US20250357918
2025-11-20
Electricity
H03K3/0315
The invention is situated within the domain of implantable optoelectronic devices, focusing on photosensitive ring oscillators (PROs) and their application in flexible artificial retinas. It leverages photosensitive semiconductor materials to create a device that can transduce light into electrical pulse signals, which are then transmitted through the optic nerve. This technology aims to address challenges in artificial vision, particularly for individuals with retinal diseases like retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration.
Retinal diseases often lead to significant vision loss or blindness, prompting extensive research into artificial retinas. Existing solutions, such as the Argus II and Alpha IMS implants, have shown promise but face limitations due to their rigidity and inability to conform to the eye's shape. These devices may cause immune responses and mechanical damage. The invention proposes a flexible, more adaptive solution using photosensitive materials that can convert light into pulsed signals, improving upon the limitations of current technologies.
This invention introduces a flexible artificial retina using photosensitive ring oscillators. The device senses external light signals and converts them into bioelectric signals to stimulate the optic nerve. This process aids in transmitting visual information to the brain's visual cortex, creating a visual image. The invention overcomes previous challenges by utilizing a flexible substrate and advanced materials, ensuring better compatibility with human eyes.
The photosensitive ring oscillator consists of several components arranged on a flexible substrate: a gate electrode, a dielectric layer, a channel layer, and contact electrodes. The materials for these components are selected for their flexibility and compatibility with biological systems. Options include PET, PI, PDMS for substrates; Ti/Au, Ti/Pt for gate electrodes; Al2O3, HfO2 for dielectric layers; and MoS2, WS2 for channel layers.
The preparation method involves fabricating a flexible substrate with a monolayer semiconductor film, followed by constructing gate electrodes and depositing a dielectric layer. Channel materials are then transferred and patterned onto this structure before adding contact electrodes. Techniques such as UV-lithography and ALD are employed to ensure precision and quality in the fabrication process. This method allows for creating large-area photosensitive ring oscillators suitable for artificial retina applications.