Retinal implant fixation

Abstract

A method is provided for implanting, in an eye of a subject, an implantable retinal stimulator having (i) an electrode array including electrodes; (ii) a plurality of photosensors; and (iii) driving circuitry, configured to drive the electrodes to apply currents to a retina of the eye. A surface of the retina is contacted with a tissue-contact surface of an anchoring-element-receiving portion of a frame. Subsequently, the frame is anchored to the retina by penetrating scleral tissue of the subject by advancing an anchoring element through an opening defined by the anchoring-element-receiving portion of the frame and into the scleral tissue such that the anchoring element secures the frame to the retina. Subsequently, using the frame, the implantable retinal stimulator is positioned in an epi-retinal position such that the electrode array penetrates the retina. Other embodiments are also described.

1 - 57 . (canceled) 
     
     
         58 . A method for implanting, in an eye of a subject, an implantable retinal stimulator having (i) an electrode array including electrodes; (ii) a plurality of photosensors; and (iii) driving circuitry, configured to drive the electrodes to apply currents to a retina of the eye, the method comprising:
 contacting a surface of the retina with a tissue-contact surface of an anchoring-element-receiving portion of a frame;   subsequently, anchoring the frame to the retina by penetrating scleral tissue of the subject by advancing an anchoring element through an opening defined by the anchoring-element-receiving portion of the frame and into the scleral tissue such that the anchoring element secures the frame to the retina; and   subsequently, using the frame, positioning the implantable retinal stimulator in an epi-retinal position such that the electrode array penetrates the retina.   
     
     
         59 . The method according to  claim 58 , wherein positioning the implantable retinal stimulator using the frame comprises using the frame to guide the implantable retinal stimulator to the epi-retinal position. 
     
     
         60 . The method according to  claim 58 , wherein a portion of the frame is deformed during the positioning of the implantable retinal stimulator in the epi-retinal position. 
     
     
         61 . The method according to  claim 58 , wherein the frame surrounds at least a portion of the implantable retinal stimulator. 
     
     
         62 . The method according to  claim 61 , wherein the implantable retinal stimulator is generally shaped as a rectangle, and the frame entirely surrounds three sides of the rectangle. 
     
     
         63 . The method according to  claim 61 , wherein the frame surrounds the at least a portion of the implantable retinal stimulator such that there is at least one empty gap between the frame and the implantable retinal stimulator. 
     
     
         64 . The method according to  claim 58 , wherein the implantable retinal stimulator has (a) a posterior surface on which the electrode array is disposed, (b) an anterior surface opposite the posterior side, and (c) a lateral surface, and wherein the frame is coupled to the lateral surface. 
     
     
         65 . The method according to  claim 64 , wherein the lateral surface of the implantable retinal stimulator is shaped so as to define a groove, and wherein the frame is disposed partially within the groove so as to couple the frame to the lateral surface. 
     
     
         66 . The method according to  claim 58 , wherein the frame has a length in a first direction of 4-8 mm. 
     
     
         67 . The method according to  claim 58 , wherein the implantable retinal stimulator touches the frame before the electrode array touches the retina.