KR101246336B1 - Artificial retinal device for stimulating by using light - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a photostimulatory artificial retinal device for restoring vision of blinded persons by stimulating light-sensitive retinal cells by gene expression with light. The photostimulatory retinal device comprises: i) a flexible substrate adapted to be provided in front of the retina in which the photosensitive gene is expressed, and ii) a plurality of microlenses contacted with the substrate and adapted to collect and provide light to the retina. .

Description

Photo-stimulated artificial retina device {ARTIFICIAL RETINAL DEVICE FOR STIMULATING BY USING LIGHT}

The present invention relates to a photo-stimulating artificial retina device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a photostimulatory artificial retinal device for restoring vision of blinded persons by stimulating with light photosensitive retinal cells modified by gene expression.

The retina is a thin inner membrane of the eye that converts light from the eye into an electrical signal that passes through the nerve to the brain. Therefore, if the retina is a problem, it may cause blindness due to abnormal vision. In order to solve this problem, artificial retinas that activate retinal nerve cells through micro electrical stimulation have been developed.

This electrical artificial retina stimulates retinal nerve cells through micro electrical stimulation. In this case, vision can be obtained by allowing the human body to feel the electrical stimulation signal as if it were an electrical signal generated from the photoreceptor of the eye. However, electrical retinas not only generate a lot of noise but also have low resolution.

The present invention provides a photostimulatory artificial retinal device capable of restoring vision of blinded persons by stimulating photoreceptive cells modified with photosensitivity with light.

The photostimulatory artificial retinal device according to an embodiment of the present invention, i) a flexible substrate adapted to be provided in front of the retinal (epiretinal), the photosensitive gene is expressed, and ii) a substrate in contact with the light, and collects the light to provide to the retina A plurality of microlenses adapted to be applied.

The diameter of the plurality of microlenses may be 10 μm to 500 μm, and the numerical aperture NA of the plurality of microlenses may be 0.005 to 1. The plurality of microlenses have a polygonal shape and may be adjacent to each other. The polygon may be hexagonal. The flexible substrate and the plurality of microlenses may be integrally formed. The light transmittance of one or more microlenses of the plurality of microlenses may be 90% or more.

The photostimulatory artificial retinal device according to another embodiment of the present invention comprises: i) a flexible substrate adapted to be provided under a subretinal in which a photosensitive gene is expressed, and ii) a substrate in contact with the substrate and reflecting light to provide the retina. It includes a plurality of micro mirrors applied.

The plurality of micromirrors includes: i) a mirror portion embedded in the substrate, concave toward the retina, reflecting light, and ii) a light transmissive cover portion covering the mirror portion. The mirror portion may be formed by sputtering. The mirror unit may include silver. The light reflectivity of the plurality of micromirrors may be 80% to 90%. The plurality of micromirrors may have a diameter of 10 μm to 500 μm, and the numerical aperture NA of the plurality of micromirrors may be 0.005 to 1. The photostimulatory retina device may include one or more materials selected from the group consisting of silicon and polymer.

The photostimulatory artificial retina device according to another embodiment of the present invention may further include a micro light emitting unit detachably attached to the head and adapted to irradiate light having a wavelength stimulating the photosensitive gene toward the substrate. The micro light emitting unit includes a plurality of light emitting diodes, i) an image sensor for converting external light into an electrical signal, and ii) electrically connected to the image sensor, and adapted to irradiate light having a wavelength stimulating a photosensitive gene toward the substrate. Light emitting diodes (LEDs). When the photosensitive gene is channelrhosopsin2 (ChR2), the micro light emitting unit can adjust the wavelength of light to 400nm to 550nm. In addition, when the photosensitive gene is halohodopsin, the micro light emitting unit can adjust the wavelength of light to 400nm to 1㎛.

