Recently, an international team of researchers from Tel Aviv University in Israel, Hebrew University in Jerusalem, and Newcastle University in the UK developed a thin film containing carbon nanotubes and nanorods, promising as a wireless implant device. , The induction of retinal light stimulation is excellent. Related papers were published in the recent Nano Express.
According to reports recently organized by the physicists' organization network, light hitting the retina behind the eyes is the first step in the visual process. If the macula degenerates, the photoreceptors on the retina degenerate, and the retina can no longer respond to light, causing the patient to lose all vision. However, if the retina can be re-sensitized with the help of some kind of optoelectronic implant device, the patient may recover vision.
At present, the development of artificial retina still faces many challenges: implanted equipment must be able to have long-term sensitometry, must have a high spatial resolution, do not contain wires, be able to adapt to the body without exclusion, but also have a certain degree of mechanical flexibility. Candidates for artificial retinas include conductive polymers and quantum dot films, but each has advantages and disadvantages in meeting these requirements. Another way is to restore the photoreceptivity of the retina and use photonics technology to insert photoreceptor proteins (bacterial opsins) into retinal neurons. However, this method still requires electrodes to assist the neuron's light-induced stimulation.
In the membrane structure, the nanorods are dispersed throughout the 3D matrix of porous nanotubes, and finally the membrane forms a flexible and flexible matrix layer suitable for implantation. The researchers pointed out that the three-dimensional structure of the new material film has many advantages, including high light absorption, close integration with neurons, high efficiency transmission, and other candidate materials for artificial retinas, such as silicon, which are hard and opaque. External power is also needed, and new materials do not have these problems. With these advantages, new membranes are promising in future artificial retina applications.
“The greatest significance of this result is to show how new materials (quantum rods combined with carbon nanotubes) form a new system that can effectively stimulate the nervous system.†co-author, Tel Aviv University professor Hyer Hanine said.
The researchers attached the film to the retina of a 14-day-old chicken (at this time, the chicken retina had no photosensitivity and was a complete deafness) and the retina produced photocurrent - a nerve signal. This signal can be interpreted by the brain after it is introduced into the brain.
Researchers also hope to continue to improve it in future research. “At the moment, we are studying this new type of implant in vivo and we hope to see its performance in long-term applications.†Hanone said, “We are working with retinal doctors to develop this implant and test it with tradition. The goal of surgery compatibility is to make it available to humans.†(Chang Lijun)
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