Gekeler, Florian and Kobuch, Karin and Schwahn, Hartmut Normann and Stett, Alfred and Shinoda, Kei and Zrenner, Eberhart (2004) Subretinal electrical stimulation of the rabbit retina with acutely implanted electrode arrays. GRAEFES ARCHIVE FOR CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL OPHTHALMOLOGY, 242 (7). pp. 587-596. ISSN 0721-832X,
Full text not available from this repository. (Request a copy)Abstract
Background: Subretinal implants intend to replace photoreceptor function in patients suffering from degenerative retinal disease by topically applying electrical stimuli from the subretinal space. This study intended to prove the feasibility of a newly developed transchoroidal surgery and, furthermore, of a subretinal electrode array, which closely resembles envisioned human implants to electrically stimulate the visual system in rabbits. Methods: Five rabbits (ten eyes) were implanted with a 4x2-electrode array via a transchoroidal access to the subretinal space. The electrodes were connected to an arbitrary stimulus generator to apply voltage pulses. Retinae were accessed by light microscopy after stimulation with various intensities. Results: The stimulating foil could be introduced into the subretinal space in all eyes. In seven of ten eyes electrically evoked cortical potentials following subretinal electrical stimulation could be elicited. Threshold voltages ranged from less than 0.1 to 2.38 V with a corresponding threshold charge of approximately 1.0 nC per electrode or 10 muC/cm(2). Histology revealed localized retinal damage over some of the electrodes succeeding stimulation strengths of 2 V and consistent damage over all electrodes succeeding voltages of 3 V. Conclusions: The study demonstrates the feasibility of the transchoroidal surgical access to place subretinal implants in rabbit eyes and provides proof of successful cortical activation following subretinal electrical stimulation by an electrode array envisioned for human implantations.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | REPLACE DEGENERATED PHOTORECEPTORS; LONG-TERM IMPLANTATION; VISUAL-CORTEX; ARTIFICIAL VISION; MORPHOMETRIC-ANALYSIS; CUFF ELECTRODE; INNER RETINA; BLIND; PROSTHESIS; PIGMENTOSA; |
| Subjects: | 600 Technology > 610 Medical sciences Medicine |
| Divisions: | Medicine > Lehrstuhl für Augenheilkunde |
| Depositing User: | Dr. Gernot Deinzer |
| Date Deposited: | 07 Jul 2021 10:42 |
| Last Modified: | 07 Jul 2021 10:42 |
| URI: | https://pred.uni-regensburg.de/id/eprint/37488 |
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