John J Doorish

US Patent:

58369961, Nov 17, 1998

Filed:

Dec 30, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/777075

Inventors:

John F. Doorish - Brooklyn NY

International Classification:

A61N 105

US Classification:

607 54

Abstract:

The present invention is an artificial retina system that is sufficiently small so as to be fully implantable in the human eye. The artificial retina system comprises an array of artificial retinas. Each artificial retina comprises a light sensing element; an emitter element, where the emitter element is coupled to the light sensing element; and a detector element, where the detector element receives signals from the emitter element. The light sensing element intercepts light and transmits an electrical signal to the emitter element. In response to the electrical signal received from the light sensing element, the emitter element emits a signal. In response to the signal emitted by the emitter element, the detector element transmits an electrical signal to the retinal nerves. The intensity of the electrical signal sent to the retinal nerves is directly proportional to the intensity of the incoming light. In a preferred embodiment, a color filter is placed in front of the light sensing elements such that the light sensing element is limited to receiving light having wavelengths in a wavelength band corresponding to a particular color.

US Patent:

58658394, Feb 2, 1999

Filed:

May 19, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/858657

Inventors:

John F. Doorish - Brooklyn NY

International Classification:

A61N 105
A61F 214

US Classification:

607 54

Abstract:

The present invention is an artificial retina system that is sufficiently small so as to be fully implantable in the human eye. The artificial retina system comprises an array of artificial retinas. Each artificial retina comprises a detector element; a fiber optic element for directing incoming visible light of a particular intensity to said detector element, said detector element emitting an output signal as a function of the intensity of the incoming visible light; and a coupler for coupling the output signal of said detector element to the retina.