An implantable device being developed by researchers at the School of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Sydney is getting closer to undergoing human trials.
Details were published in the journal Biomaterials.
The device, the Phoenix99, is designed to restore vision to patients with retinal degeneration. Researchers hope that the device will provide patients with functional vision. The device is implanted behind the retina. The Phoenix99 will be customizable to the individual's needs without the necessity of surgery to make the adjustments, which can all be done via a computer.
The latest hurdle that was jumped was the successful implantation in sheep. The device was biocompatible with the sheep and only minor complications were noted. Researchers are confident that the implantation in humans will work with minimal impact on body tissues.
