ARGUS II

The world’s first FDA-approved¹ device for providing artificial vision.

Launched in 2011, The Argus® Retinal Prosthesis System (“Argus II”) is a retina implant that has successfully helped hundreds of profoundly blind people see light and motion. Many of these patients have been using their Argus implants for over ten years, attesting to our high manufacturing standards and product reliability.

A group of blind people use the Argus II to regain visual perception. The Argus II is no longer available. Source: YouTube

A blind person uses Argus II to regain visual perception. The Argus II is no longer available. Source: YouTube

APPLICATION

In March 2011, Argus II was approved for commercial use in the European Union to provide visual perception in patients with profound blindness due to retinitis pigmentosa (“RP”), a rare condition. In February 2013, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approved Argus II under a Humanitarian Device Exemption.

Though Argus II has been discontinued due to the small population of patients with RP, it has provided us an important foundation for our current micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) design and software.

350+

PROFOUNDLY BLIND PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD HAVE RECEIVED ARGUS II IMPLANTS

Not an actual Argus II patient

Transmitting visual information to the brain.

HOW IT WORKS

  1. In surgery, a microelectronic implant is applied to the surface of the retina and a small electronics case and antenna is affixed to the outer surface of the eye.

  2. Our data processing unit converts images captured by a miniature video camera mounted on glasses into a series of small electrical pulses.

  3. These electrical pulses are wirelessly transmitted to the retinal implant, which conveys activity to the brain via the optic nerve and provides the perception of light patterns.

[1] Authorized by Federal (U.S.) law under a Humanitarian Device Exemption to provide electrical stimulation of the retina to induce visual perception in blind patients with severe to profound retinitis pigmentosa and bare light or no light perception in both eyes. The effectiveness of this device for this use has not been demonstrated.