Consortium to Develop Artificial Retina

A consortium has recently agreed to jointly develop technology that could restore sight to those who have lost their sight later in life.

A U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) consortium of national laboratories, including Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL, Livermore, CA, USA) and several universities, have signed an agreement with Second Sight Medical Products, Inc. (Sylmar, CA, USA) to form a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA), which allows Second Sight Medical Products to obtain a limited exclusive license for inventions developed during the DOE Retinal Prosthesis Project.

An artificial retina could restore vision to millions of people with eye disorders ranging from macular degeneration to retinitis pigmentosa, or those who are legally blind due to the loss of photoreceptor function. Scientists from LLNL's Center for Micro- and Nanotechnology are specifically developing a flexible silicone implant (microelectrode array) that sits on the surface of the retina. The electrode array can contact fragile retinal tissue without damaging it. The implantable retinal prosthesis is based on a system that transforms a video camera signal into a stimulation pattern that is applied directly to the interlobular retinal surface. This is known as an epiretinal implant--the device is in contact with the retina's surface. Visual signals are acquired by a small video camera in the eyeglasses of the blind individual and processed through a microcomputer worn on a belt.

Even though the device will not restore full vision, it will probably provide enough optical resolution for patient to read and recognize fine shapes. LLNL's innovative use of polydimethlsiloxane (PDMS) allowed the microelectrode array to conform to the curved shape of the retina.

"PDMS has the look and feel of thin plastic food wrap, yet it's biocompatible, making it a good candidate material for long-term implant,” Courtney Davidson, Livermore's main investigator.



Related Links:
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Second Sight Medical Products