Enhanced Imaging for Visual Prostheses

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Project Summary/Abstract The proposed project relates to the commercialization of a promising new thermal/visual imaging system to be used as an input modality to visual prostheses and other low vision aids. Visual prostheses, including Second Sight's Argus® II retinal prosthesis, which restores partial vision to people blinded by diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa and macular degeneration, and Second Sight's Orion® visual cortical prosthesis, which restores partial vision to people blinded by diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa, macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, eye injury/trauma, optic nerve disease etc., use cameras or other sensors to provide electrical stimulation directly to the retina or visual cortex of the user to elicit visual perception. Unfortunately, ordinary light and color information is difficult for wearers to effectively process in many important tasks with the limited perceived spatial resolution of the prostheses and other low vision aids. Current compensation techniques in reduced resolution systems apply enhancement, magnification, and panning of visible light imagery, and these techniques have utility. However, as we have convincingly demonstrated in phases I and II of the SBIR-supported development project, other types of imaging more naturally align with the limited resolution of visual prostheses in important tasks such as people finding and mobility. In this proposed CRP project, we will advance the phase II developed production-prototype system into commercial production and complete all required verification and validation testing to achieve FDA approval. Completed production systems will be distributed to prosthesis recipients who will undergo training in their use and then be allowed to evaluate the system in their home and community environment. Through these evaluations the end utility of the system in real-world use will be evaluated.