Toward the development of a cortically based visual neuroprosthesis.
Motivated by the success of cochlear implants for deaf patients, we are now facing the goal of creating a visual neuroprosthesis designed to interface with the occipital cortex as a means through which a limited but useful sense of vision could be restored in profoundly blind patients. We review the most important challenges regarding this neuroprosthetic approach and emphasize the need for basic human psychophysical research on the best way of presenting complex stimulating patterns through multiple microelectrodes. Continued research will hopefully lead to the development of and design specifications for the first generation of a cortically based visual prosthesis system.
Normann
Richard A
RA
Department of Bioengineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.
Greger
Bradley
B
Greger
Bradley A
BA
House
Paul
P
Romero
Samuel F
SF
Pelayo
Francisco
F
Fernandez
Eduardo
E
D001185:Artificial Intelligence; D001698:Biomedical Engineering / Q000295:instrumentation*; D001766:Blindness / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000639:trends; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted; D006801:Humans; D009778:Occipital Lobe / Q000503:physiopathology*; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D011474:Prosthesis Design