Sometimes we cannot even spare 5 minutes to read an article, let alone 10 to watch a video.
Here is the article's highlight:
● Tim Hemmes, a paralyzed volunteer, was able to move a robotic arm via electrodes directly connected to his brain.
● Researchers in the project plan on piecing the brain to get a better reading, and using multiple sensors.
● The study was conducted at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and the UPMC Rehabilitation Institute.
For those who do have time, continue below:
“I put my heart and soul into everything they asked me to do. I got to reach out and touch somebody for the first time in seven years.” - Tim Hemmes, who was paralyzed after a motorcycle accident.
Tim Hemmes was part of a ground-breaking experiment at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and the UPMC Rehabilitation Institute. The researchers applied an electrocortigraphy (ECoG) grid of electrodes directly on a section of Hemmes brain. Through the use of thought, Hemmes could move a robotic arm and high-five his girlfriend. (See the heartwarming video above.)
On August 25th, UPMC neurosurgeon Elizibeth Tyler-Kabara placed the grid on his brain in about 2 hours. She explained the operation, "Before the procedure, we conducted several functional imaging tests to determine where his brain processed signals for moving his right arm. We removed a small piece of his skull and opened the thick layer of protective dura mater beneath it to place the grid over that area of motor cortex. We then put the dura and skull back with the wires on the outside of the skull but under the scalp.” Dr. Tyler-Kabara routed all the ECoG wires down to exit through Hemmes chest for connection to the various computers.
For 6 days a week, over the course of 4 weeks, Hemmes was tested and monitored. The first tests were for Hemmes to navigate and move virtual objects. After some time of watching a virtual avatar move an arm, he learned what he needed to think of to move everything properly. After a short time, he move virtual objects around the screen fairly accurately. However, it was not a "think of your arm moving, and it will move its arm" type of control. Instead, he would think of his thumb moving, that would signify move left, and move an elbow is meant for move right.
Assistant professor and co-principal investigator Wei Wang explained, "He mentally associated specific motor imageries with desired movement direction. It required concentration and patience, but this process seemed to get easier for him with practice, just like when someone learns to drive a car with a manual transmission. In future studies, we also will test other approaches, including the participant simply thinking up for up, down for down, and so on.”
After eight sessions, Hemmes was able to move the ball in three dimensions on a 3D television. This movement technique was applied to a robotic arm built by John Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory. The rest is explained in the following video.
The next step for the research team is a 10-by-10 array of electrode points that pierce the brain and seek to monitor 100 different neurons (points go in about 0.1" ~2.54mm). This device will attempt to monitor the area of the brain that is responsible for hand movement. Co-principal investigator, Professor Andrew Schwartz explained the goal, "We anticipate that these penetrating grids can pick up very clear signals from the brain to reveal what motion is intended by the participant. The second grid will allow us to see what might be possible in controlling the fine movement of the fingers and hand, which is far more complicated but also could offer more useful function for the participant.”
The penetrating grid is already showing good results in live monkey testing. One monkey was able to move a robotic arm to grab and feed itself a marshmallow treat.
Furthermore, the team plans to investigate the use of sensors, possible on the robotic arm, to send feedback to the operator's brain. They also plan on exploring a way to bypass failed injuries to stimulate the muscle fibers in hand and arms. They are not the only ones with this idea.
Unfortunately, Tim Hemmes had the device removed from the skull after the 30-day trial. Whether he will be part of phase two or not is unsure. I will be sure to follow this research.
Eavesdropper
There are many new developments in electroencephalography (EEG), the recording of electrical activity of the brain.
Read about more EEG tech below: