CN108686301B

CN108686301B - Device for stimulating optic nerve fibers

Info

Publication number: CN108686301B
Application number: CN201710223814.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 林伯刚
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-04-07
Filing date: 2017-04-07
Publication date: 2022-02-15
Anticipated expiration: 2037-04-07
Also published as: CN108686301A

Abstract

The present invention provides a device for stimulating optic nerve fibers, comprising: the plurality of columnar electrodes are respectively parallel to the length direction of an optic nerve of a human eye, are arranged around the optic nerve of the human eye in a mode of along the circumferential direction of the optic nerve of the human eye, and each of the plurality of columnar electrodes comprises a length; and a power supply device for supplying power to the plurality of columnar electrodes; the retina of a human eye is provided with a plurality of optic nerve fibers, the optic nerve fibers are connected with the optic nerve of the human eye and a macular area of the human eye in a multilayer mode, and the columnar electrodes stimulate the optic nerve fibers around the optic nerve of the human eye in an electrical stimulation mode.

Description

Device for stimulating optic nerve fibers

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a nerve stimulation device, and more particularly, to a device for stimulating optic nerve fibers using a plurality of electrodes.

Background

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) statistics, the global population with eyeball diseases exceeds 4500 million, and the estimated eyeball disease population will increase to 7600 million by 2020 a/min. Among them, if the retina or optic nerve in the eye structure is injured or suffers from diseases, the vision and the perception of external color of the eye will be affected.

Fig. 1 is a simplified diagram illustrating a specific configuration of an eye. It should be understood that only the configuration of the fundus portion of the eye is shown in fig. 1. Referring to fig. 1, the fundus portion of a human eye 1 includes an optic nerve 10 and a retina 12, a plurality of optic fibers (not shown) are connected between the optic nerve 10 and a macular region 14 of the retina 12, the optic nerve 10 can transmit images to the brain, and a protective layer 101 is provided outside the optic nerve 10. The retina 12 is located in the innermost layer of the human eye 1 and is covered with photoreceptor cells and optic nerve fibers, the blood of which is supplied by the choroid and the retinal arterioles. The center of the retina 12 is referred to as the macula 14, and the center of the macula 14 has a depression, referred to as the fovea. Wherein the human eye 1 shown in fig. 1 is the right eye of a human.

When the retina or optic nerve in the eye structure is damaged or has diseases and cannot work normally, the retina or optic nerve is usually stimulated by external force, or an artificial retina is directly arranged in the human eye, so as to improve the problems caused by the damage or the diseases to the retina or the optic nerve and enable the retina or the optic nerve to work again. The following describes the embodiments of the prior art in detail.

Fig. 2a is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a structure of a first prior art. Referring to fig. 2a, fig. 2a is a diagram obtained by looking from the x direction indicated in fig. 1 (i.e. the front direction of the fundus oculi inside the human eye 1), in the prior art, a first embodiment is to arrange a retina chip 16 on the macula lutea region 14 of the retina 12, the retina chip 16 can simulate the photoreceptor cells in the retina 12, so the human eye 1 can work again by the retina chip 16. However, this embodiment increases the manufacturing cost due to the complicated structure of the retinal chip 16, and the image resolution of the current simulated retinal chip 16 is low.

Fig. 2b is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of the second prior art. Referring to fig. 2b, in the second embodiment, the electrode wires 18 are used to surround the protection layer 101 of the optic nerve 10, and then the optic nerve 10 is stimulated by electrical stimulation through the electrode wires 18, so that the optic nerve 10 can be operated again. However, since the optic nerve 10 also has a protective layer 101 on the outside, the current must first penetrate the protective layer 101 to reach the optic nerve 10, so the effect of this type of electrical stimulation is limited.

Fig. 2c is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of the third prior art. Referring to fig. 2c, in the prior art, the third embodiment is to directly insert the electrode posts 20 into the optic nerve 10, and then directly stimulate the optic nerve 10 by electrical stimulation through the electrode posts 20, so that the optic nerve 10 can be operated again. However, the arrangement method of directly inserting the electrode post 20 into the optic nerve is highly dangerous, and the arrangement is not easy.

Therefore, in view of the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art, there is a need to provide a novel stimulation device with a simplified structure, effective stimulation effect and low installation risk in improving the injury and disease of the retina or optic nerve.

Disclosure of Invention

In view of the above-mentioned shortcomings of the prior art, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a device for stimulating optic nerve fibers, comprising: the plurality of columnar electrodes are respectively parallel to the length direction of an optic nerve of a human eye, are arranged around the optic nerve of the human eye in a mode of along the circumferential direction of the optic nerve of the human eye, and each of the plurality of columnar electrodes comprises a length; and a power supply device for supplying power to the plurality of columnar electrodes; the retina of a human eye is provided with a plurality of optic nerve fibers, the optic nerve fibers are connected with the optic nerve of the human eye and a macular area of the human eye in a multilayer mode, and the columnar electrodes stimulate the optic nerve fibers around the optic nerve of the human eye in an electrical stimulation mode.

Preferably, each of the plurality of columnar electrodes includes a plurality of lateral electrodes for stimulating the optic nerve fibers at different levels among the plurality of layers of optic nerve fibers by means of electrical stimulation.

Preferably, the plurality of lateral electrodes are equally distributed on each of the plurality of columnar electrodes according to the length.

Preferably, the plurality of columnar electrodes are arranged in a rectangular array or a sector array between the optic nerve of the human eye and the macular region of the human eye.

Preferably, each of the plurality of columnar electrodes has a plurality of grooves, each of the plurality of grooves has an insulating layer, and each of the plurality of lateral electrodes is embedded in each of the plurality of grooves having the insulating layer.

Preferably, each of the plurality of side electrodes is attached to an insulating layer, and the insulating layer to which the side electrode is attached is further attached to each of the plurality of pillar-shaped electrodes.

Preferably, the length of each of the plurality of columnar electrodes is one of the same or different.

Preferably, when the length of each of the plurality of columnar electrodes is different, the length of each of the plurality of columnar electrodes is adjusted according to the curve of the plurality of optic nerve fibers.

Preferably, the plurality of columnar electrodes are further electrically connected to a sensor and a controller, the sensor and the controller are disposed in a human eye, and when the sensor receives an external light source, the sensor transmits a signal to the controller, and the controller controls the plurality of columnar electrodes to perform electrical stimulation.

Preferably, each of the plurality of columnar electrodes is further provided with a sensor and a controller, the sensor and the controller are electrically connected with each other, the sensor senses whether the optic nerve of the human eye transmits a visual signal, when the sensor senses that the optic nerve of the human eye transmits the visual signal, the sensor transmits a signal to the controller, and the controller controls the plurality of columnar electrodes to perform electrical stimulation.

Preferably, a photoelectric conversion module is further disposed in a human eye, and the photoelectric conversion module is electrically connected to the plurality of columnar electrodes, and when the human eye receives an external light source, the photoelectric conversion module converts light energy of the external light source into electric energy, and further supplies the electric energy to the plurality of columnar electrodes, so that the plurality of columnar electrodes perform electrical stimulation.

Preferably, the power supply device is disposed inside each of the plurality of columnar electrodes, inside a human body, or outside the human body.

Preferably, the power supply device is a solar driving power supply device.

Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

Drawings

The foregoing summary, as well as the foregoing detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings examples which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is a simplified schematic diagram illustrating the construction of an eye;

FIG. 2a is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a first conventional technique;

FIG. 2b is a schematic diagram illustrating a second prior art structure;

FIG. 2c is a schematic diagram illustrating a third prior art structure;

FIG. 3a is a schematic diagram illustrating the front structure of the fundus oculi of a human eye;

FIG. 3b is a schematic diagram illustrating a cross-sectional structure of a fundus of a human eye;

FIG. 4a is a schematic front view illustrating a device for stimulating optic nerve fibers according to a first embodiment of the present invention disposed in a human eye;

FIG. 4b is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a device for stimulating optic nerve fibers according to a first embodiment of the present invention disposed in a human eye;

