Connecticut Patent of the Month – July 2024
LambdaVision, Inc. has been granted a patent for their new retinal implant which aims to restore vision for those suffering from severe retinal diseases like age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and retinitis pigmentosa (RP).
The innovative approach utilizes a bacteriorhodopsin-based retinal implant, which mimics the natural photoreceptor cells in the eye. This implant is designed to be less surgically invasive while providing higher resolution than previous technologies.
The implant consists of layers of bacteriorhodopsin, a light-sensitive protein, alternated with cationic polymers. These layers form a film that responds to light, stimulating the remaining retinal cells. Upon implantation, the device is activated using a light source, which could be either pulsed or continuous, emitting in the human visible wavelength range (about 400 to 700 nm). The light source activates the bacteriorhodopsin, which then generates electrical signals to stimulate the retinal cells, effectively replacing the function of damaged photoreceptors.
This high-resolution stimulation can be fine-tuned, with pixel dimensions adjustable to as small as 25 micrometers. Such precision enables the implant to provide clearer and more detailed visual input to the brain. Moreover, the implant is biocompatible and can be positioned subretinally or epiretinally, depending on the specific needs of the patient.
Clinical studies and experiments with animal models have shown promising results, demonstrating the implant’s capability to activate retinal neurons under light conditions similar to indoor environments. This advancement marks a significant leap in the field of retinal prosthetics, offering hope to millions of individuals who have lost their vision due to retinal cell degeneration. With LambdaVision’s pioneering work, the future of vision restoration looks brighter than ever.
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