Micro Fabrication of a Nerve Stimulator for a Retinal Prosthetic Device Michael McNutt Committee: Dr. Ahmed Dr. Wheeler Dr. Wiener

Overview Introduction Introduction Previous Work Previous Work Design and Testing Design and Testing Timeline Timeline Conclusion Conclusion Questions Questions

Introduction Retinal Prosthesis Retinal Prosthesis –Macular Degeneration –Retinitis Pigmentosa Other Uses for a Nerve Stimulator Other Uses for a Nerve Stimulator –Spinal injuries –Hand prosthetics –Drug delivery system

Overview of the eye

Previous Work (Retinal prosthesis) Ultimate goal is to fill in for lost photoreceptors Ultimate goal is to fill in for lost photoreceptors Types of retinal devices Types of retinal devices –“Temporary” chips placed on the retina –Retinal Chip –External Cameras

Previous Work (Nerve Growth) Use Nerve Growth Factors on the Chip Use Nerve Growth Factors on the Chip Chip placed in a bath of nutrients and proteins to aid in growth in vitro Chip placed in a bath of nutrients and proteins to aid in growth in vitro Current Problems Current Problems –Correct direction of growth –Stimulation of the Nerve –Adhesion to the chip

Design and Testing Design Design –Retinal prosthetic device Retinal Chip Retinal Chip –Nerve stimulator Micro Electrical Mechanical Systems Micro Electrical Mechanical Systems –Using LASI to Layout the device Testing of the device Testing of the device –Growing the Nerves in a Petri dish –Horse shoe crap

Timeline Spring 2003 Spring 2003 –Researching previous work Summer 2003 – Fall 2003 Summer 2003 – Fall 2003 –Developing the circuit –Grow nerve cells on to a Si chip Winter 2003 – 2004 Winter 2003 – 2004 –Fabrication and testing of the device

Conclusion Introduction Introduction Previous Work Previous Work –Retinal prosthesis –Nerve growth Design and Testing Design and Testing Timeline Timeline

Questions?