Blind people could regain their sight thanks to a retinal nano-implant!

Researchers at the Universities of San Diego and California's Jolla have developed an implant that can stimulate the neurons of the retina in contact with light.

This implant is based on two technologies:

First, silicon nano-wires detect light and electrically stimulate the retina on the same pattern as the cones and rods naturally present in the eye.

To work, a wireless device allows to transmit the power by inductive telemetry and the data (intensity, clarity, direction, etc.) by Wi-Fi to nano-wires at a speed never reached. The results of the in vitro tests on rats are without appeal: the resolution is the best obtained so far by a prosthesis!

Until now, all models relied on external sensors that encoded the received signal. This posed problems of latency, resolution and in terms of energy expenditure.

It will probably take several years to adapt this model to humans. However, this remains a significant step forward in the fight against visual impairment that affects nearly 285 million people worldwide.

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