FIG. 5a is a schematic front view illustrating a device for stimulating optic nerve fibers according to a second embodiment of the present invention disposed in a human eye;

FIG. 5b is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a device for stimulating optic nerve fibers according to a second embodiment of the present invention disposed in a human eye;

FIG. 5c is a schematic front view illustrating a device for stimulating optic nerve fibers according to a third embodiment of the present invention disposed in a human eye;

FIG. 6a is a schematic diagram illustrating a fourth embodiment of the apparatus for stimulating optic nerve fibers according to the present invention;

FIG. 6b is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a first configuration of an apparatus for stimulating optic nerve fibers according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6c is a schematic sectional view illustrating a second structure of an apparatus for stimulating optic nerve fibers according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6d is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a device for stimulating optic nerve fibers according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention disposed in a human eye;

FIG. 6e is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a fifth embodiment of the device for stimulating optic nerve fibers of the present invention disposed in a human eye;

FIG. 7a is a schematic diagram illustrating an arrangement of the power supply apparatus of the present invention; and

fig. 7b is a diagram illustrating another arrangement of the power supply apparatus of the present invention.

Description of the reference numerals

1 human eye

10 optic nerve

101 protective layer

12 retina

14 macular region

16 retina chip

18 electrode wire

20 electrode column

22 optic nerve fiber

24 side edge

3 columnar electrode

30 region

32 sector array

4 improved column electrode

40 column electrode

42 groove

44. 46 insulating layer

401 side electrode

4011 electric wire

5 left eye

50 optic nerve

6. 7 Power supply device

60. 70 electric wire

In the x direction

L1, L11, L13 Length

L2, L21, L23 Length

L3 length

Detailed Description

Reference will now be made in detail to the present examples of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. It is noted that the drawings are drawn in simplified form and not to precise scale.

FIG. 3a is a schematic front view illustrating the structure of the fundus oculi of a human eye; FIG. 3b is a schematic sectional view illustrating the sectional structure of the fundus oculi of the human eye. Fig. 3a is a diagram viewed from the x direction indicated in fig. 1 (i.e., the front direction of the fundus oculi inside the human eye 1), and referring to fig. 3a and 3b, the fundus oculi portion of the human eye 1 includes an optic nerve 10 and a retina 12, optic nerve fibers 22 are distributed on the retina 12, a plurality of optic nerve fibers 22 are connected between the optic nerve 10 and the macula lutea region 14 of the retina 12, the optic nerve 10 is used for collecting the plurality of optic nerve fibers 22, and the optic nerve fibers 22 are used for transmitting signals, which is a very important part of the human eye 1. Where the center of the retina 12 is referred to as the macular region 14, the center of the macular region 14 is a depression, referred to as the fovea, and the human eye 1 shown in figure 3a is the right eye of a human. It should be understood that the optic nerve fibers 22 are distributed on the retina 12, and fig. 3a and 3b only show the most important portion of the optic nerve fibers 22, i.e., the plurality of optic nerve fibers 22 connecting the optic nerve 10 with the macular region 14 of the retina 12.

As can be seen in FIG. 3b, the plurality of optic nerve fibers 22 are in a multi-layered form connecting the optic nerve 10 of the human eye to the macular region 14, i.e., the plurality of optic nerve fibers 22 having different depths in the retina 12. The present invention is to design a novel optic nerve fiber stimulation device for a plurality of optic nerve fibers 22.

Fig. 4a is a schematic front view illustrating a device for stimulating optic nerve fibers according to a first embodiment of the present invention disposed in a human eye. FIG. 4b is a cross-sectional view of the device for stimulating optic nerve fibers according to the first embodiment of the present invention disposed in a human eye. Referring to fig. 4a and 4b, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of columnar electrodes 3 are respectively parallel to a length direction of the optic nerve 10 of the human eye, and the plurality of columnar electrodes 3 are disposed around the optic nerve 10 of the human eye in a manner of being along a circumferential direction of the optic nerve 10 of the human eye, and each of the plurality of columnar electrodes 3 includes a length L1. The plurality of columnar electrodes 3 are interconnected with a power supply device (not shown) that supplies power to the plurality of columnar electrodes 3 so that the plurality of columnar electrodes 3 electrically stimulate the optic nerve fibers 22 around the optic nerve 10 of the human eye.

