JP2018068867A - Artificial eye and vision aid device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To readily transmit an image to an artificial retina in a non-contact manner.SOLUTION: An artificial eye 10 includes: an imaging part 16 for imaging a visual field direction of a user that is an organism; a light emission part 19 for emitting light indicating an imaged picture of the imaging part 16; and an artificial retina 20 implanted to the user, receiving a laser beam from the light emission part 19 and transmitting information corresponding to a light-receiving result to an optic nerve of the user.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an artificial eye and a visual aid device.

Studies have been conducted to make the eye visible even in patients with retinitis pigmentosa. Some countries have already been approved by the public and have already been transplanted to multiple patients.
Among them, a configuration is proposed in which an electrode chip that functions as an artificial retina is embedded in a patient's eye, and an image taken with a camera built in a glasses-type terminal is transmitted to the electrode chip using electromagnetic induction. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

US Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0144360

However, although electromagnetic induction is a technique suitable for non-contact power transmission, it is not suitable for transmission of high-density information such as images due to transmission speed limitations. Moreover, since electromagnetic induction requires a magnet and a coil, there is a restriction on miniaturization of the apparatus.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to enable easy transmission of images without contact with an artificial retina.

In order to achieve the above object, an artificial eye of the present invention is implanted in the living body, an imaging unit that images the direction of the field of view of the living body, a light emitting unit that emits light indicating a captured image of the imaging unit, An artificial retina that receives light from the light emitting unit and transmits information corresponding to the light reception result to the optic nerve of the living body.
According to the present invention, it is possible to eliminate restrictions on transmission speed and the like as compared with the case of using electromagnetic induction for information transmission to an artificial retina, and it is advantageous for downsizing of the apparatus because magnets and coils are not used.
Therefore, an image can be easily transmitted without contact with the artificial retina.

In the present invention, the artificial retina is disposed on the inner surface of the retina along the curved surface of the retina.
According to the present invention, compared with a configuration in which a plurality of signal lines extend from the artificial retina and connect to the optic nerve, an operation for implanting the artificial retina is facilitated.

In the present invention, the light emitting unit extracts a contour of the captured image, and emits light indicating the contour.
According to the present invention, it is easy to recognize the outer shape of an object by reducing the amount of information transmitted to a living body.

In the present invention, the light emitting unit includes a light source that emits laser light and an optical scanning unit that scans the laser light in a two-dimensional direction.
According to the present invention, it becomes easier to miniaturize compared to the case of using light other than laser light,
Adjustment according to the living body is easy.

Further, according to the present invention, the imaging unit and the light emitting unit are provided in a wearable device that is attached to the living body without being implanted in the living body, and the light emitting unit transmits the light to the pupil of the living body. And at least one of the lens is allowed to reach the artificial retina.
According to the present invention, it is possible to transmit an image in a non-contact manner to an artificial retina while utilizing a pupil light amount adjustment function or a lens function of a crystalline lens.

In the present invention, the imaging unit and the light emitting unit are implanted in the living body, and the light emitting unit allows the light to pass through the tissue of the living body and reach the artificial retina.
According to the present invention, information can be easily transmitted to an artificial retina with a configuration in which an imaging unit and a light emitting unit are implanted in a living body.

The present invention further includes a reflecting member that is implanted in the living body and reflects light from the light emitting portion toward the artificial retina.
According to the present invention, the degree of freedom of arrangement of the light emitting unit is improved, and the light emitting unit is easily arranged at a position where it is easy to arrange in the living body.

In addition, the visual assistance device of the present invention is implanted in any one of an imaging unit that captures the direction of the field of view of a living body, a light emitting unit that emits light indicating a captured image of the imaging unit, and an eye of the living body. And an artificial retina that receives light from the light emitting unit and transmits information corresponding to the light reception result to the optic nerve of the living body.
ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, while assisting the vision of a biological body, it becomes possible to transmit an image easily, without contacting an artificial retina. In addition, when the artificial retina receives light indicating an image that has passed through at least one of the pupil and the lens of the living body, the pupil light amount adjustment function, the lens function of the lens, and the like can be used.

