Subretinal implant uses light instead of batteries, shows promise in initial testing

Stefan Mileschin · 16th May 2012, 06:40

There's been significant progress in bringing sight to the blind in recent years, and this looks set to continue that miraculous trend. Scientists at Stanford University have invented a subretinal photodiode implant for people who have lost their vision due to degenerative retinal diseases. Existing tech involves batteries and wires, but the new implant works without such crude appendages. Instead, it's activated by near-infrared beams projected by a camera that's mounted on glasses worn by the patient. Those beams then stimulate the optice nerve to allow light perception, motion detection and even basic shape awareness. The glasses also have an onboard camera that records what the patient sees. It hasn't actually been tested with humans just yet, but the first few rodents volunteers have yet to lodge a single complaint.

http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/15/s...c-eye-implant/

16th May 2012, 06:40	#1
Stefan Mileschin [M] Reviewer Join Date: May 2010 Location: Romania Posts: 148,578	Subretinal implant uses light instead of batteries, shows promise in initial testing There's been significant progress in bringing sight to the blind in recent years, and this looks set to continue that miraculous trend. Scientists at Stanford University have invented a subretinal photodiode implant for people who have lost their vision due to degenerative retinal diseases. Existing tech involves batteries and wires, but the new implant works without such crude appendages. Instead, it's activated by near-infrared beams projected by a camera that's mounted on glasses worn by the patient. Those beams then stimulate the optice nerve to allow light perception, motion detection and even basic shape awareness. The glasses also have an onboard camera that records what the patient sees. It hasn't actually been tested with humans just yet, but the first few rodents volunteers have yet to lodge a single complaint. http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/15/s...c-eye-implant/

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