As shown in fig. 4b, the bottom of each of the plurality of columnar electrodes 3 is in the shape of a spike, so that the plurality of columnar electrodes 3 can be smoothly inserted into and surround the circumference of the optic nerve 10 of the human eye to be disposed around the optic nerve 10 of the human eye. The present invention electrically stimulates the plurality of optic nerve fibers 22 through the plurality of columnar electrodes 3, so that the injured or failed optic nerve fibers 22 can be reactivated (signal transmission) by the stimulation.

Fig. 5a is a schematic front view illustrating a device for stimulating optic nerve fibers according to a second embodiment of the present invention disposed in a human eye. Referring to fig. 5a, in the second embodiment of the present invention, in addition to disposing the plurality of columnar electrodes 3 around the optic nerve 10 of the human eye, the plurality of columnar electrodes 3 are further arranged in a plurality of rows (the region 30 shown in fig. 5 a) between the optic nerve 10 and the macular region 14, i.e., in the direction of the side 24 of the human eye 1 (the right eye) near the right ear, to form a rectangular array, so that the stimulation area of the plurality of columnar electrodes 3 can be increased to stimulate more optic nerve fibers 22. In this case, the plurality of columnar electrodes 3 in the region 30 are located on the same straight line.

FIG. 5b is a cross-sectional view of a device for stimulating optic nerve fibers according to a second embodiment of the present invention disposed in a human eye. Referring to fig. 5b, it can be seen from the sectional structure shown in fig. 5b that the plurality of pillar-shaped electrodes 3 arranged in the rectangular array may have different lengths, such as the pillar-shaped electrode 3 closest to the optic nerve 10 with a length of L1, the pillar-shaped electrode 3 located at the middle with a length of L11, and the pillar-shaped electrode 3 located at the leftmost with a length of L13, wherein the length of L1 is greater than L11, and the length of L11 is greater than the length of L13. In the second embodiment of the present invention, the columnar electrodes 3 with different lengths can be used according to the curves of the plurality of optic nerve fibers 22, so that the plurality of columnar electrodes 3 stimulate the plurality of optic nerve fibers 22 in an electrical stimulation manner more efficiently. It should be understood that in other embodiments of the present invention, a plurality of columnar electrodes 3 with uniform length may be used.

FIG. 5c is a schematic front view illustrating a device for stimulating optic nerve fibers according to a third embodiment of the present invention disposed in a human eye. Referring to fig. 5c, in the third embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of columnar electrodes 3 are further arranged in a sector array 32. The plurality of columnar electrodes 3 arranged in the fan-shaped array 32 may further increase the stimulation area of the plurality of columnar electrodes 3 to stimulate more, more outer (away from the macular region 14) of the optic nerve fibers 22. Wherein the plurality of columnar electrodes 3 in the sector array 32 do not form the region 30 as shown in fig. 5a (the plurality of columnar electrodes 3 are located on the same straight line). In addition, it should be understood that, in the third embodiment of the present invention, the columnar electrodes 3 with different lengths may also be used according to the curves of the plurality of optic nerve fibers 22.

Fig. 6a is a simplified diagram illustrating the structure of an apparatus for stimulating optic nerve fibers according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Referring to fig. 6a, in the fourth embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of side electrodes 401 are disposed on each of a plurality of pillar-shaped electrodes 40 to form an improved pillar-shaped electrode 4, and each of the plurality of side electrodes 401 can be electrically stimulated independently. In addition, the plurality of lateral electrodes 401 may be equally distributed on the pillar-shaped electrode 40 according to the length L2 of the pillar-shaped electrode 40, for example, each of the plurality of lateral electrodes 401 is disposed on the pillar-shaped electrode 40 at an interval of a length L3.

