Image processing and interface for retinal visual prostheses

Controlled electrical stimulation of the retina can result in visual perception in blind patients. In contrast to the over 100,000,000 photoreceptors in a healthy retina, even hundreds of pixels/electrodes of a retinal implant may restore low-resolution vision for unaided mobility and large print reading. We describe the real-time application of image processing techniques, such as contrast and brightness enhancement, grayscale histogram equalization, edge detection, and grayscale reduction, to enhance the visual perception provided by a retinal implant. We discuss schemes for reducing the amount of data transmitted wirelessly to the implant, as well as the interface between the external imaging unit and retinal implant.