The photo-stimulatory artificial retinal device according to an embodiment of the present invention is not only easy to perform the procedure but also uses light, so that the retinal nerve cells can be more freely and precisely controlled. In addition, while stimulating the retinal nerve cells, the response of nerve cells in other sites by the internal connection of the neural circuit can be measured without noise. In addition, by controlling the wavelength of the light using the micro light emitting unit, the retinal nerve cells expressing the photosensitive gene can be precisely controlled to easily recover the blindness of the blind person.

1 is a schematic perspective view of a photo-stimulated artificial retina unit included in the photo-stimulated artificial retina device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a view schematically showing a state of use of the photo-stimulating artificial retina device of FIG.
3 is a view schematically showing an operating state of the photo-stimulating artificial retina device of FIG.
4 is a schematic perspective view of a photo-irritating artificial retina unit included in the photo-stimulating artificial retina device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a view schematically showing a state of use of the photo-stimulation artificial retina device according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a schematic perspective view of a photo-stimulating artificial retina unit included in the photo-stimulating artificial retina device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a view schematically showing a state of use of the photo-stimulated artificial retina device of FIG. 6.
FIG. 8 is a view schematically showing an operating state of the photo-stimulating artificial retina device of FIG. 7.
9 is a view schematically showing a state of use of the photo-stimulation artificial retina device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural forms as well, unless the phrases clearly indicate the opposite. As used herein, the term "comprising" embodies a particular characteristic, region, integer, step, operation, element, and / or component, and other specific characteristics, region, integer, step, operation, element, component, and / or group. It does not exclude the presence or addition of.

Unless defined otherwise, all terms including technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Commonly used predefined terms are further interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the relevant technical literature and the present disclosure, and are not to be construed as ideal or very formal meanings unless defined otherwise.

As used herein, the meaning of "connection" is interpreted to include not only electrical connection but also all other connection states such as mechanical connection. Therefore, if objects are placed in the mutually influencing state even though no physical connection is established, the objects are interpreted as being in the interconnected state.

The meaning of "micro" used hereinafter is interpreted to include not only the micro scale but also the nano scale. In other words, even if a specific object is named "micro", it just means that the size of the specific object is very small, and does not necessarily mean that it is microscale. Therefore, the size of this particular object is interpreted to include up to nanoscale.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily carry out the present invention. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

1 is an enlarged schematic view of an optical stimulation artificial retina device 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The structure of the photo-stimulatory artificial retina device 100 of FIG. 1 is merely for illustrating the present invention, and the present invention is not limited thereto. Therefore, the structure of the photo-stimulation artificial retina device 100 can be modified in other forms.

As shown in FIG. 1, the photostimulatory artificial retina device 100 includes a substrate 10 and a plurality of microlenses 12. In addition, the photo-stimulated artificial retina device 100 may further include other components as necessary.

The substrate 10 is flexible. Therefore, the substrate 10 can be provided in front of the retina by being in close contact with the curved retina in which the photosensitive gene is expressed. As a result, there is less discomfort in the eyes even after implanting the photo-stimulated artificial retina device 100 into the eyes. Moreover, since the board | substrate 10 has the characteristic which bends well, it is less likely to be damaged by external shocks.

The horizontal length and the vertical length of the substrate 10 may be 3 mm to 7 mm, respectively. When the horizontal length and the vertical length of the substrate 10 are too large, it is difficult to insert the photo-stimulation artificial retina device 100 into the eye. In addition, when the horizontal length and the vertical length of the substrate 10 are too small, it is difficult to secure the required number of microlenses 12 to secure an appropriate resolution. Therefore, the horizontal length and the vertical length of the substrate 10 are adjusted in the above-described range.

The plurality of microlenses 12 are disposed in contact with the substrate 10. Surfaces of the plurality of microlenses 12 may be formed to be convex toward the outside. The plurality of microlenses 12 collects light incident from the outside and provides the collected light to the retina. As a result, the intensity of light provided to the retina can be appropriately adjusted. In addition, the plurality of microlenses 12 provides the blind person with high resolution vision. The conventional retinal prosthetic device using the electrical stimulation method is limited in the number of electrodes that can be used to provide high-resolution vision. In contrast, the photo-stimulated artificial retina device 100 includes a plurality of microlenses 12 of which the number is not limited, so that the blind person can provide high-resolution vision. To this end, the plurality of microlenses 12 are arranged in an array form.

