CA1119712A - Aid for the blind - Google Patents
Aid for the blindInfo
- Publication number
- CA1119712A CA1119712A CA000300151A CA300151A CA1119712A CA 1119712 A CA1119712 A CA 1119712A CA 000300151 A CA000300151 A CA 000300151A CA 300151 A CA300151 A CA 300151A CA 1119712 A CA1119712 A CA 1119712A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- aid according
- sight aid
- receiver
- coil
- socket
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
- A61F9/00—Methods or devices for treatment of the eyes; Devices for putting-in contact lenses; Devices to correct squinting; Apparatus to guide the blind; Protective devices for the eyes, carried on the body or in the hand
- A61F9/08—Devices or methods enabling eye-patients to replace direct visual perception by another kind of perception
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61N—ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
- A61N1/00—Electrotherapy; Circuits therefor
- A61N1/18—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes
- A61N1/32—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents
- A61N1/36—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents for stimulation
- A61N1/36046—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents for stimulation of the eye
Landscapes
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Ophthalmology & Optometry (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Biomedical Technology (AREA)
- Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
- Vascular Medicine (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
- Prostheses (AREA)
- Closed-Circuit Television Systems (AREA)
- Measurement And Recording Of Electrical Phenomena And Electrical Characteristics Of The Living Body (AREA)
- Image-Pickup Tubes, Image-Amplification Tubes, And Storage Tubes (AREA)
- Transition And Organic Metals Composition Catalysts For Addition Polymerization (AREA)
Abstract
AID FOR THE BLIND
Abstract of the Disclosure A sight aid for the blind comprises a video device for producing video signals relating to the view in the field of vision of said video device, an amplifier connected to the video device, a transmitting aerial connected to the amplifier and arranged in the vicinity of the eye-socket, a receiver arranged near or in the eye-socket and coupled electro-magnetically to the transmitting aerial, the output of said receiver having two output electrodes one of which is coupled via the lachrymal fluid to a still functioning part of the optical pathways or to the end of the optic nerve.
Abstract of the Disclosure A sight aid for the blind comprises a video device for producing video signals relating to the view in the field of vision of said video device, an amplifier connected to the video device, a transmitting aerial connected to the amplifier and arranged in the vicinity of the eye-socket, a receiver arranged near or in the eye-socket and coupled electro-magnetically to the transmitting aerial, the output of said receiver having two output electrodes one of which is coupled via the lachrymal fluid to a still functioning part of the optical pathways or to the end of the optic nerve.
Description
r~
~æ,~--Tne invel-ltion relates to ~ si~ht ~id for Lhe blind in whom the opt;c nervc still ex~ends to the regi.on of at least one eye-socket. The r~maining parts of the optic pathway should still function. The invention may be used b~. those whose eyeballs have been removed.
Attempts have previously been made to restore a certait-degree o~ visual faculty to persons blind in ~his way. To this end, the ou~put signals from a television camera have been coupled to the optic pathways v.ia probes connected by an operation to said optic pathways ~ithin the skull. These experiments failed, however, since the parts of the optic pathways to which the probes are connected become unusable even after a relatively short period of time, and the probe therefore has to he removed by operation.
Thus, ~fter a certain time there are no more parts of optical i pathways to which the probes c~n be connected.
It is obvious that a sight aid for the blind would be extremely valuable., Such a sight aicl is provided by the present invention.
According to the invention there is provided a si~ht aid for the blind, colnprising a vi.deo devlce for producing video signals r~latin~ to the view in the fielcl of vision of said s~
.,~
video device, an amplifier connected to the video device, a transmitting aerial connected to the amr31ifier and arranged in .
the vlcinity of tlle c~re-sockeL, a receiver arranged near or in ~;
.. ~
~æ,~--Tne invel-ltion relates to ~ si~ht ~id for Lhe blind in whom the opt;c nervc still ex~ends to the regi.on of at least one eye-socket. The r~maining parts of the optic pathway should still function. The invention may be used b~. those whose eyeballs have been removed.
Attempts have previously been made to restore a certait-degree o~ visual faculty to persons blind in ~his way. To this end, the ou~put signals from a television camera have been coupled to the optic pathways v.ia probes connected by an operation to said optic pathways ~ithin the skull. These experiments failed, however, since the parts of the optic pathways to which the probes are connected become unusable even after a relatively short period of time, and the probe therefore has to he removed by operation.
Thus, ~fter a certain time there are no more parts of optical i pathways to which the probes c~n be connected.
It is obvious that a sight aid for the blind would be extremely valuable., Such a sight aicl is provided by the present invention.
According to the invention there is provided a si~ht aid for the blind, colnprising a vi.deo devlce for producing video signals r~latin~ to the view in the fielcl of vision of said s~
.,~
video device, an amplifier connected to the video device, a transmitting aerial connected to the amr31ifier and arranged in .
the vlcinity of tlle c~re-sockeL, a receiver arranged near or in ~;
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the eye-socket and coupled electr~lncl~T-~ti.c.llly to .the trans~r,it:ting aerial, the OUtptlt of said receiver having two outp-lt electroclex~
one of whi~h i s col.ipled via the lachrymal f~uid to a stil.1 ~ i functioning part of the optical path~ays or Lo the end of the ~ptic nerveO
Practical tests carried out with the sight aid according to the învention have shot~n th~t the afore-mentioned class of persons ~..
can ~ctually recognise objects with this aid. The resolving .`
power in the recognition of obj ects obviously depends on the resolution of the video device. Letters approximately three ~ P-~entimetres high can be recog~ ed by a patient using a CCD-element (charge coupled ~evice) of the 3.atest type. A certain ~mount o~ practice on the part of the patient is also a help in recognising objects, ~;
A principal a.dvantage of the slght aid according to the lnvention is that the picture signals ~re coupled to the opti.cal pathways via the lachr~nal fltli.d9 ~ncl accordillgly those parts of the optlcal pathways involved in the coupling are llOt damaged.
One embocliment of the invention will now be described with 'O the aid of the accompanying drawings, in whi.ch:-~ igure 1 is ~3 diagrammatic and perspectlv~ view o~ A frame carrying the transmitting ~nit of a sight aid according to the invent ion;
Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view of the optical arrangement ~5 ~nd CCD-element of the vidco device;
Figure 3 is a block diagram of the electrica] circuitry --in the transmittin~ unit''of the sight aid; ' -Figure 4 is a detailed block diagram of units 26 and 28 ~' of Figure 3;
Figure 5 is an electrical block diagram of the receiver _ with the output electrodes; and , Figure 6 is a diagrammatic section through the ocular prosthesis unit in which the receiver is arranged.
Figure 1 shows a spectacles-type frame 2 whose side parts 0 3 and front part 4 accomodate the electronic components for the , ' transmitting unit of the sight aid. Figure 1 ~lso shows dia-grsmmatically an objective lens 5 for forming images of ob~ects in the proximity of a blind person, on a likewise diagrammatically ~
represented CCD-element 6. A CCD-element is a photoelectric ~ ' component that can scan ~ picture formed on ~ ~creen'of the element and produce a video output slgnal which depends on the brightness values at the individual points of the screen. CCD-elements are , known per se and ar@ manufactured and marketed by, for example, the Fa'irchild Camera and Instrument Corporation, 'O Figure 2 shows diagrammatically the optical device and the CCD-element in their geometrical arrangement. The objective 5 i8 arranged 90 that the distance a can be varied in order to form sharply defined images of objects at various distances on ,the sensitive surface oÇ the CCD-element 6. The picture field angle ~ of the CCD-element 6 is for example 60 in the case of ' - 4 -' ;, ~. .... .
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CCD 211 type mc~nufactul-ed by F~.ircl~ild can!er~ clncl In~t~lm~nt Corporation. The front part ~ o~ the fr?me 2 is sho~ removed from the CCD-el.ement 6 in Figu..e 2 so that ~he latter can be seen more easlly. In actual fact the CCD-element partically sits in the front part 4. The distance b~tween the objective 5 and the CCD-element 6 is determined by the type o objeotive.
Figure 3 shows a block diagram of the electronic device !5.,-, of the transmitting unit of the sight aid. As has previously been mentioned, the picture being transmitted to the blind person ls formed by the objective 5 on the CCD-elernerlt 6. Fi~lre 3 shows diagrammatically a CCD-element CCD 202 manufactured b~ Fairchild Camera and Instrument Corporat;.on, the inputs being designated as follows:
~ = posi.tlve input voltage 0H1 - horizontal, analog reglster-transport timlng pulse 0H2 ~ inverted, analog register-transport timing pulse ~R ~ scanning pulse 0P ~ picture backspace pulse and pictl~re element-reset pulse 0V1 - vertical, analog register-transport timing pulse 0V2 ~ inverted, analog register transport timing pulse These input signals for the CCD 202 are pro~uced in a kno~
manner by a pulse generator 20 arl(3 control circuit 22, and delivercd to the CCD 202. The time co-ord;.nation of the different .
input pulse trai.ns, the necess~ry volt~cs, and the like9 are ~L9~
given by the manufacturers of CcD-e]ements, to whom reference should be made.
If the CCD-element 6 is controlLed with the said input signals and if a picture is project~don the photosensitive surface, CCD 202 delivers a video output signal via the line 24, and a compensation output signal via the line 24', These signals are amplified in a wide band video amplifier 26 and delivered to an output stage 28, and from there to a trans-mitting coil 29. This transmitting coil 29 is connected at 10 one end to the output stage 28, and is earthed at the other end.
