Device for electrophysiological recording from the eye

Abstract

The present disclosure provides electroretinography devices configured to detect biopotential signals from an eye of a subject. In some embodiments, the device is configured to prevent the subject's eyelids from closing over the device when placed in contact with the anterior surface of the subject's eye. In some embodiments, the device has a Young's modulus of no more than about 50 MPa. In some embodiments, the device includes a diffusing or refracting element configured to scatter, focus or diverge incident light. In other embodiments, the device includes a void through which incident light can enter the subject's eye without passing through any portion of the device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An electroretinography device comprising:
 an ocular portion configured to detect a biopotential signal from an eye of a subject, the ocular portion including:
 a proximal portion configured to be placed in contact with an anterior surface of the eye, 
 a distal portion including at least one side wall, and 
 a conductive element housed in the ocular portion; and 
   a signal relay operatively connected to the conductive element and configured to transmit the biopotential signal from the conductive element to a signal processor.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the ocular portion is configured to prevent eyelids of the subject from closing when the proximal portion is placed in contact with the anterior surface of the eye. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal portion includes a flange configured to enable the eyelids to slide over the flange. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the distal portion includes at least one side wall configured to prevent the eyelids from closing. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one side wall has a concave shape. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the distal portion has a concave shape. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the distal portion includes a void configured to allow incident light to enter the eye without passing through any portion of the electroretinography device. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the ocular portion further includes a second conductive element. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the ocular portion further includes a lens. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the ocular portion further includes a diffusing component. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the ocular portion further includes a stabilizing element. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the stabilizing element has a Young's modulus of elasticity of at least about 100 MPa. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the distal portion and the proximal portion each have a Young's modulus of no more than about 50 MPa. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the distal portion and the proximal portion comprise polydimethylsiloxane. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the distal portion consists essentially of polydimethylsiloxane. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal portion further includes a channel, and wherein the conductive element is housed at least partially within the channel. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the conductive element is positioned to be in direct contact with the anterior surface of the eye. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the conductive element is positioned to be in indirect contact with the anterior surface of the eye. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the distal portion includes a curved surface configured to provide positive, negative, or zero optical power to the subject. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the distal portion includes a curved distal surface configured to form a divergent lens.