Towards a learning retina implant with epiretinal contacts

A learning retina implant (RI) is an intelligent neuroprosthetic device with implanted components in contact with retinal nervous tissue for blind subjects with retinal degenerative disorders. RI consists of a learning retina encoder (RE) and an implantable microcontact foil as retina stimulator (RS). A wireless signal and energy transmission system handles the communication between RE in a frame of glasses outside the eye and RS, which is implanted epiretinally adjacent to the ganglion cell layer. This paper outlines the essential functional RI properties under the assumption that RS with 200-500 stimulation microelectrodes can be implanted to elicit neural action potentials in a small selected group of retinal ganglion cells with intact connection to the central visual system via the optic nerve. The essential RI properties are described. Recent results as well as key elements of future research are presented