Figure 4 shows a detailed block diagram of the wide band video amplifier 26 and output stage 28 of Figure 3. The video signal is delivered to an amplifier 30, which may for example be an uA 733 type integrated circuit, via an impedance con-15 verter consisting of a transistor 32 and a variable resistor34, and a capacitive coupling stage consi.sting of a capacitor 36 and a resis-tor 38. Corresponding to this, the compensation signal from the CCD is applied to the inverting input of the amplifier 30 via an impedance converter consisting of a trans-20 sistor 40 and a variable resistor 42, and to a capacitivecoupling consisting of a condenser 44 and a resistor 46. The impedance converter and capacitive coupling are in both cases the same, and accordingly only the connection of the parts at the non-inverting input of the amplifier 30 will be described.
25 The video signal is applied to the transistor base 32, the collector being at the operating voltage .~
~P
and the emitter leading to the variable resistor 34. The other end o the resistor 34 is e~rthed and its ~iper le~ds to the capacitor 36. The resistor 38 is located betwee~ the capacitor and the non-inverting input on the one hand, ~nd earth on the other hand. A variable resistor is provided at the inputs 4 and 11 of the amplifier 30 in order to be able to adjust externally the degree of amplification. Another way of adjusting the degree of amplification is of course to ad~ust the input voltages via the resistors 34 ànd 42. The positive operating voltage for the amplif~er 30 is applied to the connection 10, and the negative operating voltage of the amplifier 30 at the connection 5 of the integrated circuit. A capacitor 50 and a terminating resistor 52 are provided at the output 8, both components being connected in series and,the resistor being earthed.
The amplified video signal is derived from the output 7 of the amplifier 30. A capacitor 54 for d.c. separation of the following amplification stagc is first of all provided at the ~;
output 7. The capacitor 54 is connected to a resistor 56 which is earthed.
The signal arising at the connection point between the capacitor 54 and the resistor 56 is passed to the output stage ~
28, which in the present case is a push-pull output stage consisting F
of an NPN and a PNP transistor 60 and 62 respectively. The signal p6s6e6 to the base contacts of tlle two transistors via a diode 64 ., ' ' ~;
.
,,, , ~g7~z and a diode 66, ~ich are oricntated so that the NPN ~ransistor 60 receives the negative part of the signal vi.a the diode 64, and the positive part of the signal is delivered to the transistor 62 via the diode 66. The resistors 68 and 70 serve to adjust the base bias of the transistors 60 and 62. The collector of the transistor 60 is at the positive reference voltage, whereas the collector of the transistor 62 is at the negative reference voltage.
The emitter of the PNP transistor 60 is connected to a resistor 72, and the emitter of the transistor 62 to a resistor 74. The other ~;
ends of the resistors are connected to one another and form the ., ~
output of the output s~age 28. The signal arising at the output ~
i8 7 volts peak-to-pesk in ~he case of a circuit tested practically. !~F~.
It has been found that such a signal is suitable for feeding the ~:-transmitting coil 29 and also for conveying signals to the i receiving coil 82 (Figure 4).
The transmitting coil 29, which serves as a transmitting aerial for the transmitting uni~ of the sight aid, consists of two series-connected coils with 15 to 20 windings, the individual windings having a diameter of ~ about 3 to 4 cm. One part of the coil i8 arran8ed in the vicinity of tlle left eye-socket and the other part of the coil in the vicinity of the right eye-socket, and in such a way that the coils lie or. the inside of the front part 4 of the frame 2.
Figure 5 shows the elcctrical circuitry of the receiver 80.
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The receiver 80 has a rece;vi.ng coil ~2~ ~ capaci~or 84 collnected in parallel there~o, and a di.ode 86 loc~ted bet~.een one en-l of the receiving coil 82 and ~he Gapacitor 8~. In the practical embodiment of the recelver about 50 m of wire are ~Yound to S fo~n the coil 82, and the diode ~nd ce~acitor are chosen so that r an optimum inductive coupling e~fect is a~hieved between the transmittin~ co~l 29 and the r~ceiving coil 82. I~ith this optimum coupling arran~ement the 7 ~Tolts peak to-peak on the transmitting -~
co~l 29 are sufficient for thc image si~nals from the receiver .~ to affect the optic nerve. The OUtptlt of the receiver 80 is formed by t~o electrodes 88~ 90. The electrodes ~8, 90 each consists of approximately 25 cm long gold wire having a cross- .
section of 0.9 cm , wound toroidally, the cross-sectional ~idth of the toroid being approximately 1 mm.
~ The spatial arrangement o.f the components o the receiver 80 in an ocular prosthesis member 92 is 5ho~m in ~`igure 6. The back of the member 92, which ~aces the rear wall. of the eye-socket, has a recess 94 in ~hlch one oul:put el.ectrode 88 is arranged in the ~orm of a ri.ngO Tl~e recess 94 is closed by a plate 96 of porous materi.al. The other output electrode ~0 is located ln an annular ho].low space 98 e~ten(ling around the cornpletely sealed-in receiving coil 82. The car~acitor ~4 and diode 86 are also completely sealed in the prosthesis member 92. l~en the member 9 2 has been nssembled nnd the output elcctrodc h~s been connected .~ .
._~ lli971Z
up, a hole 100 is bored through the hollow space 98, which is then filled with water. The hole 100 is then sealed so that there is no longer any flow connection between the hollow space 98 and the recess 94. The recess 94 is filled with a li~uid corresponding to lachrymal fluid, e.g. Optrik, and the plate 96 is impregnated with the same liquid. If the member 92 is now inserted ln the eye-socket, the liquid in the recess 94 will be continuously replaced by the lachrymal fluid produced by the blind person himself. The output si~nal of the receiver 80 ~ ;
!O thus pass via the lachrymal fluid to the still functioning parts of the optical pathways. The coupled signals are, as can be seen from the above description, the output signals of the CCD-element after amplificatlon, coupling to the receiver, ~nd ;
processing in the receiver circuit. These signals represent the L
result of a screen-like scanning of the light-sensitive surface of the CCD-element, as is known.
The information transmitted via these signals to the optical pathways is sufficient~ as has been shot~n by practical tests with the sight aid according to the invention, to enable a person wearing 0 such a sight aid to see.
It shoul~ be mentioned that the invention is not restricted to blind persons wllose eyeballs have been removed. If the prosthesis member 92 is suitab]y designed, persons whose eyeballs are still present but are completely non-functioning may also '' - 10- ~
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- see with the sight aid accordinc to the lnvention. In this case too the picture signals from the recei~ter are coupled to the still functioning parts o~ the optical p~thways, in particular the optic nerve, via lachrymal fluid and, initially, via a substitute fluid, for example Optrik.
The invention is obviously also not restricted to the afore-mentioned type of CCD-element. Instead, video devices corresponding to the latest state of the art will be used in order to improve the resolving power of the sight aid. These may or may not be CCD-elements. The sight aid is ready for operation when a receiver is inserted. The visual faculty may be further improved by employing two receivers, one receiver in each case being coupled to part of the transmitting coil 29 It is also within the scope of the invention to provide video devices with separate transmitters and receivers, in order to provide ~
stereoscopic vislon. g By choosing 8 particular CCD-element, a preferred freguency range is established corresponding to the CCD-element. Such CCD-elements whose maximum sensitivity is in the frequency range in ?O which the sensitivity of the human eye is greatestt will preferably be chosen. On the other hand, the video device can also be designed so that other frequency ranges are optimally used. By virtue of the fact that the degree of amplification of the ampliier Z6 can be adjusted, the sight aid can be adjusted if the brightness . ~
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-. . , - . . , . ~ . : . . , .,. ~,, .--- 1~9712 conditions alter. In other words, the signal lev~l at the output of the receiver can always be maintained at the same value irrespective of whether the user is in bright day-li.ght or in a comparatively dark room.
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the eye-socket and coupled electr~lncl~T-~ti.c.llly to .the trans~r,it:ting aerial, the OUtptlt of said receiver having two outp-lt electroclex~
one of whi~h i s col.ipled via the lachrymal f~uid to a stil.1 ~ i functioning part of the optical path~ays or Lo the end of the ~ptic nerveO
Practical tests carried out with the sight aid according to the învention have shot~n th~t the afore-mentioned class of persons ~..
can ~ctually recognise objects with this aid. The resolving .`
power in the recognition of obj ects obviously depends on the resolution of the video device. Letters approximately three ~ P-~entimetres high can be recog~ ed by a patient using a CCD-element (charge coupled ~evice) of the 3.atest type. A certain ~mount o~ practice on the part of the patient is also a help in recognising objects, ~;
A principal a.dvantage of the slght aid according to the lnvention is that the picture signals ~re coupled to the opti.cal pathways via the lachr~nal fltli.d9 ~ncl accordillgly those parts of the optlcal pathways involved in the coupling are llOt damaged.
One embocliment of the invention will now be described with 'O the aid of the accompanying drawings, in whi.ch:-~ igure 1 is ~3 diagrammatic and perspectlv~ view o~ A frame carrying the transmitting ~nit of a sight aid according to the invent ion;
Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view of the optical arrangement ~5 ~nd CCD-element of the vidco device;
Figure 3 is a block diagram of the electrica] circuitry --in the transmittin~ unit''of the sight aid; ' -Figure 4 is a detailed block diagram of units 26 and 28 ~' of Figure 3;
Figure 5 is an electrical block diagram of the receiver _ with the output electrodes; and , Figure 6 is a diagrammatic section through the ocular prosthesis unit in which the receiver is arranged.
Figure 1 shows a spectacles-type frame 2 whose side parts 0 3 and front part 4 accomodate the electronic components for the , ' transmitting unit of the sight aid. Figure 1 ~lso shows dia-grsmmatically an objective lens 5 for forming images of ob~ects in the proximity of a blind person, on a likewise diagrammatically ~
represented CCD-element 6. A CCD-element is a photoelectric ~ ' component that can scan ~ picture formed on ~ ~creen'of the element and produce a video output slgnal which depends on the brightness values at the individual points of the screen. CCD-elements are , known per se and ar@ manufactured and marketed by, for example, the Fa'irchild Camera and Instrument Corporation, 'O Figure 2 shows diagrammatically the optical device and the CCD-element in their geometrical arrangement. The objective 5 i8 arranged 90 that the distance a can be varied in order to form sharply defined images of objects at various distances on ,the sensitive surface oÇ the CCD-element 6. The picture field angle ~ of the CCD-element 6 is for example 60 in the case of ' - 4 -' ;, ~. .... .
: ' ,.', ' ' '.. :
'' ~ ' '' ' .
CCD 211 type mc~nufactul-ed by F~.ircl~ild can!er~ clncl In~t~lm~nt Corporation. The front part ~ o~ the fr?me 2 is sho~ removed from the CCD-el.ement 6 in Figu..e 2 so that ~he latter can be seen more easlly. In actual fact the CCD-element partically sits in the front part 4. The distance b~tween the objective 5 and the CCD-element 6 is determined by the type o objeotive.
Figure 3 shows a block diagram of the electronic device !5.,-, of the transmitting unit of the sight aid. As has previously been mentioned, the picture being transmitted to the blind person ls formed by the objective 5 on the CCD-elernerlt 6. Fi~lre 3 shows diagrammatically a CCD-element CCD 202 manufactured b~ Fairchild Camera and Instrument Corporat;.on, the inputs being designated as follows:
~ = posi.tlve input voltage 0H1 - horizontal, analog reglster-transport timlng pulse 0H2 ~ inverted, analog register-transport timing pulse ~R ~ scanning pulse 0P ~ picture backspace pulse and pictl~re element-reset pulse 0V1 - vertical, analog register-transport timing pulse 0V2 ~ inverted, analog register transport timing pulse These input signals for the CCD 202 are pro~uced in a kno~
manner by a pulse generator 20 arl(3 control circuit 22, and delivercd to the CCD 202. The time co-ord;.nation of the different .
input pulse trai.ns, the necess~ry volt~cs, and the like9 are ~L9~
given by the manufacturers of CcD-e]ements, to whom reference should be made.
If the CCD-element 6 is controlLed with the said input signals and if a picture is project~don the photosensitive surface, CCD 202 delivers a video output signal via the line 24, and a compensation output signal via the line 24', These signals are amplified in a wide band video amplifier 26 and delivered to an output stage 28, and from there to a trans-mitting coil 29. This transmitting coil 29 is connected at 10 one end to the output stage 28, and is earthed at the other end.
Figure 4 shows a detailed block diagram of the wide band video amplifier 26 and output stage 28 of Figure 3. The video signal is delivered to an amplifier 30, which may for example be an uA 733 type integrated circuit, via an impedance con-15 verter consisting of a transistor 32 and a variable resistor34, and a capacitive coupling stage consi.sting of a capacitor 36 and a resis-tor 38. Corresponding to this, the compensation signal from the CCD is applied to the inverting input of the amplifier 30 via an impedance converter consisting of a trans-20 sistor 40 and a variable resistor 42, and to a capacitivecoupling consisting of a condenser 44 and a resistor 46. The impedance converter and capacitive coupling are in both cases the same, and accordingly only the connection of the parts at the non-inverting input of the amplifier 30 will be described.
25 The video signal is applied to the transistor base 32, the collector being at the operating voltage .~
~P
and the emitter leading to the variable resistor 34. The other end o the resistor 34 is e~rthed and its ~iper le~ds to the capacitor 36. The resistor 38 is located betwee~ the capacitor and the non-inverting input on the one hand, ~nd earth on the other hand. A variable resistor is provided at the inputs 4 and 11 of the amplifier 30 in order to be able to adjust externally the degree of amplification. Another way of adjusting the degree of amplification is of course to ad~ust the input voltages via the resistors 34 ànd 42. The positive operating voltage for the amplif~er 30 is applied to the connection 10, and the negative operating voltage of the amplifier 30 at the connection 5 of the integrated circuit. A capacitor 50 and a terminating resistor 52 are provided at the output 8, both components being connected in series and,the resistor being earthed.
