Robot-assisted implantation of a microelectrode array in the occipital lobe as a visual prosthesis: technical note.

Journal: Journal of neurosurgery
PMID: 37890180

Abstract

The prospect of direct interaction between the brain and computers has been investigated in recent decades, revealing several potential applications. One of these is sight restoration in profoundly blind people, which is based on the ability to elicit visual perceptions while directly stimulating the occipital cortex. Technological innovation has led to the development of microelectrodes implantable on the brain surface. The feasibility of implanting a microelectrode on the visual cortex has already been shown in animals, with promising results. Current research has focused on the implantation of microelectrodes into the occipital brain of blind volunteers. The technique raises several technical challenges. In this technical note, the authors suggest a safe and effective approach for robot-assisted implantation of microelectrodes in the occipital lobe for sight restoration.

Authors

  • Alessandra Rocca
    1Department of Neurosurgery, Alicante General University Hospital, Alicante Institute of Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Alicante, Spain.
  • Christian Lehner
    1Department of Neurosurgery, Alicante General University Hospital, Alicante Institute of Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Alicante, Spain.
  • Emmanuel Wafula-Wekesa
    1Department of Neurosurgery, Alicante General University Hospital, Alicante Institute of Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Alicante, Spain.
  • Enrique Luna
    Nephrology Department, Hospital Infanta Cristina, Badajoz, Spain.
  • Víctor Fernández-Cornejo
    1Department of Neurosurgery, Alicante General University Hospital, Alicante Institute of Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Alicante, Spain.
  • Javier Abarca-Olivas
    1Department of Neurosurgery, Alicante General University Hospital, Alicante Institute of Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Alicante, Spain.
  • Cristina Soto-Sánchez
    Neuroprosthetics and Visual Rehabilitation Research Unit, Bioengineering Institute, Miguel Hernández University, Alicante, Spain.
  • Eduardo Fernández-Jover
    5Instituto de Bioingeniería, University Miguel Hernández, CIBER-BBN, Elche, Alicante, Spain; and.
  • Pablo González-López
    1Department of Neurosurgery, Alicante General University Hospital, Alicante Institute of Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Alicante, Spain.

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