[access-uk] Re: Subretinal implant uses light instead of batteries, shows promise in initial testing -- Engadget
- From: "Vince Thacker" <vince@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 15 May 2012 15:01:56 +0100
Subretinal implant uses light instead of batteries, shows promise in initial
testing -- EngadgetGordon, I fear it's the latter. Similar implants seem to
have been possible for quite a while now, and some of them much higher
resolution. I'm on a macular degeneration list where such things are featured
quite often, and a production version of whatever it is always seems to be at
least 5 years in the future. Plenty to be hopeful about, but not to get
over-excited about, in my umble opinion.
Vince.
----- Original Message -----
From: Gordon Keen
To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Tuesday, May 15, 2012 11:36 AM
Subject: [access-uk] Subretinal implant uses light instead of batteries,
shows promise in initial testing -- Engadget
Another tentative step towards a technological breakthrough?
Or just a puff piece to attract research funding.
Time, which is against me, will tell.
http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/15/subretinal-bionic-eye-implant/
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.
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