Hybrid retinal implant: fusion of engineering and neuroscience

A hybrid retinal implant is a visual prosthesis to reconstruct visual sensation in the blind. It consists of an external devise and an internal micro-electro mechanical system (MEMS). In order to connect the MEMS with the central nervous systems (CNS), several neurons are attached on the top of the MEMS, and their axons are guided with the peripheral nerve graft or the fiber filled with Schwann cells. After the axons reach the CNS to make functional connection with the CNS neurons, the adequate electrical stimulation will make the attached neurons produce the action potential so that it will be possible to send image signal to the CNS through the neurons. Namely, the attached neurons can be used as living electric wires in the hybrid retinal implant.