Eberhard-karls-universität Tübingen Universitätsklinikum

Nmi Naturwissenschaftliches Und Medizinisches Institut an Der Universitat Tubingen in Reutlingen

Other

Bayer Aktiengesellschaft

Huels Aktiengesellschaft

Carl Zeiss Nts Gmbh

Nmi Naturwissenschaftliches Und Medizinisches Institut an Der Universitat Tubingen

Retina Implant Ag

Cytocentrics Ag

Retina Implant Gmbh

Eberhard-karls-universitat Tubingen Universitatsklinkum

Nmi Naturwissenschaftliches Und Medizinisches

Nmi Naturwissenschaftliches Und Medizinisches Institut an Der Universität Tuebingen

Carl Zeiss Microscopy Gmbh

Wilfried Nisch

Martin Stelzle

Alfred Stett

Eberhart Zrenner

Michael Graf

Heinz Gerhard Graf

Stefan Weiss

Markus Schubert

Hugo Haemmerle

Hugo Hämmerle

Ulrich Egert

Thomas Ernst Müller

Christoph Methfessel

Thomas Krahn

Bernd Höfflinger

Peter Gnauck

Heinz-Gerhard Graf

Bernd Hoefflinger

Claus Burkhardt

Guenter Hoff

Heiner Weber

Lutz Scheideler

Eva Maria Engel

Helmut Sachs

Otto Inacker

Bernhard Kneissel

Markus B Schubert

Anke Hierzenberger

Harald N Wanka

Elke G&uuml;nther

Hugo Hammerle

Thomas Knott

Alexander Dollberg

Volker Bucher

Marcel Roeder

Bernd Höfflingen

An active retina implant has a multiplicity of pixel elements that convert incident light into electric stimulation signals for cells of the retina with which stimulation electrodes are to make contact. Each pixel element is provided with at least one image cell that converts incident light into electric signals, there being provided at least one amplifier whose input is connected to the image cell and whose output is connected to at least one stimulation electrode to which it supplies a stimulation signal. Also provided is an energy supply which provides externally coupled external energy as supply voltage for the image cells and the amplifiers. The image cell has a logarithmic characteristic according to which incident light of specific intensity is converted into electric signals of specific amplitude. The stimulation signal is supplied in the form of analog voltage pulses of specific pulse length and pulse spacings, the pulse amplitude being a function of the intensity of the incident light.

Active retina implant with a multiplicity of pixel elements

A pair of measuring electrodes comprising a first and a second, preferably in each case sheet-like electrode comprises an insulation layer arranged between said electrodes. One or more nanopores, which extend through said insulation layer as far as said first electrode, the surface of which is at least partially uncovered by said nanopores, are provided in each second electrode. The invention also describes a biosensor comprising a pair of measuring electrodes of this type, an electrochemical cell comprising a biosensor of this type and a process for producing said pair of measuring electrodes.

Pair of measuring electrodes, biosensor comprising a pair of measuring electrodes of this type, and production process

In a method for preparing a sample for electron microscopic examinations, in particular with a transmission electron microscope (TEM),

Method for preparing a sample for electron microscopic examinations, and sample supports and transport holders used therefor

An apparatus for electrically contacting biological cells suspended in a liquid has a substrate having at least one opening and an electrode for electrically contacting a cell immobilized above the opening. A contact unit with a contact tip is arranged below said opening. A top end of the contact tip projects into the opening in such a way that it comes to bear against a cell membrane of the immobilized cell. The contact tip has a contact channel which ends at its top end. A hydrodynamic low pressure can be exerted upon the cell membrane via the contact channel, and the electrode is electrically connected to the contact channel. In a method for electrically contacting biological cells suspended in a liquid, a cell is immobilized above an opening provided in a substrate, and the immobilized cell is contacted via at least one electrode. For contacting the immobilized cell, a hydrodynamic low pressure is generated acting on a cell membrane through a contact tip projecting into the opening.

Apparatus and method for electrically contacting biological cells suspended in a liquid

An electrode arrangement for electrical stimulation of biological material has at least one stimulation electrode via which the biological material can be fed a stimulus signal. Furthermore, a counter electrode is present which forms a counter pole to the stimulation electrode, one sensor electrode is provided with the aid of which it is possible to determine a polarization voltage across the stimulation electrode.

Electrode arrangement for electrical stimulation of biological material, and a multi-electrode array for use in such an electrode arrangement

A microelement device has a plurality of microelements, which may be configured as microelectrodes, arranged on a substrate and adapted for making contact to cells present in a liquid environment. The cells are guided onto the microelectrodes, are isolated or are mechanically attracted to the microelectrodes. A negative-pressure force or a hydrodynamic force may be applied on the cells. Also described are a method for making contact to the cells, and a method for manufacturing the microelement device is disclosed.

Method for making contact to cells present in a liquid environment above a substrate

A method and a device are used for carrying out measurements on cells located in a liquid environment. Each cell is positioned with an underside of its membrane on a surface having a channel running through it. A negative pressure is established to aspirate the cells. Each cell is electrically scanned via at least one electrode which is spaced apart from the cell. The negative pressure is preferably established in a pulse-like manner to rupture the membrane in such a way that the cell interior enclosed by the membrane is connected to the channel.

Device for taking measurements of cells which are contained in a liquid environment

A retina implant including a chip adapted to be implanted into the interior of eye in subretinal contact with the retina. The chip has a plurality of pixel elements on a side thereof facing the lens for receiving an image projected into the retina and a plurality of electrodes for stimulating retina cells. The implants further includes a receiver coil for inductively coupling thereinto electromagnetic energy. The receiver coil coupled to a means for converting an alternating voltage induced into the receiver coil in a direct voltage suited for supplying the chip. The receiver coil is configured as a component separate from the chip, and for being positioned on the eye ball outside the sclera. The chip is connected to the receiver coil via a connecting lead which, in the implanted condition interconnects the interior and the exterior of the eye ball.

Retina implant assembly and methods for manufacturing the same

A retina implant, comprises a surface and a plurality of pixel elements disposed on the surface for receiving and converting incoming light energy into electric energy. At least one amplifier is provided in the implant, and a plurality of stimulation electrodes supplied via the at least one amplifier as a function of signals received by the pixel elements. At least one light-sensitive reference element is coupled with the at least one amplifier for controlling amplification thereof as a function of light energy impinging on the at least one reference element.

Retina implant

An optically controllable microelectrode array for stimulating cells within a tissue is disclosed. The array comprises a substrate having a surface. The substrate is adapted to be placed on the tissue with the surface adjoining the cells. The substrate further comprises a plurality of electrodes on the surface in contact with the cells for stimulating the cells. The electrodes are dimensioned such that a first surface area on the electrodes in contact with the cells is essentially smaller than a second surface area on the cells in which the cells may be contacted by the electrodes. An electrical stimulus is exerted from the electrodes to the cells under the control of light impinging on the tissue.

Optically controllable microelectrode array for stimulating cells within a tissue

Microelement device

A retina implant has a substrate with a surface for applying same to a retina. The substrate comprises electrodes for stimulating cells within the retina. The electrodes are provided on the surface and are exposed to visible light impinging on the retina such that stimuli are exerted on the cells by the electrodes. The implant, further, comprises a photovoltaic layer responsive to non-visible light. The stimuli are locally switched utilizing a voltage generated by the photovoltaic layer.

The invention concerns an &ldquo;in situ&rdquo; ion-etching device for local thinning of a sample in a transmission electron microscope (,) with simultaneous electron microscopic observation. Towards this end, an ion beam device (,) is arranged in such a way that the finest possible ion probe is produced at the sample location and can be scanned over the sample surface. The ion beam (,) and sample (,) thereby enclose the flattest possible angle. To compensate for the magnetic field of the objective lens (,), the ion beam (,) is defected along a curved path onto the sample (,). In a preferred embodiment, an electrostatic cylinder capacitor sector field effects double focusing. The ion probe can be positioned, via the scanned ion image, onto a selected region of the sample by the secondary electrons (,) released from the sample (,). The sample location can be observed during the ion thinning process in electron transmission or electron diffraction. It is thereby possible to carry out target preparations under high-resolution observing conditions and to eliminate contaminant or reactive layers.

Process and device for ion thinning in a high resolution transmission electron microscope

A biocompatible composite material and a method for its production are provided, wherein the composite material is made of a plastic matrix having a felt of collagen fibers contained therein, wherein the collagen fibers project out of a surface of the composite material, wherein the composite material is produced by a process involving:

Biocompatible composite material and process for its production

Growing community of inventors

Tuebingen, Germany

Wilfried Nisch