Chronic electrical stimulation with a suprachoroidal retinal prosthesis: a preclinical safety and efficacy study.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

To assess the safety and efficacy of chronic electrical stimulation of the retina with a suprachoroidal visual prosthesis.

Methods

Seven normally-sighted feline subjects were implanted for 96-143 days with a suprachoroidal electrode array and six were chronically stimulated for 70-105 days at levels that activated the visual cortex. Charge balanced, biphasic, current pulses were delivered to platinum electrodes in a monopolar stimulation mode. Retinal integrity/function and the mechanical stability of the implant were assessed monthly using electroretinography (ERG), optical coherence tomography (OCT) and fundus photography. Electrode impedances were measured weekly and electrically-evoked visual cortex potentials (eEVCPs) were measured monthly to verify that chronic

SUBMITTER: Nayagam DA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4031073 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature