Implant to cure blindness?
We've run a few of these before, but
if you think we're into otherwise unnecessary implantables, don't even get us started on implantables that enhance
sensory perception, or restore senses where there were once none. The New Scientist has a writeup of a new kind of
solar powered 1.5 millimeter x 15 micrometer retinal implant that could start restoring vision to the blind by using solar cells to trigger lead zirconate titanate
piezoelectric actuators that stimulate optical neurotransmitters. Yeah, we slapped our foreheads too, it was so
simple. You'll have Laxman Saggere of the University of Illinois at Chicago to thank when his invention is
complete, though; we can't wait to give Stevie a peek -- the man wrote Songs in the Key of Life, can't he just get a
peek?
Filed under: Displays, Misc. Gadgets
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
MakeMyDay @ Apr 24th 2006 2:47AM
I am pretty sure the Retina Implant of the University of Bonn is still the best there is.
WicK3d GooSe @ Apr 24th 2006 3:27AM
That is sweet! I wonder how much it will cost to get it done.
Jai @ Apr 24th 2006 4:10AM
Can we get him a peek?
quote from Chris Rock me thinks! plagarism!
lol
Neeraj @ Apr 24th 2006 4:58AM
This is excellent. Surely can pave a way to a boon for blind people
Fonze @ Apr 24th 2006 5:09AM
I agree Jai. Sounds funnier comming out of Chris Rock's mouth
zazzawazza @ Apr 24th 2006 5:09AM
That's nice but how do you focus on what you're looking at?
Karkian @ Apr 24th 2006 5:39AM
Your eye can do the focusing already. The New Scienist article states that it's for "people with retinal diseases such as age-related macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa" that cause blindness by damaging the photoreceptors. The device replaces those and the diagram shows it affixed to the retina.
...I'm sorry, that wasn't very Internet of me; RTFA ASSCLOWN
Eric @ Apr 24th 2006 7:29AM
now that we have the eye blindness issue solved, lets get cracking on the ears for all of us DAP owners hu will go deaf in the future and its gonna b one hell of a problem. So get cracking!
enzo @ Apr 24th 2006 9:32AM
That would be so awsome if we could cure Stevie Wonder's blindness in his lifetime.
mroach @ Apr 24th 2006 9:57AM
And so begins our transformation to Borg drones. I'm sure it's not far off that these implants could be used for mega zoom/infra-red/ultra violet/night vision optical implants that everyone gets. Now that we have technology like this and nano-probes on the way, it's only a matter of time.
Josh H @ Apr 24th 2006 10:15AM
Nice Chris Rock reference.
Molly @ Apr 24th 2006 1:41PM
do you get to wear a big helmet with huge solar panels on it?
nizzy1115 @ Apr 25th 2006 12:18PM
This guy is my academic counceler at uic. Very nice guy and a genious too.
chzzy @ Apr 26th 2006 8:36PM
Yes, but what happens when the reservoir of neurotransmitter chemicals runs dry?
SALLIE MITCHELL @ May 17th 2006 9:42PM
Would like to have e-mail on this for my mother who is suffering from macular degeneration with no help for her and I do mean that she suffers. Her reading was so important to her. I would like so much to be able to help her.
afsaneh najafi @ Jun 13th 2006 3:35AM
actually I need some information about the ways to cure a pigmentosa sufferer who is a friend of mine and she hopes to see even %30 her vision is %1 and she insisted that she could see through an implant and her finantiol sources are limited. she is thinking about a proffetional center may be an equiped hospital in asia by low costs.could you please lead us to find it. and I really want to know how succesful are these surgeries she is very cleverand hard working she lives on her own and has got her BS in English Translation.Her name is Shadi,means Happiness in our language. I'm very worry about her I think she is some how more than hopefull about the ways of cure and it may affect her if all her hopes change to diappointment. pls tell me how can I help her?