JP2004229998A - Eyesight regeneration assisting device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an eyesight regeneration assisting device facilitating the manufacturing of an electric circuit and favorably used in an eyesight regeneration assisting device of a type installing an intraocular implant device on the retina giving less damage on the retina. <P>SOLUTION: This eyesight regeneration assisting device is provided with the intraocular implant device installed on the retina of a patient's eye. The intraocular implant device is provided with a base composed of a transparent material with light transmissiveness and installed on the retina, a light receiving means provided on the surface opposite to the light receiving face of the base and receiving a light flux transmitting through the light receiving face of the base, a signal conversion means provided on the same installation face to that of the light receiving means provided on the base and converting the photocurrent output from the light receiving means into a prescribed stimulus pulse signal, and electrodes provided on the same installation face to that of the light receiving means provided on the base and outputting the stimulus pulse signal, which is obtained from the signal conversion means, to the cell comprising the retina as the electric stimulus. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a visual reproduction assisting device for artificially providing a visual signal.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, as one of the treatment techniques for blindness, research has been conducted on a visual regeneration assisting device in which an intraocular burial device is installed in the eye and the cells constituting the retina are electrically stimulated to reproduce vision. In such a visual reproduction assisting device, an intraocular implantation device having a photodiode array, an electrode, a signal processing circuit, and the like is provided above or below the retina, and an image is received (received) by the photodiode array and the cells are received. There has been proposed a method of electrically stimulating the electric field. (See Patent Documents 1 and 2)
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Publication No. 11-506662 [Patent Document 2]
U.S. Pat. No. 5,109,844 [0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when the intraocular implantation device is installed under the retina, a portion of the retina is peeled off and installed, so that there is a concern about damage to the retina. When an intraocular implanting device is installed on the retina, it is possible to minimize damage to the retina. However, a photodiode array is provided on the front surface (the side not in contact with the retina) of the substrate, and the back surface is provided. Advanced technology is required to place electrodes on the (contacting side of the retina) and electrically connect the two while forming other electric circuits.
[0004]
In view of the above-described problems of the related art, in a visual regeneration assisting device of a type in which an intraocular implanting device is installed on the retina with less damage to the retina, an electric circuit can be easily manufactured, which is preferable. It is an object of the present invention to provide a visual reproduction assisting device that can be used for a computer.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is characterized by having the following configuration.
[0006]
(1) In a visual regeneration assisting device having an intraocular implanting device installed on a retina of a patient's eye, the intraocular implanting device is made of a transparent material having a light transmitting property, and is provided with a base installed on the retina. A light receiving means provided on a surface opposite to the light receiving surface of the base for receiving a light beam transmitted through the light receiving surface of the base; and a light receiving means provided on the same mounting surface as the light receiving means provided on the base. A signal converting means for converting a photocurrent output from the light receiving means into a predetermined stimulus pulse signal; and a signal converting means provided on the same installation surface as the light receiving means provided on the base and obtained by the signal converting means. And an electrode for outputting the stimulation pulse signal to the cells constituting the retina as electrical stimulation.
(2) In a visual regeneration assisting device having an intraocular implantation device installed on a retina of a patient's eye, the intraocular implantation device includes a base made of a semiconductor material and installed on the retina; Detecting means for detecting photocarriers, which is provided on a surface opposite to the light receiving surface and which is generated by irradiating a light beam on the light receiving surface of the base, on the same installation surface as the detecting means provided on the base; A signal conversion means for converting a photocurrent output from the detection means into a predetermined stimulus pulse signal; and a signal conversion means provided on the same installation surface as the detection means provided on the base. And an electrode for outputting the stimulation pulse signal to the cells constituting the retina as electrical stimulation.
(3) The visual regeneration assisting device according to (1) or (2) includes a power supply unit for supplying power from outside the body using electromagnetic induction to the intraocular implantation device placed in the eye. Features.
[0007]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1 and 2 are diagrams showing a schematic configuration of a visual reproduction assisting device according to the present embodiment. The visual reproduction device is roughly composed of an extracorporeal device 1 shown in FIG. 1 and an in-vivo device 10 (intraocular implantation device) shown in FIG. The extracorporeal device 1 serves to transmit power to the intracorporeal device 10. Further, the in-vivo device 10 plays a role of electrically stimulating cells constituting the retina by the electric power transmitted from the extracorporeal device 1. Hereinafter, the extracorporeal device 1 and the in-vivo device 10 will be separately described, and the configuration will be described in detail.
