Joseph F Rizzo

US Patent:

6368349, Apr 9, 2002

Filed:

Nov 21, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/717738

Inventors:

John Wyatt - Sudbury MA
Doug Shire - Ithaca NY
Joseph Rizzo - Boston MA

Assignee:

Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Cambridge MA

International Classification:

A61F 216

US Classification:

623 663, 607 54

Abstract:

Neural prosthesis for implantation within an eye. The prosthesis includes a foldable substrate and at least one electronic component supported by the substrate. At least one microchannel is disposed within the substrate. Upon inflation, the foldable substrate will unfold to provide for close contact of the electronic component with neural tissue, thus facilitating surgical implantation through a narrow incision, yet allowing the unfolded device to cover a sufficiently large portion of the patients retina to provide useful vision.

US Patent:

6976998, Dec 20, 2005

Filed:

Jan 17, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/346701

Inventors:

Joseph F. Rizzo - Boston MA, US
Luke Theogarajan - Somerville MA, US

Assignee:

Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Cambridge MA
Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary - Boston MA

International Classification:

A61F002/16

US Classification:

623 663, 607 54

Abstract:

An ocular device that can more safely and effectively perform all functions needed of a retinal prosthesis with electronic components that are placed outside the wall of an eye, are powered wirelessly provided by an external power source, and which provide a patient with a view determined by natural motion of the eye and triggered by natural incident light converging at the retina. In one aspect, the invention is an externally powered, light-activated, sub-retinal prosthesis in which natural light entering the eye conveys visual details to the sub-retinal prosthesis, while wireless radiofrequency transmission provides the power needed to stimulate the retina, which would be insufficient if it were obtained from the intensity of incoming light alone.

US Patent:

7295872, Nov 13, 2007

Filed:

Oct 9, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/267764

Inventors:

Shawn Kelly - Cambridge MA, US
Joseph Rizzo - Boston MA, US
John Wyatt - Sudbury MA, US

Assignee:

Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Cambridge MA

International Classification:

A61N 1/18

US Classification:

607 2, 607 4, 607 9, 607 34, 607 53, 607 61

Abstract:

Circuitry for and method of power efficient operation of, and energy recovery from, tissue-stimulating electrodes having high charge capacities. Post-stimulation energy is recovered from the electrodes through a variety of techniques into circuit elements such as other electrodes, an intermediate distribution system, a power supply or any other elements, through the use of sequential switching. Energy is also recoverable from the intermediate distribution system, which preferably is comprised of one or more storage capacitors operating a different voltages. Efficient power transfer among circuit elements is effected by transferring energy while limiting element-element voltage differences and/or voltage differences between the elements and the capacitances of the electrodes.

US Patent:

55973817, Jan 28, 1997

Filed:

Jun 3, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/072321

Inventors:

Joseph Rizzo - Boston MA

Assignee:

Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary - Boston MA

International Classification:

A61F 214

US Classification:

623 4

Abstract:

A method for epi-retinal implantation of an object into a subject is disclosed. The method includes rendering the normally transparent cortical vitreous visible and separating at least a portion of a cortical vitreous of the subject away from an adherent retinal surface to form an epi-retinal space between the retina and the separated cortical vitreous material. An object to be implanted may be introduced into the epi-retinal space and the object engaged with a surface of the retina. In preferred embodiments, the object may then be adhered to the surface of the retina. A method for implantation of a neural contact structure for contact with neural tissue, for example, neural tissue of the retina within which are ganglion cells to be electrically stimulated is also described. The contact structure comprises a first portion for attachment to a first bodily location, such as the inner surface of the retina, and a second portion interconnected with the first portion via an interconnection and being held in contact with the neural tissue. The interconnection exhibits a weak restoring force which in conjunction with the geometry of said second portion provides a preselected desired pressure of contact against the neural tissue.

US Patent:

63244292, Nov 27, 2001

Filed:

May 7, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/306964

Inventors:

Doug Shire - Ithaca NY
Joseph Rizzo - Boston MA
John Wyatt - Sudbury MA

Assignee:

Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary - Boston MA
Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Cambridge MA

International Classification:

A61N 108

US Classification:

607 54

Abstract:

A combination of silicon processing technology advances and increased understanding of the mechanisms underlying phosphene generation in human retinas by surface electrical stimulation has now made it possible to conceive of a chronically implantable retinal prosthesis for the blind which will restore some useful vision to patients over at least several degrees of their former field of view. These thin, strong, and flexible epiretinal devices are constructed of or encapsulated in known biocompatible materials which will have a long working life in the eye's saline environment. The function of the implants is to electrically stimulate the ganglion cell layer at the surface of the retina using controlled current sources. Due to the exceptionally low mass of the implant and its flexible, nearly planar form, patient discomfort and fluid drag caused by the implant minimized. These physical atttributes also substantially reduce the potential of harm to the most delicate structure of the eye, the retina, and therefore enhance the long term safety and biocompatibility of the device.

US Patent:

55541879, Sep 10, 1996

Filed:

Aug 18, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/517157

Inventors:

Joseph Rizzo - Boston MA

International Classification:

A61F 216

US Classification:

623 6

Abstract:

Medication dispensing intra-ocular lens system for implantation into an eye. An implantable intra-ocular lens includes a carrier medium disposed on a surface of the lens. A biologically active material is embedded in the carrier medium for controlled release into the eye. Contemplated biologically active materials include antibiotics, anti-inflammatory agents and cell growth inhibitors. The controlled release of biologically active materials within the eye is more effective than conventional topical applications of the same substances.

US Patent:

54115400, May 2, 1995

Filed:

Jun 3, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/072320

Inventors:

David J. Edell - Lexington MA
John L. Wyatt - Sudbury MA
Joseph Rizzo - Boston MA

Assignee:

Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Cambridge MA

International Classification:

A61N 100

US Classification:

607 53

Abstract:

The invention provides a method for preferentially stimulating neural somas over neural axons located around the somas but not integral with the somas. In the invention, a positive electrical pulse is applied to a region of neural tissue consisting of one or more neural somas to be stimulated and neural axons, and due to the physiology of the somas, they are preferentially stimulated by the electrical pulse over the neural axons not integral with the somas to be stimulated. The preferential soma stimulation provided by the invention achieves the advantage of locally focusing external stimulation such that it may be directed to particular soma locations for indicating location-dependent sensory information. Thus the pulse scheme of the invention may be employed in prosthetic applications directed to, for example, the retinal ganglia neural tissue.

US Patent:

58005307, Sep 1, 1998

Filed:

Aug 18, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/516711

Inventors:

Joseph Rizzo - Boston MA

International Classification:

A61F 216

US Classification:

623 6

Abstract:

Dynamically functional intra-ocular prosthesis. The prosthesis includes an implantable intra-ocular lens and microelectronic components mounted on the lens. One embodiment is a variable focal length implantable intra-ocular lens system for adjusting the focal length of the implantable lens. In one embodiment, a micromotor changes the tension in a band encircling the peripheral portion of the deformable lens changing its shape to vary its focal length. Another embodiment is an artificial intra-ocular lens which serves as a holding substrate for microelectronic components that form part of a prosthesis to stimulate the neural elements of the eye to restore vision to patients who are blind from retinal disease.