Company Profile

Optobionics' Artificial Silicon Retina (ASR) may be used as a stand-alone implant that is placed behind the retina (subretinal approach) to directly stimulate the remaining viable cells of the retina. An array of microphotodiodes is fabricated on the chip so that the chip itself converts light energy to electrical signals. These are designed to directly stimulate the remaining overlying cells of the retina. We understand other approaches utilize implants, positioned on the surface of the retina (epiretinal approach), to try to stimulate the nerve-fiber layer or ganglion cells. We also understand that these other devices are designed to function in conjunction with computers, video cameras, lasers, and/or radio frequency transmitters. Thus Optobionics' subretinal approach differs from the epiretinal approach in that: (1) the design of our chip is relatively simple and may be able to function solely with the power provided by light entering into the eye—presently our chip does not require connecting wires, batteries, or other ancillary devices—and (2) the placement of our chip is in contact with earlier processing cells of the retina, so that some level of normal retinal processing of images may be possible. This will hopefully allow the chip to generate relatively high quality imag