The figure which showed the usage condition of the artificial eye which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. The block diagram which shows the function structure of an artificial eye. The figure which showed the light emission part and the artificial retina with a periphery structure. The figure which showed the state which mounted | wore the user with long hair with the wearable device. The figure which showed the artificial retina of 2nd Embodiment with the periphery structure. The figure which showed the usage condition of the artificial eye which concerns on 3rd Embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, embodiment described below does not limit the content of this invention described in the claim. In addition, not all of the configurations described below are essential constituent requirements of the present invention.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a usage mode of the artificial eye according to the first embodiment.
The artificial eye 10 includes a wearable device 12 that functions as an extracorporeal device that is worn outside the body of the user 11, and an implant 21 that is an in-vivo device that is worn inside the body of the user 11, including an artificial retina 20 (FIG. 2). Is provided. The artificial retina 20 is a retinal substitute that stimulates the optic nerve 45 (FIG. 3) of the user 11 to artificially reproduce vision.
The user 11 is a visually handicapped person who does not have visual acuity (sight) due to, for example, retinitis pigmentosa or the like. In the present embodiment, the case where the artificial retina 20 is implanted in the right eye 30 is illustrated, but the left eye 31 is illustrated.
It may be embedded in. Moreover, although the case of the artificial eye 10 applied to a human is demonstrated, this artificial eye 1
0 may be applied to other living bodies such as dogs and cats.

The wearable device 12 can be easily attached and detached by the user 11 and is worn by the user 11 when using the artificial eye 10. The wearable device 12 includes a main body 13 having an imaging function and an information transmission function for transmitting a captured image (captured image) to the artificial retina 20;
And a support member 14 that supports the main body 13.
The support member 14 includes a band portion 14A that is detachable from the head of the user 11 and an arm portion 14B that supports the main body portion 13 at a position spaced from the band portion 14A. In addition, each direction demonstrated below is each direction seen from the user 11 when the wearable device 12 is mounted | worn.

The band portion 14 </ b> A is formed of an elastic material such as a plastic material having elasticity, and sandwiches a region including the left and right temples of the user 11 by the elastic force, and holds the support member 14 on the head of the user 11. 14 A of band parts are formed in the shape similar to the hair accessory headband (hairband), for example, 14 A of band parts.
The arm part 14B extends forward from the band part 14A, so that the main body part 13 is connected to the right eye 30 of the user.
Support forward. Since the main body 13 is supported in front of the right eye 30 of the user 11, the main body 1
The lens 13 </ b> R provided on the front surface of 3 can easily take an image (video) in the visual field direction of the right eye 30 inside. Further, a light emitting portion 19 (FIG. 2) is provided on the back surface of the main body portion 13, and
Light can be emitted from the light emitting unit 19 to the right eye 30 without a light blocking object between the right eye 30 and the right eye 30.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the artificial eye 10.
The main body unit 13 includes an imaging unit 16, a control unit 17, a power supply unit 18, and a light emitting unit 19.
The imaging unit 16 is an imaging device having an imaging device with a plurality of pixels, for example, a CCD image sensor or a CMOS image sensor. The imaging unit 16 captures an image in the visual field direction of the user 11 via the lens 13R of the main body unit 13, and outputs image data corresponding to the captured image. Thereby, the imaging unit 16 can capture an image corresponding to an image visually recognized by the right eye 30 of the user 11.

The field-of-view image captured by the imaging unit 16 includes an image in front of the right eye 30. However, the image is not limited to the image in front of the right eye 30. For example, an image including a part or all of the general visual field range of the right eye or an image including a part or all of the general visual field range of both eyes may be used.
Moreover, you may include the image of the range exceeding a human visual field range. In short, any image that the user 11 wants to perceive may be used. Further, at least one of the direction and the focal point of the lens 13 </ b> R may be configured to be variable under the control of the control unit 17.