The amplified video signal is derived from the output 7 of the amplifier 30. A capacitor 54 for d.c. separation of the following amplification stagc is first of all provided at the ~;
output 7. The capacitor 54 is connected to a resistor 56 which is earthed.
The signal arising at the connection point between the capacitor 54 and the resistor 56 is passed to the output stage ~
28, which in the present case is a push-pull output stage consisting F
of an NPN and a PNP transistor 60 and 62 respectively. The signal p6s6e6 to the base contacts of tlle two transistors via a diode 64 ., ' ' ~;
.
,,, , ~g7~z and a diode 66, ~ich are oricntated so that the NPN ~ransistor 60 receives the negative part of the signal vi.a the diode 64, and the positive part of the signal is delivered to the transistor 62 via the diode 66. The resistors 68 and 70 serve to adjust the base bias of the transistors 60 and 62. The collector of the transistor 60 is at the positive reference voltage, whereas the collector of the transistor 62 is at the negative reference voltage.
The emitter of the PNP transistor 60 is connected to a resistor 72, and the emitter of the transistor 62 to a resistor 74. The other ~;
ends of the resistors are connected to one another and form the ., ~
output of the output s~age 28. The signal arising at the output ~
i8 7 volts peak-to-pesk in ~he case of a circuit tested practically. !~F~.
It has been found that such a signal is suitable for feeding the ~:-transmitting coil 29 and also for conveying signals to the i receiving coil 82 (Figure 4).
The transmitting coil 29, which serves as a transmitting aerial for the transmitting uni~ of the sight aid, consists of two series-connected coils with 15 to 20 windings, the individual windings having a diameter of ~ about 3 to 4 cm. One part of the coil i8 arran8ed in the vicinity of tlle left eye-socket and the other part of the coil in the vicinity of the right eye-socket, and in such a way that the coils lie or. the inside of the front part 4 of the frame 2.
Figure 5 shows the elcctrical circuitry of the receiver 80.
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The receiver 80 has a rece;vi.ng coil ~2~ ~ capaci~or 84 collnected in parallel there~o, and a di.ode 86 loc~ted bet~.een one en-l of the receiving coil 82 and ~he Gapacitor 8~. In the practical embodiment of the recelver about 50 m of wire are ~Yound to S fo~n the coil 82, and the diode ~nd ce~acitor are chosen so that r an optimum inductive coupling e~fect is a~hieved between the transmittin~ co~l 29 and the r~ceiving coil 82. I~ith this optimum coupling arran~ement the 7 ~Tolts peak to-peak on the transmitting -~
co~l 29 are sufficient for thc image si~nals from the receiver .~ to affect the optic nerve. The OUtptlt of the receiver 80 is formed by t~o electrodes 88~ 90. The electrodes ~8, 90 each consists of approximately 25 cm long gold wire having a cross- .
section of 0.9 cm , wound toroidally, the cross-sectional ~idth of the toroid being approximately 1 mm.
~ The spatial arrangement o.f the components o the receiver 80 in an ocular prosthesis member 92 is 5ho~m in ~`igure 6. The back of the member 92, which ~aces the rear wall. of the eye-socket, has a recess 94 in ~hlch one oul:put el.ectrode 88 is arranged in the ~orm of a ri.ngO Tl~e recess 94 is closed by a plate 96 of porous materi.al. The other output electrode ~0 is located ln an annular ho].low space 98 e~ten(ling around the cornpletely sealed-in receiving coil 82. The car~acitor ~4 and diode 86 are also completely sealed in the prosthesis member 92. l~en the member 9 2 has been nssembled nnd the output elcctrodc h~s been connected .~ .
._~ lli971Z
up, a hole 100 is bored through the hollow space 98, which is then filled with water. The hole 100 is then sealed so that there is no longer any flow connection between the hollow space 98 and the recess 94. The recess 94 is filled with a li~uid corresponding to lachrymal fluid, e.g. Optrik, and the plate 96 is impregnated with the same liquid. If the member 92 is now inserted ln the eye-socket, the liquid in the recess 94 will be continuously replaced by the lachrymal fluid produced by the blind person himself. The output si~nal of the receiver 80 ~ ;
!O thus pass via the lachrymal fluid to the still functioning parts of the optical pathways. The coupled signals are, as can be seen from the above description, the output signals of the CCD-element after amplificatlon, coupling to the receiver, ~nd ;
processing in the receiver circuit. These signals represent the L
result of a screen-like scanning of the light-sensitive surface of the CCD-element, as is known.
The information transmitted via these signals to the optical pathways is sufficient~ as has been shot~n by practical tests with the sight aid according to the invention, to enable a person wearing 0 such a sight aid to see.
