Artificial Vision Neuroprosthesis

Our prior work successfully showed that animals can recognize patterns elicited during multi-channel stimulation of the visual cortex, demonstrating that a visual cortical prosthesis can yield interpretable visual percepts. However, the visual cortex in humans (particularly primary visual cortex) is challenging to access because it is mostly buried within the calcarine sulcus, between the hemispheres of the brain. To create a clinically viable device for human users, we need to develop highly functional, biocompatible, and durable hardware that can interface extensively with the visual cortex.

In our current work using animal models, we will (1) rigorously test the functionality and biocompatibility of flexible electrodes; (2) perform in-vivo validation of closed-loop stimulation hardware; and (3) demonstrate the long-term stability and utility of the phosphene vision generated by hardware and software developed in this programme.