Argus II (bionic eye)

Argus II is the electronic implant of a retina created by the American company Second Sight. A bionic eye is intended for improvement of sight of people with a severe form of a hereditary disease pigmental retinit.

Principle of work

Argus II contains two basic elements: an implant of a retina and the external system consisting of the camera which is built in in points in a combination with the small processor. The camera writes images in real time which are processed and go on a wireless network to an implant using the built-in video processor. Argus II uses 60 electrodes to stimulate the remained healthy cells of a retina of the patient and to send visual information to an optic nerve, thus recovering capability to distinguish light, the movement and forms.

2017

the Second operation in Russia

In December, 2017 in Russia there took place the second operation on installation of a bionic eye. Doctors of Scientific center of ophthalmology of RNIMU it N.I. Pirogova successfully implanted the Argus II system to 56-year-old Antonina Zakharchenko from Chelyabinsk.

It the international team of surgeons under the leadership of professor Hristo Takhchidi and professor Paolo Stanga operated. They set  the Argus II complex: points with the miniature video camera, processing unit of video signal and a retinal implant which is implanted directly on a retina.

Antonina Zakharchenko after operation on implantation of a bionic eye

According to Takhchidi, bionic sight – black-and-white and planimetric. Of course, it not such sight as at completely healthy person, however the patient can move again independently in premises and on the street that there is already a lot of.

Professor  estimates  Antonina Zakharchenko's condition as very favorable: On December 21 she was and began to undergo rehabilitation. According to the surgeon, she quickly accustoms with work of a bionic eye though from the moment of implantation there passed not a lot of time:

She put on these glasses only yesterday … light distinguishes, white dressing gowns. Both patients on rates of entry into this technology are very successful — the doctor told.

The Russian Federation's first operation on change of a bionic eye was performed in the same Scientific center of ophthalmology RNIMU to them N.I. Pirogov at the end of June, 2017. Then operated 59-year-old Grigory Ulyanov who is also living in Chelyabinsk. Its rehabilitation takes place safely and physicians are happy with results, Hristo Takhchidi in December reported.

The Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation is going to include operations on eye implantation in the list of the free hi-tech help, but for this purpose at first clinical approbation — not less than five operations in Russia is necessary. The indication to transaction is pigmental retinit which by the end of 2017 is registered at 50 thousand Russians.^[1]

The first operation in Russia

In July, 2017 in Scientific clinical center of otorhinolaryngology of FMBA there took place operation on installation of a bionic eye Argus II to 58-year-old Grigory Ulyanov from Chelyabinsk. He became the first Russian to whom set such implant.

Ulyanov lost sight because of the progressing disease — a pigmental degeneration of a retina. The disease developed within several decades and, at last, reached the finishing stage when the patient lost subject sight. Argus II will allow the man to move independently at home and on the street, to become more independent and free. Feature of a status of Grigory is that together with sight he partially lost also hearing, however the hearing aid helps to hear to it and difficult transaction in this case was not required.

Transaction required an improbable subtlety. That accidentally not to have a bite microwiring, silicone tubules were put on all tools. Each manipulation was previously precisely verified as excess movements were undesirable. And the main thing — each movement should be done truly from the first.

Transaction lasted six hours. But, that began "see" a bionic eye, this system it is necessary to include. Also does it already even not the surgeon, but special engineering group.

I at first understood nothing — shares impressions of the first minutes after inclusion of a system. — Before eyes suddenly everything began to sparkle, some white spots. And constantly flashes, flashes. After complete darkness it was unusual and it is even heavy — Grigory Ulyanov told.

Of course, a bionic eye — not equivalent replacement live. And not only because it does not define subject parts. For example, the healthy person reacts to a sound or a light source the movement of eyeballs, to turn not necessarily. With a bionic eye, say, to look down, one movement of eyes insufficiently — it is necessary to incline the head. Still it is necessary to get used to this patient.^[2]

The beginning of use in Russia

In April, 2017 it became known of plans to perform the first operations on change of bionic eyes in Russia. Electronic implants of Argus II will be replaced in scientific clinical center of otorhinolaryngology of FMBA of Russia.

In May, 2017 it is going to carry out two procedures of implantation of electronic eyes  Argus II. Expenses on both transactions will be paid by fund of support Connection. The average cost of the procedure is about $145 thousand.

Bionic eye of Argus II

Argus II helps to see to people a sick pigmental retinit. According to the business publication "Invest-Forsayt with reference to data of experts, by April, 2017 in Russia is about 50 thousand people having risk of development of a blindness because of the pigmental retinit. About 1.5 million people live in the world of such people.

These people at the same time have two touch violations, and the help is necessary for them more, than the rest — Ivan Biryukov, the head of the Center of development of social innovations of "Technology of opportunities" and the representative of board of fund "considers Connection.[3]

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