What is Argus II used for?

Medical use The Argus II is specifically designed to treat people with retinitis pigmentosa. The device was approved with data from a single-arm clinical trial that enrolled thirty people with severe retinitis pigmentosa; the longest follow-up on a trial subject was 38.3 months.

How much does the Argus II cost?

The cost of the Argus II is approximately $150,000; additional fees include the implantation surgery and training to use the device. The Second Site website provides an illustrated system overview, including a video animation.

What is Argus II bionic eye?

The Argus II Retinal Prosthesis System is a three-part device that allows some perception of light and motion in patients who have lost their vision due to retinitis pigmentosa. Surgery is done to place a small electronic device on the patient’s retina.

Who invented the Argus II?

Dr. Mark Humayun
The Argus II Retinal Prosthesis system is the first FDA-approved implanted electronic device to re-establish some functional vision in blind patients. The innovation was co-invented and co-developed by USC inventor Dr. Mark Humayun with the company Second Sight Medical Products, Inc., which manufactured the innovation.

How does Argus II work?

How does the Argus II work? The Argus® II System works by converting images captured by a miniature video camera mounted on glasses into a series of small pulses of energy, which are transmitted wirelessly to an array of electrodes implanted on the surface of the retina.

What are the benefits of bionic eye?

The successful development of a bionic eye has the potential to change lives in a very real, very hands-on way. Restoring even basic sight to those with impaired vision may allow them to become more mobile and independent, and return to them some of the quality of life they lost when their vision disappeared.

Can an eye transplant cure macular degeneration?

WEDNESDAY, April 4, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A new stem cell transplant might help preserve or even restore vision being lost to the dry form of age-related macular degeneration, a new pilot clinical trial has shown.

Are bionic eyes expensive?

The device costs about $150,000 and restores minimal vision. Only 15 centers in the U.S. offer the technology, and with competition abroad, Second Sight is hoping its new brain implant could be used by far more pople.

How does the bionic eye work?

The bionic vision system consists of a camera, attached to a pair of glasses, which transmits high-frequency radio signals to a microchip implanted in the retina. Electrodes on the implanted chip convert these signals into electrical impulses to stimulate cells in the retina that connect to the optic nerve.

Where was the Argus II invented?

Brief History of the Argus II. 2002: First Argus I device was implanted at University of Southern California. 2007: First Argus II device was implanted in the United States during clinical trials at University of Southern California. 2009: Argus II was designated as a Humanitarian Use Device by the FDA.

Is bionic eye real?

Several bionic eye implants are in development, but currently only one is available in the United States, and it is suitable only for blindness caused by specific eye diseases. However, as research continues, more and more people may soon benefit from high-tech bionic eyes.

What is the Argus II bionic eye system for?

News stories about a ‘bionic eye’ have gotten a lot of attention, but what actually is the device and who is it for? The Argus II Retinal Prosthesis System is a three-part device that allows some perception of light and motion in patients who have lost their vision due to retinitis pigmentosa.

How does the Argus II retinal implant work?

The Argus II restores the sense of sight with advanced bioelectronic technology. Commonly referred to as the “bionic eye,” the ophthalmic device is a retinal implant system (Images A & C) that consists of an eyeglass mounted camera and an implanted 60 electrode retinal stimulator. The stimulator, implanted

Can a bionic eye implant restore natural vision?

Patients must pass a careful medical screening to make sure there are no other physical reasons that they shouldn’t be given the implant. And patients should be aware that the Argus II does not restore complete, natural vision. The vision that is restored is black-and-white only, and does not include fine details.

What are the results of the Argus 2 clinical trial?

Results from the largest and longest-running clinical trial of the Argus II were announced in June 2015. The study, which had 30 participants, found that visual function had improved with use of the device in nearly 90 percent of the subjects. It also found that the device provided 80 percent of the subjects with an improved quality of life.