视神经假体的研究进展

Advanced research in the optic nerve prosthesis

人工视觉的研究是指用人工的方法在视路的不同部位植入不同的视觉假体,以帮助失明患者获得部分有用视力.其中视神经假体有其独特的优越性,尤其对视网膜不复存在的患者提供了重见光明的可能.视神经假体以视神经的解剖特点为生理学基础,利用电流替代光使患者产生视觉感受的原理,通过外部装置获取图像后将其处理成可以被大脑识别的电信号,并向内部装置传送,与人体神经系统进行通信.视神经假体突破了视网膜假体植入方法的局限,可直接刺激视神经,适合于视网膜的内、外层和神经节细胞层均受到损伤的患者,但同时也存在一些局限性.

Artificial vision research refers to the implantation of different visual prostheses at diverse parts of visual pathway by artificial methods,in order to help blind patients to obtain some useful vision.Among visual prostheses,the optic nerve prosthesis has its own superiority,and it seems especially important for the patients who lost their retina.Based on the physiological basis of optic nerve＇ s anatomical characteristics,and the principles that the current could replace the light to produce visual perception,the optic nerve prosthesis acquires the images through the external device,and then turns the images into the electrical signals which can be detected by brain.Afterwards,the electrical signals can be transmitted to the internal device and communicate with the human nervous system.Breaking the limitation of the retinal prosthesis implanting method,optic nerve prosthesis can directly stimulate the optic nerve and it is suitable for the patients whose retina layers are all injured.However,the optic nerve prosthesis has its own limitations.