Introduction to Brain Gate
It is a mind-to-movement system that allows a quadriplegic man to control a computer using his Thoughts and desire.The system is helpful to those who have lost control of their limbs, or other bodily functions, such as patients with spinal cord injury to operate various gadgets such as TV, computer ,light etc. It monitors brain activity in the patient and converts the intention of the user into computer commands. This can be used to control a robot arm or a cursor on a screen.It is a brain implant system built and previously owned by Cyberkinetics, currently under development and in clinical trials, designed to help those who have lost control of their limbs, or other bodily functions such as patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis ,spinal cord injury etc.
The first reported experiments involving the implantation of the Multielectrode array in human subject were carried out in 2002 by Kevin Warwick, Mark Gasson and Peter Kyberd. The procedure involved the implantation of the array in the peripheral nerves of the subject in order to successfully bring about both motor and sensory functionality.
Brain Gate is developed by the bio-tech company Cyber kinetics in 2003 in conjunction with the Department of Neuroscience at Brown University
Working :
Brain computer interface (BCI) usually connects the brain (or nervous system) with a computer system. A BCI called as direct neural interface or brain machine interface is a direct communication pathway between human or animal brain and an external device.
The Brain Gate neural interface device is a propriety brain-computer interface that consist of an Inter neural signal sensor(Multielectrode array) and External Motor Cortex Processors. The sensor consists of a tiny chip containing 100-1000 microscopic electrodes that detect electrical activity of brian cell.The chip is implanted on the surface of brain in the motor cortex area that controls movement. In addition to real-time analysis of neuron patterns to relay movement, the BrainGate array is also capable of recording electrical data for later analysis. A potential use of this feature would be for a neurologist to study seizure patterns in a patient with epilepsy.
External Processors convert neural signals into an output signal under the users own control. In a version of the device, a cable connects the sensor to an external processor in a cart that contains computers. The computers translate brain activity and create the communication output using decoding software.
After completion of work through any part of body then a potential difference is created in the brain.This pd. is captured by the electrodes and is transmitted via fiber optic to the external processor. The external processor called digitizer converts the signal into Binary form and that is feed into the computer.Thus a new path for propagation of brain commands from the brain to the computer through Brain Gate are created. Now when external devices are connected to the computer then they work according to the thought produced in the motor cortex.
In conclusion,the invention of Brain gate is such a revolution in medical field. The remarkable breakthrough offers hope that people who are paralyzed will one day be able to independently operate artificial limbs, computers or wheelchairs.The idea of moving robots or prosthetic devices not by manual control, but by mere thinking( the brain activity of human subjects) has been a fascinated approach.
Advantage:
- controlling remote devices
- Making and receiving telephone calls
- Accessing the internet.
- Watch and control television
- Control robotic a robotic arm
- Watch and control television
- Locking or unlocking doors
- Turn on or off the lights
- Locking or unlocking doors
- Motorized wheelchair
Current new advances include a second-generation interface software M*Power controller that will enable users to perform a wide variety of daily activities without assistances of technician using smaller wireless device . The user will have an improved control of respiratory system, limb with muscle stimulation or robotics. Also it includes developing brain-computer interface (BCI) technologies to restore the communication, mobility, and independence of people with neurologic disease, injury, or limb loss. Our research is focused not only on improving the ability to operate a computer, but also on providing people with ALS, spinal cord injury, and stroke with reliable, constant control over their environment.
