[extropy-chat] Eye implant may reverse blindness

[Giu1i0 Pri5c0]

>From BBC News: Scientists have described their first complete design of an
implant that will take the place of light-sensitive cells in the retina of a
damaged eye. Current implants use chips that convert light into electrical
impulses that are fed to the brain via the optic nerve. The new device will
work differently. It will be placed on a damaged retina and convert light
into chemicals that will stimulate nerve cells. The prototype is being
constructed at Stanford University in California. Dr Stacey Bent of Stanford
University calls the device "the holy grail of prostheses". It takes a new
approach to replacing a damaged retina, the layer of cells at the back of
the eye that detect light and send signals to the brain. Instead of using
electrical stimulation from a chip that converts light into electric
impulses, we are using an implant that releases neurotransmitters just as
the retina does naturally.
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.extropy.org/pipermail/extropy-chat/attachments/20031205/139ebe74/attachment.html>