US Patent 7447547 - MEMS interface to biological neural networks

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7447547.html

This patent from Stanford University teaches a retinal prosthesis formed from a MEMS device to provide stimulation to neural cells in a more natural manner than electrical or chemical stimulation of prior methods. Claim 1 reads:

1. An interface to a biological neural network, the interface comprising:

a) a microelectromechanical (MEMS) device including a deformable membrane; and

b) a tactile-sensitive neural cell disposed on said deformable membrane;

wherein said neural cell provides a signal to said biological neural network responsive to deformation or motion of said membrane.