Thousands of people around the world suffer from
paralysis, rendering them dependent on others toper form even the most basic
tasks. But that could change, because of the latest achievements in the Brain-Computer
Interface (BCI), which could help them regain a portion of their lost in
dependence. Even normal humans may also be able to utilize Brain Chip
Technology to enhance their relationship with the digital world-provided they
are willing to receive the implant. The term ‘Brain-Computer Interface’ refers
to the direct interaction between a healthy brain and a computer. Intense
efforts and research in this BCI field over the past decade have recently
resulted in a human BCI implantation, which is a great news for all of us,
especially for those who have been resigned to spending their lives in wheel
chairs. This Brain Chip Technology is a platform for the development of a wide
range of other assisting devices.
In this
definition of Brain-Computer Interface the word brain mean the brain or nervous
system of an organic life form rather than the mind. Computer means any
processing or computational device form an integrated circuit to silicon chip.
The term ‘Brain-Computer Interface’ refers to the direct interaction between a
healthy brain and a computer.
This paper focuses on the Brain Chip Technology
which helps quadriplegic people to do things like checking e-mail, turning the
TV, lights on or off—with just their thoughts. Also the definition of Brain-Computer
Interface, the primary goal of designing Brain gate, the basic elements of
Brain Gate, the research work conducted on it at different Universities and
some short comings of Brain Gate were also presented.
INTRODUCTION
An
implantable brain-computer interface the size of an aspirin has been clinically
tested on humans by American company Cyber kinetics. The 'Brain Gate' device
can provide paralyzed or motor-impaired patients a mode of communication
through the translation of thought into direct computer control. The technology
driving this breakthrough in the Brain-Machine-Interface field has a myriad of
potential applications, including the development of human augmentation for
military and commercial purposes.
A
Brain-Computer Interface sometimes called a direct neural interface or a
brain-machine interface (BMI) accepts commands directly from the human or
animal brain without requiring physical movement and can be used to operate a
computer or other technologies. This broad term can describe many actual and
theoretical interfaces.
In this
definition of Brain-Computer Interface the word brain mean the brain or nervous
system of an organic life form rather than the mind. Computer means any
processing or computational device form an integrated circuit to silicon chip.
The term ‘Brain-Computer Interface’ refers to the direct interaction between a
healthy brain and a computer.
The
goal of the Brain Gate program is to develop a fast, reliable and unobtrusive
connection between the brain of a severely disabled person and a personal
computer. The aim of designing this chip is to provide paralyzed individuals
with a gateway through which they can access the broad capabilities of
computers, control devices in the surrounding environment, and even move their
own limbs. Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have already
demonstrated that a monkey can feed itself with a robotic arm simply by using
signals from its brain, an advance that could enhance prosthetics for people,
especially those with spinal cord injuries. Now, using the Brain Gate system in
the current human trials, a 25 year old quadriplegic has successfully been able
to switch on lights, adjust the volume on a TV, change channels and read e-mail
using only his
brain. Crucially the patient was able to do these tasks while carrying on a
conversation and moving
his head at the same time. John Donoghue, the chairman of the Department of
Neuroscience at Brown University, led the original research project and went on
to co-found Cyber kinetics, where he is currently chief scientific officer
overseeing the clinical trial. It is expected that people using the Brain Gate
system will employ a personal computer as the gateway to range of self-directed
activities. These activities may extend beyond typical computer functions
(e.g., communication) to include the control of objects in the environment such
as a telephone, a television and lights. Usually the brain is connected to an
external computer system through a chip composed of electrodes. Now it is
possible to implant this chip into the brain’s motor cortex (the part of the
brain that controls the movements of the limbs). This allows us to record the
electrical activity of neurons firing and use computers to convert the signals
into actions by applying signal-processing algorithms (algorithms used for the
processing, amplification and interpretation of signals).
Intense
efforts and research in this field over the past decade have recently resulted
in a human BCI implantation, which is a great news for all of us especially for
those who have been resigned to spending theirs lives in wheel chair.
