First bionic eye implant

50 Events 2012 – 31.08.2012/XNUMX/XNUMX XNUMX

The first bionic eye implant in humans. The eye consisted of 24 electrodes and is still considered the prototype.

Designers from the Australian Institute of Bionic Vision managed to implant a bionic eye, a hybrid of a normal human organ and electrodes, into patient Diane Ashworth. A practically blind woman before the operation can see the forms after the operation.

In May, scientists at Melbourne Hospital invited a woman with retinitis pigmentosa to participate in an experiment, to which she agreed. She was given a bionic eye; over the following months, the artificial organ was observed to take hold in the body and tests were carried out. At the end of August, the scientists decided to announce the success of the operation.

The implant is made from an electronic retina. It consists of 24 electrodes implanted just below the biological retina. Pulses to the electrodes follow the channel from the fundus to the "exit?" immediately behind the ear and on a special laboratory apparatus.