A new wireless brain implant designed to provide artificial vision has been successfully implanted in a third participant.

Developed over many years by a team led by the Illinois Institute of Technology, the Intracortical Visual Prosthesis (ICVP) system aims to create artificial vision for people who are completely blind.

Most conventional approaches to restoring sight target the retina or optic nerve; however, many people affected by total blindness have damage to these areas, so this approach does not work for them. The ICVP system bypasses the eyes and optic nerve completely, instead targeting the visual cortex – the area of the brain responsible for processing sight.

The intracortical implant features 34 wireless stimulators and 544 electrodes that deliver electrical signals directly to the visual cortex. A camera mounted on a pair of glasses captures the scene, with the visual information converted into signals and transmitted to the implanted electrodes. The system translates this information into phosphenes or perceived points of light, enabling users to detect basic shapes, movement and light – and therefore to navigate their environment and perform basic tasks.

“This project underscores the immense possibilities of neurotechnology – by translating decades of research into real-world applications, we are forging new pathways to enhance lives,” said Philip Troyk, professor of biomedical engineering and executive director of the Pritzker Institute of Biomedical Science and Engineering at the Illinois Institute of Technology, who led the development of the system. 

Earlier this year, the project marked four years of successful clinical testing following the first implantation of the device. It has now achieved its third successful implantation, performed at Rush University Medical Center, an academic medical centre in Illinois. 

“The third successful implantation demonstrates the scalability and robustness of the ICVP system,” said Troyk. “We’re driven by the potential of this technology to restore autonomy and improve the quality of life for individuals living with blindness.”

Following the surgery, and after approximately one month of surgical recovery, participants will be studied for one to three years by the research team.

“For people who are completely blind, even the ability to perceive a small amount of light can profoundly impact their daily lives,” said Janet Szlyk, president and CEO of The Chicago Lighthouse, a social service organisation in Illinois that serves the blind and visually impaired. “The results from this research open doors to transformative advancements in blindness research and vision restoration.

Troyk added: “This novel brain interface technology has potential applications for other neural conditions, including those in the spinal cord, and we are pursuing those as well.”