The control unit 17 includes a processor that performs arithmetic processing and peripheral circuits, and includes, for example, an image processing CPU and a memory that stores a control program. The control unit 17 performs an optimization process for emitting light at the light emitting unit 19 on the image data output from the imaging unit 16 by the image processing CPU executing a control program, and performs optimization. The processed signal is transmitted to the light emitting unit 19.

This optimization processing includes contour extraction processing for extracting the contour of the captured image from the image data of the imaging unit 16. Then, the control unit 17 converts the image data indicating the contour of the captured image extracted by the contour extraction process into a predetermined signal suitable for driving the light emitting unit 19 and outputs the signal. Accordingly, the light emitting unit 19 emits light indicating the contour of the captured image, and the artificial retina 20 makes it easier for the user 11 to perceive the contour. In this case, since the amount of information transmitted to the user 11 is reduced as compared with the case where light indicating the entire captured image is emitted, this also facilitates the user 11 to recognize the object. Note that the contour extraction process may be omitted.

The power supply unit 18 is a device that supplies operating power to each unit (the imaging unit 16, the control unit 17, and the light emitting unit 19) of the main body unit 13 and includes, for example, a button battery used for a wristwatch or a small digital camera. In addition, it is not limited to a button battery, A solar cell which receives ambient light and generates electric power may be used.
The light emitting unit 19 is a device that emits light indicating a captured image toward the artificial retina 20 under the control of the control unit 17.

FIG. 3 is a view showing the light emitting unit 19 and the artificial retina 20 together with the peripheral configuration. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the internal structure from the side of the user 11. Reference numeral 41 is the pupil of the right eye 30, reference numeral 42 is a crystalline lens, reference numeral 43 is a vitreous body, reference numeral 44 is a retina, reference numeral 45 is an optic nerve, reference numeral Reference numeral 46 denotes an optic disc.
The light emitting unit 19 incorporates a light source that emits laser light, and also changes the direction of the laser light to an optical scanning unit (also referred to as an optical scanner) 19S, and directs the laser light from the optical scanning unit 19S to the artificial retina 20. And a projection mirror 19M to be reflected. As shown in FIG. 3, the optical scanning unit 19S is arranged below the projection mirror 19M, reflects the laser light (indicated by an arrow in FIG. 3) toward the projection mirror 19M, and reflects the laser light in a two-dimensional direction ( For example, scanning is performed vertically and horizontally. The optical scanning unit 19S is, for example, a MEMS mirror, and M
A small optical scanning unit 19S can be obtained by using the EMS mirror.

The projection mirror 19M is formed in a shape that is recessed forward and is disposed in front of the right eye 30. The projection mirror 19M reflects the laser beam from the optical scanning unit 19S backward,
Laser light is incident on the pupil 41 of the right eye 30. As a result, the laser light passes through the pupil 41 and the crystalline lens 42 and enters the artificial retina 20.
As described above, since the laser beam is incident on the right eye 30 from the outside using the pupil 41 and the crystalline lens 42, the laser beam can be easily and surely incident on the right eye 30 to reach the artificial retina 20. it can.

In this configuration, the optical scanning unit 19 </ b> S scans a single laser beam in the two-dimensional direction, thereby projecting light (that is, image light) indicating a two-dimensional image corresponding to the captured image onto the artificial retina 20. Accordingly, the light emitting unit 19 functions as an image transmission unit that transmits the captured image to the artificial retina 20 without contact.
By using laser light that scans in a two-dimensional direction, the size and the like of image light can be easily adjusted, and adjustment according to the user 11 is possible. Further, the size can be easily reduced as compared with the case of using other light sources.

In addition, since the light scanning unit 19S and the projection mirror 19M are arranged separately in the vertical direction, the length of the light emitting unit 19 in the front-rear direction (corresponding to the depth) is suppressed, and the optical scanning unit 19S and the projection mirror 19M are separated from each other. It becomes easy to secure the distance. For this reason, it becomes easy to ensure the distance from the light emitting part 19 to the artificial retina 20 without increasing the separation distance between the light emitting part 19 and the right eye 30, and the light emitting part 19 can be disposed close to the right eye 30.

However, the arrangement of the optical scanning unit 19S and the projection mirror 19M is not limited to the above arrangement, and can be changed as appropriate. Further, the projection mirror 19M may be omitted, and the light from the optical scanning unit 19S may be directly incident on the pupil 41. Further, the optical scanning unit 19S is not limited to the MEMS mirror, and may be configured using, for example, a polygon mirror or a galvanometer mirror.
In the present embodiment, since the laser light is incident from the outside into the right eye 30 using the pupil 41 and the crystalline lens 42, the light amount adjusting function of the pupil 41 and the lens function of the crystalline lens 42 can be used. The arm portion 14B that supports the main body portion 13 is a flexible arm that bends so that the position of the main body portion 13 can be finely adjusted. The position of the main body portion 13 can be easily adjusted according to the position of the right eye 30. It is.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which the wearable device 12 is worn on the user 11 with long hair.
As shown in FIG. 4, when the hair of the user 11 is long, the band part 14A of the wearable device 12 can be covered with the hair, and the arm part 14B and the main body part 13 can be covered with the bangs. . In other words, by making the hairstyle shown in FIG. 4 covering the band part 14A, the arm part 14B, and the main body part 13, the wearable device 12 can be made invisible from the outside.

As shown in FIG. 3, the implant 21 has an artificial retina 20 and a power supply unit 23.
The power supply unit 23 is a device that supplies operating power to the artificial retina 20, and includes a battery such as a solar battery or a biological battery. The solar cell is a device that generates power using light (sunlight or a part of laser light) incident on the right eye 30, and the biobattery uses bioenergy such as the body temperature of the user 11. It is a device that generates electricity. Note that the present invention is not limited to a battery having a power generation function, and for example, a configuration in which a high-capacity primary battery is incorporated or a configuration in which a secondary battery is incorporated and wirelessly charged from the outside may be employed.

The artificial retina 20 has a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements (also referred to as light receiving elements), and sends an electrical signal generated by the photoelectric conversion elements that receive the laser light to the optic nerve 45 of the right eye 30. The artificial retina 20 of the present embodiment is formed in a flat plate shape extending in the vertical direction in a side view, and a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements are arranged on the surface 20F on the pupil 41 side to constitute a photoelectric conversion element array. Yes.
A plurality of signal lines 47 are connected to the surface 20R of the artificial retina 20 opposite to the pupil 41. The plurality of signal lines 47 are connected to the optic nerve head 46 corresponding to the joint between the optic nerve 45 and the retina 44, and can transmit information (corresponding to electrical stimulation) to the optic nerve 45 previously associated with the light receiving area.

The artificial retina 20 sends the electrical signal generated by each photoelectric conversion element to the optic nerve 45 via the signal line 47 corresponding to the light receiving position of the laser beam. As a result, the artificial retina 20 is
Functions as an optic nerve stimulation unit that stimulates
The pixel position of the imaging unit 16 and the pixel position drawn on the artificial retina 20 correspond to allow the user 11 to recognize a correct image. The artificial retina 20 transmits an electrical signal,
The voltage and current value suitable for stimulating the optic nerve 45 are adjusted and output. Artificial retina 2
0 may be configured such that a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements are grouped for each region and an electric signal is transmitted to the signal line 47 in units of groups.

Since the artificial retina 20 has a signal line 47 between the artificial retina 20 and the retina 44, the artificial retina 20 can be arranged away from the retina 44. For this reason, the artificial retina 20 can be arranged without depending on the shape or the like of the retina 44 of each user 11, and the common retina 20 can be easily applied to the users 11 from children to adults. Note that the artificial retina 20 may be integrated with the power supply unit 23.

As described above, the artificial eye 10 of the present embodiment includes the imaging unit 16 that images the visual field direction of the user 11 that is a living body, the light emitting unit 19 that emits light indicating the captured image of the imaging unit 16, and And an artificial retina 20 which is implanted in the user 11 and receives laser light from the light emitting unit 19 and transmits information corresponding to the light reception result to the optic nerve 45 of the user 11. Thereby, the artificial retina 20
Compared with the case where electromagnetic induction is used for information transmission to the network, it is possible to eliminate restrictions on transmission speed and the like, and it is advantageous for downsizing the apparatus because magnets and coils are not used. Therefore, an image can be easily transmitted to the artificial retina 20 without contact.

