In this article, we will introduce two successful projects for the development of "bionic eyes." These ultramodern implants are installed on the retina of the eye and partially restore vision even to blind people.
One can cautiously state that we are witnessing an incipient bionic revolution. Engineering and surgery allow people to regain lost feelings. For example, we know about a bionic hand that can compensate a person for the sense of touch of an amputated limb. This article is devoted to another sense of a person - vision. It is visually that we receive most of the information that comes to us from the outside world. Unfortunately, the way of life of modern man and congenital diseases dull our eyesight. In some cases, laser intervention will come to the rescue. In more complex -ultramodern dentures, we need to get acquainted with two similar developments of bionic eyes, which can partially restore vision in seemingly hopeless situations.
These are the most successful developments that are already undergoing testing on real patients.
Argus II Retinal Prosthesis System
At the end of January, US surgeons performed an operation to implant an artificial retina to the patient with retinitis pigmentosa. This degenerative hereditary disease is characterized by the gradual loss of photosensitivity of the retina. The implant is a sheet of 60 electrodes installed in the eye. Special electronic glasses are equipped with a video camera that captures the image from the glasses. The received signal is transmitted as a series of pulses to the electrodes, stimulating the remaining nerve fibers of the patient.
Argus II does not give the usual picture of normal vision. Instead, the device allows patients to see flashes of light that they can learn to interpret as visual patterns. The training process takes from one to three months. Of course, the prosthesis is far from perfect, but the development is still in the right direction. Over time, scientists intend to improve their technology. The cost without an operation is $ 150,000.
Alpha IMS
Perhaps a more interesting development of German minds. The principle is similar. Bionic eye controls the intensity of light with the help of electrodes implanted under the retina of the patient, before it is fed into the microchip, which is responsible for transmitting the signal directly to the brain. In this way, the brain processes the data of a healthy human eye that are habitual for itself. As a result, the patient sees a black and white image. Behind the ear is set the brightness control, and the whole system works without wires, feeding on a pocket battery.
This prosthesis has a much larger number of electrodes compared to the American design. 1500 vs. 60, thus offering an image of a much greater resolution and clarity. Installing the implant behind the retina also allows the patient to turn the eyes and head more naturally.
Nine patients were already equipped with dentures, eight operations were successful. The testimonials of the subjects are encouraging. Patients were able to distinguish between the movements of the mouth on large plans, for example, a smile, to determine the presence of glasses on the face of passers-by, and also to recognize cutlery, telephones and small parts of things. In a range of distant vision, patients could disassemble the horizon line, houses, trees and rivers.
Additional tests are conducted in European countries. Scientists experience long-term stability and safety of implant application. Researchers also hope to develop special teaching methods to help patients improve their ability to recognize objects.
We hope that the illustrated technologies will be recognized as completely safe for long-term use, and their price will be significantly reduced.
