Dual unit visual intraocular prosthesis

The development of an implantable Artificial Retina Chipset (ARC) is presented, and the authors' current design, comprised of the Dual Unit Visual Intraocular Prosthesis, is described. This device will enable the over 10,000,000 people afflicted by retinal diseases such as retinal pigmentosa (RP) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) to regain the sense of sight. This technology takes advantage of the fact that although these retinal diseases render the rods and cones inoperative, the ganglion cells lining the retina remain intact, and can respond to electrical stimulation. The ARC consists of a photosensing, processing, and stimulus-driving chip powered by solar cells which is connected to an electrode array. A photosensing, processing, and stimulus-driving chip has been fabricated and tested, and the chip performs in accordance with design specifications and biological parameters. The chip is capable of delivering the requisite currents for retinal stimulation in humans, as were determined by clinical studies conducted on the visually impaired with RP and AMD.