• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to secondary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Technologies.org

Technology Trends: Follow the Money

  • Technology Events 2023-2024
  • Sponsored Post
    • Make a Contribution
  • Technology Markets
    • Venture Capital
  • About
  • Contact

Okayama University Research: Prosthetics for Retinal Stimulation

July 29, 2019 By admin Leave a Comment

OKAYAMA, Japan, July 29, 2019 /Editorial/ — In a study recently published in Advanced Biomedical Engineering, researchers at Okayama University report a thin photoelectric film which can stimulate degenerated retinal tissues of the eye.

Using electric signals to stimulate tissues is the basis of several medical devices such as pacemakers for the heart or neurostimulators used for patients suffering from epileptic fits. A research team led by Dr. MATSUO toshihiko at Okayama University has developed OURePTM, a photoelectric dye-coupled thin film device that generates electric potential changes when exposed to light. In their latest study, the research team reveals the ability of this device in stimulating degenerated retinal tissues.

OURePTM is generated by placing polyethylene, a polymer, between two aluminum plates. When the polymer is melted, and a high pressure applied subsequently, a fine polyethylene film is created. The film then undergoes a chemical reaction wherein it is coupled to a photoelectric dye.

The researchers first placed the photoelectric dye-coupled film on the electric potential-measuring device and exposed it to flashing light. As expected, waves of electric signals were observed on the film surface when light hit the film. To then test the ability of this film in stimulating nervous tissue, retinal tissues of rats with retinal dystrophy, a retinal degenerative disorder, were procured. When the retinal tissues of healthy rats were brought to close contact with a multielectrode array, a device used to measure electrical signals from biological tissues, and exposed to light, corresponding waves of electric signals were observed. However, no such signals were observed with the dystrophic retinal tissue. The photoelectric dye-coupled film was then placed on top of the dystrophic tissues which resulted in the induction of electric signals in response to bouts of light. A control film, without the photoelectric dye did not induce electric signals in these tissues.

To measure these electric signals more precisely, a nylon mesh was used to keep the dystrophic tissues and the multielectrode array detector in closer contact. This proximity revealed background electric impulses of weak amplitude with the dystrophic retinal tissues alone. In the background of weak amplitude of these signals, light induced remarkable action potential spikes in the dystrophic retinal tissues, in the presence of the photoelectric dye-coupled film. The photoelectric dye-coupled film was thus instrumental in boosting electrical impulses within the degenerated retina.

“The current study provides direct evidence for the ability of the photoelectric dye-coupled polyethylene film to elicit electroretinogram-like response and action potential spikes in degenerative retina,” conclude the researchers. Retinitis pigmentosa, is one such condition, wherein photoreceptors of the eye slowly die, leading to blindness. This study revealed the prosthetic value of OURePTM in potentially replacing the lost photosensitivity of these cells. Implanting the device and testing visual enhancement in animals in their preceding studies have already given further insights.

Background

Photoelectric dye: A photoelectric dye is an organic molecule that can absorb light and emit electric signals. The dye thus converts light energy into electrical energy. When these dye molecules are coupled to the surface of biological safe polymers such as polyethylene, they can be implanted onto tissue surfaces and used for their electrical impulse-generating properties to stimulate the surrounding tissues.

Reference

Toshihiko Matsuo, Mikako Sakurai, Keiko Terada, Tetsuya Uchida, Koichiro Yamashita, Tenu Tanaka, Kenichi Takarabe. Photoelectric Dye-Coupled Polyethylene Film: Photoresponsive Properties Evaluated by Kelvin Probe and In Vitro Biological Response Detected in Dystrophic Retinal Tissue of Rats. Advanced Biomedical Engineering, May 2019.

DOI : https://doi.org/10.14326/abe.8.137

https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/abe/8/0/8_8_137/_article/-char/en

Correspondence to

Associate Professor MATSUO Toshihiko, M.D., Ph.D.
Ophthalmology, Okayama University Medical School and
Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering
in Health Systems,
2-5-1 Shikata-cho, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-8558, Japan

Okayama University Medical Research Updates (OU-MRU)

The whole volume : OU-MRU (1- 69)

Vol.1:Innovative non-invasive ‘liquid biopsy’ method to capture circulating tumor cells from blood samples for genetic testing

Vol.69:Early gastric cancer endoscopic diagnosis system using artificial intelligence

About Okayama University

Okayama University is one of the largest comprehensive universities in Japan with roots going back to the Medical Training Place sponsored by the Lord of Okayama and established in 1870. Now with 1,300 faculty and 13,000 students, the University offers courses in specialties ranging from medicine and pharmacy to humanities and physical sciences. Okayama University is located in the heart of Japan approximately 3 hours west of Tokyo by Shinkansen.

