Nano Retina receives grant to develop bionic retina
4 May 2010
Nano Retina has received a grant of US$750,000 from the
Israel-US Binational Industrial Research and Development (BIRD)
Foundation to further develop a bionic retina. The Bio-Retina is
designed to return full sight to those blinded by retinal degenerative
conditions.
Bio-Retina is a tiny implant designed to replace the damaged
retina in the eye. The implant's nano-sized components are powered
by a special pair of activation eyeglasses. Bio-Retina will be
surgically implanted in a minimally invasive, 30-minute procedure,
which requires only local anaesthesia in which the implant is
'glued' to the damaged retina. Full sight is anticipated
immediately.
The BIRD Foundation acts to encourage collaboration between
Israeli and American companies in various fields of technology. Dr
Eitan Yudilevich executive director of the BIRD Foundation said,
“Returning sight to those blinded by a retinal degeneration
condition is a goal of enormous importance. Nano Retina is combining
outstanding US and Israeli human resources and technologies to
develop a ‘bionic retina’, which if successful, will likely change
the lives of millions for the better.”
Ra’anan Gefen, managing director of Nano Retina said, “50,000
people in the United States become blind annually. In addition,
there are currently 3.6 million Americans aged 40 and older who are
legally blind. Bio-Retina is designed to restore full sight to those
blinded by degenerative conditions such as AMD, Diabetes Retinopathy
or Retinitis Pigmentosa. By full sight we mean the patient will be
able to watch TV and identify faces.”
He continued, “We have a working ‘electrical’ prototype and have
demonstrated proof of concept. We intend to use the generous funding
from BIRD to miniaturize the system and develop a ‘nano’ prototype.
All of the medical and technology industry experts with whom we have
consulted agree that our product development expectations are
attainable. We have laid the development foundation and now expect
to begin clinical trials in 2012.”
Nano Retina is a joint venture of Rainbow Medical Ltd and Zyvex
Labs. The Bio-Retina incorporates nano-sized components in a flat
implant the size of a child's fingernail. The resolution of the
first generation implant is expected to be 36x36 pixels and the
second generation 72x72, which enables people to watch TV and
recognise faces. A rechargeable, battery-powered mini laser,
situated on a pair of eyeglasses, powers the implant wirelessly. The
company expects to conduct clinical trials in 2012 and has set a
target price for the retina at $60,000.