Sight of the dark

1. Seminar
report on
Bionic Eye
Report by,
Krishna Kumar Omer
0601EE131021

3.  Basically a robot eye.
 Mimics the function of the retina.
 Used to restore sight for those who are suffering from vision
impairment.
 Vision impairment-inability of brain to detect object seen by eyes,
may be due to inability of photoreceptor cells.
 Latest version uses a retinal implant connected to a video camera to
convert images into electrical impulses.

4.  The retina at the back of the eye contains light detecting cells called
photoreceptors.
 Photoreceptors convert light energy into electrochemical signal, which is
transmitted to the brain through optic nerve.
 In several forms of blindness, such as age related macular degeneration and
retinitis pigmentosa, the photoreceptors die but leave the other nerve cells in
tact.
 These nerve cells cannot detect light themselves, they can only respond to
electrical stimulation.
 So bionic eye bypasses the visual display and send the electrical signals from
each pixel in the camera to the array of stimulating electrodes positioned on
the eye.
 Eligibility - People suffering from eye disease like macula degeneration or
retinitis pigmentosa, which is a genetic eye condition.

5.  Its symptoms are independent of age; thus, RP diagnosis may occur from
early infancy to late adulthood.
 Progressive rod degeneration results in extinction of rod photoreceptor cells.
 Ultimately, patients
may experience
"tunnel vision" and
eventual blindness.

6.  Or age-related degeneration, is a medical condition that usually
affects older adults.
 Results in a loss of vision in the center of the visual field
(the macula) because of damage to the retina.
 A major cause of blindness and visual impairment in old adults,
affecting 30-50 million people globally.

7.  Most successsful and current form of Bionic eye (2.0).
 It stimulates retina when photoreceptor cells doesn’t work.
 In 2011, it was approved for use in europe and then finally approved
by FDA in 2013 for public use.

8. Internal components :
1.Retinal prosthesis (Implant) -
a) the electronics case,
b) the implant coil or wl receiver,
c) electrode array,
d) the scleral band.
External components :
2.Video processing unit (V.P.U.),
3.Glasses.

10.  Electrode array, which
stimulates retina, has 60
electrodes arranged in a
rectangular grid, 55 of
which are turned “ON”
at the time of implant.
Rest 5 of the electrodes
can be used if any of
previous electrode fails.

11.  Scleral band, holds the impant around the eye.
 The implant coil is attached to the electronics case and is
used to receive signal from glass coil.
 The portion of the array, with the electrodes is attached onto
the retina.
 The implant is not visible to other people.

13.  The VPU allows to turn stimulation on and off.
 Made of metal and has rubber buttons.
 The VPU is connected to the glasses using a cable, and both
must be worn to power the implant.
 When the VPU is “ON” and you are wearing the glasses, the
VPU is in constant communication with the implant.
 The VPU also tracks, how well your implant is, and whether
the communication between the implant and VPU is good.

14.  Made of plastic.
 Have a miniature video camera in the bridge above the
nose.
 Have a coil on one of the earpieces, which is used to
communicate with the implant.
 The glasses are connected to the VPU by a cable.
 This cable is used to get power through VPU’s battery and
to interact with VPU.

15.  A miniature video camera on the glasses captures a scene or video.
 The video is sent to the VPU through the cable.
 VPU processes and converts video into instructions that are sent
 back to the
 glasses via
 a cable.

16.  These instructions are sent wirelessly to a receiver in the implant.
 Instructions are received by implant coil and are sent to the
electrode array through electronic case, which emits small pulses of
electricity.
 These pulses stimulate retina’s cells, which send the signals to brain
through optic nerve, resulting in the perception of light.

17.  Useful for restoring artificial vision for vision impairments like
retinis pigmentosa and macula degeneration.
 Safe for use above 25 years of age as approved by FDA.
 Implant is practical, 30 successful operations made till 2014.

18.  Training is required to interpret the vision provided by
Argus ll.
 Cost of the product is in millions, hence not in the reach of
common man.
 Allergic reaction to the anesthesia or to the implant materials.

19. Its true that Bionic eye (2.0) has
limitations like good level practice required
to interpret the scene or cost in millions but
we can’t deny the alarming fact that now
blind can have a practical SECOND SIGHT-
The Argus ll.