The EPIRET3 implant is a remotely controlled, fully intraocular wireless device consisting of a receiver and a stimulator module. The stimulator is placed on the retinal surface. Data and energy are transmitted via an inductive link from outside the eye to the implant. Surgery included removal of the lens, vitrectomy, and implantation of the EPIRET3 device through a corneal incision.

Commercial Partners

• Epi-Ret GmBH

  Giessen, Germany

Background

Electrical impulses are transferred to the retina by 25, 100 micrometer diameter electrodes arrayed in a hexagonal pattern coated in a thin film of iridium oxide and affixed to the end of a via a 40 mm long, 3 mm wide polyimide foil micro-cable which connects the electrodes to a receiver module implanted within the lens capsule. The receiver module consists of a receiver coil that wirelessly obtains transmitted data, a receiver chip that processes that data, and a stimulation chip that generates and sends impulse activation patterns to the micro-electrode array. The entire implant is coated with parylene C for biocompatibility.[29] The internal coil receives temporospatial data and power wirelessly from an external coil and transmitter unit attached to glasses in front of the eye. Data and power originate from a portable computer system worn or carried by the user.

Device Specifications

• Number of electrodes: 25
• Electrode layout: hexagonal
• Electrode diameter: 100 μm
• Electrode pitch: 500 μm