Article: Bionic eye study paves the way towards human trials
Source: University of Sydney (Australia)
Published: December 1, 2021
Researchers in Australia are investigating a new type of bionic eye
implant for the treatment of degenerative retinal diseases. The result
of "decades of experience and technological breakthroughs in the field
of implantable electronics," the Phoenix
99 Bionic Eye is a
98-channel visual prosthesis comprising two components: a stimulator
implanted in the eye in the suprachoroidal space and a communication
module positioned under the skin behind the ear. This system is attached
to an external glasses-mounted miniature camera that captures images to send instructions wirelessly to the
communication module behind the ear, which decodes and transfers the
signals to the stimulation module behind the retina. The research team
has tested implantation of 9 devices in an ovine (sheep)
model, reporting positive results up to 3 months in this study. One of
the engineers on the project remarks, "Importantly, we found the device
has a very low impact on the neurons
required to ‘trick’ the brain. There were no unexpected reactions from
the tissue around the device and we expect it could safely remain in
place for many years."
Implant stability and safety profile were assessed with indirect ophthalmoscopy, infrared imaging, and optical coherence tomography.
Biocompatibility
was evaluated with histological analysis with an emphasis on the health
of the retinal cells; only mild fibrosis and inflammation of the
surrounding tissue were observed. Although assessments of
visual function were not conducted, the researchers state being
confident with the results in terms of safety to submit ethics approval
for human
clinical trials. They
continue to make refinements in more advanced stimulation and surgical
techniques in the meantime.
My rating of this study:
⭐⭐Eggenbergera SC, James NL, Ho C, et al. "Implantation and long-term assessment of the stability and biocompatibility of a novel 98 channel suprachoroidal visual prosthesis in sheep."
Biomaterials. 279:121191. December 2021.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biomaterials.2021.121191
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