A polymer optoelectronic interface provides visual cues to a blind retina

Adv Mater. 2014 Mar 19;26(11):1751-6. doi: 10.1002/adma.201304368.

Abstract

A polymer bulk heterojunction structure utilized as an active photosensitive platform to evoke neuronal activity in a blind retina. The features of the elicited action potentials correlate with the optoelectronic properties of the polymer/electrolyte interface, and resembles the natural response of the retina to light. The polymer interface can be used as an optoelectronic epiretinal interface for retinal prosthesis with no requirement for external power sources or connection cables.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Absorption
  • Action Potentials
  • Animals
  • Blindness / physiopathology*
  • Blindness / therapy*
  • Cell Survival
  • Chick Embryo
  • Cues
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Materials Testing
  • Neural Prostheses*
  • Optical Devices*
  • Photic Stimulation
  • Polymers* / chemistry
  • Polymers* / therapeutic use
  • Retina / physiopathology*
  • Retinal Ganglion Cells / physiology
  • Spectrum Analysis
  • Thiophenes / chemistry
  • Thiophenes / therapeutic use
  • Vision, Ocular / physiology

Substances

  • Polymers
  • Thiophenes
  • poly(3-hexylthiophene)