A brain-computer interface developer reports that a retinal implant just 2mm thick could restore vision to the blind
On October 21, 2024,
Study Details | Restoration of Central Vision With the PRIMA System in Patients With Atrophic AMD | ClinicalTrials.gov
https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04676854
euretina-2024-prima.pdf
(PDF file)
Science Announces Positive Preliminary Results For Vision Restoration In Pivotal Clinical Trial | Science Corporation
https://science.xyz/news/primavera-trial-preliminary-results/
Researchers create brain implant that enables blind people to read again
https://www.tweaktown.com/news/101331/researchers-create-brain-implant-that-enables-blind-people-to-read-again/index.html
The PRIMA system, developed by Science Corporation, whose CEO is Max Hodak, former president of Neuralink , a brain implant company co-founded by Elon Musk, uses camera-equipped glasses to capture visual information and project infrared patterns onto a chip just 2 mm in size embedded under the retina. The chip converts infrared light into electrical stimulation patterns, which then transmit electrical pulses to the brain, which interprets the signals as images, allowing the user to regain lost vision.
The Science Corporation conducted a clinical trial on 38 visually impaired people with age-related
Below is an actual experiment using the PRIMA system. It has been shown that even patients who have lost their eyesight can read and write smoothly.
PRIMAvera Clinical Study: Patient Clips - YouTube
In the experiment, it was reported that many of the patients who used the PRIMA system were able to see smaller letters than before. The specific results are shown in the image below. When the PRIMA system was introduced to patients who could only see 'HVZDS' at the top, many of them were shown to be able to see 'NCVKD' to 'KDNRO', and the most effective patient was able to distinguish even the finer 'SZRDN'.
The results of measuring the subjects' visual acuity 6 and 12 months after implantation are shown below. The logMAR on the vertical axis starts at 0, and the higher the number, the worse the visual acuity. Patients who received the PRIMA system reported that their visual acuity continued to improve over time.
Additionally, the PRIMA system has an additional zoom function, which Science Corporation says reduces the field of view but allows the user to see larger text and objects.
'These results represent a milestone in the treatment of blindness caused by geographic atrophy due to age-related macular degeneration,' said Professor Frank Holz of the University of Bonn, who was involved in the development of the PRIMA system. 'Until now, there have been no effective treatment options for patients with geographic atrophy. With the PRIMA system, it is now possible to improve vision even in retina deteriorated by age-related macular degeneration.'
'To my knowledge, this is the first study to give blind individuals the ability to read seamlessly,' said Hodak. 'These results mark a major turning point for the field, and we are excited to bring this important technology to market in the next few years.'
In addition, foreign media TweakTown pointed out that 'The PRIMA system currently cannot recognize color. Therefore, the PRIMA system is not intended for healthy people without visual impairments.'
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