Virtual reality validation of naturalistic modulation strategies to counteract fading in retinal stimulation
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Abstract
Abstract Objective . Temporal resolution is a key challenge in artificial vision. Several prosthetic approaches are limited by the perceptual fading of evoked phosphenes upon repeated stimulation from the same electrode. Therefore, implanted patients are forced to perform active scanning, via head movements, to refresh the visual field viewed by the camera. However, active scanning is a draining task, and it is crucial to find compensatory strategies to reduce it. Approach . To address this question, we implemented perceptual fading in simulated prosthetic vision using virtual reality. Then, we quantified the effect of fading on two indicators: the time to complete a reading task and the head rotation during the task. We also tested if stimulation strategies previously proposed to increase the persistence of responses in retinal ganglion cells to electrical stimulation could improve these indicators. Main results . This study shows that stimulation strategies based on interrupted pulse trains and randomisation of the pulse duration allows significant reduction of both the time to complete the task and the head rotation during the task. Significance . The stimulation strategy used in retinal implants is crucial to counteract perceptual fading and to reduce active head scanning during prosthetic vision. In turn, less active scanning might improve the patient’s comfort in artificial vision.
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Retinal prostheses can avoid fading if three criteria are met.
“Retinal prostheses can avoid fading if three criteria are met [153].”
From Advances in visual prostheses: engineering and biological challenges (2022) · cites this paper as [153]
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- Authors
- Thorn, J. T., Chenais, N. A. L., Hinrichs, S., Chatelain, M., & Ghezzi, D.
- Affiliations
- École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (CH)
- Corresponding author
- Ghezzi, Diego
- Venue
- Journal of Neural Engineering
- Publisher
- IOP Publishing
- Published
- 2022-03-29
- Volume
- 19
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 026016
- ISSN
- 1741-2552 (ISSN-L)
- 1741-2560
- OpenAlex
- W4220828149
- Cited by
- 11
- References
- 49
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 2
- FWCI
- 1.11
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Journal of Neural Engineering (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) (acceptedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Infoscience (Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- Funders
- École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
- Foundation E. et G. Gelbert
- Marie Skłodowska-Curie (861423)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neural Engineering
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Tactile and Sensory Interactions
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine › Pain Management and Treatment
- Keywords
- retinal prosthesis, perceptual fading, phosphenes, stimulation strategies, prosthetic vision, reading tasks, retinal ganglion cells, temporal resolution, virtual reality simulation
- MeSH terms
- Virtual Reality, Electric Stimulation, Humans, Phosphenes, Retina, Retinal Ganglion Cells, Vision, Ocular, Visual Prosthesis
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