Retinal implant with improved implantation and working properties

Abstract

The invention relates to a retinal implant having at least one functional unit 4 positioned internally inside an eye and at least one functional unit ( 2 ) positioned externally outside the eve and at least one functional unit 8 position outside the eye, which are separably connected to one another via a signal path ( 5, 6, 7, 15, 16, 17; 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17 ) in a manner designed for signal or data transmission. The patient's residual vision which may still remain is preserved because the signal path extends through the sclera ( 9 ) of the eye and does not incorporate the anterior eye section.

1 . Retinal implant having at least one functional unit  4  positioned internally inside an eye and at least one functional unit  2  positioned externally outside the eye, which are connected to one another via a signal path ( 5 ,  6 ,  7 ,  15 ,  16 ,  17 ;  10 ,  11 ,  12 ,  15 ,  16 ,  17 ) in a manner designed for signal or data transmission, characterised in that the transscleral signal-path segment between the functional units ( 4 ,  8 ) can be separated, and in that the signal path between the functional units ( 2 ,  4 ) does not incorporate the anterior eye section, including the cornea and intraocular lens.  
     
     
         2 . Implant according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the signal path comprises a wireless inductive connection ( 6 ,  7 ) which has a respective transmission and reception element inside ( 6 ) and outside ( 7 ) the eye, which are arranged facing one another, the sclera ( 9 ) lying between the transmission and reception elements ( 6 ,  7 ).  
     
     
         3 . Implant according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the signal path comprises a galvanic connection ( 10 ,  11 ,  11 ′) which passes through the sclera.  
     
     
         4 . Implant according to  claim 3 , characterised in that the galvanic connection ( 10 ,  11 ,  11 ′) can be connected after implantation, and preferably disconnected, at mutually complementary contact elements ( 11 ,  11 ′).  
     
     
         5 . Implant according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the sclera ( 9 ) is penetrated by a cannula ( 12 ) which is used for feeding an electrical cable ( 10 ) through.  
     
     
         6 . Implant according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a functional unit ( 8 ) implanted outside the eye, which is designed to carry out signal processing functions, is provided.