Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Implantation of a newly developed direct optic nerve electrode device for artificial vision in rabbits

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Journal of Artificial Organs Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the surgical procedures involved in the implantation of a newly developed direct optic nerve electrode device for inducing artificial vision. The electrode device comprised seven wire stimulation electrodes and a return electrode (diameter 50 μm), one manipulation rod (diameter 100 μm), and a cylindrical silicone board (diameter 2.0 mm). The stimulation electrodes and the manipulation rod protruded through the board to allow implantation of the electrode tips into the optic disc of the rabbit eye. The surgical procedures required to insert the device into the vitreous cavity and implant the device into the optic disc were evaluated. When the electrodes were stimulated, electrically evoked potentials (EEPs) were recorded at the visual cortex. The electrode device was inserted into the vitreous cavity with no damage using a trocar through a scleral incision. The device was easily manipulated using vitreoretinal forceps in the vitreous cavity, and the electrode tips were implanted into the optic disc in a single insertion after vitrectomy. When electrical stimulation was applied, EEPs were recorded from all electrode pairs. The newly developed electrode device was inserted into the eye and implanted into the optic nerve disc smoothly and safely, suggesting that these surgical procedures are useful for our artificial vision system.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Brindley GS, Lewin WS. The sensations produced by electrical stimulation of the visual cortex. J Physiol. 1968;196:479–93.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Dobelle WH, Mladejovsky MG, Girvin JP. Artificial vision for the blind: electrical stimulation of visual cortex offers hope for a functional prosthesis. Science. 1974;183:440–4.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Humayun MS, de Juan E, Weiland JD Jr, Dagnelie G, Katona S, Greenberg R, Suzuki S. Pattern electrical stimulation of the human retina. Vis Res. 1999;39:2569–76.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Humayun MS, Weiland JD, Fujii GY, Greenberg R, Williamson R, Little J, Mech B, Cimmarusti V, Van Boemel G, Dagnelie G, de Juan E. Visual perception in a blind subject with a chronic microelectronic retinal prosthesis. Vis Res. 2003;43:2573–81.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Chow AY, Chow VY. Subretinal electrical stimulation of the rabbit retina. Neurosci Lett. 1997;225:13–6.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Zrenner E, Miliczek KD, Gabel VP, Graf HG, Guenther E, Haemmerle H, Hoefflinger B, Kohler K, Nisch W, Schubert M, Stett A, Weiss S. The development of subretinal microphotodiodes for replacement of degenerated photoreceptors. Ophthalmic Res. 1997;29:269–80.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Zrenner E, Stett A, Weiss S, Aramant RB, Guenther E, Kohler K, Miliczek KD, Seiler MJ, Haemmerle H. Can subretinal microphotodiodes successfully replace degenerated photoreceptors? Vis Res. 1999;39:2555–67.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Zrenner E. Will retinal implants restore vision? Science. 2002;295:1022–5.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Rizzo JF III, Wyatt J, Humayun M, de Juan E, Liu W, Chow A, Eckmiller R, Zrenner E, Yagi T, Abrams G. Retinal prosthesis: an encouraging first decade with major challenges ahead. Ophthalmology. 2001;26:13–4.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Rizzo JF III, Wyatt J, Loewenstein J, Kelly S, Shire D. Methods and perceptual thresholds for short-term electrical stimulation of human retina with microelectrode arrays. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2003;44:5355–61.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Veraart C, Raftopoulos C, Mortimer JT, Delbeke J, Pins D, Michaux G, Vanlierde A, Parrini S, Wanet-Defalque MC. Visual sensations produced by optic nerve stimulation using an implanted self-sizing spiral cuff electrode. Brain Res. 1998;813:181–6.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Veraart C, Wanet-Defalque MC, Gerard B, Valierde A, Delbeke J. Pattern recognition with the optic nerve visual prosthesis. Artif Organs. 2003;27:996–1004.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Sakaguchi H, Fujikado T, Fang X, Kanda H, Osanai M, Nakauchi K, Ikuno Y, Kamei M, Yagi T, Nishimura S, Ohji M, Yagi T, Tano Y. Transretinal electrical stimulation with a suprachoroidal multichannel electrode in rabbit eyes. Jpn J Ophthalmol. 2004;48:256–61.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Nakauchi K, Fujikado T, Kanda H, Morimoto T, Choi JS, Ikuno Y, Sakaguchi H, Kamei M, Ohji M, Yagi T, Nishimura S, Sawai H, Fukuda Y, Tano Y. Transretinal electrical stimulation by an intrascleral multichannel electrode array in rabbit eyes. