Although there are multiple brain computer interface (BCI) projects currently underway, BrainGate is one of the first aimed at restoring motor function to users suffering from neurodegenerative diseases or spinal cord injuries. Although researchers have been working on the device in clinical trials for years, recent advances have not focused on physical outcomes. Rather, the latest achievements could pave the way for people with disabilities to more easily utilize complex computer software, communicate with loved ones, work remotely, and even make music. be.
According to a study published January 20 in the journal BrainGate engineers. natural medicinevolunteers with quadriplegia can now maintain unprecedented control over virtual objects using a surgically implanted BrainGate BCI device. To demonstrate that ability, patients guided a virtual rotocopter through the hoops of a digital obstacle course simply by thinking about moving the fingers of one hand.
“This is a more advanced feature than anything we’ve seen to date based on finger movements,” said study lead author Matthew Wilsey, assistant professor of neurosurgery and biomedical engineering at the University of Michigan. mentioned in the accompanying announcement.
Non-invasive BCI technology already exists to allow users with physical limitations to operate computer software and video games, often relying on electroencephalogram (EEG) signals. However, Wilsey et al. point out that these methods require analyzing broader areas of the brain beyond the motor cortex. For this reason, engineers believe that by placing ultra-thin electrode wires closer to the actual neurons, they can restore more precise motor control.
“[BrainGate2] “We take the signals generated in the motor cortex that occur when a participant attempts to move a finger, and use an artificial neural network to interpret what the intention is to control the virtual finger in the simulation.” said Wilsey.
The latest BrainGate BCI system works by analyzing the user’s hand in three parts: thumb, index and middle finger, and ring and pinky finger. Each section is also defined by horizontal and vertical movement. To guide a virtual quadcopter through a digital obstacle course, a BCI user simply needs to move the group of hands as needed and think about flying the vehicle through a floating hoop.
The volunteer, who suffered a spinal cord injury many years ago and is unable to move his limbs, has been working with Willsey’s team since 2016. But unlike some previous trials, this one was tailored specifically to their interests.
“Quadcopter simulation was not an arbitrary choice; the study participants had a passion for flight,” added study co-author Donald Avansino, a computer scientist at Stanford University. “This platform also demonstrated multi-finger control while satisfying participants’ desire for flight.”
According to the research team’s results, the BrainGate array connected directly to motor neurons produced a “six-fold improvement” in users’ ability to pilot a quadcopter compared to an EEG system. This digital precision could soon extend far beyond helicopter operations. This could improve connectivity between BCI users and their friends and loved ones.
“People tend to focus on restoring basic necessities, such as eating, dressing, and moving, which are all important,” said study co-author Jamie Henderson, professor of neurosurgery at Stanford University. explain. “But other equally important aspects of life, such as recreation and peer connection, are often neglected. People want to play games and socialize with friends.”
Henderson said the BCI improvements shown in the quadcopter trials also have practical implications. The ability to control multiple virtual fingers enables “all kinds of multi-element control schemes,” such as using CAD software or composing music.
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