Experts in scientific fields such as microelectronics, neurophysics, information engineering, computer science, and material science have been engaged in serious efforts to develop a visual prosthesis. Such a device would assist patients whose loss of sight is due to diseases of retina. Retinal diseases have affected approximately 30 million people around the world.

Now, a group of researchers have made a breakthrough in visual implants, and are receiving an award, the Joseph von Fraunhofer Prize 2008 for outstanding scientific achievements by Fraunhofer researchers in solving application-related problems. Dr. Ingo Krisch, Dipl.-Ing. Michael Görtz and Dr. Hoc Khiem Trieu of the Fraunhofer Institute for Microelectronic Circuits and Systems IMS in Duisburg, Germany conducted the EPI-RET research project for twelve years, including a study of six patients, which in September 2007 resulted in the finding that an implantable vision prosthesis is technically feasible and functioning. The project was funded by the German Ministry of Education and Research.

According to Dr. Trieu, previously blind patients in the study "were able to see spots of light or geometric patterns, depending on how the nerve cells were stimulated." Dr. Trieu, along with Dr. Krisch and Görtz, were able to translate the specifications given by the medical experts and material scientists into an implant and chip design. Dr. Kirsch says the system is operated wirelessly and was remotely controlled. Much of the work in the project involved ensuring the implant could be used without external cables. Michael Görtz says that the designs were made progressively smaller and the implant materials more flexible and robust, for better performance.
The implant will assist a particular disease pattern. Retinitis pigmentosa causes light sensitive cells to be destroyed. However, the connection of the nerve cells to the brain remains intact. The system, in both an implant and transmitter within an eyeglass frame, will convert images into interpretable signals, which will stimulate those intact cells with electrodes.

EPI-RET GmbH, an offshoot of the project, will market the vision prosthesis in about three years' time after a new clinical study has been completed.

More information available at: http://www.fraunhofer.de/EN/press/pi/2008/05/ResearchNews5s
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