Bionic Eye

Describe the technology, giving detail to the science of its workings.
The bionic eye is a retinal prosthesis designed to restore a sense of vision to people with profound vision loss due to degenerative retinal conditions. This technology makes use of a retinal implant surgically placed in the back of the eye, as well as an external digital camera and processor.
How has the technology been developed in Australia? Who and what was involved in its development? In 1997, the investigators   set out to develop a visual prosthesis for the treatment of disorders causing blindness. The project originated out of the Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering at the University of New South Wales. In 2002, Dr Suaning moved to the University of Newcastle Late in 2007 Gregg Suaning moved back to UNSW as an Associate Professor. A team of dedicated researchers and graduate students now work on the project including collaborators from the Centre for Eye Research Australia at the University of Melbourne, the Bionic Ear Institute and the Vision Sciences Group at the Australian National University.
How might the technology affect peoples’ lives?
It actually changes their lives in many amazing ways because they can see again. They are all very great full that science was able to restore their vision so they can see again.

Cochlear Implant

Describe the technology, giving detail to the science of its workings.
A cochlear implant is a small, complex electronic device that can help to provide a sense of sound to a person who is profoundly deaf or severely hard-of-hearing. The implant consists of an external portion that sits behind the ear and a second portion that is surgically placed under the skin.
How has the technology been developed in Australia? Who and what was involved in its development?
In 1974 a telethon on Channel 10 in Melbourne generated enough funds to take his work to the prototype stage and in 1978 to test it in a human patient, Rod Saunders. The cochlear...