EETimes.com - Retina implant receives signals, energy wirelessly
MUNICH, Germany — Scientists of the Aachen university clinic and the Fraunhofer Institute for Microelectronic Circuits have developed a retina implant that that wirelessly receives optical signals from the outside. The development aims at a technology to restore eyesight for blind persons.
Worldwide, about 3 million persons suffer from Retina Pigmentosa, an eye disease which slowly leads to complete blindness. While retina cells die off, some nerve cells in many cases remain intact. These cells can be stimulated through technical seeing aids such as retina implants. However, power supply and signal transmission through wires incorporate significant hurdles for the patient as well as for designers.
Now the Aachen university clinic and the Fraunhofer Institute for Microelectronic Circuits (Duisburg, Germany) have developed an implant that not only receives the optical signal through radio waves; also the energy required to supply the circuitry is fed into the implant using electromagnetical fields.
Worldwide, about 3 million persons suffer from Retina Pigmentosa, an eye disease which slowly leads to complete blindness. While retina cells die off, some nerve cells in many cases remain intact. These cells can be stimulated through technical seeing aids such as retina implants. However, power supply and signal transmission through wires incorporate significant hurdles for the patient as well as for designers.
Now the Aachen university clinic and the Fraunhofer Institute for Microelectronic Circuits (Duisburg, Germany) have developed an implant that not only receives the optical signal through radio waves; also the energy required to supply the circuitry is fed into the implant using electromagnetical fields.
Joel
Post a Comment
View Printer Friendly Version
Email Article to Friend
Reader Comments