In the United States created a prosthesis that can replace the retina

Decades ago, tools capable of managing the human nervous system to restore movement, sensation, or other bodily functions seemed a fantasy. However, today the U.S. National Science Foundation (National Science Foundation - NSF) issued instructions for those interested in creating their own brain machine interfaces (Brain-machine Interfaces - BMIs

And lead author of the Science and Technology Officer AAAS Valerie Thompson hired engineers and developed a system of Argus II, capable of replacing part of the retina of the human eye. Argus II artificial retina is intended for use in patients who have lost their vision due to retinitis pigmentosa.


Retinitis pigmentosa is a genetic condition that occurs in one of the 4,000 inhabitants of our planet. Early symptoms include night blindness and gradual progressive loss of peripheral vision. Argus II system bypasses the damaged cells in the eye, which usually convert the light into electrical signals that are interpreted by the brain (photoreceptors). The system transmits the image with a small camera on the implant located in the rear part of the eye, which acts as a photoreceptor.

"Like any other engineering task, building BMIs involves initial studies, feasibility testing, prototyping, and production. But creating BMIs unique is the fact that engineers need to develop such a device, which can freely interact with other complex systems - the human nervous system "- says Thompson.

Motivation is essential, she said. One of the co-creators apparatus, Mark Humayun, Deputy Director for Science USC Doheny Retina Institute explained that his grandmother lost her eyesight in old age, that inspired him to develop devices for ophthalmology and biomedical engineering, able to cope even with such complex diseases.

In the case of the Argus II, the researchers had to first figure out which parts of the visual pathway functioning normally , and which are not , and make sure that the eye is a sufficient number of neurons to stimulate and transmit nerve impulses. Then they had to figure out how to simulate photoreceptor activity with artificial electrical stimulation and how to integrate their components into the overall human nervous system.
More from the project developers Argus conducted clinical trials on the first generation device in 2002 , after which the experimental and patent research was continued in 2006 with the Argus II. As a result , 14 February 2013 , the FDA approved the use of a new device , making him the first visual prosthesis , gained recognition in the U.S. market .