1. Neuro-prosthetic Devices Yael Hanein School of Electrical Engineering, Tel-Aviv University http://www.eng.tau.ac.il/~hanein

2. Our brain is connected to a peripheral system of sensory inputs which allow us to see, hear, smell, taste, and feel A damage to these sensors or to their link to the brain can cause serious medical conditions such as blindness and deafness

3. Neuro-prosthetic devices are electronic devices which can provide an input and links to the nervous system By sending electrical pulses, they can restore various functions such as hearing, vision, and limb control Cochlear implants are commercially available

4. The eye Our photo sensors are located in the retina, at the back of our eye. Their degeneration is a major cause for blindness

5. Restoring sight with microchips

6. Electronics and biology are not naturally compatible However, they can be interfaced using special materials

7. Neurons and nano-materials

8. Recordings from a Retina Target: 625 electrodes, center-center spacing = 20 mm

9. The future

10. Summary Nanotechnology helps making better bio-materials Retinal Implants and other neuro- prosthetic devices are likely to mature in the next several years