Precision Phosphene Control Through Non-invasive Cutaneous Stimulation

Through safely, painlessly, and non-invasively electrically shocking the facial skin, flashes of perceived light
(called phosphenes) can be induced into one’s visual a field. This phenomenon being fully electronically
controllable and reproducible, can be used to communicate visual information to a blind person. The intended
device will use sensors such as cameras to observe the user’s surrounding and then communicate the observed
to the user in the form of phosphenes. At the current state, eight prototypes have been developed and human
trials are being conducted to allow for the better development of future prototypes. This technology offers a safer
and cheaper solution to neuro-degenerative visual decline compared to the current state-of-the-art prosthesis that
requires surgical intervention. This technology also works on healthy individuals and can provide additional visual
intelligence to the user. Few speculated applications can be to silently notify a user about emerging threats, states,
and events.

Faculty Supervisor:

Alexandre Douplik

Student:

Faraz Sadrzadeh-Afsharazar

Partner:

I-INC Foundation for Business Development

Discipline:

Engineering - biomedical

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

Ryerson University