The number of microlenses 12 can be adjusted to 900 to 3600. If the number of microlenses 12 is too small, high resolution cannot be realized. Also, if the number of microlenses 12 is too large, it is impossible to form on a very small substrate 10. Therefore, the number of microlenses 12 is adjusted to the above range. Meanwhile, the light transmittance of the microlenses 12 may be 90% or more. By using the microlenses 12 having the above-described light transmittance, the light collecting efficiency of the photostimulus-type retina device 100 may be maximized.

As shown in FIG. 1, the diameter D12 of the microlens 12 is adjusted to 10 μm to 500 μm. If the diameter of the microlenses 12 is too large, retinal nerve cells cannot be efficiently photostimulated. In addition, when the diameter of the microlens 12 is too small, the light focused to the pigment epithelium can reach and burn the pigment epithelium. Therefore, only the retinal nerve cells can be locally photostimulated by adjusting the focal length of the microlens 12 in the above-described range. On the other hand, the numerical aperture NA of the microlens 12 is preferably 0.005 to 1. In this case, retinal nerve cells can be photostimulated locally.

The photostimulation artificial retina device 100 may be manufactured using silicon or a polymer. For example, PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane, polydimethylsiloxane) may be used as the polymer. These materials are suitable for use because they are friendly to the human body. In addition, the substrate 10 and the plurality of microlenses 12 may be integrally formed or formed step by step by injection molding or the like. When the substrate 10 and the plurality of microlenses 12 are integrally formed, the plurality of microlenses 12 may be formed over the entire surface of the substrate 10.

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a state of use of the photo-stimulatory artificial retina device 100 of FIG. 1. The state of use of the photo-stimulated artificial retina device 100 of FIG. 2 is merely for illustrating the present invention, and the present invention is not limited thereto. Therefore, the state of use of the photo-stimulation artificial retina device 100 can be modified in various forms.

As shown in FIG. 2, the eyeball 90 may include the retina 900, the neural tissue 910, the choriod 920, the sclera 930, and the cornea 940. , A pupil 950, an iris 960, and a ciliary body 970.

The eye 90 is surrounded by fat and connective tissue to protect it from external impacts and only its front part is exposed to air. The eyeball 90 is composed of the outer film, the middle film, the inner film, and the inner contents. Here, the envelope consists of a transparent cornea 940 occupying about 1/6 anterior and a white sclera 930 occupying about 5/6 posterior. The mesentery is a vascular tissue on the inner surface of the outer membrane and is composed of the iris 960, the ciliary 970, and the choroid 920. The intima refers to the innermost retina 900 of the eyeball 90. The retina 900 plays an important role in visual formation and is connected to the brain through the neural tissue 910. The intraocular content includes a pupil 950. Each of the aforementioned organs included in the eyeball 90 can be easily understood by those skilled in the art, and thus detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 2, the photostimulatory artificial retina device 100 may be attached to the front of the retina 900. Light incident through the eyeball 90 is collected by the photostimulatory artificial retinal device 100 and then provided to the retinal nerve cells. On the other hand, since the insertion process in the eye 90 of the photo-stimulation artificial retina device 100 is similar to the insertion process of the conventional retinal electro-stimulation device can be easily understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. The detailed description is omitted.

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates an operating state of the photo-stimulatory artificial retina device 100 of FIG. 2. 3 schematically shows an enlarged photo-stimulated artificial retina device 100 and its peripheral portion of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, the retina 900 includes ganglion cells 901, amacrine cells 903, bipolar cells 905, and horizontal cells. 907, rod cone 909 and pigment epithelium 911. The photoreceptor (not shown) connected to the retina 900 is connected to the aforementioned nerve cells, converts the optical signal into an electrical signal, and transmits the electrical signal to the aforementioned nerve cells. Therefore, electric signals are transmitted to the brain through nerve cells so that a person can see the outside. However, when the photoreceptor connected to the retina 900 is necrotic due to a disease such as diabetes, it is impossible to convert the signal into an electrical signal.