It shoul~ be mentioned that the invention is not restricted to blind persons wllose eyeballs have been removed. If the prosthesis member 92 is suitab]y designed, persons whose eyeballs are still present but are completely non-functioning may also '' - 10- ~
. : , : ... .: ,, : . . .
.
. : .. - .:
.
. - . .
~ 11 9 7~ Z
- see with the sight aid accordinc to the lnvention. In this case too the picture signals from the recei~ter are coupled to the still functioning parts o~ the optical p~thways, in particular the optic nerve, via lachrymal fluid and, initially, via a substitute fluid, for example Optrik.
The invention is obviously also not restricted to the afore-mentioned type of CCD-element. Instead, video devices corresponding to the latest state of the art will be used in order to improve the resolving power of the sight aid. These may or may not be CCD-elements. The sight aid is ready for operation when a receiver is inserted. The visual faculty may be further improved by employing two receivers, one receiver in each case being coupled to part of the transmitting coil 29 It is also within the scope of the invention to provide video devices with separate transmitters and receivers, in order to provide ~
stereoscopic vislon. g By choosing 8 particular CCD-element, a preferred freguency range is established corresponding to the CCD-element. Such CCD-elements whose maximum sensitivity is in the frequency range in ?O which the sensitivity of the human eye is greatestt will preferably be chosen. On the other hand, the video device can also be designed so that other frequency ranges are optimally used. By virtue of the fact that the degree of amplification of the ampliier Z6 can be adjusted, the sight aid can be adjusted if the brightness . ~
- 11 - ~
~:;
-. . , - . . , . ~ . : . . , .,. ~,, .--- 1~9712 conditions alter. In other words, the signal lev~l at the output of the receiver can always be maintained at the same value irrespective of whether the user is in bright day-li.ght or in a comparatively dark room.
.
_.
~ .
, 1 ~
::-- 12 - ~
. , . . . ~ ., ,.~ .
.' . :. . ` . . . : ^ '.: '. ':, ,:. ' :,
Claims (14)
- Claim 1. A sight aid for the blind having a video device for producing video signals relating the view of the field of vision of said video device and an amplifier connected to the video device, the outputs of said amplifier being coupled to the optic nerve, characterized by a transmitting aerial connected to the amplifier and arranged in the vicinity of the eye-socket and a receiver arranged near or in the eye-socket and coupled electromagnetically to the transmitting aerial, the output of said receiver having two output electrodes one of which is coupled via the lachrymal fluid to a still functional part of the optical pathways or the end of the optical nerve.
- Claim 2. A sight aid according to claim 1, wherein the output signal of the amplifier is substantially 7 volts peak-to-peak.
- Claim 3. A sight aid according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting aerial comprises a coil.
- Claim 4. A sight aid according to claim 3, wherein the coil has two part-coils with about 25 windings and with a diameter of about 3 to 4 cm, one part of the coil being arranged in the vicinity of the left eye-socket, and the other part of the coil being in the vicinity of the right eye-socket.
- Claim 5. A sight aid according to claim 1, wherein a receiver is arranged in or at each eye-socket.
- Claim 6. A sight aid according to claim 1, wherein the receiver has a coil, a capacitor connected in parallel therewith, and a diode connected between one end of the coil and the condenser.
- Claim 7. A sight aid according to claim 6, wherein an output electrode is connected to the other end of the receiving coil, and the other output electrode is joined to the connection point between the capacitor and the diode.
- Claim 8. A sight aid according to claim 7, wherein the output electrodes are formed as toroids.
- Claim 9. A sight aid according to claim 8, wherein the toroids consist of a gold wire.
- Claim 10. A sight aid according to claim 1, wherein the receiver is arranged to an ocular prosthesis member.
- Claim 11. A sight aid according to claim 10, wherein the receiver and an output electrode are encapsulated in said ocular prosthesis member, and the other output electrode is arranged on the side of the ocular prosthesis member facing the eye-socket rear wall in such a way that it is in contact with the lachrymal fluid.
- Claim 12. A sight aid according to claim 11, wherein the other output electrode is located in a recess of the member, which is closed by a plate of porous material.
- Claim 13. A sight aid according to claim 11, wherein the encapsulated output electrode is likewise embedded in a conducting liquid, in particular, water.
