FPGA design for dual-spectrum visual scene preparation in retinal prosthesis

Abstract

A method of Visual Scene Preparation for the patients suffering Retinitis Pigmentosa is implemented in hardware for the first time. The scene is captured with two cameras, one visible spectrum and one infra-red, in order to distinguish between the live and non-live objects. The live objects are subsequently emphasized in the output image, thus helping a patient to see the most significant detail with the healthy part of the retina. The implementation uses Verilog language and FPGA platform. A system prototype is analyzed and compared to MATLAB results.

Retinal Prostheses

“…57,58 Initial concerns included a higher current threshold requirement of STS with potential untoward tissue damage and high lateral spread of electrical current resulting in lower percept resolution. 59,60 However, electrophysiology and histology evaluation in animal models showed no tissue damage up to 1 month postimplantation with . The array is connected to the percutaneous connector via a helical lead wire.…”

“…14,15 Signal enhancement methods may accentuate the patients' ability to see. 59,[63][64][65] In one of these methods, combining images from an infrared camera (to detect heat from live objects) and a conventional camera for visible spectrum is proposed to help patients see the living objects. 59 Reorganization of the retina, visual pathway, and the visual cortex neural elements following photoreceptor loss occurs at the molecular, synaptic, cell, and tissue levels and involves almost all cell classes in the retina.…”

“…59,[63][64][65] In one of these methods, combining images from an infrared camera (to detect heat from live objects) and a conventional camera for visible spectrum is proposed to help patients see the living objects. 59 Reorganization of the retina, visual pathway, and the visual cortex neural elements following photoreceptor loss occurs at the molecular, synaptic, cell, and tissue levels and involves almost all cell classes in the retina. 66 This neuronal remodeling and reprogramming (neuroplasticity) may complicate the efforts to create predictable vision with a retinal prosthesis.…”

“…Signal enhancement methods may accentuate the patients’ ability to see. 59,63 -65 In one of these methods, combining images from an infrared camera (to detect heat from live objects) and a conventional camera for visible spectrum is proposed to help patients see the living objects. 59…”