Implantation and long-term assessment of the stability and biocompatibility of a novel 98 channel suprachoroidal visual prosthesis in sheep

• DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2021.121191
• Publication Date: 2021-10-25T12:36:57Z
• Authors: Samuel C. Eggenbe...; Natalie L. James; Cherry Ho; Steven S. Eamegdool; Veronika Tatarinoff; Naomi A. Craig; Barry S. Gow; Susan Wan; Christopher W.D. ...; Donna La Hood; Aaron Gilmour; Shannon L. Donahoe; Mark Krockenberger; Krishna Tumuluri; Melville J. da Cruz; John R. Grigg; Peter McCluskey; Nigel H. Lovell; Michele C. Madigan; Adrian T. Fung; Gregg J. Suaning
• Keywords: Visual prosthesis; Biocompatibility; Electrode array; Retinal implant

Severe visual impairment can result from retinal degenerative diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa, which lead to photoreceptor cell death. These pathologies in extensive neural and glial remodelling, with survival of excitable neurons that be electrically stimulated elicit percepts restore a form useful vision. The Phoenix99 Bionic Eye is fully implantable prosthesis, designed stimulate the retina suprachoroidal space. In current study, nine passive devices were implanted an ovine model two days three months. impact intervention implant stability assessed using indirect ophthalmoscopy, infrared imaging, optical coherence tomography establish safety profile surgery device. biocompatibility device was evaluated histopathological analysis tissue surrounding electrode array, focus on health cells required convey signals brain. Appropriate array demonstrated, histological shows fibrotic inflammatory response mild. Promising evidence potential sense vision severely visually impaired obtained.