Brain-Computer Interface - BrainGate Chip Hillary Grimes III Homework 6 COMP 4640

Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) BCI – direct communication pathway between a brain or brain cell culture and a device (computer) One way BCIs information passes from brain to computer or computer to brain Two way BCIs information is exchanged between brain and computer

Invasive BCI Invasive BCI – the chip is implanted directly into the grey matter of the brain produces the highest quality signals but are prone to scar tissue buildup Scar tissue causes the signal to become weaker and even lost as the body reacts to a foreign object

BrainGate Chip Chip implant system developed by Cyberkinetics in 2003 Designed to help those who have lost control of their limbs or other bodily functions

BrainGate Chip 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

BrainGate Chip 100 hair thin electrodes to sense the electro-magnetic signature of neurons firing in specific areas of the brain

BrainGate Chip Chip is implanted on the surface of the brain in the motor cortex area, the area that controls movement

BrainGate Chip Monitored signature is translated into electrically charged signals Signals are then sent and decoded using a program to move cursor, robot arm, etc.

BrainGate Chip Only a few people have been implanted so far during clinical trials One is Matthew Nagle, a quadriplegic paralyzed from the neck down The device was implanted in 2004 over the portion of the motor cortex that controled his left hand and arm

Matthew Nagle Using the BrainGate system, Matt could control a cursor on a computer screen Control TV Check Draw on screen He could also send commands to an external prosthetic hand Open Close

BrainGate Chip “I can't put it into words. It's just—I use my brain. I just thought it. I said, "Cursor go up to the top right." And it did, and now I can control it all over the screen. It will give me a sense of independence.” Matt Nagle

BrainGate Chip In the next two years, Cyberkinetics hopes to refine the chip to develop a wireless version No need for a plug Safer Less visible