Folate-Modified Photoelectric Responsive Polymer Microarray as Bionic Artificial Retina to Restore Visual Function

A high-optical-resolution artificial retina system that accurately communicates with the optic nerve is the main challenge in the modern biological science and bionic field. Here, we developed a bionic artificial retina possessing phototransduction “cells” with measurements even smaller than that of...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:ACS applied materials & interfaces 2020-06, Vol.12 (25), p.28759-28767
Main Authors: Yu, Zheng-Hang, Chen, Wei-Jian, Liu, Xi, Xia, Qiu-Yu, Yang, Yi-Nuo, Dong, Mei, Liu, Jia-Hao, Guan, Huai-Jin, Sun, Cheng, Feng, Fu-De, Shen, Qun-Dong
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Bionics
Folic Acid - chemistry
Polymers - chemistry
Prostheses and Implants
Rats
Retina
Surfaces, Interfaces, and Applications
Thiophenes - chemistry
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Summary:A high-optical-resolution artificial retina system that accurately communicates with the optic nerve is the main challenge in the modern biological science and bionic field. Here, we developed a bionic artificial retina possessing phototransduction “cells” with measurements even smaller than that of the neural cells. Using the technique of micrometer processing, we constructed a pyramid-shape periodic microarray of a photoreceptor. Each “sensing cell” took advantage of polythiophene derivative/fullerene derivative (PCBM) as a photoelectric converter. Because folic acid played an essential role in eye growth, we particularly modified the polythiophene derivatives with folic acid tags. Therefore, the artificial retina could enlarge the contact area and even recognize the nerve cells to improve the consequence of nerve stimulation. We implanted the artificial retina into blinded rats’ eyes. Electrophysiological analysis revealed its recovery of photosensitive function 3 months after surgery. Our work provides an innovative idea for fabricating a high-resolution bionic artificial retina system. It shows great potential in artificial intelligence and biomedicine.
ISSN:1944-8244
1944-8252
DOI:10.1021/acsami.0c04058