[0008]
As shown in FIG. 1, the extracorporeal device 1 includes a power supply device 2 serving as a power supply source, and a primary coil 3 serving as a power transmission unit for supplying power from the power supply device 2 to the in-vivo device 10.
On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the in-vivo device 10 includes a visual reproduction unit 11 and a secondary coil 12 that is a power receiving unit for receiving power supply from the primary coil 3. As shown in FIG. 1, the secondary coil 12 is buried under the skin on the temporal region, and the visual reproduction unit 11 and the secondary coil 12 are electrically connected via the electric wire 13. The breeding place (installation place) of the secondary coil 12 is not limited to the temporal region, but may be any place where breeding is easy or where power can be efficiently supplied.
[0009]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the electric wire 13 extends from the buried secondary coil 12 along the temporal region under the skin toward the patient's eye E, and passes through the inside of the patient's upper eyelid into the orbit. Can be put in. The electric wire 13 placed in the orbit is introduced into the eye from outside the sclera as shown in FIG.
[0010]
When the in-vivo device 10 is installed in the eye, as shown in FIG. 2, the visual reproduction unit 11 is placed on the retina Er of the patient's eye E, and cells constituting the retina (for example, retinal ganglion cells, retinal bipolar cells) Etc.) are to be electrically stimulated. Note that in order to fix and hold the visual reproduction unit 11 at a predetermined position on the retina, it may be performed by tacking with a tack or the like, using a biocompatible adhesive, photocoagulation of an existing technology, or the like.
[0011]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the visual reproduction unit 11. Reference numeral 14 denotes a base. On the base 14 (the surface that comes into contact with the retina when the visual reproduction unit 11 is placed on the retina Er), a light receiving unit 15 composed of a photodiode or the like is used based on signals from the light receiving unit 15. A pulse generation circuit 16 for generating a stimulation pulse signal for electrically stimulating cells constituting the retina, and an electrode 17 are provided on the same plane of the base 14, and have an LSI (Large Scale Integration) configuration. As shown in FIG. 3, a large number of the light receiving means 15, the pulse generation circuit 16, and the electrodes 17 are provided in a two-dimensional array on the base 20 as a pair of electric components. (In the present embodiment, 25 5 × 5 electric components are formed.) Further, such an electric circuit can be formed on the base 14 by an LSI design process which is an existing technology. .
[0012]
The base 14 is made of a resin such as PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate) or polyimide, or a transparent base material having a light transmitting property such as glass or sapphire. The thickness of the base 14 is preferably 50 μm to 1 mm, and more preferably 50 μm to 500 μm. If the thickness of the base 14 is less than 50 μm, it is difficult to obtain the necessary strength when the in-vivo device 10 is installed in the eye. On the other hand, if the thickness is more than 1 mm, it becomes difficult to insert the in-vivo device 10 into the eye. In particular, when a hard material such as glass or sapphire is used for the base 14, it is preferable that the base 14 has such a thickness that the base 14 is curved in accordance with the curved surface of the fundus.
[0013]
The visual reproduction unit 11 and the electric wire 13 are coated with a material having good biocompatibility and insulating properties such as polyimide so as to prevent infiltration of body fluids and the like. Note that the electrode 17 is exposed from the coating surface, so that the retina Er and the electrode 17 can be in direct contact with each other. In order to expose only the electrode 17 from the coating surface in this manner, (1) bumps are formed as high as possible using an electrode material such as gold or platinum at a position where the electrode is to be formed on the base 14. (2) After the bumps and other electric circuits are formed on the base 14, the base 14 is covered with a material having good biocompatibility and having insulating properties. {Circle around (3)} After that, the coating surface is polished or the like to remove a predetermined amount by polishing or the like, thereby exposing the tip of the bump. Through these steps, an exposed electrode can be obtained.
[0014]
The operation of the visual reproduction assistance device having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS.
The surface of the visual reproduction unit 11 on which the electrode 17 is formed is brought into contact with the retina Er toward the fundus, and the visual reproduction unit 11 is fixed with a tack or the like, and the state shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is obtained. As shown in FIG. 4, the light (image) obtained in the eye passes through the light receiving surface (front surface) of the base 14 and is received by the light receiving means 15 provided on the rear surface. The light receiving means 15 supplies a pulse generation circuit 16 with a detection signal (photocurrent) corresponding to the intensity of the received light. The pulse generation circuit 16 performs a predetermined process based on the detection signal sent from the light receiving means 15 and generates a stimulation pulse signal for electrically stimulating cells constituting the retina. The stimulation pulse signal generated by the pulse generation circuit 16 is output from the electrode 17 and electrically stimulates cells constituting the retina such as retinal ganglion cells and bipolar cells.
