3D computational modeling of epiretinal prosthesis stimulation of the ganglion cell

Here we present a modeling for electrical stimulation of retinal ganglion cell. This modeling can be used in epiretinal prosthesis to come up with proper electrical stimulation parameters. The model that we present is a novel one based on the anatomy of the cell. The excitation process of the electrically stimulated retinal cells is simulated in a two step procedure. In the first step the ganglion target cell is represented considering all of its compartments and in a second step the extracellular potential along the neural structure is calculated and finally the membrane voltage response to the applied stimulations is analyzed. A monopolar point electrode was positioned above the cell in an infinite and homogenous environment and the monophasic and biphasic pulses were used as stimulating current. The results show that the responses are in accordance with the values and diagrams of experimental results more than the previous models.