This document provides an overview of bionic eyes, including how they work and their development. It discusses how Dr. Mark Humayun's research in the late 1990s demonstrated that electrical stimulation of the optic nerve could allow blind individuals to see light. This led to efforts to create a retinal prosthesis that could translate images into electrical pulses. The Argus II is described as the first approved bionic eye, consisting of an externally worn camera and processor that transmit data and power to an implanted retinal chip. The document outlines the components of the Argus II and how it provides a basic form of artificial vision. It notes ongoing research aims to improve resolution and develop third generation devices. Limitations include the invasive surgery required and current high

1. Bionic Eye
Larisa Gaspar
Biomedical electronics, 2nd Year

2. Content
• How a human eye works?
• Dr. Mark Humayun’s Research
• What is an artificial eye?
• Retinitis Pigmentosa
• Age-related Macular Degeneration
• Components of Bionic Eye
• Working Diagram
• Normal vs. Artificial vision
• Argus II - How does it work?
• Larry's Story - first bionic eye
• Typical image formation
• On-going development
• Limitations
• The Future Of Bionic Eyes
• Conclusion
• References

3. How a human eye works?

4. Dr. Mark Humayun’s Research
• In 1998 was demonstrated that a blind person could be made to see light by
stimulating the optic nerve behind the retina with an electrical current.
• This test proved that the optic nerves behind the retina still functioned even
when the retina had degenerated.
• Based on this information, scientists set out to create a device that could
translate images and electrical pulses that could restore vision.
• Dr. Mark Humayun himself is involved with the research on Second Sight’s
Argus II.

5. • Form of neural prosthesis used to
restore vision.
• An externally worn camera and a
retinal implanted chip makes it
possible.
• It is often usable for those who suffers
from age-related macular degeneration
(AMD) or retinitis pigmentosa (RP).
What is
artificial
eye?

6. Retinitis Pigmentosa
• Hereditary Genetic
disease
• Peripheral Rods degenerate
• Gradually progresses
towards center of eye
•Tunnel vision results

7. Age-related Macular Degeneration
• Genetically Related
• Cones in Macula
region degenerate
• Loss or damage of
central vision
• Peripheral Retina
spared
• Common among old
people

10. Working Diagram
Video Camera
Video
processing unit Receiver
Retinal ImplantNeuronsBrain
IMAGE

12. Normal vs. Artificial
vision
Normal vision-
Begins when light
enters and strike on
photoreceptor cells.
These cells convert
light to electric
impulses that are
sent to brain via
optic nerves.
Artificial vision-
The camera
captures images
and sends to retina
implant. It
stimulates neurons.
The stimulated
neurons send
information to brain
via optic nerves.

13. Argus II

14. Argus II - How does it work?

15. Argus II Retinal Prosthesis System Components
Overview
• Argus II Implant: A neural stimulation device that is implanted in the patient’s eye.
The implant is comprised of a coil and a case, which are placed around the eyeball
using a scleral band, and an electrode array, which is tacked intraocularly on the
surface of the retina.
• Argus II Glasses: Glasses that are specially fitted with a miniature video camera,
radio-frequency (RF) coils and associated electronic circuitry.The glasses transmit
electrical stimulation data along with power via telemetry to the implant.The
Argus II Glasses are worn by the patient.
• Argus II Operating Room (OR) Coil: An RF coil that is used to test the functionality
of the implant during the implantation procedure.
• Argus IIVideo Processing Unit (VPU): A battery-powered device that processes the
video signal obtained from the video camera on the glasses and transforms it into
electrical stimulation data.The electrical stimulation data and power are then sent
to the Argus II Glasses for transmission to the implant.TheVPU comes with a
pouch that is worn by the patient.

16. The implant is a sterile medical device which
is surgically placed within the orbit, partly
outside and partly inside of the patient’s eye.
The implant is comprised of the following
components: the electronics case, the implant
coil, the electrode array, and the scleral band.
The array is secured in place over the fovea
using a retinal tack.
Argus II Implant
Component Description
ImplantCoil This contains the receiver and transmitter antenna made of
wire encased in silicone.The coil communicates with an
external coil on the Argus II Glasses.The implant coil is
connected to the electronics case.When implanted, the coil is
affixed to the inferior temporal sclera via sutures through a tab
located along the anterior edge of the coil.
Electronics Case A cylindrical, hermetically-sealed case contains electronic
components and an Application Specific Integrated Circuit
(ASIC) for processing the received data and using the received
power to generate the required stimulation output.
Electrode Array The electrode array consists of a polymer cable that contains
the wire conductors and an array of 60 enabled platinum
electrodes where the conductors terminate.These electrodes
are secured in place over the fovea using a retinal tack.
Scleral Band A sclera band that is equivalent to a 240 band used in scleral
buckling procedures is used to hold the implant on the eye.
RetinalTack Modeled after a standard retinal tack, with the addition of an
integrated spring, this tack is used to affix the array to the
retina.

17. Larry's Story - first bionic eye

18. Typical image formation

19. On-going development
Researchers are already planning a 3rd version that has a 1000
electrodes on the retinal implant, which they believe could
allow for reading, facial-recognition capabilities etc within less
time.

20. Limitations
Surgery is required to implant the
electrode array.
Repairing is difficult if any of the devices
got damaged.
Those who lost their visions due to other
reasons could not use this device.
The approximated cost of the device is
$70,000

21. The Future Of Bionic Eyes

22. Conclusion
Though we are long away from being able to claim
“Restored Vision”. But restoration of sight is no
more a dream now.
About 1.5 million people worldwide have RP, and
one in 10 people over the age of 55 have AMD. The
invention and implementation of bionic eye could
help those people.
Bionic eye may not restore the vision completely
but can help patients to least to find their way,
general sense about their surroundings, above all
lead an independent life.

23. References
 An Overview -Artificial Eye (Bionic Eye) K. Pradeep, K.Vasantha Kokilam and C. Sunitha. Proceedings of National Conference on New
Horizons in IT -NCNHIT 2013
 Artificial Vision–A Bionic Eye C. V. Krishnaveni, Ramesh B Lakkakula, Sunki Manasa. Dept. of IT, Bhoj Reddy Engineering Hyderabad, India
IJCST Vol. 3, Issue 1
 Bionic eye: A look into current research and future prospects, Dept. Of IT, GSSIETW, Mysore 2012
 Mark Humayun et al. “Artificial vision through neuronal stimulation” Neuroscience Letters 25 June 2012, Vol 519(2), pp. 22-128
 Mark S. Humayun et al. “Pattern electrical stimulation of the human retina” Vision Research July 1999, Vol 39(15), pp. 2569-2576
 G.S. Brindley et al. “The sensations produced by electrical stimulation of the visual cortex” Journal of Physiology 1968, Vol 96, pp. 479–493
 Zhilian Yue et al. “Controlled delivery for neuro-bionic devices” Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, In Press, Corrected Proof, Available online
James D. Weiland and Mark S. Humayun. "Retinal Prosthetic Systems for Treatment of Blindness” Frontiers of Engineering 2011: Reports on
Leading-Edge Engineering from the 2011 Symposium. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press, 2012, pp. 115–121
 Keirstead HS et al.“Three-dimensional early retinal progenitor 3D tissue constructs derived from human embryonic stem cells.” J Neurosci
Methods.
 "How does a "bionic eye" allow blind people to see?" – Health
health.howstuffworks.com/medicine/modern-technology/bionic-eye.htm
 Argus retinal prosthesis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argus retinal prosthesis
 www.youtube.com

24. Thank you
for your attention!