Scientists have managed to create a retinal prosthesis, which does not require a power source

Scientists have developed a new prototype electronic retina, suitable for high-definition images and does not require external power.
U.S. biotechnologists created a prototype artificial retina of the human eye, which does not require a power supply and operating at infrared energy, as described in an article in Nature Photonics.
Currently in the world, scientists are developing a number of different types of implants that are theoretically able to return vision lost due to accidents or degenerative diseases. Biologists experiment, in some cases, with individual retinal cells and stem cells, in others - biotechnology and physical and try to combine the work of a variety of electronic devices with the work of the brain of animals and humans. But until now, no study has been able to achieve significant success.
A team of scientists at Stanford University in the U.S. under the direction of James Loudin was able to develop a new prototype electronic retina, which is suitable for high-definition images and does not require an external power supply, which is the main obstacle to the development of such technologies.
"Made us invention operates approximately the same principle as the solar panels installed on the roof of the house - converts light energy into electrical impulses. However, in this case electricity supplies are not "TV" and sent directly to the retina as a signal, "- explained one of the band members Daniel Palanker.
New artificial retina created James Loudin and his colleagues, as a set of a large number of individual microscopic silicon plates, which combine the power generator, a light sensor, and some other items. To this retina work, you must have the special glasses with built-in video camera which, and a small pocket computer, which processes the image.
This invention works as follows: being in glasses camera continuously converts the light rays into electronic pulses. Each "frame" is then processed by a computer and is divided into two halves - the left and right eyes, and the information is sent to the infrared heaters that are on the inside of the eyeglass lens. Points then emit infrared radiation in the form of short pulses that activate photocells located on the retina. Infrared radiation causes photosensors transmit electrical impulses encodes pictures in optical neurons.
"Today implants very cumbersome operation to insert into the eye of all the necessary components are incredibly complex. Now, in our case, the surgeon is enough to make the retina is only one small incision and immerse photosensitive component of the device under it "- says Palanker