A biomimetic retinal stimulating array

A retinal prosthesis capable of restoring face recognition, reading, and mobility to blind patients is within the capability of microsystems technology. Electrode arrays can be made dense enough to be able to place thousands of pixels into the macula. Electrode materials can supply safe and effective stimulus current. This review examines some prior work in electrical stimulation of the retina and simulations of phosphene-based vision as a basis to produce design constraints for a biomimetic retinal-stimulating array. An array is designed considering the needs of the end users (blind individuals), the biology of diseased retina, and the limits of electrode technology. Other technology to support the system such as high-density stimulus generation circuitry and hermetic packaging face significant challenges but solutions can likely be realized to some degree.