Technology
The Learning Retina Implant System has a modular design and consists of three main components: the Retinal Stimulator (the component actually implanted in the eye), the Visual Interface and the Pocket Processor.
The Visual Interface includes a built-in camera that captures images from the wearer’s surroundings. This image information is processed by the Pocket Processor and translated into stimulation commands. These commands are sent from the Pocket Processor to the Retinal Stimulator inside the eye via wireless transmission. They are then transformed into electrical pulses by a microchip in the Retinal Stimulator. The electrical pulses generated by the Retinal Stimulator stimulate the retina electrically and thus give the implant wearer useful selective visual perception.
» External Parts
» Implantat / Retina Stimulator
» Intelligence
External Parts
The Intelligent Retinal Implant SystemTM has two external components: the Visual Interface and the Pocket Processor.
1. The Visual Interface looks like a standard pair of glasses. It consists of several electronic components: a camera to capture images from the wearer’s surroundings and other components for data communication with the Pocket Processor and the Retinal Stimulator. Furthermore, the Visual Interface conveys the energy required by the implant / Retinal Stimulator to the inside of the eye via wireless transmission.
2. The Pocket Processor is the size of a walkman. It contains rechargeable batteries that supply energy for the entire system (Pocket Processor, Visual Interface and Retinal Stimulator). It also contains a microcomputer that translates the image data into stimulation commands for the Retinal Stimulator. The Pocket Processor can be carried on a belt or strap.
The two external components are connected by a thin cable.
Implantat / Retina Stimulator
The implantable Retinal Stimulator consists of a flexible plastic carrier onto which various microelectronic parts are mounted. The electronic parts are used for two purposes: 1) to receive data and energy and 2) to electrically stimulate the retina with microelectrodes. The Retinal Stimulator is implanted into one eye only and has no material connection to the Visual Interface. The Retinal Stimulator has no batteries or energy storage of its own and is therefore fully controlled by the Visual Interface.
Intelligence
The Retinal Encoder is a fundamental part of the software in the Pocket Processor. It converts image signals into stimulation commands for the Retinal Stimulator. Since each patient requires different parameters for optimal visual perception, the Retinal Encoder is adjusted individually using a computer-aided dialogue. The technical parameters of the Retinal Encoder are optimized and adapted to the requirements of the individual implant wearer during several sessions with specialized clinical staff.
