title: Toward the development of a cortically based visual neuroprosthesis.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioengineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.
authors.forename: Richard A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Normann
authors.forename: Bradley
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Greger
authors.forename: Bradley A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Greger
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: House
authors.forename: Samuel F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Romero
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pelayo
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fernandez
mesh_terms: 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