Open AccessLaser Driven Miniature Diamond Implant for Wireless Retinal Prostheses
Author(s) -
Ahnood Arman,
Cheriton Ross,
Bruneau Anne,
Belcourt James A.,
Ndabakuranye Jean Pierre,
Lemaire William,
Hilkes Rob,
Fontaine Réjean,
Cook John P. D.,
Hinzer Karin,
Prawer Steven
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
advanced biosystems
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.153
H-Index - 18
ISSN - 2366-7478
DOI - 10.1002/adbi.202000055
Subject(s) - implant , diamond , retinal implant , laser , retinal , retinal prosthesis , wireless , materials science , medicine , ophthalmology , optics , computer science , telecommunications , surgery , physics , composite material
The design and benchtop operation of a wireless miniature epiretinal stimulator implant is reported. The implant is optically powered and controlled using safe illumination at near‐infrared wavelengths. An application‐specific integrated circuit (ASIC) hosting a digital control unit is used to control the implant's electrodes. The ASIC is powered using an advanced photovoltaic (PV) cell and programmed using a single photodiode. Diamond packaging technology is utilized to achieve high‐density integration of the implant optoelectronic circuitry, as well as individual connections between a stimulator chip and 256 electrodes, within a 4.6 mm × 3.7 mm × 0.9 mm implant package. An ultrahigh efficiency PV cell with a monochromatic power conversion efficiency of 55% is used to power the implant. On‐board photodetection circuity with a bandwidth of 3.7 MHz is used for forward data telemetry of stimulation parameters. In comparison to implants which utilize inductively coupled coils, laser power delivery enables a high degree of miniaturization and lower surgical complexity. The device presented combines the benefits of implant miniaturization and a flexible stimulation strategy provided by a dedicated stimulator chip. This development provides a route to fully wireless miniaturized minimally invasive implants with sophisticated functionalities.