In the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of side electrodes 401 may be disposed on each of the plurality of columnar electrodes 40 in a different manner. FIG. 6b is a cross-sectional view of a device for stimulating optic nerve fibers according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Referring to fig. 6b, fig. 6b shows a first arrangement structure of the plurality of side electrodes 401, in which each of the plurality of pillar-shaped electrodes 40 has a plurality of grooves 42, each of the plurality of grooves 42 has an insulating layer 44, and finally the plurality of side electrodes 401 can be embedded into the grooves 42 having the insulating layers 44, and the insulating layers 44 can separate each of the plurality of side electrodes 401 from the pillar-shaped electrodes 40. Wherein each of the plurality of pillar electrodes 40 is connected to the wire 4011, the wire 4011 is connected to a power supply (not shown), the wire 4011 can further pass through the groove 42 and the insulating layer 44 to be connected to the plurality of side electrodes 401, so that each of the plurality of side electrodes 401 can be electrically stimulated independently.

FIG. 6c is a cross-sectional view of a second structure of the device for stimulating optic nerve fibers according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. Referring to fig. 6c, fig. 6c shows a second configuration of the plurality of side electrodes 401, in which each of the plurality of side electrodes 401 is attached to an insulating layer 46, and then the insulating layer 46 with the side electrodes 401 attached thereto is attached to the pillar-shaped electrode 40, and the insulating layer 46 can separate each of the plurality of side electrodes 401 from the pillar-shaped electrode 40. Wherein each of the plurality of pillar electrodes 40 is connected to the wire 4011, the wire 4011 is connected to a power supply (not shown), the wire 4011 can further pass through the pillar electrode 40 and the insulating layer 46 to be connected to the plurality of side electrodes 401, so that each of the plurality of side electrodes 401 can be electrically stimulated independently.

It should be understood that the state of the plurality of side electrodes 401 protruding from the pillar-shaped electrode 40 shown in fig. 6c is for convenience of describing the arrangement of the plurality of side electrodes 401, and actually the plurality of side electrodes 401 do not protrude from the pillar-shaped electrode 40. In one embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of side electrodes 401 can be patch electrodes with very thin thickness (e.g. nano-meter electrodes), so that the thickness of the plurality of side electrodes 401 can be neglected, and the pillar-shaped electrodes 40 with the plurality of side electrodes 401 attached thereon can be smoothly disposed around the optic nerve of the human eye.

Fig. 6d is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a device for stimulating optic nerve fibers according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention disposed in a human eye, wherein the cylindrical electrode 40 shown in fig. 6d is shown in a simplified structure as shown in fig. 6a, and it should be understood that the cylindrical electrode 40 in fig. 6d can be replaced with the structure shown in fig. 6b or fig. 6 c. Referring to fig. 6d, in the fourth embodiment of the present invention, after each of the pillar-shaped electrodes 40 includes a plurality of side electrodes 401, each of the plurality of side electrodes 401 can provide electrical stimulation independently. In other words, compared to the cylindrical electrode 3 shown in fig. 4b without the side electrodes 401, the cylindrical electrode 40 including a plurality of side electrodes 401 can stimulate the optic nerve fibers 22 in different layers (i.e., stimulate the optic nerve fibers 22 at different depths) in the multi-layer form by electrical stimulation, so as to stimulate the optic nerve fibers 22 more effectively and more strongly, so that the injured or failed optic nerve fibers 22 can be operated again.

It should be understood that the modified cylindrical electrode 4 may be arranged between the optic nerve 10 and the macular region 14 in a plurality of rows of the cylindrical electrodes 40 to form an array, such as a rectangular array or a sector array as shown in fig. 5a and 5 c.

Fig. 6e is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a fifth embodiment of the device for stimulating optic nerve fibers of the present invention being disposed on a human eye. Referring to fig. 6e, a cross-sectional structure of a plurality of columnar electrodes 40 arranged in a human eye in a rectangular array or a sector array will be described with reference to fig. 6 e. As shown in fig. 6e, the plurality of columnar electrodes 40 arranged in the array may have different lengths, such as the columnar electrode 40 closest to the optic nerve 10 having a length of L2, the columnar electrode 40 located at the center having a length of L21, and the columnar electrode 40 located at the leftmost having a length of L23. In the fifth embodiment of the present invention, the columnar electrodes 40 with different lengths can be used according to the curves of the plurality of optic nerve fibers 22, so that the plurality of columnar electrodes 40 can stimulate the plurality of optic nerve fibers 22 in an electrical stimulation manner more efficiently. It should be understood that in other embodiments of the present invention, a plurality of columnar electrodes 40 of uniform length may also be used.

