Argus Named 'Invention of the Year'

Popular Science has recognized the Argus II Retinal Prosthesis System from Second Sight Medical Products, Inc., as ‘Invention of the Year.’ Each year, its editors review thousands of products in search of the top 100 innovations that represent a significant leap in their categories. Argus converts video images captured by a miniature camera housed in the patient’s glasses into a series of small electrical pulses that are transmitted wirelessly to an array of electrodes on the surface of the retina. These pulses reportedly stimulate the retina’s remaining cells, resulting in the corresponding perception of patterns of light in the brain. The patient then learns to interpret these visual patterns, thereby regaining some visual function.