A data acquisition and analysis system for use with multi-electrode arrays in the development of a retinal prosthesis for degenerative retinal diseases

This thesis describes research carried out towards the development of a retinal prosthesis to aid sufferers of degenerative retinal diseases. Millions of people worldwide are blind as a result of diseases such as Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) and Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). These progressively destroy the photoreceptive components of the eye and have no known cure. For some time a visual prosthesis has been a proposed solution, potentially restoring some semblance of vision. Recent advances in nanofabrication techniques have made a retinal prosthesis feasible. This study forms a part of ongoing research into the development of a novel prosthetic device. This study has involved the development of recording software compatible with the custom-designed low noise data acquisition system created for the purpose of testing prototype prosthesis electrode arrays. These unique flexible arrays, produced on a biocompatible polyimide substrate, incorporate 16 extremely small platinum electrodes of diameter 5 microns which are signifcantly smaller than those used by other groups. Using the intact frog retina as an animal model, it has been shown that it is possible to record responses from discrete populations of retinal ganglion cells in response to a light as a stimulus as well as electrical stimulation. The recording system has also been used to record from the optic tectum of thefrog, paving the way for future studies involving measuring the effects of retinal stimulation on the brain. Finally, in parallel with electrode array studies, a prototype complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) chip has been developed. This chip is the second generation of prosthesis prototype to be produced by our group. It incorporates a pixel detector, biologically-inspired processing and stimulation electronics. The development of the biologically inspired processing model is presented within this thesis.

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

PhD

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of Glasgow

Year dc:date.issued

2009

Author dc:creator

• Moodie, Alan R.

• QC Physics
• T Technology (General)
• RE Ophthalmology
• QP Physiology