ABSTRACT
Cochlear implants are considered one of the most successful neural prostheses. The optical cochlear implant consists of three components, an external wearable speech processor and two implantable components: the receiver and spike generator and an array comprised of the optical sources and the contacts for electrical stimulation. The acoustical energy in each frequency band is then used to generate a series of electrical and optical pulses. Optical methods to monitor and to modulate neural activity have been introduced into basic science and make their way into neuroprosthetics. The initial proof of concept experiments for infrared neural stimulation were conducted using an open beam path at the free electron laser or with a single flat polished optical fiber, which was coupled to a solid-state laser and allowed delivering the photons to the target neurons. Despite the success with the optical fibers, they are not feasible as a chronic implantable Light delivery system.
