CMOS-Based Multichip Networked Flexible Retinal Stimulator Designed for Image-Based Retinal Prosthesis

We propose and characterize a CMOS LSI-based neural stimulator for retinal prosthesis technology. The stimulator is based upon a multichip architecture in which small-sized CMOS stimulators named "unit chips" are organized on a flexible substrate. We designed a unit chip with an on-chip stimulator and light-sensing circuitry. We verified that all the functions implemented on the unit chip worked correctly and that an organized unit chip can be used as a retinal stimulator with multisite image-based patterned stimulation. We also demonstrated light-controlled retinal stimulation for the first time in an in vivo animal experiment on a rabbit's retina.