Israeli scientists racing to create 'bionic eye' that could help millions
Technology to restore sight to millions with degenerative retina could be available within a few years.
By Asaf Shtull-Trauring Tags: Israel newsIsraeli and international scientists are working to develop a revolutionary technology that could restore sight to millions. Within a few years, one or more versions of a "bionic eye" for people with degenerative conditions affecting the retina are expected to be available commercially.
Damage to the retina, the membrane that lines the inside of the eyeball and is connected via the optic nerve to the brain, is among the leading causes of vision loss in the developed world.
The innovative technology relies on the brain's acquired ability to process visual data. As such, it will only provide a limited field of vision.
Nano Retina, based in Herzliya Pituah and founded by entrepreneur Yossi Gross, is developing an implant that will replace damaged photo-receptors in the eyes and provide gray-scale vision to a resolution of 1300 pixels for the first generation of chips and 5000 pixels for the second generation. The company hopes to begin marketing its implant within five years.
The German biomedical firm Retina Implant AG, meanwhile, recently reported the successful conclusion of a clinical trial involving 11 subjects who lost their sight due to retinitis pigmentosa. A tiny chip implanted underneath the retina enables light entering through the pupil to be converted into neural signals that are received by the brain. The chip is powered by a tiny external battery that is affixed behind the ear.
Nano Retina engineers say their chip will enable users to identify facial features and to watch television.
While both chips use a similar biological infrastructure, Nano Retina's battery will be charged wirelessly, by a mini-laser attached to a pair of eyeglasses.
Meanwhile, Bionic Vision Australia announced recently that its bionic eye, which includes a miniature camera attached to glasses, will be on the market within three years.
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| Photo by: (DreamsTime) |
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and are prepared to spend billions investing in Israel who count did you see Israel was also reported last week as having developed a new technique for stem cell growth? Shalom
When do clinical trials begin?
thank you Israel. Will the Israeli bashers boycott this item. TEll those you love they cant improve heath because you hate Israel, (JEW)
Israeli media prints every "advance" made in Israel, even if it only a goal or is in experimental stages. The Israeli media doesn't bother with similar advances from other nations. As a result, Israelis think that Israel is the only place in the world making advances and they are expecting appreciation and/or payment. Funny and sad at the same time. The world scientific community is so entwined that it is no longer a strictly national effort to make any major advance.
to cure epilepsy/parkinsons etc???not a bad idea at all am looking forward too that. and if anybody tells me too boycott that try living with these problems!!! congrats israel.
Please, how can this help those of us with bilateral neuro-optic atrophe - in otherwords, the optic nerve is dead so the message never gets to the brain. Please be realistic in your report. Now what?
Never mind, just in time to start all over again, reminds me of seeing 14 episodes of Batman in quick succession. That's when I started smoking. Chris you make me want to reach for a cigarette, not having had one for ten years. Why do you Hate so much? What is it that REALLY drives you on? You think Israel is incapable of inventing something. Well you and your Pals invented Antisemitism, how bad is that?
already have two working prototypes, one using radar technology and the other using imaging, implanted in heads and connected to the optic nerve of the patient. Is this yet another example of Israel prepositioning itself to declare they invented something they didn't because the reserve teaboy on these teame is Jewish?
prototype alredy exists and works in trials in UK. Google 'Argus 2' to see more. Every reason this higher resolution model should work.
First I'd like to see one, two, five, 25 patients whose sight is restored. Articles like these give unjustified hope to the millions you are addressing. 99.99% of medical reviews (this one is not even published) are bla-bla anyway and serve only for being provided with more sponsoring money...
stick the boycott up your ......... well done to the medical world for this break through I hope it come to reality. A light unto the nations.
And create that biological chip that is compatible with the human nerve system. Let us all log in and fly in the matrix in light blue and white sky. In the meantime: my boss is slowly loosing eyesight due to his retina's and this is excellent news and congrats and regards. Only downside is my next planned career move has just become much harder.
How can you charge the battery from the solar cell, when you can't see the sun