Method and Apparatus for Fitting a Visual Prosthesis Using Electrically Evoked Electroretinograms

摘要

The invention is a method of automatically adjusting a retinal electrode array to the neural characteristics of an individual patient. By recording electrically evoked electroretinograms (eERG) to a predetermined input stimulus, one can alter that input stimulus to the needs of an individual patient. A minimum input stimulus is applied to a patient, followed by recording the eERG response to the input stimulus. By gradually increasing stimulus levels, one can determine the minimum input that creates a neural response, thereby identifying the threshold stimulation level. One can further determine a maximum level by increasing stimulus until a predetermined maximum neural response is obtained. However, eERG signals include a significant amount of noise. Applicants have developed novel techniques for artifact reduction and noise filtering to provide an accurate measure of neural activity.