Patent US5476494A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5476494A
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Low pressure neural contact structure
Assignee: Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary
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Filing: 1994-04-28
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Granted: 1995-12-19
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Expires: 2014-04-28
Abstract
Abstract A low-pressure neural contact structure for contact with neural tissue, for example, neural tissue of the retina within which are ganglion cells to be electrically stimulated. The contact structure comprises a first portion for attachment to a first bodily location, such as the inner surface of the retina, and a second portion interconnected with the first portion via an interconnection and being held in contact with the neural tissue. The interconnection exhibits a weak restoring force which in conjunction with the geometry of said second portion provides a preselected desired pressure of contact against the neural tissue. As adapted for the retina, the interconnection exhibits a weak restoring force developed in response to curvature of the interconnection along the inner radius of the retina.
Inventors
- 👤 David J. Edell
- 👤 Joseph Rizzo, III
- 👤 John L. Wyatt, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 20:19
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/02; A61N1/04; A61N1/05; A61N1/0526; A61N1/0543
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
A low-pressure neural contact structure for contact with neural tissue of the retina within which are ganglion cells to be electrically stimulated comprising: a first portion for attachment to a first location on an inner surface of the retina, and a second portion interconnected with said first portion via an interconnection adapted to contact a second location on the inner surface of the retina adjacent to said ganglion cells to be stimulated, said interconnection easily conforming to contours in said neural tissue to exhibit a weak restoring force in response to curvature of the interconnection along an inner radius of the retina to provide a desired pressure of contact of said second portion against said neural tissue of below 10 mm mercury, the desired pressure sufficient to permit stimulation of the neural tissue without damage to said neural tissue.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
139 words
A low-pressure neural contact structure for contact with neural tissue of the retina within which are ganglion cells to be electrically stimulated comprising: a first portion for attachment to a first location on an inner surface of the retina, and a second portion interconnected with said first portion via an interconnection adapted to contact a second location on the inner surface of the retina adjacent to said ganglion cells to be stimulated, said interconnection easily conforming to contours in said neural tissue to exhibit a weak restoring force in response to curvature of the interconnection along an inner radius of the retina to provide a desired pressure of contact of said second portion against said neural tissue of below 10 mm mercury, the desired pressure sufficient to permit stimulation of the neural tissue without damage to said neural tissue.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The neural contact of claim 1 wherein said first and second portions together comprise an integral structure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The neural contact of claim 2 wherein said integral structure is of a generally rectangular geometry.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The neural contact of claim 3 wherein said integral structure comprises a cantilever.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The neural contact of either of claims 1 or 4 wherein said second portion provides mechanical support for a stimulating electrode structure positioned on said second portion for stimulating said ganglion cells.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
The neural contact of claim 4 wherein said cantilever comprises silicon.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The neural contact of claim 6 wherein said second portion of said cantilever comprises an array of stimulating electrodes for stimulating said ganglion cells.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The neural contact of claim 7 further comprising an encapsulation layer of biocompatible material which encapsulates said cantilever.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The neural contact of claim 8 wherein said encapsulation layer comprises silicone.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The neural contact of claim 8 wherein said encapsulation layer overhangs edges of said cantilever.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The neural contact of claim 9 wherein said encapsulation layer material in the location of said first portion is thicker than said encapsulation layer material in the location of said second portion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The neural contact of claim 10 wherein said encapsulation layer material in the location of said edges of said cantilever comprises perforations.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The neural contact of claim 9 wherein said encapsulation layer comprises an array of channels located at a position over said second portion corresponding to said array of stimulating electrodes.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The neural contact of claim 9 wherein said cantilever is between 2-40 microns-thick.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The neural contact of claim 14 wherein said cantilever is between 5-15 microns-thick.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The neural contact of claim 14 wherein said cantilever is between 2 mm-5 cm-long.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
The neural contact of claim 16 wherein said cantilever is between 0.5-2 cm-long.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The neural contact of claim 16 wherein said cantilever is between 0.5 mm-1 cm-wide.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
The neural contact of claim 18 wherein said cantilever is between 1-3 mm-wide.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The neural contact of claim 14 wherein said encapsulation layer is between 5-25 microns-thick.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
The neural contact of claim 9 further comprising a silicone rib positioned on said cantilever to bend said cantilever in a predetermined geometric shape.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
41 words
The neural contact of claim 7 wherein the width of said cantilever in the location of said first portion and in the location of said second portion is greater than the width of said cantilever in the location of said interconnection.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-12-18 | 1999-06-19 | 1999-12-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-12-18 | 2003-06-19 | 2003-12-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-12-18 | 2007-06-19 | 2007-12-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |