Electronic photoreceptors enable prosthetic visual acuity matching the natural resolution in rats

• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34353-y
• Publication Date: 2022-11-04T10:08:46Z
• Authors: Bing-Yi Wang; Zhijie Charles Chen; Mohajeet Bhuckory; Tiffany Huang; Andrew Shin; Valentina Zuckerman; Elton Ho; Ethan Rosenfeld; Ludwig Galambos; Theodore Kamins; Keith Mathieson; Daniel Palanker
• Keywords: Physics; Science; Q; Visual Acuity; 600; Article; Retina; Electric Stimulation; Rats; Visual Prosthesis; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; 616; Animals; Electronics; Vision, Ocular

Abstract Localized stimulation of the inner retinal neurons for high-acuity prosthetic vision requires small pixels and minimal crosstalk from neighboring electrodes. Local return electrodes within each pixel limit crosstalk, but they over-constrain electric field, thus precluding efficient with subretinal smaller than 55 μm. Here we demonstrate a high-resolution based on novel design photovoltaic array, where field confinement is achieved dynamically, leveraging adjustable conductivity diodes under forward bias to turn designated into transient returns. We validated computational modeling in such an optically-controlled circuit by in-vitro in-vivo measurements. Most importantly, using this strategy, demonstrated that grating acuity 40 μm matches pitch, while 20 pixels, it reaches 28 natural visual resolution rats. This method enables customized shaping individual thickness distance implant, paving way higher atrophic macular degeneration.