Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: thedoc on 07/06/2012 15:46:02

Title: How can brain implants treat paralysis?
Post by: thedoc on 07/06/2012 15:46:02
Imagine not being able to just pick up a glass and have a drink, and instead, having to rely on others to help with this most simple of tasks.  This week a brain interface device has allowed a paralysed stroke victim to drink for herself for the first time in 14 years by controlling a robotic arm...
Read a transcript of the interview by clicking here (http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/content/interviews/interview/2102/)

or [chapter podcast=3995 track=12.05.20/Naked_Scientists_Show_12.05.20_10183.mp3](https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thenakedscientists.com%2FHTML%2Ftypo3conf%2Fext%2Fnaksci_podcast%2Fgnome-settings-sound.gif&hash=f2b0d108dc173aeaa367f8db2e2171bd) Listen to it now[/chapter] or [download as MP3] (http://nakeddiscovery.com/downloads/split_individual/12.05.20/Naked_Scientists_Show_12.05.20_10183.mp3)
Title: Re: How can brain implants treat paralysis?
Post by: DöubleHelix on 31/05/2012 01:12:25
I've heard about this. If and when these things reach the general public, what a breakthrough that'll be! When I first heard about these, the first thing I wondered was: wouldn't people using these kinds of implants be considered cyborgs? I mean, they are controlling the electronic limbs with their minds. Adam Montandon, user of the "eyeborg", considers himself a cyborg, but I don't agree since he doesn't actually control his device with his mind. It's just a machine he wears on his head and listens to through headphones that tell him the colors he's seeing via codes he can hear. It would be another story if he had an implant in his brain that made him see in color.
Title: Re: How can brain implants treat paralysis?
Post by: RD on 31/05/2012 09:03:08
... It would be another story if he had an implant in his brain that made him see in color.

Only black & white vision with this implant ...
(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.bbcimg.co.uk%2Fmedia%2Fimages%2F60005000%2Fjpg%2F_60005628_x-rayshowingpositionofchipandpowersupply.jpg&hash=d11b3f7086a9916bf611b2a0ee59d9ef)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-17936302
Title: Re: How can brain implants treat paralysis?
Post by: CliffordK on 31/05/2012 09:19:58
Wow...
So, the computer analysis of images coming through the eyes, as portrayed in Sci-Fi isn't that far fetched after all.

I had always thought that rejection was supposed to be a major problem.  Perhaps they are dealing with a direct contact EEG type of response, rather than some kind of intracellular interface.   '

I can't wait to hear about a new artificial spinal cord.

Too bad Christopher Reeves didn't have his accident a decade later.

The question is how long until the implants will exceed the capabilities of a "normal brain", and normal people will choose to get implants?