Abstract
The following chapter investigates a subretinal neural stimulator used for restoring vision to a specific group of blind people. These people suffer from diseases in which the photoreceptors of the retina cease to exist. The chip is implanted under the retina and replaces the functionality of rods and cones, i.e., it is stimulated by light and transforms the received optical image information into electrical signals. The optical signals are received by photodiodes and amplified and processed. The corresponding electrical signals are delivered to the bipolar cells which convey the information to the ganglion cells and the optic nerve. Image processing for contrast enhancement is an option. The approach has been tested and proved to be successful in blind patients suffering lack of vision for many years.
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Acknowledgments
We are thankful for the inspiration and continuous support by Prof. E. Zrenner and Dr. K. Stingl from the University Eye Hospital, Tübingen, and their team. We thank Ms. R. Ebenhoch, also from the University Eye Hospital, Tübingen, for her help in graphics. We also acknowledge the support by Dr. W. Wrobel, Dr. S. Klinger, and Mr. S. Schleehauf from Retina Implant AG in Reutlingen. Special thanks also to our colleagues at the University of Ulm: C. Brendler, V. Rieger, and H. Kaim.
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Pour Aryan, N., Rothermel, A. (2015). Subretinal Neurostimulator for Vision. In: Sawan, M. (eds) Handbook of Biochips. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6623-9_27-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6623-9_27-1
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