Science Corporation Tests Vision Chip on Stargardt Disease

Science Corporation has successfully implanted its PRIMA vision-restoring device into a patient suffering from Stargardt disease, a rare inherited condition that leads to the gradual loss of central vision. Max Hodak, chief executive of Science Corporation and former co-founder of Neuralink, disclosed the milestone at the TechCrunch Disrupt conference. The procedure, which took place in May at the Sydney Eye Hospital in Australia, resulted in the patient successfully reading words during rehabilitation sessions.

Technology and Medical Application

The PRIMA system functions by placing a two millimeter by two millimeter chip beneath the retina to act as artificial photoreceptors. Users wear specialized glasses equipped with cameras that stream visual data to the implant, converting light into electrical signals that the brain can interpret. While the current output is restricted to high-contrast, black-and-white central vision, the company aims to expand the field of view and improve image resolution in future iterations.

The Scale Report understands that the company views this success as a validation of its broader strategy to treat diverse forms of blindness. Stargardt disease currently lacks a cure and impacts roughly 150,000 individuals globally by causing the decay of light-sensing cells in the outer retina. By targeting the inner retina which retains the ability to communicate with the optic nerve, the device provides a bridge for visual processing.

Future of Neural Engineering

Beyond retinal prostheses, Science Corporation continues to develop brain-computer interface technology designed to sit on the surface of the brain rather than penetrating neural tissue. This approach is intended to address complex neurological challenges, including stroke recovery and various neurodegenerative conditions. The firm maintains that these medical applications are foundational to its long-term objective of understanding brain architecture and extending human health span through advanced neural engineering.