Invention Grant
- Patent Title: Flexible circuit electrode array
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Application No.: US11926046Application Date: 2007-10-28
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Publication No.: US10667404B2Publication Date: 2020-05-26
- Inventor: Robert Greenberg , Neil Talbot , Jordan Neysmith , Dilek Guven , James Little , Brian Mech , Mark Humayun
- Applicant: Robert Greenberg , Neil Talbot , Jordan Neysmith , Dilek Guven , James Little , Brian Mech , Mark Humayun
- Applicant Address: US CA Sylmar US CA Los Angeles
- Assignee: Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.,Doheny Eye Institute
- Current Assignee: Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.,Doheny Eye Institute
- Current Assignee Address: US CA Sylmar US CA Los Angeles
- Agent Scott Dunbar
- Main IPC: A61N1/05
- IPC: A61N1/05 ; H05K3/00 ; A61N1/36

Abstract:
Polymer materials are useful as electrode array bodies for neural stimulation. They are particularly useful for retinal stimulation to create artificial vision, cochlear stimulation to create artificial hearing, or cortical stimulation many purposes. The pressure applied against the retina, or other neural tissue, by an electrode array is critical. Too little pressure causes increased electrical resistance, along with electric field dispersion. Too much pressure may block blood flow. Common flexible circuit fabrication techniques generally require that a flexible circuit electrode array be made flat. Since neural tissue is almost never flat, a flat array will necessarily apply uneven pressure. Further, the edges of a flexible circuit polymer array may be sharp and cut the delicate neural tissue. By applying the right amount of heat to a completed array, a curve can be induced. With a thermoplastic polymer it may be further advantageous to repeatedly heat the flexible circuit in multiple molds, each with a decreasing radius. Further, it is advantageous to add material along the edges. It is further advantageous to provide a fold or twist in the flexible circuit array. Additional material may be added inside and outside the fold to promote a good seal with tissue.
Public/Granted literature
- US20080057179A1 Flexible Circuit Electrode Array Public/Granted day:2008-03-06
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