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2005;243:169–74.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Fujikado T, Morimoto T, Kanda H, Kusaka S, Nakauchi K, Ozawa M, Matsushita K, Sakaguchi H, Ikuno Y, Kamei M, Tano Y. Evaluation of phosphenes elicited by extraocular stimulation in normals and by suprachoroidal–transretinal stimulation in patients with retinitis pigmentosa. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2007;245:1411–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Morimoto T, Kamei M, Nishida K, Sakaguchi H, Kanda H, Ikuno Y, Kishima H, Maruo T, Konoma K, Ozawa M, Nishida K, Fujikado T. Chronic implantation of newly developed suprachoroidal–transretinal stimulation prosthesis in dogs. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2011;52:6785–92.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Fujikado T, Kamei M, Sakaguchi H, Kanda H, Morimoto T, Ikuno Y, Nishida K, Kishima H, Maruo T, Konoma K, Ozawa M, Nishida K. Testing of semichronically implanted retinal prosthesis by suprachoroidal–transretinal stimulation in patients with retinitis pigmentosa. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2011;52:4726–33.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Santos A, Humayun MS, de Juan E, RJ Greenburg Jr, Marsh MJ, Klock IB, Milam AH. Preservation of the inner retina in retinitis pigmentosa. A morphometric analysis. Arch Ophthalmol. 1997;115:511–5.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Sakaguchi H, Fujikado T, Kanda H, Osanai M, Fang X, Nakauchi K, Ikuno Y, Kamei M, Ohji M, Yagi T, Tano Y. Electrical stimulation with a needle-type electrode inserted into the optic nerve in rabbit eyes. Jpn J Ophthalmol. 2004;48:552–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Fang X, Sakaguchi H, Fujikado T, Osanai M, Kanda H, Ikuno Y, Kamei M, Ohji M, Gan D, Choi J, Yagi T, Tano Y. Direct stimulation of optic nerve by electrodes implanted in optic disc of rabbit eyes. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2005;243:49–56.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Fang X, Sakaguchi H, Fujikado T, Osanai M, Ikuno Y, Kamei M, Ohji M, Yagi T, Tano Y. Electrophysiological and histological studies of chronically implanted intrapapillary microelectrodes in rabbit eyes. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2006;244:364–75.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Sakaguchi H, Kamei M, Fujikado T, Yonezawa E, Ozawa M, Cecilia-Gonzalez C, Ustariz-Gonzalez O, Quiroz-Mercado H, Tano Y. Artificial vision by direct optic nerve electrode (AV-DONE) implantation in a blind patient with retinitis pigmentosa. J Artif Organs. 2009;12:206–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Nishida K, Sakaguchi H, Xie P, Terasawa Y, Ozawa M, Kamei M, Nishida K. Biocompatibility and durability of Teflon-coated platinum–iridium wires implanted in the vitreous cavity. J Artif Organs. 2011;14:357–63.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (A) from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Japan, and a Health Sciences Research Grant from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, Japan. The authors appreciate the leadership of the late Professor Yasuo Tano, chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, who planned and guided the Artificial Vision projects.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-2 Yamadaoka, E-7, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan

    Hirokazu Sakaguchi, Motohiro Kamei, Kentaro Nishida & Kohji Nishida

  2. Department of Applied Visual Science, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-2 Yamadaoka, G-4, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan

    Takashi Fujikado

  3. NIDEK Co., Ltd., 34-14 Maehama, Hiroishi-cho, Gamagori, Aichi, 443-0038, Japan

    Yasuo Terasawa & Motoki Ozawa

Authors
  1. Hirokazu Sakaguchi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Motohiro Kamei
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Kentaro Nishida
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Yasuo Terasawa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Takashi Fujikado
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Motoki Ozawa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Kohji Nishida
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Hirokazu Sakaguchi or Motohiro Kamei.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Sakaguchi, H., Kamei, M., Nishida, K. et al. Implantation of a newly developed direct optic nerve electrode device for artificial vision in rabbits. J Artif Organs 15, 295–300 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10047-012-0642-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10047-012-0642-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation