JP4188034B2 - Intraocular implant device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an intraocular implant device installed in the eye for visual reproduction.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, as one of the blindness treatment techniques, research has been conducted on an artificial visual system in which an intraocular implant device having a stimulation electrode or the like is installed in the eye, and the cells that make up the retina are electrically stimulated to attempt visual reproduction. Yes. In such an artificial visual system, there are known a method of electrically stimulating the retina by installing a stimulation electrode between the retina and the choroid, and a method of electrically stimulating the retina by installing a stimulation electrode on the retina in the eye. ing.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
When a stimulating electrode is placed between the retina and the choroid, the corresponding reference electrode is placed in the vitreous, so that the retina is located between the stimulating electrode and the reference electrode, so that the stimulating current passes through the retina efficiently. It becomes. Similarly, when placing an electrode on the retina, it is desirable to place a reference electrode at a position (for example, the choroid or sclera) facing the stimulation electrode across the retina, but placing the reference electrode at such a position Is difficult. In addition, since the superiority of such electrode arrangement is not recognized, no attempt has been made to place the reference electrode through the retina when the stimulation electrode is installed on the retina.
[0004]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and can be used to implant an intraocular implant that can efficiently flow a stimulation current from a stimulation electrode placed on the retina to cells constituting the retina using a simple configuration. It is a technical problem to provide a breeding apparatus.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is characterized by having the following configuration.
(1) In an intraocular implant device that is placed in the eye to obtain the vision of a patient's eye, an electrode array having a plurality of electrodes that are placed on the retina and for performing electrical stimulation on cells constituting the retina A needle-like fixing means made of a conductive material and fixed to the retina by piercing from the retina toward the sclera, the fixing means serving as a reference electrode for the electrode array It is used.
(2) (1) In the intraocular Uma殖device, said securing means electrically to the rear of the fixing means and the electrode array with the exception that the tip and rear are covered with film having an insulating property It is connected.
(3) In the intraocular implant device of (2), the fixing means is formed integrally with a base on which the electrode array is formed.
(4) The intraocular implant device according to (2) has a base for forming the electrode array, an opening for passing the fixing means on the base, and the fixing to the opening. A connecting means for electrically connecting the electrode array and the fixing means is formed at a place where the fixing means comes into contact with the base when the means is passed.
[0006]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of an in-vivo imaging type artificial vision system using an intraocular implant device used in the present embodiment.
The artificial vision system used in this embodiment is roughly divided into an extracorporeal device 10 placed outside the body and an in-vivo device (intraocular implantation device) 20 placed in the eye. The extracorporeal device 10 includes a visor 11 and a power supply device 12 that can be worn and used by a user (blind person) like glasses. The visor 11 is provided with a power supply unit 13 for supplying power to the in-vivo device 20. The power supply unit 13 includes a magnetic core 13a that is hollow inside, and a primary coil 13b that is wound around the magnetic core 13a. As the magnetic core 13a, a material such as ferrite, which is generally used as a magnetic material, can be used. The primary coil 13 may be made of a material that can generally be used as a coil wire, such as copper, gold, or platinum.
[0007]
When the user wears the visor 11, the power supply unit 13 is positioned in front of the user's eyes. Since the power supply unit 13 located in front of the eye has a hollow inside of the magnetic core 13a, the visor 11 is attached so that the user's view is not obstructed even if the power supply unit 13 is located in front of the eye. It has become. In addition, the power supply unit 13 (primary coil 13b) is connected to the power supply device 12, and serves to send the power obtained by the power supply device 12 to the in-vivo device 20.
[0008]
On the other hand, the intracorporeal device 20 is roughly composed of a power acquisition unit 22 and a visual reproduction unit 30 that are mounted on a substrate 23. The visual reproduction unit 30 is electrically connected to the power acquisition unit 22 via the electric wire 21 (see FIG. 2).
[0009]
FIG. 2 is a view showing the appearance of the in-vivo device 20.
The substrate 23 uses a light-transmitting material with good biocompatibility, and polyimide is used in this embodiment. The substrate 23 is composed of a disc portion 23a and a long plate portion 23b. A power acquisition unit 22 is attached to the disc portion 23a, and a visual reproduction unit 30 is attached to the tip of the long plate portion 23b.
[0010]
The long plate portion 23b in this embodiment has a length that allows the visual reproduction unit 30 located at the tip to be positioned around the macular portion along the retina of the eye when the disc portion 23a is placed near the back of the iris. is doing. Therefore, the length from the position where the power acquisition unit 22 is placed to the visual reproduction unit 30 is preferably about 20 mm to 40 mm, and more preferably about 25 mm to 35 mm.