Moreover, since the light emission part 19 extracts the outline of a picked-up image and emits light indicating the outline, the amount of information transmitted to the user 11 can be reduced and the external shape of the object can be easily recognized.
Moreover, since the light emission part 19 has the light source which emits a laser beam, and the optical scanning part 19A which scans a laser beam to a two-dimensional direction, it becomes easy to reduce in size compared with the case where lights other than a laser beam are used. Further, by adjusting the scanning range of the laser light, it is possible to pass the pupil 41 of the user 11 and emit the image light with an optimal size or the like for the artificial retina 20. Therefore, adjustment according to the user 11 is easy.

The imaging unit 16 and the light emitting unit 19 are provided in the wearable device 12 worn on the user 11 without being implanted in the user 11, and the light emitting unit 19 transmits light to the pupil 41 of the user 11.
And the lens 42 is projected onto the artificial retina 20. Thereby, light can be easily reached from the outside to the artificial retina 20 in the user 11. The pupil 41 and the lens 4
This configuration can be applied when at least one of 2 is normal and light indicating an image enters the eye.

Further, since the light emitting unit 19 allows the image light to pass through the pupil 41 of the user 11 and reach the artificial retina 20, information can be transmitted to the optic nerve 45 using the light amount adjustment function of the pupil 41 and the like.

(Second Embodiment)
In the first embodiment, a plurality of signal lines 47 are extended from the flat artificial retina 20 and connected to the optic nerve 45, and a treatment for connecting the signal lines 47 to each optic nerve 45 is required. In the second embodiment, the artificial retina 20 is arranged on the inner surface of the retina 44 along the curved surface of the retina 44, thereby eliminating the need for a procedure for connecting the signal line 47 to each optic nerve 45.
The configuration other than the artificial retina 20 is the same as that of the first embodiment. In the following description:
A different part from 1st Embodiment is demonstrated and duplication description is abbreviate | omitted.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the artificial retina 20 of the second embodiment together with the peripheral configuration.
As shown in FIG. 5, the artificial retina 20 is arranged along the curved surface of the retina 44 on the inner surface of the region having the optic disc 46 in the retina 44. That is, the artificial retina 20 is formed in a spherical shape along the inner surface of the retina 44.
A plurality of photoelectric conversion elements are arranged on the concave surface 20F that is the surface of the artificial retina 20 on the pupil 41 side to form a photoelectric conversion element array. In addition, an electrode array is configured by arranging electrodes corresponding to each of the photoelectric conversion elements on the convex surface 20 </ b> R that is the surface opposite to the pupil 41 of the artificial retina 20.

The artificial retina 20 is implanted in the right eye 30 so that the convex surface 20 </ b> R is in contact with the inner surface of the retina 44.
The research for artificially reproducing vision is roughly classified into three types: a type that stimulates the retina 44, a type that stimulates the optic nerve 45, and a type that directly stimulates the cerebrum. The artificial retina 20 of the second embodiment corresponds to a type that stimulates the retina 44. That is, an electrode array is placed on the retina 44 to apply electrical stimulation directly to the retinal ganglion cell layer.
The information is transmitted to the optic nerve 45 through and is recognized as an image (expresses visual acuity) in the cerebral visual cortex of the user 11. The artificial retina 20 of the first embodiment is a type that stimulates the optic nerve.

In the second embodiment, since the curved artificial retina 20 suitable for the individual user 11 is used, a treatment for connecting the signal line 47 to the individual optic nerve 45 becomes unnecessary. Therefore, the operation for implanting the artificial retina 20 is easier than in the first embodiment. However, depending on the situation of the user 11, the first and second
It is desirable to select any of the embodiments.
In addition, the artificial eye 10 of the first and second embodiments is not limited to being applied to one eye (right eye 30) of the user 11, but may be applied to both eyes 30,31. When applied to both eyes 30 and 31, stereoscopic vision becomes possible.

