A Prototype 1024 Electrode Embedded Computer based Epiretinal Prosthesis System

Epiretinal prosthesis is a biomedical implant technology currently being developed around the world in hopes of restoring useful vision for patients suffering from retinal degenerative diseases such as Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP). Epiretinal Prosthesis System (EPS) consists of four parts that includes Body Worn Image Processor (BWIP), Retinal Implantable Receiver Stimulator (RIRS), wireless telemetry and electrode array. Images are captured by BWIP's camera and encoded into a 1 Mbps bit stream by BWIP. The bit stream is modulated on 8.195 MHz carrier and transmitted serially to RIRS through wireless telemetry. RIRS converts the bit stream into electrical pulses and drives 1024 electrode array to stimulate the survival parts of retina electrically with visual cues for understanding the video picture/image. This paper presents the design of flexible high resolution 1024-electrode embedded computer based EPS using embedded computer based efficient control algorithms for better visual prediction. Finally, the integrity of the EPS has been verified visually through video display on LCD/LED array. The experimental results of EPS are enumerated for the object of human face using 1024-electrode/pixel LED array.