[0011]
As shown in FIG. 3A, the power acquisition unit 22 is provided with a through hole in the center, and is wound around a magnetic core 22a made of a ring-shaped magnetic body that is hollow. Secondary coil 22b. As the magnetic core 22a, a material such as ferrite that is generally used as a magnetic material can be used. Further, as the secondary coil 22b, one that can be generally used as a coil wire, such as copper, gold, or platinum, can be used.
[0012]
Further, when the intraocular implant device of the present embodiment is used in an in-vivo imaging type artificial visual system, the opening (hollow part) of the magnetic core 22a is positioned in the pupil so that external light can be transmitted to the hollow part of the magnetic core 22a. Through to the fundus. For this reason, it is preferable that the opening diameter of the hollow portion of the magnetic core 22a is equal to or larger than the pupil diameter. For example, the opening diameter may be about 2 mm to 7 mm.
[0013]
In addition, an optical member 24 (lens) instead of a crystalline lens is installed in the hollow portion of the magnetic core 22a of the present embodiment, and an image of an object point located at a predetermined distance in front of the eyes is described later. An image can be formed on the light receiving surface of the reproducing unit 30. Further, the lens 24 is not limited to be placed in the hollow portion of the magnetic core 22a, but may be on the axis of the magnetic core 22a. For example, it can be placed on the front side or the rear side of the magnetic core 22a. If the lens is not removed when the intracorporeal device 20 is placed in the eye, the lens 24 need not be provided.
[0014]
Further, as shown in FIG. 3 (b), an iris pattern is formed on one surface of the magnetic core 22a (a surface located on the iris side when installed in the eye and in contact with the substrate 23 in the present embodiment). 22c is applied. In the present embodiment, an iris pattern is applied to the surface of the magnetic core 22a. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an iris pattern can also be applied to a part of the intraocular implant device placed around the iris. For example, an iris pattern may be formed on the surface of the substrate 23 in which the disk portion 23a and the magnetic core 22a are embedded.
[0015]
4A shows a schematic configuration of the visual reproduction unit 30 installed on the substrate 23 of the intracorporeal device 20, and FIG. 4B shows a schematic diagram showing a cross-sectional shape when viewed from the side of the visual reproduction unit 30. FIG. Reference numeral 31 denotes a base installed on the substrate 23. The base 31 is provided with a light receiving element 32 such as a photodiode, a stimulation electrode 33, a control circuit 34, etc., and has an IC (Integration Circuit) configuration. ing.
[0016]
As shown in FIG. 2, a large number of light receiving elements 32 are arranged in a two-dimensional array on the same side (the paper surface side in FIG. 2) as the surface on which the power acquisition unit 22 is installed on the substrate 23. In addition, on the surface of the base 31 opposite to the installation surface of the light receiving elements 32 (the back side of the paper in FIG. 2), a number of stimulation electrodes 33 are installed in a two-dimensional array corresponding to each of the light receiving elements 32. Yes. Further, the stimulation electrode 33 is exposed to the outside through the substrate 23, and when the intraocular implantation device is installed in the eye of the patient's eye, the tip of the stimulation electrode 33 can directly contact the retina. ing. The light receiving elements 32 and the stimulation electrodes 33 and the control circuit 34 are individually connected by electric wires (in FIG. 4, for the sake of convenience, a plurality of light receiving elements and stimulation electrodes are collectively connected to the control circuit 34. )
[0017]
Reference numeral 35 denotes a tack for fixing and holding the visual reproduction unit 30 on the retina. The tack 35 has a needle-like shape, and is integrally attached to the base 31 in a state of extending a predetermined length in the direction in which the stimulation electrode 33 protrudes from the four corners of the base 31. The length of the tack 35 is long enough to reach the choroid or sclera when the tack 35 is inserted into the retina and completely inserted in order to fix and hold the visual reproduction unit 30. For this reason, by inserting the tack 35 through the retina to the choroid or sclera, the retina is positioned between the tip of the tack 35 and the stimulation electrode 35.
[0018]
The tack 35 is made of a conductive material such as titanium or platinum, and is coated with an insulating coating except for its front end and rear portion (shaded portion in FIG. 4B). Further, the rear portion (the portion that is not insulated) of the tack 35 is electrically connected to the control circuit 34 in advance. The tack 35 and the stimulation electrode 33 are electrically connected, and the tack 35 serves as a reference electrode.
[0019]
In the present embodiment, the tack 35 is provided in advance (fixed) on the base 31 in a fixed manner. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the base 31 is provided with only a through hole for passing the tack in advance. You can also keep it. In such a case, for example, when the tack 35 is passed through a through hole provided in the base 31, a portion where the rear portion of the tack 35 and the base 31 come into contact with each other is covered with a conductive material. The covered portion and the control circuit 34 are electrically connected. On the other hand, the tuck is insulated except for the tip and the rear, and when the base 31 is fixed on the retina using the tack, the back of the tuck contacts a predetermined portion of the through-hole covered with a conductive material. You should do it.
