Retinal Light Processing Using Carbon Nanotubes
The Vision Chip is targeted to treat Age-related Macular Degeneration, and other degenerative diseases of the retina by replacing a compromised retinal photoreceptor system with an array of equivalent external photoreceptors and carbon nanotube (CNT) “towers” (bundles of CNTs) that provide a pathway to transmit signals from the external photoreceptors to an active layer of retina.
NASA has patented a new technology called the Vision Chip, an implantable device that has the potential to restore or supplement visual function in a diseased or damaged retina. This technology could benefit millions of people in the US and globally who suffer from degenerative diseases of the eye’s retina such as Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD), Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), and, in some cases, diabetic retinopathy. AMD is the leading cause of irreversible vision loss in the U.S., affecting >25% of people over age 74 [ref 1 at
This technology could benefit millions of people in the US and globally who suffer from degenerative diseases of the eye’s retina such as Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD), Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), and, in some cases, diabetic retinopathy. AMD is the leading cause of irreversible vision loss in the U.S., affecting >25% of people over age 74 [ref 1 at end]. Severe vision loss or blindness from many retinal disorders is increasing as the population ages.
The Vision Chip is targeted to treat AMD, and other degenerative diseases of the retina by replacing a compromised retinal photoreceptor system with an array of equivalent external photoreceptors and carbon nanotube (CNT) “towers” (bundles of CNTs) that provide a pathway to transmit signals from the external photoreceptors to an active layer of retina.
The Vision Chip provides an alternative, pixel-sized, wavelength-sensitive light path around diseased, injured, or deficient areas to functioning retina. The implantable Vision Chip is based on CNTs or CNT bundles, used as photodetectors, electrodes, transducers, or physical guides to transmit opto-electrical signals in response to light. Each array of CNT towers connects to a pixel at one end, and penetrates the active retina at the other end.
The chip’s array of electrically conducting orsemi-conducting CNT towersproject orthogonally from the surface of a silicon chip or similar solid support. The separate electrical connections allow for towers to be electrically stimulated independently for high resolution and flexibility. An insulating layer covers the electrical circuitry, thereby electrically isolating the eye tissue. A key design feature is sufficient mechanical stability of the towers to permit insertion into retinal tissue, either from the anterior or the posterior aspect of the retina, without breaking or dislodging the CNT towers. A ground electrode, or counter-electrode, is incorporated onto the Vision Chip, to optimize electrical stimulation and electrical sensing from eye used as an electrical sensor for the retina in fundamental vision science research to understand the eye’s processing and integration of light signals.
