Artificial Vision - Cortical Implants, Retinal Implants, Quality Of Artificial Vision
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Artificial vision refers to the technology (usually, visual implants) that allows blind people to see. The main aim of visual implants is to relay the picture to the brain using either cameras or photoreceptor arrays. There are different types of implants used to stimulate vision; retinal, cortical, optic nerve, and biohybrid implants. None of the currently available technologies restores full vision, but they are often able to improve one's ability to recognize shapes and movements.
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A number of scientific groups are working on cortical implants, which directly stimulate the visual cortex and can be used by a majority of blind patients. The main differences between implants are the way in which they interact with the brain. Surface-type implants, such as the Dobelle implant, are placed directly on the brain surface. Others, such as penetrating implants, are designed to be intr…
Retinal implants were designed for people with retinal diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa or age-related macular
Japan's Mitsubishi Electric presents the first color artificial retina in 1999. © AFP/Corbis. Reproduced by permission.
degeneration. These implants rely on intact retinal neurons to transmit the stimuli to the brain. A number of varying designs are being used in…
Resolution of the artificial systems is an important consideration in their design and usefulness. A pixel resolution of 5x5, such as with the ARCC, allows reading of some individual letters; a 10x10 pixel vision (ASR) can allow further distinction of form, but a pixel resolution of 32x32 is usually necessary to allow a person freedom of movement. Better resolutions of 64x64 pixels and up to 250x2…
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