Development of Artificial Vision
TOWARDS CREATING THE JOYS OF SEEING
NIDEK established the first vision institute for artificial vision in Japan in 2001 to initiate the actual research and development of an artificial vision prosthesis, which has been the ultimate goal of NIDEK since its foundation. Linking electronics and biotechnology, NIDEK has made the commitment to the development of technology that will provide or restore vision for the visually impaired around the world.
Producing of the delicate electric circuits for the implant device in a special booth with no exposure to light.
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Designing the electric circuits of the implant.
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Future Prospects
Our short-term goal is to develop an artificial vision prosthesis for human clinical trials within 10 years. The target of this prosthesis is blind patients who once had vision. The artifical vision sends electrical pulses to the nervous system, and the stimuli are transferred to the brain so that light will be recognized. Our first step is to restore the perception of light, and in the future, stereo-scopic vision.
NIDEK's First National Project
The development of an artificial vision prosthesis has significant social importance. NIDEK has been selected by NEDO (New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization, JAPAN) to be part of, and promote, a 5-year contract research project "R&D for Artificial Vision System" started in 2001. And NIDEK newly received the subsidy from the government to continue the advanced research as a national project.This project has been implemented as a joint effort of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. Clinical research is being conducted under the direction of several universities.
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Testing how much electricity can be transferred to living tissue from an implanted device.
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Analyzing any material changes in device components before and after implantation.
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Mechanism of the Artificial Vision Prosthesis
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1. Signal Conversion
Images are imported through the external video camera, and the computer converts the imported image into stimulus data, and the processed signals will be transferred to the implant device.
2. Transmission of Stimuli
Based on the stimulus data received by the implant device, electric pulses are transferred from the electrode to the visual nervous system.
3. Electric Signal Transmission to the Brain
The stimulated nerve cells send signals to the brain, and image information is recognized.
Image of vision with the artificial vision prosthesis.
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TOPICS
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Types of Artificial Vision Prostheses
 Artificial vision prosthesis is an artificial sensor to restore vision by sending electric pulses to the nervous system using implanted stimulus electrodes.
A. Retinal Implant
To be implanted in the eye to stimulate the retina.
B. Optic Nerve Implant
To be implanted around the optic nerve for stimulation.
C. Cortical Implant
To be implanted in the cerebral visual cortex for stimulation.
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There are various causes of visual disability, and different types of prostheses have different target patients. NIDEK is working on the early development of the most realistic and clinically safe artificial vision prosthesis.
Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, JAPAN
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 TOPICS: Types of Artificial Vision Prostheses
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