Emerging Brain Chip Technologies 2

8/2/2019 Emerging Brain Chip Technologies 2

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BRAIN CHIP TECHNOLOGY

1. From Thought to

Action: How do they do

that?

Output brain chip (or Brain-

ComputerInterface) technology

functions by monitoring the

electrical activity of a small

section of the brain,

mathematically interpreting the

data, and relaying the new

information to an action-

performing device.

Fig1.1: Brain machine interface architecture

Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) technology allows a living, healthy brain to connect to an

external computer system through a chip composed of electrodes. The electrode chip can

be implanted into defined positions within the motor cortex in order to capture the brains

natural electric signals that stimulate voluntary movement. Researchers today can record

the electrical activity of neurons firing and use computers to convert the signals into actions

by applying signal processing algorithms. Significant and intensely competitive research in

this field over the past decade, which one scientist has called an "arms race," has led to the

first human BCI implantation surgery directed by Brown University professor, John

Donoghue.

June 2004: The first human, Matthew Nagle, is implanted with a brain-computer interface,

Cyberkineticss BrainGate, in a surgical procedure in Providence, Rhode Island.

GM INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY Page no.: 1


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According to Cyberkinetics, Inc., as of March 31, 2005 there are two individuals with the

device.

2.

The history of brain-computer interfaces (BCI) is, indeed, a history of

ideas

BCI combines technologies from many different fields, including computer science,

electrical engineering, neurosurgery and biomedical engineering, and has emerged from the

same school of thought as Deep Brain electrically shocking the brain to regulate it in

individuals with movement disorders, epilepsy, and now, even depression.

The brain acts as the command and control center for the human body. Its ability to

integrate numerous signals to and from various sources underlies the complex behavior of

humans. The brain controls basic functions like breathing, tasting, and moving but in

addition, it is the basis for personality, it generates emotions and it is the center for

consciousness.

A Brain-Computer Interface

(BCI) is a device that functions

independently of the brains

normal output pathways and

instead processes signals from the

brain to control something on a

computer. The primary goal of

this system is to allow people

Fig 1.2: internal view of human brain

Who are quadriplegic to recover a number of abilities that normally rely on their hands by

connecting directly to the brain. Findings about the brain support the theoretical and

practical success of the BCI. The primary motor cortex (located in the frontal lobe) is the



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main source of voluntary movement signals. This area is divided into specific regions to

control distinct parts of the body. From studying the brain, it appears as though the control

of the body parts is highly distributed within the region meaning that, for example, the

neurons in the arm region as well as the neurons surrounding the arm region are capable of

controlling signals for the arm. As a result, the primary motor cortex is an ideal site for the

BCI because of this distribution.

3. About the BrainGate device



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fig 1.3(a):BrainGate/Brain chip fig 1.3 (b):Interface between chip & computer

The BrainGate i.e the Brain chip Neural Interface Device is a proprietary brain-

computer interface that consists of an internal neural signal sensor and external processors

that convert neural signals into an output signal under the users own control. The sensor

consists of a tiny chip smaller than a baby aspirin, with one hundred electrode sensors each

thinner than a hair that detect brain cell electrical activity. The BrainGate technology

platform was designed to take advantage of the fact that many patients with motor

impairment have an intact brain that can produce movement commands. This may allow

the BrainGate system to create an output signal directly from the brain, bypassing the route

through the nerves to the muscles that cannot be used in paralysed people.

The chip is implanted on the surface of the brain in the motor cortex area that controls

movement. In the pilot version of the device, a cable connects the sensor to an external

signal processor in a cart that contains computers. The computers translate brain activity

and create the communication output using custom decoding software. Importantly, theentire BrainGate system was specifically designed for clinical use in humans and thus, its

manufacture; assembly and testing are intended to meet human safety requirements.

3.1 Chip Specifications

Company Bionic array (Cyber kinetics, Inc.)

Chip size 4mm x 4mm x 1.5mm

Chip material monolithic silicone

array size 96 recording electrodes (10 x 10 array)

electrode insertion ~1 - 1.5mm into the brain's surface

electrode coating Paralyne C w/ platinum tips

electrode separation 0.4mm

electrode insulation thin glass

array sampling rate 1Mhz (10kHz per electrode)

Table: Chip specification

4. From research standpoint:



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Reading email and turning on a TV does not improve ones quality of life

dramatically.

Other non-invasive methods could produce the same result; more applicability to

quality of life is needed to justify surgical intervention.

The electrodes are easily susceptible to obstruction with brain material, thus

creating the need for multiple surgeries

5 Ethical standpoint:

The military could potentially use this technology as a means of creating a superior

weapon or designing the super soldier. This use could ultimately lead to the

demise of more people than it helps

If individuals without a disability attempt to use this technology to alter current

abilities and senses, the device would create greater disparity among individuals.

This use would raise issues related to cost and who has access to health care.

Abuse of this technology could potentially threaten the privacy and autonomy of

individuals if this technology is used to read someone elses mind and possibly

even control another human being like a robot.

6 . Antiseptical Issues:

The risks involved with this procedure resemble that of other brain surgeries. There is a

risk of brain damage (for which the surgeon will test after the operation), brain swelling,

seizures, stroke, and bleeding.

7.Conclusions:

Currently this device is usable for quadriplegia, the most severe form of paralysis.

Eventually, it may be used for other neurodegenerative diseases as well.



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This achievement alone will help to restore many activities of daily living that are

now difficult for many paralyzed humans and will provide a platform for the

development of a wide range of other assistive devices and potentially to control

paralyzed muscles.

8. Future Enhancement:

Miniaturization: The device must be less cumbersome in order to make the

technology mainstream. Cyberkinetics is developing a prototype of a device that

would fit behind the ear of the patient, much like the cochlear implant, and connect

via a magnet to the computer equipment thus eliminating the need to cross the skin.

This will help decrease concerns of infection as well as increase the aestheticappeal.

Calibration: Currently it is necessary for a technician to recalibrate the device

before each use by the patient. This is not practical. Automated calibration is

necessary and possible to allow for greater independence of the patient.

Rechargeable batteries: In order to allow for a completely wireless and implantable

device, the power source must be able to be charged transcutaneously. This

addresses the issue of the independence of the patient, allowing for increased

mobility and portability.

Muscle connection: Some day, researchers should be able to achieve coordinated

muscle movement. In theory, electrodes and wires could connect muscles to the

functioning brain, thus bypassing the damaged spinal cord, but using biomaterials.

This is the ultimate goal of BCI: to allow the patient to walk again.

9. References:

1. The Guardian Meet the mind readers 31 March 2005

2. Wired magazine Mind control Issue 13.03 March 2005

3. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000768.htm

4. Cyberkinetics Neurotechnology Systems, Inc., Form of Prospectus reflecting facts

events constituting substitutive change from last form. Filed April 6, 2005.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/life/feature/story/0,,1448140,00.htmlhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/life/feature/story/0,,1448140,00.htmlhttp://www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz/Atoz/ency/craniotomy.jsphttp://www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz/Atoz/ency/craniotomy.jsphttp://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=182802&p=irol-sechttp://www.guardian.co.uk/life/feature/story/0,,1448140,00.htmlhttp://www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz/Atoz/ency/craniotomy.jsphttp://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=182802&p=irol-sec


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5 .http://www.lahey.org/Medical/Neurosurgery/index_neurosurgery.asp

6.www.cyberkineticsinc.com

http://www.lahey.org/Medical/Neurosurgery/index_neurosurgery.asphttp://www.lahey.org/Medical/Neurosurgery/index_neurosurgery.asp

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Emerging Brain Chip Technologies 2