Intracortical Visual Prosthesis Research - Approach and Progress

Following the early work of Brindley in the late 1960's, the NIH began intramural and extramural funding for stimulation of the primary visual cortex using fine-wire electrodes that are inserted into area V1 for the purpose of restoring vision in individuals with blindness. More recently researchers with experience in this project became part of our multi-institutional team with the intention to identify and close technological gaps so that the intracortical approach might be tested in humans on a chronic basis. Our team has formulated an approach for testing a prototype system in a human volunteer. Here, we describe our progress and expectations