(Third embodiment)
In the first and second embodiments, it is necessary for the user 11 to wear the wearable device 12 when using the artificial eye 10. In the third embodiment, the wearable device 12 is not required.
FIG. 6 is a view showing a usage mode of the artificial eye 10 according to the third embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing the inside of the head from above the user 11.
In the artificial eye 10, in addition to the artificial retina 20, components (the imaging unit 16, the control unit 17, and the light emitting unit 19) included in the main body unit 13 of the wearable device 12 are implanted in the user 11. That is, all the components of the artificial eye 10 are implanted in the user 11.

More specifically, the artificial eye 10 includes a first artificial eye 51L attached to the left eye 31 and a second artificial eye 51R attached to the right eye 30. In the present embodiment, the left eye 31 may not function at all in the optic nerve. However, since the retinal cells and the optic nerve 45 of the right eye 30 are used in the present embodiment, even if the light cannot be recognized by the retina 44, it is necessary that at least the function of feeling electrical stimulation remains.
The first artificial eye 51L is disposed in the eyeball of the left eye 31. The first artificial eye 51L is the user 1
A lens 52 arranged so that an image in one visual field direction can be taken into the first artificial eye 51L, an imaging unit 16 that captures an image through the lens 52, and a first that supports the lens 52 and the imaging unit 16.
And an artificial eye body 53. By embedding the first artificial eye body 53 in the left eye 31,
The imaging unit 16 and the like are implanted in the left eye 31.

The image in the viewing direction captured by the imaging unit 16 is not limited to the image in front of the left eye 31. For example, an image including part or all of the normal left-eye visual field range or an image including part or all of the general visual field range of both eyes may be used. Moreover, you may include the image of the range exceeding a human visual field range. In short, any image that the user 11 wants to perceive may be used. The lens 52 may be configured as a movable lens that can change at least one of the orientation and the focus under the control of the control unit 17.
The first artificial eye body 53 is formed of a light shielding material or the like that does not affect the living tissue and does not allow sunlight or the like to enter the interior.

The light emitting unit 19 is placed between the first artificial eye 51L and the second artificial eye 51R by being implanted in a region corresponding to the left and right eyes 30, 31 of the user 11. Although illustration of the control unit 17 and the power supply unit 18 is omitted, the control unit 17 and the power supply unit 18 may be disposed in the first artificial eye 51L or the second artificial eye 51R, or the same as the light emitting unit 19. You may arrange in a position. Also,
The power supply unit 18 and the power supply unit 23 of the artificial retina 20 may be shared or may be separate.

The parts such as the first artificial eye 51L, the second artificial eye 51R, and the light emitting unit 19 are all implanted in the human body of the user 11 by surgery. It should be noted that it is desirable that the external appearance does not reveal that these parts are implanted in the user's body by surgery or makeup that does not leave a mark.
As shown in FIG. 6, the light emitting unit 19 emits laser light toward the right front in a top view toward the second artificial eye 51 </ b> R (projection mirror 55 described later). That is, the light emitting unit 19 causes the laser light to enter the second artificial eye 51R through the living tissue (subcutaneous tissue, blood vessel, etc.).

The second artificial eye 51 </ b> R is disposed in the eyeball of the right eye 30. The second artificial eye 51 </ b> R includes a projection mirror 55 that functions as a reflecting member that reflects the laser light from the light emitting unit 19 toward the artificial retina 20, and a second artificial eye main body 56 that supports the projection mirror 55. This second artificial eye body 5
When 6 is implanted in the right eye 30, the artificial retina 20 and the projection mirror 55 are implanted in the right eye 30.

