Synthesis and Light-Induced Surface Potential Observation of Retinal Prosthesis Using Polyethylene Thin Films Immobilized with Photoelectric Dyes

Abstract

Photoelectric dyes that absorb light and convert photon energy to electric potential have previously been shown to stimulate retinal neurons in cultures. As such, we have designed a new type of retinal prosthesis using polyethylene films coupled with photoelectric dye molecules. In this study, the electric potentials on the film were observed using a scanning Kelvin probe microscope under light and dark conditions. As a result, electric potentials were observed on the film, which were dependent on light intensity and wavelength. Furthermore, the electric potentials showed a rapid on-off response to light.

Modelling the visual response to an OUReP retinal prosthesis with photoelectric dye coupled to polyethylene film

“…We provide a short description of the preparation with the OUReP prosthesis. Further details can be found in earlier publications [29].…”

“…Since the dye molecules are coupled to this film, the fields generated by the dye molecules will be aligned. This mechanism leads to the generation of an electrical potential on the OUReP surface which can be measured using a scanning Kelvin probe (SKP) system [29][30][31]. The electrical potential is the source of visual stimulation in the OUReP.…”

“…Our aim is to create a model of a diseased retina, and then calculate the neural responses of the retinal cells under stimulation by OUReP. To accomplish this, we first measured the light-induced surface potential from the OUReP using the SKP system [29][30][31]. Next, a finite element method (FEM) was used to calculate the spatial distribution of the extracellular potential with OUReP in a diseased retina model [48].…”

Development of highly durable retinal prosthesis using photoelectric dyes coupled to polyethylene film and quantitative in vitro evaluation of its durability

“…The light-induced electrical potential on the dye-coupled films was measured with a scanning Kelvin probe (SKP) system (SKP5050, KP Technology, Ltd, Highlands and Islands, UK) [31][32][33]. The entire measuring system was placed in a humiditycontrolled box.…”

“…In our previous study, photoresponsivity of the dye-coupled film was measured by using the SKP system [31][32][33]. The light intensity dependence of the light-induced electrical potential on the normal dye-coupled film and the AE dye-coupled film are shown in figures 6(a) and (b), respectively.…”