Therefore, this problem is solved by expressing a photosensitive gene in the retinal nerve cell 901 described above. That is, the photosensitive gene rhodopsin (rhodopsin), halohodopsin (halorhodopsin) or channel rhodopsin2 using adenovirus (AV, adenovirus) or adeno associated virus (adeno associated virus, AAV) as a vector retinal nerve cells (901) ), The photosensitive gene is expressed in the retinal nerve cell 901 and the retinal nerve cell 901 is changed to photosensitive. Therefore, when irradiating light of appropriate intensity to these retinal nerve cells 901, retinal nerve cells 901 are stimulated by the light and transmits a visual signal to the brain. Therefore, even blind people can recover their vision. Since such photosensitive gene therapy method is easily understood by those skilled in the art, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 3, the light collected through the photo-stimulatory artificial retinal device 100 is irradiated to the retinal nerve cells 901. Therefore, the retinal neurons 901 expressing the photosensitive gene are irradiated with light of an appropriate intensity through the photo-stimulatory artificial retinal device 100, and thus may transmit visual signals to the brain in response thereto. On the other hand, when the light focused to the pigment epithelium 911 is irradiated, all of the cells can be burned. Therefore, by irradiating local light only to the retinal nerve cells 901 using the photo-stimulation artificial retina device 100, vision can be restored through strong photo-stimulation.

4 schematically shows a state of use of the photo-stimulation artificial retina device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The state of use of the photo-stimulatory artificial retina device of FIG. 4 is merely for illustrating the present invention, and the present invention is not limited thereto. Therefore, the state of use of the photo-stimulated artificial retina device may be modified differently.

As shown in FIG. 4, the photo-stimulating artificial retina device may be formed by additionally using the micro light emitting unit 300. Although not shown in FIG. 4, the micro light emitting unit 300 is detachably attached to the head and applied to irradiate light having a specific wavelength toward the substrate 10. Head detachment and mounting process of the micro light emitting unit 300 can be easily understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. In some cases, the micro light emitting unit 300 may be attached to the eye in the form of a micro lens.

The micro light emitting unit 300 may be used to adjust the wavelength of light to enter the eye. Although not shown in FIG. 4, the micro light emitting unit 300 includes an amplifier, a converter, a current driver, an optical filter, and the like, and thus the wavelength of light may be freely adjusted. The detailed method of adjusting the wavelength of light can be easily understood by those skilled in the art, and thus the detailed description thereof is omitted.

Channel rhodopsin2 (ChR2) used as a photogene is opened by short wavelength light as an ion channel protein. In this case, extracellular Na + enters a large amount and reduces the potential difference of the cell membrane, thereby increasing the cell's electrical activity. Therefore, by injecting a dodocin 2 into the channel to the retinal cells it is possible to transmit the signal by activating the retinal cells. As a result, the activity of the retinal cells can be controlled by appropriately adjusting the wavelength of light. For example, the wavelength of the light irradiated by the micro light emitting unit 300 may be adjusted to 400 nm to 550 nm in order to activate the channel rhodopsin 2. If the wavelength of the light is outside the above-mentioned range, the channel rhodopsin 2 is not activated and thus is turned off. As described above, retinal nerve cells can be controlled at high speed by adjusting the wavelength of light to keep the channelodosin 2 in the on and off states.

On the other hand, halohosopsin can be used in addition to channel rhodopsin 2 as a photogene. In this case, the wavelength of the light can be adjusted to 400 nm to 1 μm to make it on. This wavelength range includes visible light and near infrared light. If the wavelength of light is outside the above-mentioned range, halodoxin is not activated and thus is turned off.

The micro light emitting unit 300 includes an image sensor 31 and a plurality of light emitting diodes 33. The image sensor 31 converts light received from the outside into an electrical signal. As the image sensor 31, a complementary metal semiconductor (CMOS) sensor or a charge coupled device (CCD) sensor may be used.

