[Somatosensoric prosthesis for the blind].
At present vision prosthesis proposes transmission of only a limited amount of visual information. Cutaneous receptor field may serve as a information channel. It has similar information-processing ability as retina. Lower information capacity of the skin may be compensated by wavelet transform image compression. Advances in microtechnology have facilitated the development of a haptic data visualization system with sufficient life-time for people with visual impairments. Proposed array with 2400 carbon electrodes stewed on elastic membrane in the present experiments demonstrate a good mechanical endurance, electrical stability and adhesivity to the trunk skin. Disadvantageous is short circuits production among near electrodes due to sweating and skin irritation after long term electrical stimulation. Vibrotactile piezo-electric stimulators are safer alternative with lower resolution. Comparing retinal and cortical vision prosthesis offers electrocutaneous communication system comparably higher amount of transmitted information.
Vysata
O
O
Centrum neurologické péce, Rychnov nad Kneznou. vysata@neurol.cz
Procházka
A
A
Kukal
J
J
Becvárovský
P
P
Pazdera
L
L
D001766:Blindness / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D008839:Microelectrodes; D012867:Skin