prosthesis has been developed, and preliminary in–vitro and in–vivo testing has been performed. The components are mechanically robust and have excellent charge injection characteristics.

Keywords: age–related macular degeneration • retinal degenerations: hereditary • sclera 
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