gms | German Medical Science

Artificial Vision 2013

The International Symposium on Visual Prosthetics

08.11. - 09.11.2013, Aachen

Feasibility of 2nd Generation STS Retinal Prosthesis in dogs

Meeting Abstract

  • Takashi Fujikado - Applied Visual Science, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
  • M. Kamei - Ophthalmology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
  • H. Sakaguchi - Ophthalmology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
  • H. Kanda - Applied Visual Science, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
  • T. Morimoto - Applied Visual Science, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
  • K. Nishida - Ophthalmology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
  • H. Kishima - Neurosurgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
  • T. Maruo - Neurosurgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
  • K. Oosawa - Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
  • M. Ozawa - Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
  • K. Nishida - Ophthalmology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan

Artificial Vision 2013. Aachen, 08.-09.11.2013. Düsseldorf: German Medical Science GMS Publishing House; 2014. Doc13artvis18

doi: 10.3205/13artvis18, urn:nbn:de:0183-13artvis189

Veröffentlicht: 13. Februar 2014

© 2014 Fujikado et al.
Dieser Artikel ist ein Open Access-Artikel und steht unter den Creative Commons Lizenzbedingungen (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/deed.de). Er darf vervielfältigt, verbreitet und öffentlich zugänglich gemacht werden, vorausgesetzt dass Autor und Quelle genannt werden.


Gliederung

Text

Background: We have demonstrated that suprachoroidal transretinal stimulation (STS) allowed 2 patients with advanced retinitis pigmentosa resolve to white bar targets. We have developed a 2nd generation STS system with a 49 channel electrode array, and the purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of this new electrode array to be used as a retinal prosthesis.

Methods: To test the feasibility, we implanted an internal coil, a decoder, a multiplexer, and the 49 channel platinum electrode array in 3 dogs. The stimulating electrodes were implanted in the upper-temporal quadrant (dog 1) or lower temporal quadrant (dog 2, 3). The return electrode was passed through the pars plana and implanted in the lower temporal (dog 1) or the upper nasal (dog 2,3) quadrant of the vitreous. The internal coil and the decoder were implanted under the fascia of the temporal muscle. Wires from the multiplexer and the return electrode were connected to the decoder. At the end of the surgery, internal devices were examined by connecting the external coil and delivering electrical pulses. The surface of the electrodes was processed by a femto-second laser to increase the charge injection capability. The electrical stimulating pulses consisted of cathodic-first biphasic pulses (duration, 0.5 msec; frequency, 20 Hz; interpulse delay, 0.5 ms; number of pulses, 20) and they were applied sequentially to each electrode with a delay of 0.45 ms.

Results: All electrodes were functioning at the end of surgery in 3 dogs. Six months after the surgery, the fundus photographs and fluorescein angiograms showed no retinal damage in 3 dogs. Corneal artifacts elicited by the electrode array were recorded indicating that the electrodes were functioning.

Conclusion: Our results indicate that the 2nd generation STS retinal prosthesis is feasible and can be considered for clinical use.