title: Multi-channel stimulator IC using a channel sharing method for retinal prostheses.
abstract: A retinal stimulator is an implantable device restoring vision by supplying a controlled, stimulating electrical signal to people blinded by retinal diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and retinitis pigmentosa (RP). The resolution requirements of artificial retina systems become increasingly significant in their design as well as their usefulness. At least 32 x 32 pixels are required to provide a minimal visual function. However, a retinal stimulator with a high resolution imposes severe constraints on interface electronics. In this paper, a new stimulator IC (integrated chip) using a channel sharing technique is developed to minimize the circuit size, power consumption, as well as overheating of retina tissues. The proposed current-mode stimulator is fabricated by a 0.35 microm 2-poly/4-metal BCDMOS technology. Attention is given to minimizing the silicon area so that higher channel numbers can be implemented. The stimulator for each channel can provide output current in the range of 0-350 muA. The effective chip area excluding the pads is 1.2 mm x 1.2 mm.
authors.affiliation: ASRI/ISRC, School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 151-742, Korea.
authors.forename: Jae-Hyun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Ahn
authors.forename: Sang-Min
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Seok-June
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Hyung-Jung
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Yoo
authors.forename: Suk-Won
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.forename: Sun-Kil
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Hyoung-Ho
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.forename: Dong-Il
authors.initials: DI
authors.lastname: Cho
mesh_terms: D004560:Electricity; D004566:Electrodes; D004581:Electronics / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D057488:Visual Prosthesis