Parylene origami structure for intraocular implantation

This paper presents the use of origami technique to construct a 3D spherical structure from a 2D parylene-C (PA-C) film with designed folding crease patterns. This origami technique is developed or intended for intraocular epiretinal implant application, which requires a “curved” electrode array to match the curvature of the macula. The folding method and process are described here using silicone oil as a temporary glue to hold the folded structures through meniscus force. The temporary origami is then thermally set into permanent 3D shapes at 100 °C for 30 minutes in vacuum utilizing parylene-C's viscoelastic properties. The reported origami technique enables the possibility of first making an extended device in 2D format and, after a possible minimal surgical cut and insertion, then folding it into a 3D device inside the eye for necessary geometric matching with host tissues.