DR. JOSEPH F RIZZO, MD
Neurology at Charles St, Boston, MA

6368349, Apr 9, 2002

Nov 21, 2000

09/717738

John Wyatt - Sudbury MA
Doug Shire - Ithaca NY
Joseph Rizzo - Boston MA

Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Cambridge MA

A61F 216

623 663, 607 54

Neural prosthesis for implantation within an eye. The prosthesis includes a foldable substrate and at least one electronic component supported by the substrate. At least one microchannel is disposed within the substrate. Upon inflation, the foldable substrate will unfold to provide for close contact of the electronic component with neural tissue, thus facilitating surgical implantation through a narrow incision, yet allowing the unfolded device to cover a sufficiently large portion of the patients retina to provide useful vision.

5597381, Jan 28, 1997

Jun 3, 1993

8/072321

Joseph Rizzo - Boston MA

Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary - Boston MA

A61F 214

623 4

A method for epi-retinal implantation of an object into a subject is disclosed. The method includes rendering the normally transparent cortical vitreous visible and separating at least a portion of a cortical vitreous of the subject away from an adherent retinal surface to form an epi-retinal space between the retina and the separated cortical vitreous material. An object to be implanted may be introduced into the epi-retinal space and the object engaged with a surface of the retina. In preferred embodiments, the object may then be adhered to the surface of the retina. A method for implantation of a neural contact structure for contact with neural tissue, for example, neural tissue of the retina within which are ganglion cells to be electrically stimulated is also described. The contact structure comprises a first portion for attachment to a first bodily location, such as the inner surface of the retina, and a second portion interconnected with the first portion via an interconnection and being held in contact with the neural tissue. The interconnection exhibits a weak restoring force which in conjunction with the geometry of said second portion provides a preselected desired pressure of contact against the neural tissue.

6324429, Nov 27, 2001

May 7, 1999

9/306964

Doug Shire - Ithaca NY
Joseph Rizzo - Boston MA
John Wyatt - Sudbury MA

Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary - Boston MA
Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Cambridge MA

A61N 108

607 54

A combination of silicon processing technology advances and increased understanding of the mechanisms underlying phosphene generation in human retinas by surface electrical stimulation has now made it possible to conceive of a chronically implantable retinal prosthesis for the blind which will restore some useful vision to patients over at least several degrees of their former field of view. These thin, strong, and flexible epiretinal devices are constructed of or encapsulated in known biocompatible materials which will have a long working life in the eye's saline environment. The function of the implants is to electrically stimulate the ganglion cell layer at the surface of the retina using controlled current sources. Due to the exceptionally low mass of the implant and its flexible, nearly planar form, patient discomfort and fluid drag caused by the implant minimized. These physical atttributes also substantially reduce the potential of harm to the most delicate structure of the eye, the retina, and therefore enhance the long term safety and biocompatibility of the device.

6120538, Sep 19, 2000

May 7, 1998

9/074196

Joseph Rizzo - Boston MA
John L. Wyatt - Sudbury MA

Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary - Boston MA

A61F 216

623 611

Dynamically functional intra-ocular prosthesis. The prosthesis includes an implantable intra-ocular lens and microelectronic components mounted on the lens. One embodiment is a variable focal length implantable intra-ocular lens system for adjusting the focal length of the implantable lens. In one embodiment, a micromotor changes the tension in a band encircling the peripheral portion of the deformable lens changing its shape to vary its focal length. Another embodiment is an artificial intra-ocular lens which serves as a holding substrate for microelectronic components that form part of a prosthesis to stimulate the neural elements of the eye to restore vision to patients who are blind from retinal disease.

6976998, Dec 20, 2005

Jan 17, 2003

10/346701

Joseph F. Rizzo - Boston MA, US
Luke Theogarajan - Somerville MA, US

Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Cambridge MA
Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary - Boston MA

A61F002/16

623 663, 607 54

An ocular device that can more safely and effectively perform all functions needed of a retinal prosthesis with electronic components that are placed outside the wall of an eye, are powered wirelessly provided by an external power source, and which provide a patient with a view determined by natural motion of the eye and triggered by natural incident light converging at the retina. In one aspect, the invention is an externally powered, light-activated, sub-retinal prosthesis in which natural light entering the eye conveys visual details to the sub-retinal prosthesis, while wireless radiofrequency transmission provides the power needed to stimulate the retina, which would be insufficient if it were obtained from the intensity of incoming light alone.

5554187, Sep 10, 1996

Aug 18, 1995

8/517157

Joseph Rizzo - Boston MA

A61F 216

623 6

Medication dispensing intra-ocular lens system for implantation into an eye. An implantable intra-ocular lens includes a carrier medium disposed on a surface of the lens. A biologically active material is embedded in the carrier medium for controlled release into the eye. Contemplated biologically active materials include antibiotics, anti-inflammatory agents and cell growth inhibitors. The controlled release of biologically active materials within the eye is more effective than conventional topical applications of the same substances.