The brain machine interface consists of a stent-based electrode (stentrode), which is implanted within a blood vessel next to the brain, and records the type of neural activity that has been shown in pre-clinical trials to move limbs through an exoskeleton or to control bionic limbs.
The new device is the size of a small paperclip and will be implanted in the first in-human trial at The Royal Melbourne Hospital in 2017.
The results published today in Nature Biotechnologyshow the device is capable of recording high-quality signals emitted from the brain’s motor cortex, without the need for open brain surgery.
Principal author and Neurologist at The Royal Melbourne Hospital and Research Fellow at The Florey Institute of Neurosciences and the University of Melbourne, Dr Thomas Oxley, said the stentrode was revolutionary.
“The development of the stentrode has brought together leaders in medical research from The Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne and the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health. In total 39 academic scientists from 16 departments were involved in its development,” Dr Oxley said.
“We have been able to create the world’s only minimally invasive device that is implanted into a blood vessel in the brain via a simple day procedure, avoiding the need for high risk open brain surgery.
“Our vision, through this device, is to return function and mobility to patients with complete paralysis by recording brain activity and converting the acquired signals into electrical commands, which in turn would lead to movement of the limbs through a mobility assist device like an exoskeleton. In essence this a bionic spinal cord.”
Stroke and spinal cord injuries are leading causes of disability, affecting 1 in 50 people. There are 20,000 Australians with spinal cord injuries, with the typical patient a 19-year old male, and about 150,000 Australians left severely disabled after stroke.
Co-principal investigator and biomedical engineer at the University of Melbourne, Dr Nicholas Opie, said the concept was similar to an implantable cardiac pacemaker – electrical interaction with tissue using sensors inserted into a vein, but inside the brain.
“Utilising stent technology, our electrode array self-expands to stick to the inside wall of a vein, enabling us to record local brain activity. By extracting the recorded neural signals, we can use these as commands to control wheelchairs, exoskeletons, prosthetic limbs or computers,” Dr Opie said.
“In our first-in-human trial, that we anticipate will begin within two years, we are hoping to achieve direct brain control of an exoskeleton for three people with paralysis.”
“Currently, exoskeletons are controlled by manual manipulation of a joystick to switch between the various elements of walking – stand, start, stop, turn. The stentrode will be the first device that enables direct thought control of these devices”
Neurophysiologist at The Florey, Professor Clive May, said the data from the pre-clinical study highlighted that the implantation of the device was safe for long-term use.
“Through our pre-clinical study we were able to successfully record brain activity over many months. The quality of recording improved as the device was incorporated into tissue,” Professor May said.
“Our study also showed that it was safe and effective to implant the device via angiography, which is minimally invasive compared with the high risks associated with open brain surgery.
“The brain-computer interface is a revolutionary device that holds the potential to overcome paralysis, by returning mobility and independence to patients affected by various conditions.”
Professor Terry O’Brien, Head of Medicine at Departments of Medicine and Neurology, The Royal Melbourne Hospital and University of Melbourne said the development of the stentrode has been the “holy grail” for research in bionics.
“To be able to create a device that can record brainwave activity over long periods of time, without damaging the brain is an amazing development in modern medicine,” Professor O’Brien said.
“It can also be potentially used in people with a range of diseases aside from spinal cord injury, including epilepsy, Parkinsons and other neurological disorders.”
Learn more: New device to get people with paralysis back on their feet
The Latest on: Brain-machine interface
[google_news title=”” keyword=”brain-machine interface” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Brain-machine interface
- How Effective Is Neuralink’s Blindsight Likely To Be? Scientists Speak On Potential Health Impactson April 26, 2024 at 5:00 am
This week, in ABP Live's science column, we explain how effective Blindsight, the latest endeavour by Elon Musk’s neurotechnology firm Neuralink, is likely to be.
- China eyes advancing brain-machine interface technology at 2024 ZGC Forumon April 26, 2024 at 4:02 am
Officials, scholars, and business representatives agreed to further promote the development of the brain-machine interface (BMI) technology and fully tap into the broad opportunities of frontier ...
- China's homegrown brain-machine interface system unveiled at Zhongguancun Forumon April 25, 2024 at 11:45 pm
This photo shows the NeuCyber Array BMI System, a self-developed brain-machine interface (BMI) system from China, unveiled at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Zhongguancun Forum in Beijing, capital of ...
- Hybrid brain lets one species' neurons help out another'son April 25, 2024 at 9:53 pm
Adding rat stem cells to a mouse embryo resulted in a ‘hybrid brain’ in which the rat cells stepped in to restore function when the mouse’s sense of smell was removed, new research has shown. It’s the ...
- Brain Computer Interface Market Deciphering Consumer Decision-Making the Role of Ethnography Techniqueson April 25, 2024 at 3:27 pm
Request To Download Free Sample of This Strategic Report @- Brain Computer Interface Market is valued approximately at USD $ billion in 2019 and is anticipated to grow with a healthy growth rate of ...
- China Creates 'Neucyber,' Its Version of a Neuralink Brain Chipon April 25, 2024 at 5:58 am
China has reportedly developed a brain-computer interface chip called Neucyber that allows a monkey to control a robotic arm with only its thoughts.
- China Focus: Major scientific, tech achievements unveiled at 2024 Zhongguancun Forumon April 25, 2024 at 4:12 am
BEIJING, April 25 (Xinhua) -- At the 2024 Zhongguancun Forum (ZGC Forum) that kicked off Thursday, major scientific and technological achievements were unveiled.
- Is Telepathy Possible? Perhaps, Due To New Technologyon April 24, 2024 at 11:00 am
Telepathy is generally considered pure science fiction; fun, but never something that will actually happen. But new research suggests we may be closer than we think.
- Brain-computer interface research reaches new frontierson April 19, 2024 at 7:02 am
Brain-computer interfaces may seem like a science fiction concept, but multiple studies are working to make this technology a reality.
- OPINION: What is a brain-computer interface, and will you eventually have one?on April 15, 2024 at 1:57 pm
Once material for dystopian novels, the brain-computer interface world is now a possible reality that could be here sooner than expected. Companies have been making large strides with spearheads like ...
via Bing News