- Claim 14. A sight aid according to claim 1, characterized in that the transmitting aerial is fed by a video device having a CCD-element, and the transmitting aerial and the video device are arranged on a spectacles-like frame worn like spectacles.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE2714667A DE2714667C3 (en) | 1977-04-01 | 1977-04-01 | Vision device |
| DEP2714667.4-52 | 1977-04-01 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1119712A true CA1119712A (en) | 1982-03-09 |
Family
ID=6005418
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000300151A Expired CA1119712A (en) | 1977-04-01 | 1978-03-31 | Aid for the blind |
Country Status (19)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPS53123588A (en) |
| AT (1) | ATA229878A (en) |
| AU (1) | AU512883B2 (en) |
| BE (1) | BE865544A (en) |
| BR (1) | BR7802030A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1119712A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE2714667C3 (en) |
| DK (1) | DK139678A (en) |
| ES (1) | ES468461A1 (en) |
| FI (1) | FI780967A (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2385387A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB1553969A (en) |
| IE (1) | IE46598B1 (en) |
| IT (1) | IT1093559B (en) |
| LU (1) | LU79353A1 (en) |
| NL (1) | NL7803389A (en) |
| NO (1) | NO144510C (en) |
| SE (1) | SE7803573L (en) |
| ZA (1) | ZA781815B (en) |
Families Citing this family (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE2948267A1 (en) * | 1979-11-30 | 1981-06-04 | geb. Lehrmund Margot 8000 München Stover | STIMULATION DEVICE |
| DE2948266A1 (en) * | 1979-11-30 | 1981-06-19 | geb. Lehrmund Margot 8000 München Stover | VIEWING DEVICE |
| FR2641235B1 (en) * | 1988-12-30 | 1994-04-01 | Ammeter Didier | AERATION ACCESSORY FOR A PARTICULARLY MOTOR VEHICLE |
| DE60042155D1 (en) * | 1999-03-24 | 2009-06-18 | Second Sight Medical Prod Inc | RETINAL COLOR PROSTHESIS FOR THE COLOR REHABILITATION |
| DE10296600T5 (en) | 2001-03-30 | 2004-04-22 | Nidek Co., Ltd. | Kunstaugen device |
| JP4204066B2 (en) | 2002-12-05 | 2009-01-07 | 保雄 田野 | Artificial vision system |
| EP2401028A1 (en) | 2009-02-27 | 2012-01-04 | IMI Intelligent Medical Implants AG | Visual prosthesis and retina stimulation device for same |
-
1977
- 1977-04-01 DE DE2714667A patent/DE2714667C3/en not_active Expired
-
1978
- 1978-03-30 ZA ZA00781815A patent/ZA781815B/en unknown
- 1978-03-30 SE SE7803573A patent/SE7803573L/en unknown
- 1978-03-30 NL NL7803389A patent/NL7803389A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1978-03-30 FI FI780967A patent/FI780967A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1978-03-30 FR FR7809314A patent/FR2385387A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1978-03-30 GB GB12523/78A patent/GB1553969A/en not_active Expired
- 1978-03-30 DK DK139678A patent/DK139678A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1978-03-30 NO NO781105A patent/NO144510C/en unknown
- 1978-03-31 IE IE647/78A patent/IE46598B1/en unknown
- 1978-03-31 JP JP3692478A patent/JPS53123588A/en active Pending
- 1978-03-31 IT IT7821849A patent/IT1093559B/en active
- 1978-03-31 BE BE186441A patent/BE865544A/en unknown
- 1978-03-31 AT AT0229878A patent/ATA229878A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1978-03-31 LU LU79353A patent/LU79353A1/en unknown
- 1978-03-31 ES ES468461A patent/ES468461A1/en not_active Expired
- 1978-03-31 CA CA000300151A patent/CA1119712A/en not_active Expired
- 1978-03-31 BR BR7802030A patent/BR7802030A/en unknown
- 1978-04-03 AU AU34720/78A patent/AU512883B2/en not_active Expired
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| LU79353A1 (en) | 1978-07-13 |
| FR2385387A1 (en) | 1978-10-27 |
| AU3472078A (en) | 1979-10-11 |
| GB1553969A (en) | 1979-10-17 |
| BE865544A (en) | 1978-07-17 |
| JPS53123588A (en) | 1978-10-28 |
| DE2714667C3 (en) | 1979-10-04 |
| ES468461A1 (en) | 1979-01-01 |
| NO144510B (en) | 1981-06-09 |
| DK139678A (en) | 1978-10-02 |
| BR7802030A (en) | 1978-12-19 |
| IE46598B1 (en) | 1983-07-27 |
| NL7803389A (en) | 1978-10-03 |
| NO144510C (en) | 1981-09-16 |
| SE7803573L (en) | 1978-10-02 |
| NO781105L (en) | 1978-10-03 |
| FI780967A (en) | 1978-10-02 |
| DE2714667A1 (en) | 1978-10-05 |
| IT7821849A0 (en) | 1978-03-31 |
| AU512883B2 (en) | 1980-10-30 |
| IT1093559B (en) | 1985-07-19 |
| IE780647L (en) | 1978-10-01 |
| DE2714667B2 (en) | 1979-02-01 |
| ATA229878A (en) | 1982-04-15 |
| ZA781815B (en) | 1979-03-28 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
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| MKEX | Expiry |