The second artificial eye body 56 has an opening 56A in which a region corresponding to the emitted light of the light emitting unit 19 is opened, and an opening 56B in which a region corresponding to the artificial retina 20 is opened. by this,
Laser light, which is emitted light from the light emitting unit 19, enters the projection mirror 55 without being blocked by the second artificial eye body 56 and is projected onto the artificial retina 20.
The projection mirror 55 in the second artificial eye 51R is disposed in the irradiation range of the laser light incident from the opening 56A, reflects the laser light and projects it onto the artificial retina 20. The shape and arrangement of the projection mirror 55 may be changed according to the position of the light emitting unit 19 and the like.
The second artificial eye body 56 is formed of a light shielding material or the like that does not affect the living tissue and does not allow sunlight or the like to enter the interior. Further, a part of the artificial retina 20 may be supported by the second artificial eye body 56.

Thus, in the third embodiment, a camera (corresponding to the imaging unit 16) is disposed on the left eye 31 of the user 11, and a screen (corresponding to the artificial retina 20) is disposed on the right eye 30 of the user 11. A projector (corresponding to the light emitting unit 19) is arranged between the eyes 30 and 31 of the user 11.
Since the human eyeball is small, it is difficult to lay out both the imaging unit 16 and the artificial retina 20 that stimulates the retina 44 in one eyeball. Considering this difficulty, in the third embodiment, focusing on the fact that there are two human eyes, the imaging unit 16 is disposed on one of the pair of eyes, and the artificial retina 20 is disposed on the other eye. It has a configuration. Note that it is possible to appropriately select which eye the imaging unit 16 or the artificial retina 20 is placed on.
If various devices necessary for the artificial eye 10 of the present embodiment are reduced in size due to technological progress, all the devices may be implanted in one eye 30 or 31. The left and right eyes 30, 31
Alternatively, the imaging unit 16 and the artificial retina 20 may be arranged in pairs. If the images of the left and right eyes 30 and 31 can be recognized, stereoscopic vision is possible.

In the third embodiment, the imaging unit 16 and the light emitting unit 19 are implanted in the face of the user 11, and the light emitting unit 19 allows the laser light to pass through the living tissue and reach the artificial retina 20. Images can be easily transmitted in the body. In addition, since light is used for the transmission of the image, high-density information such as an image can be easily transmitted, and the influence on the human body can be suppressed more easily than when electromagnetic induction is used.
Moreover, since the projection mirror 55 which is implanted in the user 11 and functions as a reflecting member that reflects the light of the light emitting unit 19 toward the artificial retina 20 is provided, the degree of freedom of arrangement of the light emitting unit 19 is improved.
It becomes easy to arrange | position the light emission part 19 in the position which is easy to arrange | position in the biological body.

In the third embodiment, since all the parts (also referred to as devices or electronic devices) constituting the artificial eye 10 are implanted in the living body, the living body such as the body temperature of the user 11 is supplied to the power supply to each part. It is desirable to use a biological battery that generates power using energy.
However, the third embodiment is not limited to using a biological battery, and power may be supplied from the outside. In that case, if power is supplied in a non-contact manner using a technique such as electromagnetic induction, it is not necessary to expose the electrode on the human body surface.
In addition, a camera (corresponding to the imaging unit 16) is disposed on one eye (left eye 31) of the user 11,
Since the screen (corresponding to the artificial retina 20) is arranged on the other eye (right eye 30) of the user 11, each member can be arranged using the space of both eyes 30 and 31 of the user 11.

In the first embodiment described above, the case where the wearable device 12 is configured as a hairband type has been described, but may be configured as a glasses type, a goggle type, or a monocle type. In short, the wearable device 12 may be configured to be disposed in the vicinity of the eyes of the user 11.
Further, the components constituting the artificial eye 10 (imaging unit 16, control unit 17, light emitting unit 19, power supply unit 1)
8. When the artificial retina 20) is implanted in a living body, parts other than the light emitting portion 19 and the artificial retina 20 may be implanted in a place other than the face. For example, if the imaging unit 16 is embedded in the hand, it is possible to view an image in the direction in which the hand is directed, and it is easy to obtain characteristics that exceed the capabilities of conventional humans.

