Journal article

Chronic electrical stimulation with a suprachoroidal retinal prosthesis: A preclinical safety and efficacy study

DAX Nayagam, RA Williams, PJ Allen, MN Shivdasani, CD Luu, CM Salinas-LaRosa, S Finch, LN Ayton, AL Saunders, M McPhedran, C McGowan, J Villalobos, JB Fallon, AK Wise, J Yeoh, J Xu, H Feng, R Millard, M McWade, PC Thien Show all

Plos One | Published : 2014

Open access

Abstract

Purpose: To assess the safety and efficacy of chronic electrical stimulation of the retina with a suprachoroidal visual prosthesis. Methods: Seven normally-sighted feline subjects were implanted for 96-143 days with a suprachoroidal electrode array and six were chronically stimulated for 70-105 days at levels that activated the visual cortex. Charge balanced, biphasic, current pulses were delivered to platinum electrodes in a monopolar stimulation mode. Retinal integrity/function and the mechanical stability of the implant were assessed monthly using electroretinography (ERG), optical coherence tomography (OCT) and fundus photography. Electrode impedances were measured weekly and electricall..

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Grants

Awarded by NH&MRC Centre for Clinical Research Excellence


Funding Acknowledgements

This research was supported by the Australian Research Council (ARC) through its Special Research Initiative (SRI) in Bionic Vision Science and Technology grant to Bionic Vision Australia (BVA). Both the Bionics Institute and the Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA) receive Operational Infrastructure Support from the Victorian Government. CERA is supported by the NH&MRC Centre for Clinical Research Excellence (#529923) - Translational Clinical Research in Major Eye Diseases. The Bionics Institute would also like to acknowledge support from the Bertalli Family Trust and the J T Reid Charitable Trust. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.