Herstellung und Charakterisierung einer vollständig implantierbaren epiretinalen Sehprothese

• Fabrication and characterisation of a completely implantable epiretinal visual prosthesis

Koch, Christian; Mokwa, Wilfried (Thesis advisor)

Aachen : Publikationsserver der RWTH Aachen University (2011)
Dissertation / PhD Thesis

Aachen, Techn. Hochsch., Diss., 2011

Abstract

A wireless epiretinal retina implant system, capable of stimulating the retinal ganglion cells in blind Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) patients, was developed. The prosthesis itself is completely implanted into the eyeball, with no cable crossing the eye’s wall. Data and energy are provided by inductive coupling. The implant is based on a flexible polyimide tape with an integrated receiver coil, stimulation electrodes and microchips. The system was implanted into six legally blind patients for four weeks. All patients reported on visual sensations, evoked by electrical stimulation of their retina. The required stimulation thresholds were found to be very low. Implantation and explantation surgery were performed without complications. The implant was well tolerated for the duration of four weeks.

Institutions

• Chair of Materials in Electrical Engineering I and Institute of Materials in Electrical Engineering [611510]