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Nano Retina Retinal Implant
Nano Retina is developing a product called Bio-Retina, a bionic retina designed to restore sight to those suffering from retinal degenerative diseases.
(A retinal implant, only three by four millimeters in size,
adheres to the retina next to the optic nerve
(white spot on right) in a pig’s eye.)
How Bio-Retina Works:
Bio-Retina is designed to replace the damaged photoreceptor in the eye with the equivalent of a 600 pixel (first generation) or 5,000 pixel (second generation) retinal implant. Bio-Retina transforms naturally received light into an electrical signal that stimulates the neurons, which send the pictures received by Bio-Retina to the brain. Bio-Retina works harmoniously with the natural functionalities of the eye, including pupil dilation and eyeball movement. Patients will be able to look from side to side with their eyes rather than needing to turn their heads, as required by competing technologies. A rechargeable, battery-powered mini laser, situated on a pair of eyeglasses, efficiently powers the implant wirelessly.
Nano-Retina anticipates conducting clinical trials in 2013.
Philip K. Dick fans may recall the retinal vid-screen from his 1954 short story Sales Pitch:
"All the news while it's news," a metallic voice dinned at him. "Have a retinal vid-screen installed in your least-used eye. Keep in touch with the world; don't wait for out-of-date hourly summaries."
From Nano-Retina via MIT's Technology Review.
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