Electroporation and Electrostimulation of Blind Retina Using Micro-electrode Arrays

Electrostimulation of neurons is extensively used in different neuroprosthetic applications. In certain neuroprosthetic applications constant voltage pulses with stimulus amplitudes exceeding 1-2 Volts are used. Here we investigate which stimulus parameters of monophasic or biphasic constant-voltage pulses lead to cell electroporation in blind retinas. Towards this aim we interfaced ex vivo adult blind mouse retina to an electrode array comprising micron-sized iridium oxide electrodes. Our experiments demonstrate cell electroporation in retinal tissue in close vicinity (30

μ

m) to the stimulation electrodes for monophasic voltage pulses of either polarity as low as 1.6 Volts and stimulus durations as short as 1 millisecond. These results will guide safe neuroprosthetic stimulation of blind retina.