Retinal DiseaseASR DeviceNote To PatientsImplantationSurgeryFAQ


NEWS: We are happy to have the Optobionics website back up.  The original Optobionics Corporation has stopped operations.  However, Dr. Chow has acquired the Optobionics name and the Artificial Silicon Retina (ASR) implants and will be reorganizing a new company under the Optobionics name.

If you are a patient with Retinitis Pigmentosa and would be interested in whether your eye condition may be responsive to ASR chip  stimulation, you may contact us using the Contact Us tab or call us at (630) 858-4411  (Please be patient as it may take us a while to respond to you).




 

FAQs



Clinical Trials
1. Question: Have any data been presented from Optobionics’ clinical trials?

Answer: A paper containing results of the first six patients, entitled "The Artificial Silicon Retina Microchip for the Treatment of Vision Loss From Retinitis Pigmentosa," was published in the April 2004 issue of Archives of Ophthalmology.  The results of animal studies showing a neurotrophic rescue effect was published in the February 2007 issue of Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science.

2. Question: Other efforts are also underway to develop an artificial retina. What is the difference between Optobionics’ approach and these other approaches?

Answer: Optobionics’ ASR microchip may be used as a stand-alone implant that is placed behind the retina (subretinal approach) to directly stimulate the remaining viable cells of the retina. An array of microphotodiodes is fabricated on the chip so that the chip itself converts light energy to electrical signals. These are designed to directly stimulate the remaining overlying cells of the retina. We understand other approaches utilize implants, positioned on the surface of the retina (epiretinal approach), to try to stimulate the nerve-fiber layer or ganglion cells. We also understand that these
transmitters. Thus Optobionics’ subretinal approach differs from the epiretinal approach in that: (1) our chip is designed to function with the power provided by light entering into the eye—it is relatively simple and does not require connecting wires, batteries, or other ancillary devices—and (2) the placement of our chip is in contact with earlier processing cells of the retina and is designed so that processing of images by remaining retinal cells may occur.  Other devices are designed to function in conjunction with computers, video cameras, lasers, and/or radio frequency


   
 

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