Furthermore, after the plurality of columnar electrodes 40 are arranged in a rectangular array or a fan-shaped array, because each of the plurality of columnar electrodes 40 is provided with a plurality of lateral electrodes 401, and each of the lateral electrodes 401 can stimulate the optic nerve fibers 22 in different layers of the multi-layer optic nerve fibers 22 (i.e. stimulate the optic nerve fibers 22 in different depths) in an electrical stimulation manner, the optic nerve fibers 22 can be stimulated more effectively and more strongly, so that the injured or failed optic nerve fibers 22 can work again.

On the other hand, in other embodiments of the present invention, the plurality of pillar electrodes 3 or the plurality of pillar electrodes 40 mentioned above may be controlled to be turned on and off (electrically stimulated) by several control methods. In a first control manner, a sensor (not shown) and a controller (not shown) are disposed in the human eye, and the sensor and the controller are electrically connected to the plurality of columnar electrodes 3 or the plurality of columnar electrodes 40. When the sensor receives an external light source (i.e. the external light source is incident on the human eye, the human eye obtains a visual signal), the sensor transmits a signal to the controller, and the controller controls the plurality of columnar electrodes 3 or the plurality of columnar electrodes 40 to perform electrical stimulation.

In a second control manner, a sensor (not shown) and a controller (not shown) are respectively disposed on each of the plurality of

columnar electrodes

3 or 40, the sensor and the controller are electrically connected to each other, and the sensor can sense whether the optic nerve 10 transmits a visual signal. Thus, when the sensor senses that the optic nerve 10 transmits the visual signal, the sensor transmits a signal to the controller, and the controller controls the plurality of columnar electrodes 3 or the plurality of columnar electrodes 40 to perform electrical stimulation.

A third control method is to arrange a photoelectric conversion module (not shown) in the human eye, and the photoelectric conversion module is electrically connected to the plurality of columnar electrodes 3 or the plurality of columnar electrodes 40. In this way, when the human eye receives an external light source, the photoelectric conversion module can convert the light energy of the external light source into electric energy, and further supply the electric energy to the plurality of columnar electrodes 3 or the plurality of columnar electrodes 40. In other words, the third control manner is to control the plurality of columnar electrodes 3 or the plurality of columnar electrodes 40 by photoelectric conversion to perform electrical stimulation.

Fig. 7a is a schematic diagram illustrating an arrangement of the power supply apparatus according to the present invention. Referring to fig. 7a, in an embodiment of the present invention, if the plurality of columnar electrodes 3 of the present invention are disposed around the optic nerve 50 of a left eye 5, the plurality of columnar electrodes 3 (or the columnar electrodes 40, not shown) can be connected to a power supply device 6 through wires 60, the wires 60 can be buried in the human body, and the power supply device 6 can be selectively disposed in or out of the human body. Furthermore, in other embodiments of the present invention, the power supply device 6 may be directly disposed inside each of the plurality of pillar electrodes 3 (or the pillar electrodes 40, not shown).

Fig. 7b is a schematic diagram for illustrating another arrangement of the power supply apparatus of the present invention. Referring to fig. 7b, in an embodiment of the present invention, if the plurality of columnar electrodes 3 of the present invention are disposed around the optic nerve 50 of a left eye 5, the plurality of columnar electrodes 3 (or the columnar electrodes 40, not shown) can be connected to a power supply device 7 through wires 70, the wires 70 can be buried in the human body, and the power supply device 7 can be a solar power driving device and buried under the skin of the human body (fig. 7b shows the power supply device 7 buried under the skin of the back near the neck, but not limited thereto). Thus, when a human body is under a light source (such as sunlight, electric lamp light source, etc.), the power supply device 7 can generate power through the light source and provide power to the plurality of columnar electrodes 3 (or the columnar electrodes 40, not shown).

