Bionic eye implants partly returned eyesight

In this article we will introduce you to two successful projects for the development of "bionic eye". These ultra-modern implants are installed on the retina of the eye and is partially restored vision even blind people.

You can cautiously say that we are witnessing the nascent bionic revolution. Engineering and surgery allow people to regain lost feelings. For example, he wrote about Layfhaker bionic handCapable to compensate the person the sense of touch of the amputated limb. Today's material is devoted to a different sense of human - vision. It visually we get most of the information coming to us from the outside world. Unfortunately, the way of life of modern man, and congenital diseases dull our vision. In some cases, come to the aid laser surgeryIn more complex - the-art prostheses. Please find two similar developments bionic eye that can restore partial vision in seemingly hopeless situations.

Consider the most successful development is already undergoing testing on real patients.

In late January, US surgeons performed an operation to implant an artificial retina retinitis pigmentosa patient. It is a degenerative hereditary disease characterized by the gradual loss of sensitivity of the retina. The implant is a sheet of electrodes 60, mounted in the eye. Special electronic glasses are equipped with a video camera to capture images with glasses. The received signal is transmitted as a series of pulses to the electrodes that stimulate the remaining nerve fibers of a patient.

Argus II does not give the usual pictures of normal vision. Instead, the device allows patients to see flashes of light that they can learn how to interpret the visual patterns. The learning process takes from one to three months. Of course, the prosthesis is still far from perfect, but the development is still going in the right direction. Over time, researchers intend to improve its technology. Price without surgery is $ 150,000.

Perhaps a more interesting development of German minds. The principle is similar. Bionic eye detects light using electrodes implanted under the patient's retina, prior to its submission to the chip responsible for the transmission of signals directly to the brain. Thus, brain processes usual for a data of a healthy human eye. As a result, the patient sees black and white image. Behind the ear set dimmer, and the whole system works without wires, feeding from the battery pocket.

The prosthesis has a much larger number of electrodes in comparison with the American development. 1500 against 60, thus it offers much more image resolution and clarity. Installation of the implant behind the retina also allows the patient to more natural to turn her eyes and head.

Nine patients have been fitted with artificial limbs, eight operations were successful. Reviews subjects encouraging. Patients were able to distinguish between close-ups of the mouth movements, such as a smile, to determine whether points on the face of passers-by, as well as to recognize cutlery, phones, and small parts of things. In the range of the distant view of patients could make out the horizon, houses, trees and rivers.

Additional testing carried out in Europe. Scientists are experiencing long-term stability and safety of the implant. The researchers also hope to develop special teaching methods to help patients improve their ability to recognize objects.

We hope voiced technology will be recognized completely safe for long term use, and the price will be considerably reduced.