[0020]
Further, 25 shown in FIG. 2 is an opening provided in the disc portion 23a. The opening 25 is formed so as to be located at a place where there is no influence of the dynamic disturbance of the iris when the disc portion 23a is installed on the back of the iris. The opening 25 is used when the intracorporeal device 20 is installed in the eye and the disk portion 23a is sewn to the iris and fixed in the eye.
[0021]
In addition, after attaching the electric power acquisition part 22, the visual reproduction | regeneration part 30, etc. to the board | substrate 23, the internal body apparatus 20 coat | covers the whole internal body apparatus 20 with a biocompatible material, such as a polyimide, and contacts with a bodily fluid etc. to a machine. Try to prevent. At this time, the electrode 33 and the tip portion of the tack 35 are not covered, but are allowed to come into direct contact with the living body.
[0022]
The operation of the artificial vision system having the above configuration will be described with reference to the control system block diagram of FIG.
First, the lens of the patient's eye E (user's eye) is emulsified and aspirated by a known cataract surgical device or the like and removed. Next, a predetermined amount of incision is made in the sclera at a position away from the corneal ear side ring portion of the patient's eye E by a predetermined amount to create an insertion opening, from which the intracorporeal device 20 is inserted into the eye. Insert inside. Further, the long plate portion 23b is turned along the retina, and the visual reproduction unit 30 is positioned on the retina around the macula. The visual reproduction unit 30 is fixed in the eye by inserting the tack 35 into the retina. When the retina is pierced with the tack 35, the tack 35 penetrates the retina and the tip thereof reaches the choroid or sclera, whereby the visual reproduction unit 30 is fixedly held on the retina.
[0023]
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, the disk portion 23a is placed on the back side of the iris of the anterior eye portion so that the substrate 23 is on the front side and the power acquisition unit 22 is on the rear side, as shown in FIG. The hollow part is located in the pupil. After the hollow portion of the magnetic core 22a is positioned in the pupil, a suture thread is passed through the opening 25 provided in the disc portion 23a, and the iris and the disc portion 23a are sewn together, so that the disc portion 23a is moved forward. It can be fixed and held at the eye. Further, the opening 25 may be sewn around the ciliary body instead of the iris. When sewing around the ciliary body, the outer peripheral portion of the disc portion 23a has a diameter that can reach the ciliary groove, and the position of the opening 25 to be formed is matched with the sewing around the ciliary body. It is necessary to keep the formation position. In this embodiment, since the coil 22b is wound around the magnetic core 22a, the power transmission efficiency is higher than when an air-core coil is used. Further, since the magnetic core 22a uses a hollow magnetic core having a through-hole formed at the center thereof, the magnetic core 22a is light in weight as compared with a magnetic core having no hole and is easy to install in the eye. Further, by positioning the hollow portion of the magnetic core 22a in the pupil, external light can be guided into the eye through the hollow portion.
[0024]
Further, when the intracorporeal device 20 is placed in the eye, when the iris and the substrate 23 are rubbed to cause inflammation or the like, a part of the iris that contacts the substrate 23 is excised. Although the appearance of the patient's eye is impaired by removing the iris, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3B, the iris pattern 22c is applied to one side of the magnetic core 22a. Since an artificially simulating portion of the iris remains on the back side, the appearance of the patient's eye can be kept as small as possible. In the present embodiment, the power acquisition unit 22 is placed on the back side of the iris. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the pupil is placed on the front side of the iris (between the cornea and the iris) or the lens capsule. And the hollow portion of the magnetic core 22a can be put together to place the power acquisition unit 22.
[0025]
On the other hand, in the extracorporeal device 10, the visor 11 is worn and the power supply unit 13 is positioned in front of the eyes. When a current flows from the power supply device 12 to the power supply unit 13, electromagnetic induction occurs between the primary coil 13 b and the secondary coil 22 b, thereby supplying power to the in-vivo device 20.
[0026]
In addition, external light passes through the opening of the power supply unit 13 (the hollow part of the magnetic core 13a) and enters the eye. The incident external light passes through the opening of the power acquisition unit 22 (hollow part of the magnetic core 22 a), is received by the light receiving surface of the light receiving element 32 through the lens 24, and the signal is sent to the control circuit 34. The control circuit 34 converts the received signal into an electric signal having a pulse waveform necessary for obtaining vision based on the received signal, and applies a predetermined voltage between the tack 35 and the corresponding stimulation electrode 33. When a voltage is applied between the tack 35 and the corresponding stimulation electrode 33, a current having a predetermined pulse waveform passes through the retina from the stimulation electrode 33 and reaches the tip of the tack 35. As a result, the cells constituting the retina, such as bipolar cells and retinal ganglion cells, are electrically stimulated to reproduce vision.
