Retinal prosthesis device based on pulse-frequency-modulation vision chip

We describe a retinal prosthesis device that uses an image sensor based on a pulse frequency modulation (PFM) photosensor array. A PFM-based photosensor converts light intensity into the frequency of an output electrical pulse stream, and thus is suitable for stimulating retinal cells. We demonstrate various circuit improvements for image preprocessing and packaging techniques and present the results of an electrophysiology experiment.

[1]  A. Y. Chow,et al.  Implantation of silicon chip microphotodiode arrays into the cat subretinal space , 2001, IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering.

[2]  Tetsuya Yagi,et al.  Temporal properties of retinal ganglion cell responses to local transretinal current stimuli in the frog retina , 2005, Vision Research.

[3]  Hans E. Grossniklaus Will retinal implants restore vision?Zrenner E.∗ Science 2002;295:1022–1025. , 2002 .

[4]  Hans E. Grossniklaus,et al.  Will retinal implants restore vision?Zrenner E.∗ ∗Department of Pathophysiology of Vision and Neuro-Ophthalmology, University Eye Hospital Tübingen, Shleichstr 12, D-72076, Tübingen, Germany. Science 2002;295:1022–1025. , 2002 .

[5]  D. C. Ng,et al.  Pulse-domain digital image processing for vision chips employing low-voltage operation in deep-submicrometer technologies , 2004, IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics.

[6]  Keiichiro Kagawa,et al.  Proposal of Application of Pulsed Vision Chip for Retinal Prosthesis. , 2002 .

[7]  W. Liu,et al.  A neuro-stimulus chip with telemetry unit for retinal prosthetic device , 2000, IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits.

[8]  Adrian M. Ionescu,et al.  An active microphotodiode array of oscillating pixels for retinal stimulation , 2004 .

[9]  E. Culurciello,et al.  A biomorphic digital image sensor , 2003, IEEE J. Solid State Circuits.

[10]  Keiichiro Kagawa,et al.  Pixel design of pulsed CMOS image sensor for retinal prosthesis with digital photosensitivity control , 2003 .

[11]  Woodward Yang,et al.  A wide-dynamic-range, low-power photosensor array , 1994, Proceedings of IEEE International Solid-State Circuits Conference - ISSCC '94.