
Chapter 2: Descriptive Information
Page 8
Refer to the Appendices A for more information about
interference with other electronic equipment.
How Does the Argus 2s System Work?
You will have the Argus II Retinal Prosthesis implanted in
and around your eye. You must wear the glasses and turn
on the VPU to use the system.
When you are using the system, a small video camera on
the glasses captures images in real time. The glasses send
these images to the VPU. The VPU changes these video
images into electrical signals and sends them back to the
glasses. The antenna on the glasses sends the signals
wirelessly to the implant. The implant then sends out small
pulses of electricity to your retina. These pulses stimulate
your retina. Your retina sends the nerve signals along the
optic nerve to your brain. You perceive these pulses as
patterns of light. Over time, you may learn how to interpret
these visual patterns as objects and shapes.
Note: The implant is
“on” only when you are wearing the
glasses and have the VPU turned on. Otherwise, the
implant is
“off”.
The sections below describe each of the parts of the Argus
2s system.
Argus II Retinal Prosthesis (Implant)
The implant consists of four parts: (1) the electronics case
(2) the implant antenna, (3) the electrode array, and (4) the
scleral band.