A Suprachoroidal Electrical Retinal Stimulator Design for Long-Term Animal Experiments and In Vivo Assessment of Its Feasibility and Biocompatibility in Rabbits
Figure 9
(a) A digital fundus photography of rabbit retina implanted with a
suprachoroidal electrode with two OCT (Stratus OCT 3000) scan paths (solid and
dashed lines). A polyimide-based gold electrode had been implanted. Under gross
inspection, the electrode is in its original position near the visual streak
and no chorioretinal abnormalities can be found. (b) The OCT scan of the retina
remote from the electrode (the solid line in the fundus photography). The
normal structures of the rabbit retina and choroid is demonstrated. (c) The OCT
scan passing the electrode vertically (the dashed line in the fundus
photography). The electrode is observed in the suprachoroidal space and in tight
contact with the choroid. The metal plates in the electrode are highly
reflective and leave posterior shadowing. The overlying retina showed normal
structures of layers.
