IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,539,544
Granted Patent B2
US 7,539,544 · App. 11/522,001 · Granted May 26, 2009

Logarithmic light intensifier for use with photoreceptor-based implanted retinal prosthetics and those prosthetics

Assignee: Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,539,544
App. No.
11/522,001
Granted
May 26, 2009
Kind
B2
Abstract

Directly modulating a beam of photons onto the retinas of patients who have extreme vision impairment or blindness. Supplying enough imaging energy to retinal prosthetics implanted in the eye which operate by having light (external to the eye) activating photoreceptors, or photoelectrical material. Providing sufficient light amplification and does it logarithmically. Having sufficient output light power, the output light level still remains at a safe level. Providing balanced biphasic stimulation with no net charge injection into the eye. Both optical and electronic magnification for the image is incorporated. It would not be feasible to zoom in on items of particular interest or necessity. Improper threshold amplitudes would obtain uncomfortable maximum thresholds. Proper adjustment for the threshold amplitudes and maximum comfortable thresholds is provided. The extent that the individual stimulation sites in the retina give different color perceptions, upon stimulation, colors of the viewed scene is correlated with specific stimulation sites providing a certain amount of color vision.

Claims (6)

1. A light amplifier for use in a photoreceptor based implanted retinal prosthetic comprising: a light receiver collecting a received visual image; a first transducer, coupled to said light receiver, converting said received visual image into a electrical signal; an amplifier coupled to said first transducer, amplifying said electrical signal; a second transducer converting said electrical signal to a amplified visual image; and a light transmitter, coupled to said second transducer, and transmitting said amplified visual image.

2. The light amplifier according to claim 1 , wherein said light amplifier amplifies a predetermined color more than other colors.

3. The light amplifier according to claim 1 , wherein all colors are converted to said predetermined color.

4. The light amplifier according to claim 1 , wherein said light amplifier amplifies light according to a predetermined transfer function.

5. The light amplifier according to claim 1 , wherein said predetermined transfer function is a non-linear function.

6. The light amplifier according to claim 1 , wherein said predetermined transfer function is a logarithmic function.

Assignments (1)
MERGER Recorded Oct 10, 2007
From: SECOND SIGHT, LLC.
To: SECOND SIGHT MEDICAL PRODUCTS, INC.
Reel/Frame 019942/0495 →
Continuity (4)
Division 1030481500 · Nov 26, 2002
Division 0951538300 · Feb 29, 2000
Provisional Application 6012587400 · Mar 24, 1999
Related Publication 20070016294A1 · Jan 18, 2007