Eye-surface conformable telemetric structure for polymer-based retinal prosthesis.

In this research, inductive telemetric structure for retinal prosthesis was developed based on Liquid Crystal Polymers. For power and data transmission into the polymer-based retinal implant which is conformable to eye surface, the designed coil was thermo-formed into convex shape. The geometric parameters of the coil were optimized using finite element method (FEM) simulations for maximizing coupling coefficient and quality factor. The electrical properties of fabricated coils were characterized and their power and data transmission performance was tested. The properties of deformed structure were compared to those of the planar structure. In vivo experiment were also conducted to confirm the functionality of telemetry system in implanted conditions as well as to estimate the influence of biological media upon link properties.