MULTIPLE UNIT ARTIFICIAL RATINA CHIP (MARC)

MARC THE CONCEPT

The images are captured by an external camera. Processed and then transmitted to the implant on retina. The implant in-turn transmits these signals to the Ganglion cells and then to the optic nerve.

MARC THE CONCEPT

BLOCK DIAGRAM
Video camera and processor

PWM encoder
Class E power amplifier RF telemetry Data, Clock and power recovery Current control and electrode simulator

BLOCK DIAGRAM

EXTRA-OCULAR CMOS CAMERA AND VIDEO PROCESSING

The CMOS image sensor : Cost effective, less volume, less power Easily mountable on a pair of glasses Video processing : Implemented using ADC, SRAM buffers and CPLD or FPGA

EXTRA-OCULAR CMOS CAMERA AND VIDEO PROCESSING

ASK-PWM ENCODING
Each pulse encodes 1 bit of data 0s represented by 50% duty cycle pulses 1s represnted by alternating larger or smaller duty cycles (75% & 25% resp.) symmetric around 50% Called as ALTERNATE
MARK INVERSION

CLASS E POWER AMPLIFIER

Highly efficient switching power amplifier

Works at very high frequencies(RF)

RF TELEMETRY
Primary coil is present on camera and secondary under the eye RF signals are transmitted from primary to secondary(receiver) Mutual inductance is an important factor and should be maximized

POWER RECOVERY
The high frequency RF carrier envelope is obtained by filtering the output of receiver coil The sinusoidal signal is then amplified to suitable levels and then rectified Rectification provides the required DC voltage power

DATA & CLOCK RECOVERY

The low frequency data signal is obtained by a Low Pass filtering The first RF signal conveys the configuration data which sets the pulse width, height and period Then the actual Image is transmitted ASK demodulator obtains the PWM scheme

Delay Locked Loop (DLL) deciphers the PWM wave to obtain the Data transmitted

CURRENT CONTROLLER AND STIMULATOR

Receives clocking and data info from deciphered PWM 20 controlled variable current sources are used and connected to Demux Each Demux produces 5 outputs and these outputs are connected to 100 electrodes 4 bit(16 level) grayscale stimulus is provided by each current source

HOW THE ELECTRODE LOOKS LIKE?

TYPICAL IMAGE FORMATION

IMPORTANT ASPECTS
More the number of Ganglion cells are stimulated, more is the field of view Less area is available so large electrodes can not be used Better image is formed if more number of electrodes are present Process must be very fast so that the patient sees everything in real time Any noticeable lag can stimulate the "vestibularocular reflex", making people feel dizzy and sick.

FUTURE SCOPE