Further, the artificial eye 10 can be applied to a technique related to a cyborg for implanting various devices in the human body, and can be developed in various variations exceeding the conventional human ability.
Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the artificial eye 10 that imparts visual acuity to the user 11 who is a visually handicapped person who does not have visual acuity (vision) has been described. The present invention may be applied to a visual assistance device.

In this case, the visual assistance device is implanted in one of the eyes 30 and 31 of the user 11,
Assisting the user 11 with vision. For example, the visual assistance device is provided in the right eye 30 of the user 11 when the left eye 31 of the user 11 has visual acuity. Thereby, stereoscopic vision can be made possible, and when the visual acuity of the left eye 31 is low, the visual acuity can be supplemented by the visual assistance device of the right eye 30.
This visual assisting device has the same configuration as the artificial eye 10 shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 when at least one of the pupil 41 and the lens 42 of the user 11 is normal and light indicating an image enters the eye. Can be realized.

In the above-described artificial eye 10 and visual aid device, if any of the pupil 41 or the lens 42 is defective, the defective body part may be replaced with an artificial substitute. Moreover, when neither the pupil 41 nor the lens 42 is normal, both may be replaced with an artificial substitute.
Further, in the above-described artificial eye 10 and the visual aid device, as an example of light indicating an image that enters the living body from outside the living body, the case of light indicating an image that has passed through the pupil 41 and the crystalline lens 42 has been described. Not exclusively. By setting the position of the artificial retina 20 to a place other than the eye, it is possible to make the artificial retina 20 incident with light indicating an image incident on the living body at another position, thereby assisting the vision.

Each embodiment described above shows one aspect of the present invention, and can be arbitrarily modified and applied within the scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Artificial eye (vision assistance apparatus), 11 ... User (living body), 12 ... Wearable device, 13 ... Main-body part, 13R, 52 ... Lens, 14 ... Support member, 16 ... Imaging part, 17 ... Control part, 18 , 23 ... power supply unit, 19 ... light emitting unit (image transmission unit), 19S ... optical scanning unit, 19M ... projection mirror, 20 ... artificial retina (optic nerve stimulation unit), 21 ... implant, 30 ... right eye, 31 ...
Left eye, 41 ... pupil, 42 ... lens, 43 ... vitreous body, 44 ... retina, 45 ... optic nerve, 46 ... optic nerve head, 47 ... signal line, 51L ... first eye, 51R ... second eye, 53 ... first Artificial eye body,
55 ... Projection mirror (reflection member), 56 ... Second artificial eye body, 56A, 56B ... Opening.

Claims (8)

An imaging unit for imaging the direction of the visual field of a living body;
A light emitting unit that emits light indicating a captured image of the imaging unit;
An artificial retina that is implanted in the living body, receives light from the light emitting unit, and transmits information corresponding to the light reception result to the optic nerve of the living body;
Artificial eye with The artificial retina is disposed on the inner surface of the retina along the curved surface of the retina.
The artificial eye according to any one of the above. The said light emission part extracts the outline of the said captured image, and radiate | emits the light which shows the said outline.
The artificial eye described in 1. The artificial eye according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the light emitting unit includes a light source that emits laser light and a light scanning unit that scans the laser light in a two-dimensional direction. The imaging unit and the light emitting unit are provided in a wearable device attached to the living body without being implanted in the living body,
The artificial eye according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the light emitting unit causes the light to pass through at least one of a pupil and a crystalline lens of the living body and reach the artificial retina. The imaging unit and the light emitting unit are implanted in the living body,
The artificial eye according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting unit causes the light to pass through the tissue of the living body and reach the artificial retina. The artificial eye according to claim 6, further comprising a reflecting member that is implanted in the living body and reflects light from the light emitting unit toward the artificial retina. An imaging unit for imaging the direction of the visual field of a living body;
A light emitting unit that emits light indicating a captured image of the imaging unit;
An artificial retina that is implanted in one of the eyes of the living body, receives light from the light emitting unit, and transmits information corresponding to the light reception result to the optic nerve of the living body;
Visual assistance device comprising:

Images