Website: http://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/index_e.html

SOURCE Okayama University

Filed Under: Tech

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Market Analysis

The Immersive Experience in the Museum World
How insurers thrive in a turbulent market
Leveraging Artificial Intelligence to Drive Cost Savings and Productivity in Uncertain Times
The shipping industry is undergoing a significant change with the influx of new vessels arriving just as the growth of trade is beginning to slow down
Climate change is increasingly affecting the production of beer ingredients
Unfulfilled Dreams: The Aftermath of China’s Stalled Real Estate Developments
Huawei on the Brink: Biden Administration Considers Cutting Off the Tech Giant”

Market Research Media

Streaming video, training, and gaming coming together to form a cohesive and diverse media and entertainment ecosystem
Turn Your Story into a Game: The Art of Gamifying Your Plot
The end of cheap money is redrawing the map of corporate earnings
The Future of Virtual Reality: How VR is Changing Industries
Market Research Media Survey: The State of Streaming Services
Media measurement services provide a holistic view of cross-media consumption
Gen Z ranks top in luxury sales

Secondary Sidebar

Tech Events

Embedded World 2023, March 14-16, 2023, Nuremberg, Germany
The IOT Solutions World Congress and Barcelona Cybersecurity Congress, May 21-23, 2024, Fira de Barcelona’s Gran Via venue
React Summit 2023, June 2 (in-person in Amsterdam) & June 6 (remote), 2023
Blockchaining 2023: The crypto world is facing a crisis of confidence
ScyllaDB Summit 2023 taking place online on February 15-16, 2023

Venture Capital

Gradient, a company specializing in eco-friendly heating and cooling solutions, has raised $18 million in a Series A funding round
The Importance of Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace
Sequoia Capital announces its $195 Mln dedicated seed fund
Sublime Systems Secures $40 Million Series A to Electrify and Scale Decarbonized Cement Production
actyv.ai Raises Pre-Series A Funding to Fuel Global Expansion, Product Enhancement

Footer

Recent Posts

  • The use of immersive technology in museums is still in its early stages
  • The low tech unemployment rate and hiring activity confirms the long-term demand for tech talent
  • Virgin Orbit and SatRev Sign Launch Services Agreement
  • Harnessing the Power of Innovation for a Better Tomorrow
  • Breaking Down Silos: The Need for Cross-Sector Collaboration in Tackling Global Challenges
  • The SPIE Prism Awards recognized the best new optics and photonics products
  • Netlify has acquired Gatsby
  • Potential for disruption: Conference is the most inefficient way to get information
  • Artificial Intelligence: The Future of Healthcare
  • The Rise of Virtual Power Plants: Innovating Energy Management

App Coding

A developer’s job isn't just to churn out code every day
Jotform Store Builder launches as a no-code solution to build a store in minutes
Trellix Finds Workforce Shortage Impacts 85% of Organizations’ Cybersecurity Posture
Browser innovation has stalled
Dynamic forms for your React app

API Coding

One AI to Take on Global Language AI Challenge with NLP-as-a-service Platform for Developers
Creating an API that generates a description of an image using ChatGPT
Apiiro Extends Right from Code to Runtime To Help Developers Fix Risks Faster
Neosec Introduces Industry First Expert Managed Threat Hunting Service for Detecting and Investigating API Abuse and Vulnerabilities
Profound Logic Builds IBM i Salesforce API Integration Example without Writing a Single Line of Code

Blockchaining

Experience the Future of Blockchain at Cybertech 2023
What is a blockchain domain?
Tokens.com Announces Key New Hires and Acquires New Crypto Gaming Assets
How Blockchain Technology Conquered Fintech
Join Our Team as a Blockchain Developer - Revolutionize the Future

Event Calendar

eCarExpo, February 3-5, 2023, Stockholm
AHR Expo, the largest HVAC event in North America, February 6-8 2023, Atlanta, Georgia
The Cultural Transformation Business Summit, hosted by Epic Pivot, will take place on February 23, 2023 at The Wond’ry, Vanderbilt University’s Innovation Center
The CannaReg Summit 2023, March 22-23, 2023 in Burlington, VT
INDEX, the world’s largest nonwovens exhibition, takes place on 18-21 April 2023 in Geneva, Switzerland

Copyright © 2022 Technologies.org

Media Partners: Market Analysis & Market Research and Exclusive Domains

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie SettingsAccept
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT