Bionic Eye From Second Sight
Last Updated on Sunday, 20 December 2009 05:13 Written by Josh White Wednesday, 25 November 2009 00:00
The Argus II artificial eye is manufactured by Second Sight Medical Products Inc. It's designed to take the place of damaged photoreceptors. Although these devices are still experimental, Second Sight is seeking approval to market the device which may come as soon as next year in Europe and the U.S.
In May 2009 they received approval from the US FDA to trial the Argus 2 in 20 more people. Since then there have been various news articles showing promising results.It consists of a miniature camera and computer chip mounted on a pair of spectacles, and a small implant behind the ear linked to an array of electrodes attached to the cells of the retina. As an image is picked up by the camera, the information is converted into electronic signals that are passed via the implant to the electrodes on the retina, from where they travel via the optic nerve to the brain. Whats key is that the device processes information in real time.
HISTORY OF THE ARGUS ARTIFICIAL EYE
In the late 1990s the company Second Sight was formed to develop an implantable retinal prosthesis. It started off as a research program called the 'Artificial Retina Project' The goal was to allow patients with little or no light perception to gain unaided mobility.
The Argus 1 began testing in 2002. Six people received the retinal prostheses. It consists of 16 electrodes embedded in an array. Each of these previously blind individuals gained the ability to detect light, identify objects in the surrounding environment, and perceive motion. To date one implant had to be removed for unrelated health reasons, one patient passed away, and the remaining four patients continue to use the device at home.
The Argus 2 began human testing in June 2008. Its the latest model of an artificial retina and due to miniaturization now has 60 electrodes. It incorporates revolutionary DOE national laboratory technologies and is designed to last a lifetime. The array is surgically attached to the retinal surface and used in conjunction with an external camera and video-processing system to provide rudimentary sight to the implanted subjects. Fitting neatly into the eye’s socket, the new prosthesis is only about a fourth the size of the original retinal implant, thereby dramatically reducing surgery and, potentially, recovery times.
Surgeons at the Doheny Eye Institute (University of Southern California Medical Center) have been successfully tested the Argus 2 in subjects blinded by retinitis pigmentosa (RP). They have rudimentary black and white vision restored, good enough to detect motion and obstacles.
A third, far less invasive and higher-resolution model is also under development. Professor Humayun from the Doheny Eye Institute says bionic eye technology is rapidly advancing and expects to have an eye with 1000 electrodes within the next few years. These eyes would give patients basic facial recognition.
Sources:
http://www.2-sight.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visual_prosthesis#The_Dobelle_Eye
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