BrainPort Vision

For those who are blind, the non-surgical BrainPort vision device is an investigational assistive device for orientation, mobility, object identification and spot reading.  It enables perception of visual information using the tongue and camera system as a paired substitute for the eye. Visual information is collected from a video camera and translated into gentle electrical stimulation patterns on the surface of the tongue. Users describe it as pictures drawn on their tongue with champagne bubbles. With training users may perceive shape, size, location and motion of objects in their environment.  The BrainPort vision device is intended to augment rather than replace other assistive technology such as the white cane or guide dog. 

Research studies are conducted under Institutional Review Board approved protocols and with participant consents.  Substantially all research completed to date has been funded by the National Eye Institute of the NIH.

The BrainPort® vision device is an Investigational Device and its use remains limited by U.S. Federal Law to investigational uses only. THE BRAINPORT VISION DEVICE HAS NOT YET BEEN SUBMITTED TO THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION (FDA) FOR CLEARANCE OR APPROVAL AND IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR SALE. WICAB MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS REGARDING THE DEVICE SAFETY OR EFFICACY.

Video courtesy of Erik Weihenmayer.
Produced by Serac Adventure Films.

UPDATE

Wicab, Inc. Initiates BrainPort Vision Device Clinical Study

Wicab, Inc. in Middleton, Wisconsin announced today the initiation of a clinical study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the BrainPort vision device in subjects who are blind. This year long study allows subjects to use the device at home after completion of initial clinic screening and training. Eligible subjects must be between the ages of 18 and 79 years of age and have a medical diagnosis of blindness (light perception or no light perception) for at least 6 months. Blindness may not be a result of cortical injury, such as a traumatic brain injury or stroke. Subjects must have completed rehabilitation (such as orientation and mobility training with a white cane or guide dog). Previous use of the BrainPort vision device, pregnancy, and allergies to nickel or steel exclude participation in this study. Participants should be able to easily commute to and from the nearest clinical trial site and are required to make four quarterly clinic visits in addition to the initial training sessions. If you are interested in participating in this clinical study, please review our website or contact Wicab at (608) 829-4511.

Clincal Study Annoucement Approved by NEIRB 11/4/11