Authors: Hetling, John; Baig-Silva, Monica

Source: Neurological Research, Volume 26, Number 1, January 2004 , pp. 21-34(14)

Publisher: Maney Publishing

Abstract:

A number of prevalent eye diseases exist which may lead to partial or total blindness, and for which there are currently no cures or means by which to restore lost sight. Based on recent progress, it has become apparent that artificial prosthetic devices, which would use electrical stimulation of neurons in the visual pathway to elicit visual percepts, are likely to some day become a viable treatment for patients blinded by these diseases. A number of recent scientific reviews have summarized general functional electrical stimulation (FES) approaches related to the visual system, and many of the technical considerations regarding fabrication, biocompatibility, stimulation thresholds and electrotoxicity. This review will address a principal outstanding question in retinal prosthesis development: the design and implementation of a functional interface with the retina. A functional interface between electrodes and retinal neurons will be stable, biocompatible, and will convey useful information to the visual system. Several parameters related to both the artificial and biological aspects of the interface must be considered; this paper will emphasize electrode design. Additional issues central to the development of prosthesis interface design, including retinal physiology, eye diseases, and existing animal models of retinal degeneration, are also summarized.

Keywords: EYE DISEASE; RETINA; PROSTHESIS; FES; VISION

Document Type: Research Article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1179/016164104773026499

Affiliations: Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA

Publication date: 2004-01-01

More about this publication?

• Authors wishing to cite fast track papers should give the journal name and the article DOI. This will enable reference linking via CrossRef and allow forward and backward citation tracking systems to associate the fast track citation with the final journal reference.

• Editorial Board
• Information for Authors
• Submit a Paper
• Subscribe to this Title
• Information for Advertisers
• Terms & Conditions
• Virtual Maney - Stroke
• Top articles
• Health Sciences Spotlight
• ingentaconnect is not responsible for the content or availability of external websites

Related content

• In this: publication
• By this: publisher
• In this Subject: Neurology & Psychiatry
• By this author: Hetling, John ;  Baig-Silva, Monica

Website © Publishing Technology. Article copyright remains with the publisher, society or author(s) as specified within the article.

• Terms and conditions
• Privacy policy
• Information for advertisers