An implantable microsystem as a vision prosthesis.
Blindness is often the result of degeneration of the light sensitive rods and cones of the retina in conditions such as retinitis pigmentosa and macula degeneration. An implantable vision prosthesis has been developed that electrically stimulates the retinal ganglion cells in such a way that action potentials in retinal ganglion cells are evoked, causing a visual sensation in the visual cortex. Clinical trials are about to be conducted.
Mokwa
Wilfried
W
Institute of Materials in Electrical Engineering I, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany. mokwa@iwe1.rwth-aachen.de
D001185:Artificial Intelligence; D001766:Blindness / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D008904:Miniaturization; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D013686:Telemetry / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods