Argus retinal prosthesis: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 18:45, 23 March 2025

Retinal prosthesis system

The Argus retinal prosthesis is a type of bionic eye designed to restore some degree of vision to individuals who are blind due to retinitis pigmentosa or other degenerative eye diseases. Developed by Second Sight Medical Products, the Argus system is one of the first retinal implants to receive regulatory approval for commercial use.

Overview[edit]

The Argus retinal prosthesis system consists of a small electronic device implanted in and around the eye, and a pair of glasses equipped with a camera. The camera captures video, which is processed by a small computer worn by the user. This processed video is then transmitted wirelessly to the implant, which stimulates the retina to create a perception of patterns of light in the brain.

Components[edit]

Implant[edit]

The implant component of the Argus system is surgically placed on the surface of the retina. It consists of an array of electrodes that directly stimulate the remaining viable retinal cells. The implant is designed to be biocompatible and durable, capable of functioning for many years within the eye.

External Equipment[edit]

The external equipment includes a pair of glasses with a built-in camera and a video processing unit (VPU). The camera captures the visual scene and sends the data to the VPU, which processes the images and converts them into electrical signals. These signals are then sent wirelessly to the implant.

Functionality[edit]

The Argus system is designed to provide visual information to individuals who have lost their vision due to retinal degeneration. While it does not restore normal vision, it can help users perceive light, movement, and shapes, which can significantly improve their ability to navigate and perform daily tasks.

Surgical Procedure[edit]

The implantation of the Argus system is a complex surgical procedure that requires specialized training. The surgery involves attaching the electrode array to the retina and securing the implant in place. Post-surgery, patients undergo a period of rehabilitation to learn how to interpret the visual information provided by the system.

Limitations and Challenges[edit]

While the Argus system represents a significant advancement in visual prosthetics, it has limitations. The resolution of the visual information is low, and the system requires extensive training and adaptation by the user. Additionally, the surgery carries risks, and not all patients are suitable candidates for the implant.

Future Developments[edit]

Research and development continue to improve the technology behind retinal prostheses. Future iterations aim to increase the resolution of the visual information, improve the ease of use, and expand the range of conditions that can be treated with such devices.

Related pages[edit]

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-'''Argus Retinal Prosthesis'''
+{{Short description|Retinal prosthesis system}}
-The '''Argus Retinal Prosthesis''', also known as the '''Argus II Retinal Prosthesis System''', represents a significant advancement in [[biomedical engineering]] and [[ophthalmology]], offering a form of visual restoration to individuals suffering from severe cases of [[retinitis pigmentosa]] (RP). This innovative device, developed by Second Sight Medical Products, Inc., is a pioneering effort in the field of visual prosthetics, aiming to partially restore functional vision to those who have lost their sight due to retinal degenerative conditions.
+The '''Argus retinal prosthesis''' is a type of [[bionic eye]] designed to restore some degree of vision to individuals who are blind due to [[retinitis pigmentosa]] or other degenerative eye diseases. Developed by [[Second Sight Medical Products]], the Argus system is one of the first [[retinal implants]] to receive regulatory approval for commercial use.
 ==Overview==
-The Argus II system works by bypassing damaged photoreceptor cells in the eye and directly stimulating the remaining viable retinal cells to convey visual information to the brain. The system comprises an external camera mounted on a pair of glasses, a video processing unit (VPU), and an implanted retinal prosthesis (the electrode array) that is surgically attached to the retina. The camera captures images, which are then processed by the VPU into instructions that are wirelessly transmitted to the retinal implant. These instructions are interpreted as patterns of light by the brain, allowing the user to perceive visual cues in their environment.
+The Argus retinal prosthesis system consists of a small electronic device implanted in and around the eye, and a pair of glasses equipped with a camera. The camera captures video, which is processed by a small computer worn by the user. This processed video is then transmitted wirelessly to the implant, which stimulates the [[retina]] to create a perception of patterns of light in the brain.
 ==Components==
-* '''External Camera:''' Mounted on a pair of glasses, it captures the visual scene.
-* '''Video Processing Unit (VPU):''' Processes the captured images into simplified instructions that can be understood by the implanted retinal prosthesis.
+===Implant===
-* '''Retinal Implant:''' Receives instructions wirelessly from the VPU and stimulates the retina to send visual information to the brain.
+The implant component of the Argus system is surgically placed on the surface of the retina. It consists of an array of electrodes that directly stimulate the remaining viable retinal cells. The implant is designed to be biocompatible and durable, capable of functioning for many years within the eye.
+===External Equipment===
+The external equipment includes a pair of glasses with a built-in camera and a video processing unit (VPU). The camera captures the visual scene and sends the data to the VPU, which processes the images and converts them into electrical signals. These signals are then sent wirelessly to the implant.
+==Functionality==
+The Argus system is designed to provide visual information to individuals who have lost their vision due to retinal degeneration. While it does not restore normal vision, it can help users perceive light, movement, and shapes, which can significantly improve their ability to navigate and perform daily tasks.
 ==Surgical Procedure==
-The implantation of the Argus II system is a complex surgical procedure that requires a multidisciplinary team including [[ophthalmologists]], [[surgeons]] specializing in [[retinal surgery]], and [[anesthesiologists]]. The surgery involves attaching the electrode array to the retina and connecting it to the electronics case, which is implanted in the eye socket.
+The implantation of the Argus system is a complex surgical procedure that requires specialized training. The surgery involves attaching the electrode array to the retina and securing the implant in place. Post-surgery, patients undergo a period of rehabilitation to learn how to interpret the visual information provided by the system.
-==Clinical Outcomes==
+==Limitations and Challenges==
-Clinical trials have demonstrated that the Argus II can provide significant improvements in visual function for individuals with RP, enabling them to perform tasks such as locating and identifying large objects, detecting movement, and navigating in unfamiliar environments. However, it is important to note that the system does not restore normal vision but rather provides a new form of visual perception to aid in daily activities.
+While the Argus system represents a significant advancement in [[visual prosthetics]], it has limitations. The resolution of the visual information is low, and the system requires extensive training and adaptation by the user. Additionally, the surgery carries risks, and not all patients are suitable candidates for the implant.
-==Ethical and Social Considerations==
+==Future Developments==
-The development and implementation of the Argus II raise important ethical and social considerations, including the cost of the device, access to the technology, and the long-term effects on patients' quality of life. Ongoing research and dialogue among [[bioethicists]], healthcare providers, and patients are crucial to addressing these issues.
+Research and development continue to improve the technology behind retinal prostheses. Future iterations aim to increase the resolution of the visual information, improve the ease of use, and expand the range of conditions that can be treated with such devices.
-==Future Directions==
+==Related pages==
-Research continues to advance in the field of retinal prostheses, with efforts focused on improving the resolution of the visual perception provided by devices like the Argus II and extending the technology to treat other forms of blindness. Innovations in [[nanotechnology]], [[neuroscience]], and [[material science]] are expected to play a key role in the development of next-generation visual prosthetics.
+* [[Retinal implant]]
+* [[Bionic eye]]
+* [[Retinitis pigmentosa]]
+* [[Visual prosthesis]]
+[[Category:Visual prosthetics]]
 [[Category:Medical devices]]
 [[Category:Ophthalmology]]
-[[Category:Visual prosthetics]]
-{{medicine-stub}}