An implantable neuro-stimulator device for a retinal prosthesis

In retina pigmentosa and macular degeneration, the photoreceptor cells of the retina (rods and cones) fail to respond to light. However, the discovery that direct electrical stimulation of retinal neurons can create visual sensation in patients inspires an electronic prosthesis which bypasses the defective photoreceptors. A prosthetic system is conceptually illustrated. A prototype implantable power and data receiver and neural stimulator, 4.6/spl times/4.7 mm/sup 2/ in 1.2 /spl mu/m CMOS, can drive a 10/spl times/10 array of retinal electrodes at real-time visual rates. The prototype serves two major goals. The first is to demonstrate the wireless transfer of power and data required for an implantable prosthesis. The second is to serve as a flexible stimulus waveform generator.