BrainPort V100 – Device helps blind people to recognize their surrounding better

A new device has emerged in the market that can help blind people greatly by helping them to “see” through their tongues. The United States FDA has approved the marketing of Wicab Inc’s BrainPort V100. The BrainPort V100 can translate the digital information that is stored in a video camera into patterns of electrical simulation on the user’s tongue. Once the conversion is complete, the device helps the user to learn the interpreted visual images giving them a feel of the real time surroundings. It helps them to interpret the signals to determine the location, shape and size of the object under consideration.  All the gadgets required for BrainPort will be sold with it including the video camera. This video camera comes attached to a pair of glasses and to use the device, the user is required to wear the glasses, the report suggested.

BrainPort will be powered by a battery which can be changed. This device is an idea of the Wisconsin based Wicab Inc., an ISO 9001-2008 and ISO 13485-2003 certified medical device company. This device could be a real help to the blind as according to the National Institute of Health’s National Eye Institute, in 2010 more than 1.23 million people in the U.S. were blind. This number is expected to rise in the coming years and something needs to be thought of to give these people a feeling of independence and help them see.

(Photo : Wicab)

The technology on which BrainPort is based has been in the making for a long time. The company has also marketed the product in UK, Sweden and Germany for $10,000. The Chief scientist at FDA, William Maisel, said,” Medical device innovations like this have the potential to help millions of people. It is important we continue advancing device technology to help blind Americans live better, more independent lives.”

Before approving the device FDA had conducted in-depth studies about its effectiveness. The tests were continued for a year and revealed that almost 70 per cent of the 74 subjects were able to successfully complete the recognition tests. It was reported that some of the participants felt a burning sensation but no serious side effects were observed.