The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 12, 2002
Filed:
Apr. 23, 1999
Wilfried Nisch, D-72072 Tübingen, DE;
Martin Stelzle, D-72770 Reutlingen, DE;
Stefan Weiss, D-72070 Tübingen, DE;
Eberhart Zrenner, D-72076 Tübingen, DE;
Elke Günther, D-74762 Reutlingen, DE;
Alfred Stett, D-72768 Reutlingen, DE;
Heinz Gerhard Graf, D-71106 Magstadt, DE;
Michael Graf, D-71332 Waiblingen, DE;
Markus B. Schubert, D-72074 Tübingen, DE;
Harald N. Wanka, D-73630 Remshalden/Geradstetten, DE;
Anke Hierzenberger, D-71067 Sindelfingen, DE;
Other;
Abstract
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.