It can be seen from the above that, the present invention successfully provides a novel device for stimulating optic nerve fibers, the columnar electrode of the present invention has a simplified structure, and can effectively stimulate optic nerve fibers, and if the columnar electrode is further arranged in an array form, or a plurality of lateral electrodes are arranged on the columnar electrode, the stimulation area of the columnar electrode can be increased, or the stimulation effect can be enhanced. In addition, the columnar electrode is convenient to arrange and only needs to be inserted around the optic nerve of the human eye. Moreover, the columnar electrode of the invention can not directly touch the optic nerve, so the danger is low.

In describing representative examples of the present invention, the specification has presented the method and/or process of operating the invention as a particular sequence of steps. However, to the extent that the method or process does not rely on the particular order of steps set forth herein, the method or process should not be limited to the particular sequence of steps described. Other sequences of steps are possible, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the particular order of the steps set forth in the specification should not be construed as limitations on the claims. Moreover, the claims directed to the method and/or process of the present invention should not be limited to the performance of their steps in the order written, and one skilled in the art can readily appreciate that the sequences may be varied and still remain within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the examples described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular examples disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for stimulating optic nerve fibers, comprising:

the plurality of columnar electrodes are respectively parallel to the length direction of an optic nerve of a human eye, are arranged around the optic nerve of the human eye in a mode of following the circumference direction of the optic nerve of the human eye, and each of the plurality of columnar electrodes has a length; and

a power supply device for supplying power to the plurality of columnar electrodes;

the retina of a human eye is provided with a plurality of optic nerve fibers, the optic nerve fibers are connected with the optic nerve of the human eye and a macular region of the human eye in a multilayer mode, and the columnar electrodes stimulate the optic nerve fibers around the optic nerve of the human eye in an electric stimulation mode.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of columnar electrodes comprises a plurality of lateral electrodes that are electrically stimulated to stimulate different levels of optic nerve fibers in a plurality of layers of the plurality of optic nerve fibers.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of lateral electrodes are equally distributed over each of the plurality of columnar electrodes according to the length.

4. The device for stimulating optic nerve fibers of claim 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of columnar electrodes are arranged in a rectangular array or a fan array between the optic nerve of the human eye and the macular region of the human eye.

5. The device for stimulating optic nerve fibers of claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of cylindrical electrodes has a plurality of grooves, each of the plurality of grooves has an insulating layer, and each of the plurality of lateral electrodes is embedded in each of the plurality of grooves having the insulating layer.

6. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of lateral electrodes is attached to an insulating layer, and the insulating layer to which the lateral electrode is attached is further attached to each of the plurality of columnar electrodes.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the length of each of the plurality of columnar electrodes is one of the same or different.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the length of each of the plurality of columnar electrodes is adjusted according to a curve of the plurality of optic nerve fibers when the length of each of the plurality of columnar electrodes is different.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of columnar electrodes are further electrically connected to a sensor and a controller, the sensor and the controller are disposed in a human eye, and when the sensor receives an external light source, the sensor transmits a signal to the controller and controls the plurality of columnar electrodes through the controller for electrical stimulation.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a sensor and a controller respectively disposed on each of the plurality of columnar electrodes, wherein the sensor and the controller are electrically connected to each other, the sensor senses whether the human optic nerve transmits a visual signal, and when the sensor senses that the human optic nerve transmits the visual signal, the sensor transmits a signal to the controller and controls the plurality of columnar electrodes to perform electrical stimulation through the controller.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a photoelectric conversion module disposed in a human eye, wherein the photoelectric conversion module is electrically connected to the plurality of columnar electrodes, and when the human eye receives an external light source, the photoelectric conversion module converts light energy of the external light source into electric energy and further supplies the electric energy to the plurality of columnar electrodes, so as to electrically stimulate the plurality of columnar electrodes.

12. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the power supply device is disposed inside each of the plurality of columnar electrodes, inside a human body, or outside the human body.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the power supply device is a solar-powered power supply device.