[0027]
In the above embodiment, the in-vivo imaging type artificial vision system has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can also be applied to an extracorporeal imaging type artificial vision system. In this case, imaging means such as a CCD camera and the image information obtained by the imaging means are processed in the extracorporeal device 10 to obtain stimulation pulse data (control signal) for visual reproduction. Information processing means and transmission means for transmitting stimulation pulse data to the in-vivo device 20 may be provided. The intracorporeal device 20 may be provided with receiving means for receiving stimulation pulse data instead of the lens 24 installed in the magnetic core 22a. In addition, the transmission unit and the reception unit can be replaced by the power supply unit 13 and the power acquisition unit 22 described above.
[0028]
In this embodiment, the lens 24 is provided in the magnetic core 22a. However, it is possible to add an adjustment function by driving the lens 24 in the axial direction of the magnetic core 22a. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example in which a telephoto function is added. Here, components having functions similar to those of the components shown in FIG.
[0029]
Reference numeral 40 denotes a control unit provided in the extracorporeal device 10. The control unit 40 is provided with a switch 40a. By using the switch 40a, the lens 24 of the in-vivo device 20 can be driven to focus on an object point located at a predetermined distance. Further, the control unit 40 can digitize the power signal from the power supply device 12 and the signal of the switch 40a, and transmit power information and lens drive information to the in-vivo device 20 side using the power supply means 13.
[0030]
In the intracorporeal device 20, the lens 24 is attached so as to be movable in the axial direction of the magnetic core 22 a, and the lens 24 is driven back and forth in the axial direction by a small motor 41. When the user uses the switch 40a of the controller 40, the signal is transmitted as a digital signal from the power supply unit 13 to the in-vivo device 20. Transmission of power information and lens drive information is performed in a time-sharing manner, and the transmitted power information and lens drive information are alternately received by the power acquisition unit 22 and sent to the control circuit 34. The control circuit 34 uses the received power information as power for driving the in-vivo device 20. Further, the control circuit 34 drives the small motor 41 based on the received lens drive information, and drives the lens 24. By such an operation, the user can freely focus on an object point at an arbitrary position. By using such a configuration, the in-vivo device 20 can be provided with focusing, telephoto, and wide-angle functions. In addition, by adjusting a mechanism capable of changing the opening diameter before and after the magnetic core 22a or in a hollow portion, the light amount can be adjusted.
[0031]
Further, such an adjustment mechanism may be placed on the external device 10 side. In this case, an optical system for providing focusing, telephoto, and wide-angle functions may be installed on the extracorporeal device 10 side.
In this embodiment, the hollow portion of the magnetic core is adjusted to the pupil position. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it can be placed in a place other than the pupil position where incidence of external light is not hindered. In such a case, external light cannot pass through the hollow portion of the magnetic core, but the power supply efficiency is improved by winding the coil around the magnetic core with the external light, and the magnetic core is made hollow by making the magnetic core hollow. There is an advantage in terms of reducing weight.
[0032]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the stimulation current from the stimulation electrode placed on the retina can be efficiently flowed to the cells constituting the retina.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of an in-vivo imaging type artificial vision system in the present embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of an intraocular implant device (internal device).
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a power acquisition unit.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a visual reproduction unit.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a control system of the artificial vision system in the present embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration when an adjustment mechanism is used in the eye.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Extracorporeal device 12 Power supply device 13 Power supply part 20 In-vivo apparatus 22 Power acquisition part 23 Substrate 24 Optical member 30 Visual reproduction part 31 Base 32 Light receiving element 33 Stimulation electrode 34 Control circuit 35 Tack

Claims (4)

In an intraocular implant device that is placed in the eye to obtain vision of a patient's eye, an electrode array having a plurality of electrodes that are placed on the retina and performs electrical stimulation on cells constituting the retina, and conductivity anda needle-like fixing means for fixing and holding on the retina of the electrode array by piercing against the sclera from the retina becomes a material having, in the fixing device is used as a reference electrode to said electrode array An intraocular implant device characterized by that. In intraocular Uma殖apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fixing means except the tip and the rear are electrically connected to the rear portion of the fixing means and the electrode array with are covered with film having an insulating property An intraocular implant device characterized by comprising:   3. The intraocular implant device according to claim 2, wherein the fixing means is formed integrally with a base on which the electrode array is formed.   The intraocular implant device according to claim 2 has a base for forming the electrode array, an opening for passing the fixing means through the base, and the fixing means through the opening. A connecting means for electrically connecting the electrode array and the fixing means is formed at a place where the fixing means comes into contact with the base at this time.

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