Retinal implant electrode arrays with 10V SOI CMOS circuitry

Abstract

The interface between stimulation electrodes (which deliver electrical pulses) and retinal tissue is the most important interface in the retinal prosthesis application. As a member of the DOE Artificial Retina project, we have been developing a micromachined electrode array to address the critical mechanical and electrical coupling at this interface. Our design incorporates mechanical springs at each electrode site to allow controlled mechanical contact between the electrode array and the retinal surface, as well as built-in 10V capable CMOS electronics to handle routing of signals and to monitor integrated sensors. This process is also directed towards addressing other MEMS sensor/actuator systems that require higher voltages (/spl sim/10V).