March 28, 2024

A new implant for the blind provides rudimentary vision by sending signals directly to the brain

A new implant for the blind provides rudimentary vision by sending signals directly to the brain

A blind woman successfully implanted a brain implant, thanks to which she can see the outlines of surrounding objects, since the device transmits visual signals directly to the brain.

57-year-old Bernardeta Gomez went blind 16 years agofrom toxic optic neuropathy, which destroys the bundles of nerves connecting the eyes to the brain. So she decided to undergo surgery to insert an implant into her brain, which is connected to modified glasses with a built-in camera. The entire system is connected to a computer that processesreal-time video, turning it into electronic signals.

Through a special port, the signal entersan implant with a hundred electrodes through which information is transmitted to the visual cortex of the back of the brain. Since the electrodes are located next to neurons, a very weak electric current is sufficient to transmit signals, which reduces the risk of seizures.

A new implant for the blind provides rudimentary vision by sending signals directly to the brain

The device was installed for 6 months becauseGradually, the immune system will begin to destroy the electrodes and surround them with scar tissue, and researchers do not yet know exactly how long this will take. Although animal studies have shown that the implant can function safely in the body for 2 to 10 years, the team doesn't want to risk the woman's health. In addition, the possibility of bending during movement cannot be ruled out.

A new implant for the blind provides rudimentary vision by sending signals directly to the brain

In its current form, the device provides onlyrudimentary vision with a resolution of 10x10, but this is enough to the contours of doors, sidewalks or large letters. In the future, researchers plan to modernize its design and increase detail to 60x60 pixels or higher. However, it is still unknown how much information from such a device will be able to perceive the brain without overload.

Previously, we also reported on the development of Mojo Vision contact lenses with integrated augmented reality technology.

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