Function Bionic Eye projected to be released in 2013

A research team at New South Wales in Australia report that they are in the final stages of developing a new bionic eye which should be ready in 2013. The team is lead by Dr. Gregg Suaning and Nigel Lovell. The device consists of a small 2 by mm microchip composed of 98 electrodes, a camera, and a smart phone. During a two hour surgery, the microchip is implanted in the back of the eye behind the retina. An external camera sends a signal to this microchip. From there, the signal is sent to a smartphone, so that it can be processed and interpreted and then sent back to the microchip. When the microchip receives the processed signal, it directly stimulates the optic nerve. The brain would then interpret this stimulation and reconstruct an image. Simulations of the expected image are black and white and very low-res but are still clear enough that facial features and the overall shape of an object can be identified. Much more work will have to be done before a device can be created that can truly replicates the functionality of the eye but this is an incredible step in that direction a represents a significant advance in bionic technology. Recipients of this device would have their quality of life substantially improved, some of them getting the chance to see for the first time in their life.
The article summarizing this device can be found at: http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/12040286/content/91982130-bionic-eye-by-2013