Some interesting news coming from the technology industry today. Doctors are, for the first time preparing to test a brain-computer interface on a human brain. There is no open surgery needed.
It is a neural implant that will have access to the brain through the jugular vein. The plan and the hope is the brain-computer interface will enable paralyzed people to use their hands with their own thoughts.
The Stentrode:
The first endovascular neural interface: The Stentrode.
It is a minimally invasive implantable brain device. It will be able to interpret signals from the patients brain. Implanted via the jugular vein, the Stentrode is placed inside the brain in the command-control centre. This is known as your motor cortex. The great thing here is that there is no need for open surgery.
The signals from the brain are captured and sent to a wireless unit implanted in the chest. This then sends them to an external receiver. They are building a software suite that enables the patient to learn how to control a:
- Computer operating system
- Set of applications
This will also allow them to interact with assistive technologies.
Synchron:
This technology has the potential to enable patients with paralysis to take back digital control of their world, without having to move a muscle. Synchron is currently preparing for pilot clinical trials of the Stentrode™ to evaluate the safety and efficacy of this breakthrough technology.
Synchron is a company spun out of the University of Melbourne. They still have close ties to the Vascular Bionics Laboratory in the Dept. of Medicine, Australia. However, they are now based in Silicon Valley, California. Their mission is to develop safe neurotechnology that overcomes human limitations.
Headquartered in Silicon Valley and funded by the Defense Advance Research Projects Agency (DARPA). DARPA funds critical scientific research that has led to the development of significant advances: the internet, mobile phones and GPS.
More recently, their focus have turned to neuroscience. DARPA has provided large scale funding for cutting edge research to scientists willing to think outside the box.
This kind of technology restores a level of independence that seemed like science fiction only a few years ago. In fact, the same could be said about our Uccello Kettle. Likened to a little bird or R2D2 if you where one of our Star Wars fans. It is a daily living aid that brings both confidence and independence to all who use it.
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