<b><i>electric pulse</i></b><b><i> </i></b>
This research explores the development of a <b>non-invasive, wearable visual prosthetic device</b> aimed at restoring vision in individuals with <b>Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP)</b>—a degenerative eye disease that leads to progressive loss of vision due to retinal cell deterioration. Recognizing the limitations of current treatment methods and the invasive nature of retinal implants, the project proposes an <b>innovative, cost-effective solution</b> using <b>targeted electrical stimulation</b> to activate surviving retinal cells.The device is designed to be <b>flexible, lightweight, and user-friendly</b>, incorporating <b>microelectrodes</b> that deliver <b>biphasic current pulses at 20 Hz</b>, tailored to each patient's <b>electrical phosphene threshold (EPT)</b>—a technique supported by prior research (Horsley et al., 2021). By customizing stimulation patterns, the system can adapt to varying degrees of RP progression while minimizing discomfort.Initial testing was conducted through <b>in-vitro experiments</b>, in which retinal cells cultured outside the body were exposed to controlled electrical stimulation. The results demonstrated that the device could effectively induce cellular activity, signaling its potential for future therapeutic applications.Overall, this research presents a <b>promising alternative</b> to invasive retinal implants. With further development—including <b>in-vivo testing</b>—the device could offer a significant improvement in <b>quality of life</b> for RP patients by providing <b>personalized and accessible visual restoration</b>.
Publication Details
- Journal
- Figshare
- Published
- 2025-01-01
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.29648132.v1
- Primary Topic
- Neuroscience and Neural Engineering
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00