The ELVIS brain implant was presented in Russia. This technology will make it possible to return sight to blind people.

The project's press service noted that such developments have never been made in Russia before.

The apparatus allows to "connect" cameras to the brain and transmit the image directly to it, without the help of the eyes. The launch of this process became possible through the use of three blocks of the system. First of all, there is an implant that is installed in the brain (in the cortex responsible for vision) and stimulates it with small currents. This is how a person begins to experience visual sensations and sees flashes of light.

In addition, a headband with two cameras is placed on the person's head, which reads the image in real time, acting as an "eye function".

A microcomputer mounted on the belt analyzes the images from the cameras, highlights the contours of important objects and transmits the processed images directly to the implant in the brain.

Thanks to the synchronized work of the three components, a person can see the surrounding world - distinguish the silhouettes of objects and people, understand where and what is located. This is especially relevant for blind and deaf-blind people with retinal damage, optic nerve pathology or other severe visual impairments.

"Our developments now allow us to say with confidence that we will make a medical device that will actually return sight to the blind and deaf-blind... The project team has deep expertise in the field of bionic vision, and our partners are helping us in the field of science," said Denis Kuleshov, head of the ELVIS project.

Now components of the system are being tested on rodents, after that the tests will be carried out on monkeys, and in 2023 the implant is planned to be installed on ten blind volunteers.

According to the developer, surgery will become widely available in Russia in 2027.

The neuroimplant will be useful for the blind and deaf-blind people whose vision cannot be treated therapeutically or surgically. For instance, these are patients with terminal glaucoma or genetic retinal dystrophy.

Additionally, a cortical implant will make it possible for those who for some reason are physically unable to see.

The ELVIS team intends to develop implants to treat other pathologies and diseases in the future. For example, the company plans to create a neurochip for patients with Parkinson's disease. It should allow blocking abnormal signals that emanate from certain areas of the brain. The implants could also take away chronic pain syndromes.

"Registering electrodes in the brain will allow bionic prosthetic arms to be controlled by the power of thought. The implantation of microchips with electrodes in the somatosensory cortex will enable users to experience tactile sensations from the prosthesis," the press service said.

Made in Russia // Made in Russia

Author: Ksenia Gustova