The plurality of light emitting diodes 33 are electrically connected to the image sensor 31. The plurality of light emitting diodes 33 are connected to the image sensor 31 to irradiate light corresponding to the above-described electrical signal toward the substrate 10. As described above, the wavelength of the light to be irradiated may be adjusted using the micro light emitting unit 300.

5 is an enlarged schematic view of an optical stimulation artificial retina device 400 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The structure of the photo-stimulated artificial retina device 400 of FIG. 5 is merely for illustrating the present invention, and the present invention is not limited thereto. Therefore, the structure of the photo-stimulation artificial retina device 400 can be modified in other forms. In addition, since the photo-stimulated artificial retina device 400 of FIG. 5 is similar to the photo-stimulated artificial retina device 100 of FIG. 1, the same reference numerals are used for the same parts, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 5, the photostimuli type artificial retina device 400 includes a substrate 10 and a plurality of microlenses 42. Here, the plurality of micro lenses 42 has a hexagonal shape. Although the plurality of microlenses 42 has a hexagonal shape in FIG. 5, the plurality of microlenses 42 may have various polygonal shapes other than hexagons. For example, the plurality of microlenses 42 may have a triangular, rectangular or pentagonal shape.

As shown in FIG. 5, since the plurality of microlenses 42 are located adjacent to each other, light may be efficiently collected and delivered to retinal neurons so that retinal neurons may be efficiently photostimulated. In addition, since the size of the photo-stimulation artificial retina device 400 can be minimized, it is suitable for insertion into the eye. Meanwhile, surfaces of the plurality of microlenses 42 may be convex toward the outside.

Hereinafter, the optical stimulation artificial retina device 200 according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8. Since the photo-stimulated artificial retina device 200 according to the third embodiment of the present invention is similar to the photo-stimulated artificial retina device 100 of FIGS. 1 to 3, the same reference numerals are used for the same parts, and detailed description thereof will be given. Omit.

6 schematically shows a photo-stimulation artificial retina device 200 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. 6 shows an enlarged cross-sectional structure of the photo-stimulatory artificial retina device 200. The photostimulatory artificial retina device 200 of FIG. 6 is merely for illustrating the present invention, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Therefore, the structure of the photo-stimulation artificial retina device 200 can be modified in other forms.

As shown in FIG. 6, the photostimulatory artificial retina device 200 includes a substrate 10 and a plurality of micromirrors 22. In addition, the photo-stimulated artificial retina device 200 may further include other components as necessary.

The plurality of micromirrors 22 are disposed in contact with the substrate 10. The plurality of micromirrors 22 reflects the light incident from the outside and provides it to the retina. As a result, the intensity of light provided to the retina can be locally increased. In addition, the use of a plurality of micromirrors 22 provides a high resolution vision for the blind. The conventional retinal prosthetic device using the electrical stimulation method is limited in the number of electrodes that can be used to provide high-resolution vision. In contrast, the photo-stimulatory artificial retina device 200 according to the third embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of micromirrors 22 without limitation, so that the blind person can provide high-resolution vision. have. To this end, the plurality of micromirrors 22 are arranged in an array form. Hereinafter, the structure of the micromirror 22 will be described in more detail through the enlarged circle of FIG. 6.

As shown in the enlarged circle of FIG. 6, the micromirror 22 includes a mirror portion 221 and a light transmitting cover portion 223. The mirror portion 221 is formed concave toward the retina (shown in FIG. 7, hereinafter same). The light reflectance of the mirror portion 221 is preferably 80% to 90%. If the light reflectance of the mirror portion 221 is too low, the retinal nerve cells cannot be efficiently photostimulated. In addition, due to design limitations, the light reflectance of the mirror unit 221 cannot be adjusted too high. Since the mirror unit 221 has the light reflectivity in the above-described range, the micromirror 22 can efficiently reflect the incident light to photostimulate retinal nerve cells. To this end, the mirror unit 221 may be formed of a material having excellent light reflectivity while being harmless to the human body such as silver (Ag). The mirror unit 221 may further include a material other than silver. When manufacturing the mirror portion 221, after forming a mask to expose only the opening formed in the substrate 10, silver is sputtered at room temperature. Details of the above-described process can be easily understood by those skilled in the art using a semiconductor process or the like, and thus detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The mirror unit 221 may reflect the incident light and return it to the retina. As a result, since the light intensity can be amplified, retinal neurons expressing the photosensitive gene can be more strongly photostimulated.

As shown in the enlarged circle of FIG. 6, the mirror portion 221 may be embedded in the substrate 10. Although the mirror 221 is completely embedded in the substrate 10 in the enlarged circle of FIG. 6, the mirror 221 may be partially embedded in the substrate 10. On the other hand, the light transmission cover portion 223 covers the mirror portion 221. The light transmissive cover part 223 may be manufactured by filling the resin on the mirror part 221 after forming the mirror part 221. After forming the light transmissive cover portion 223, the operation of planarizing the substrate 10 may be performed as necessary. Details of the above-described process can be easily understood by those skilled in the art using a semiconductor process or the like, and thus detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The light transmissive cover part 223 can efficiently transmit the retinal nerve cells without losing the light reflected by the mirror part 221. As a result, retinal nerve cells can be efficiently photostimulated.

As shown in the enlarged circle of FIG. 6, the diameter D22 of the micromirror 22 is adjusted to 10 micrometers-500 micrometers. If the diameter of the micromirror 22 is too large, retinal nerve cells cannot be efficiently photostimulated. In addition, when the diameter of the micromirror 22 is too small, the light condensed to the pigment epithelium may arrive and burn the pigment epithelium. Therefore, only the retinal nerve cells can be locally photostimulated by adjusting the focal length of the micromirror 22 in the above-described range. On the other hand, it is preferable that the numerical aperture NA of a micromirror is 0.005-1. In this case, retinal nerve cells can be photostimulated locally.

On the other hand, the photo-stimulation artificial retina device 200 may be manufactured using silicon or a polymer. For example, PDMS etc. can be used as a polymer. These materials are suitable for use because they are friendly to the human body. In addition, the substrate 10 and the micromirror 22 may be integrally formed or formed step by step by injection molding or the like.

FIG. 7 schematically illustrates a state of use of the photo-stimulating artificial retina device 200 of FIG. 6. The state of use of the photo-stimulated artificial retina device 200 of FIG. 7 is merely for illustrating the present invention, and the present invention is not limited thereto. Therefore, the state of use of the photo-stimulation artificial retina device 200 can be modified in various forms.

As shown in FIG. 7, the photo-stimulatory artificial retina device 200 may be attached under the retina 900. Light incident through the eyeball 90 is reflected by the photostimulatory artificial retina device 200 and provided to the retina.

FIG. 8 schematically illustrates an operating state of the photo-stimulatory artificial retina device 200 of FIG. 7. FIG. 8 schematically shows an enlarged photo-stimulated artificial retina device 200 of FIG. 7 and a portion thereof.

As shown in FIG. 8, the photo-stimulatory artificial retinal device 200 may be inserted under the retina, more specifically in front of the pigment epithelium 911. The insertion process of the photo-stimulated artificial retina device 200 is similar to the retinal electric stimulation device, so that those skilled in the art can easily understand, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 8, the light incident toward the retina 900 is reflected through the photo-stimulatory artificial retina device 200 and irradiated to the retinal nerve cells 901. Therefore, the retinal neurons 901 expressing the photosensitive gene are irradiated with light of an appropriate intensity through the photo-stimulatory artificial retinal device 200, and thus may transmit visual signals to the brain in response thereto. On the other hand, when the light is reflected up to the retina 900, it may cause mutual interference with the light incident to the retina 900 may be confused in vision. Therefore, by irradiating local light only to retinal nerve cells using the photo-stimulation artificial retina device 200, vision can be restored through a strong photo-stimulation.

9 schematically shows a state of use of the photo-stimulation artificial retina device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The state of use of the photo-stimulatory artificial retina device of FIG. 9 is merely for illustrating the present invention, and the present invention is not limited thereto. Therefore, the state of use of the photo-stimulated artificial retina device may be modified differently. Since the micro light emitting unit 300 of FIG. 9 is the same as the micro light emitting unit 300 of FIG. 4, the same reference numerals are used, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 9, the photo-stimulating artificial retina device may be constructed by additionally using the micro light emitting unit 300. Therefore, only light having a wavelength that responds to a specific photosensitive gene can be incident on the photo-stimulatory artificial retina device 200.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the following claims.

10. Substrate
12, 42.Microlenses
22. Micromirror
31. Image Sensor
33. Light Emitting Diode
100, 200, 400. Photo-stimulated artificial retina device
221. Mirror part
223. Light transmissive cover
300. Micro light emitting unit
900. Retina
901. Retinal nerve cells
903.Amacrine Cells
905. Bipolar Cells
907. Horizontal Cells
909.Roadcon
910. Nervous tissue
911. Pigmented Epithelium
920. Choroid
930. Scleral
940. The cornea
950. Pupil
960. Iris
970. The ciliary body

Claims (17)

A flexible substrate adapted to be provided in front of the retina where the photosensitive gene is expressed, and
A plurality of microlenses in contact with the substrate and adapted to collect and provide light to the retina
Photo-stimulated artificial retina device comprising a. The method of claim 1,
The diameter of the plurality of microlenses is 10㎛ to 500㎛, the numerical aperture (NA) of the plurality of microlenses is a photo-stimulation artificial retinal device. The method of claim 1,
The plurality of microlenses have a polygonal shape, and are located adjacent to each other. The method of claim 3,
The polygon is a hexagonal photo-stimulation artificial retina device. The method of claim 1,
And the flexible substrate and the plurality of microlenses are integrally formed. The method of claim 1,
At least one microlens of the plurality of microlenses of the artificial retina device of 90% or more light transmittance. A flexible substrate adapted to provide a subretinal in which the photosensitive gene is expressed, and
A plurality of micro mirrors in contact with the substrate and adapted to reflect and provide light to the retina
Photo-stimulated artificial retina device comprising a. The method of claim 7, wherein
The plurality of micromirrors,
A mirror portion embedded in the substrate to be concave toward the retina and reflecting the light;
A light transmissive cover part covering the mirror part
Photo-stimulated artificial retina device comprising a. 9. The method of claim 8,
And the mirror portion is formed by sputtering. 10. The method of claim 9,
The retinal device including the mirror portion silver. The method of claim 7, wherein
And a light reflectance of the plurality of micromirrors is 80% to 90%. The method of claim 7, wherein
The diameter of the plurality of micromirrors is 10㎛ to 500㎛, the numerical aperture (NA) of the plurality of micromirrors is a photo-stimulation artificial retina device. 8. The method of claim 1 or 7,
The photo-stimulated artificial retina device is a photo-stimulated artificial retina device comprising at least one material selected from the group consisting of silicon and polymer. 8. The method of claim 1 or 7,
And a micro light-emitting unit detachably attached to the head and adapted to irradiate light having a wavelength stimulating the photosensitive gene toward the substrate. 15. The method of claim 14,
The micro light emitting unit,
An image sensor for converting external light into an electrical signal, and
A plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) electrically connected to the image sensor and adapted to irradiate the substrate with light having a wavelength stimulating the photosensitive gene toward the substrate;
Photo-stimulated artificial retina device comprising a. 16. The method of claim 15,
When the photosensitive gene is a channel rhodopsin2 (ChR2), the micro light emitting unit is a photo-stimulating artificial retina device for controlling the wavelength of the light to 400nm to 550nm. 16. The method of claim 15,
When the photosensitive gene is halohodopsin (halorhodopsin), the micro light emitting unit is a photo-stimulating artificial retina device for controlling the wavelength of the light to 400nm to 1㎛.

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