[0015]
The power used in the pulse generation circuit 16 and the electrodes 17 is supplied by the power supply device 2 of the extracorporeal device 1. As shown in FIG. 5, the power from the power supply device 2 of the extracorporeal device 1 is transmitted to the secondary coil 12 using the primary coil 3. The electric power received by the secondary coil 12 is sent to each pulse generating circuit 16, and the electric power is used to generate (output) a stimulation pulse signal from the electrode 17. By applying the stimulus pulse signal to the cells constituting the retina, the cells are stimulated, and the visual reproduction is promoted.
[0016]
Note that there is a deviation between the imaging position (light receiving position) of the light receiving unit 15 and the stimulation position of the electrode 17 with respect to the imaging position in order to form the light receiving unit 15, the pulse generation circuit 16 and the electrode 17 on the same surface of the base 14. Occurs. Therefore, in order to obtain more precise visual reproduction, the pulse generation circuit 16 performs a correction process in advance so as to cancel the shift amount, and generates a stimulus pulse signal in which the shift amount is considered. do it.
[0017]
Further, by using a transparent material for the base 14, the light receiving means 15, the pulse generating circuit 16 and the electrodes 17 can all be installed on the same surface, so that the electric circuit can be more easily designed. Further, since the base 14 has optical transparency, the light transmitted through the base 14 can stimulate the partially remaining light receiving cells. Therefore, it is expected that the function of the remaining light receiving cells can be utilized.
[0018]
As described above, in the present embodiment, a transparent material having a light transmitting property is used for the base 14, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a semiconductor material such as silicon may be used as the material of the base 14. Since the semiconductor material generates photocarriers when irradiated with light, a base is made of such a semiconductor material, and a detecting means (light receiving means 15) for detecting the photocarriers on the same surface of the base, The pulse generation circuit 16 and the electrode 17 are formed.
[0019]
After these electric circuits are formed, the electric circuit forming surface of the base 14 is brought into contact with the retina. When the light (image) that has entered the eye hits the front surface of the base 14, photocarriers are generated on the base 14, and the photocarriers diffuse in the base 14 and reach the light receiving unit 15. The light receiving means 15 detects the arrived photo carrier and sends a detection signal to the pulse generation circuit 16. The pulse generation circuit 16 generates a stimulus pulse signal based on the received signal as described above, and causes the electrode 17 to generate the stimulus pulse signal.
[0020]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, in a visual reproduction assisting device of a type in which an intraocular implantation device is installed on the retina with less damage to the retina, an electric circuit can be easily manufactured and preferably used. be able to.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an extracorporeal device in a visual reproduction assisting device of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of an in-vivo device in the visual reproduction assisting device of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a visual reproduction unit.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a stimulus signal is generated from a visual reproduction unit that receives light.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a control system in the visual reproduction assisting device of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Extracorporeal device 2 Power supply device 3 Primary coil 10 Intracorporeal device 11 Visual reproduction unit 12 Secondary coil 14 Base 15 Light receiving means 16 Pulse generation circuit 17 Electrode

Claims (3)

A visual regeneration assisting device having an intraocular implanting device installed on a retina of a patient's eye, wherein the intraocular implanting device is made of a transparent material having a light-transmitting property and is installed on a retina; A light receiving means provided on a surface opposite to the light receiving surface of the base for receiving a light beam transmitted through the light receiving surface of the base; and a light receiving means provided on the same mounting surface as the light receiving means provided on the base. Signal conversion means for converting a photocurrent output from the means into a predetermined stimulus pulse signal; and a stimulus pulse provided on the same installation surface as the light receiving means provided on the base and obtained by the signal conversion means. An electrode for outputting a signal to cells constituting the retina as an electrical stimulus. In a visual regeneration assisting device having an intraocular implantation device installed on the retina of a patient's eye, the intraocular implantation device includes a base made of a semiconductor material and installed on the retina, and a light receiving surface of the base. Detecting means for detecting a photocarrier generated by irradiating a light beam on the light-receiving surface of the base provided on the opposite surface; and provided on the same installation surface as the detecting means provided on the base; Signal conversion means for converting a photocurrent output from the detection means into a predetermined stimulus pulse signal; and a stimulus provided on the same installation surface as the detection means provided on the base and obtained by the signal conversion means. An electrode for outputting a pulse signal to cells constituting the retina as an electrical stimulus. The visual reproduction assisting device according to claim 1 or 2 is provided with power supply means for supplying electric power from outside the body using electromagnetic induction to an intraocular implantation device placed in the eye. Visual reproduction assist device.

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