The Brain Group_3!30!06

8/3/2019 The Brain Group_3!30!06

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Rajesh pd. Singh



Introduction to the Brain

Rebecca Dion



The Motor Cortex

Primary motor cortex (M1



NEURON = BRAIN CELL



Refresher Neurons are brain cells that receive and conduct electrical

impulses.When there is brain damage that impedes function, brain

chips can be used to help restore those lost functions.

A physical implant about the size of a contact lens is placed inthe motor cortex part of the brain, where wires then

externally transmit the brain signals to a computer that theninterpret and translate these brain signals into movement.

Technology can help restore sensory functions such as visionor motor function that has been lost due to a stroke or headinjury.

Brain Signal → Computer Code → Movement



What is a Brain

Chip?Definition

A neural prosthesis (or brain chip) is a

direct brain interface that enables aprimate, via the use of surgicallyimplanted electrode arrays and associatedcomputer algorithms, to control externalelectromechanical devices by pure thoughtalone.



Location The specific location of the

chip will correlate to itsfunction

-Implants placed in the visualcortex could be used to

electronically stimulate thebrain to ‘see’ images from aminiature camera.

-Implants placed in the motorcortex could be used tocontrol external devices.

At Cyberkinetics and atvarious institutions aroundthe world, a lot of theresearch has focused on thesignals derived in the motor

cortex part of the brain.

Motor Cortex – Section of the

brain that influences motormovement.



Understanding theTechnology

Understanding Neuron Function

Neurons are cells that use electrical impulses tocommunicate messages from the brain andrelay them to the rest of the body.

Cyberkinetics has developed a technologyknown as BrainGateTM that will sense, transmit,analyze, and apply the language of neurons.



Technology Continued…

How Braingate technology works

The brain chip, which is a silicon array consisting of one

hundred electrodes, is surgically implanted on the surface of the brain.

100 Electrodes penetrate into motor cortex

Direct contact with neurons signal trasduction

A bundle of one hundred gold wires physically connects theseelectrodes to a pedestal in the scalp.

An external cable then connects this pedestal to a set of computers where signal processing software analyzes theelectrical language of neurons and translates it to control

signals.



Design Criteria for Brain Implantable devices

Function is three-fold:

1. sense neural activity related to motor plansor actions

2. transform or decode this activity into anoutput signal

3. couple the output to assistive devices or tothe muscles as quickly and accurately asthe intact nervous system

-many electrodes needed to record from manycells simultaneously: 10 x 10 Bionic Array



Location: Primary motor cortex

Control of each body part is highly distributed

Due to this distributed nature, sensors need notbe placed very precisely

When inserted, recording tips of the electrodes

sit approx. 1-1.5 mm below pial surface



Strength and Flexibility

Concerns about passing the pia-arachnoidmembrane

If material is too flexible, difficulty passingbarrier.

i.e. polyamide & ceramic

Silicone- strong enough to easily passthrough the barrier

Titanium- may be able to be used to reachdeeper cortical areas and subcorticalstructures



Surface/Host Interactions

MUST Be biocompatible and biostable:

Must not induce a tissue reaction that will block recording

Must not be degraded by tissue reaction responseto foreign body

Beyond 300 MHz, signal energy may damage tissue

Need to keep sensors away from external fluids to last long term

Coating material in contact with tissue: parylene, silicone, platinum

Infection risk always present intracortically , but…

Monkey systems have functioned for years, suggesting that they can provide signals for longtimes in humans as well



About the Company Bob Furnas

“Turn Thought into Action”



Improvements we’d like to see

Smaller setup – no pedestal in the skull, nomassive bank of computers, no full-timetechnician

Portable

Repair, not just rewire

Neuron regenerationCommunication signal sent to your own limbs

Return of autotmotion and perambulation



Improvements: AutomotionFunctional Electrical Stimulatin (FES)

Braingate + Self-propelled Orthotics/DirectElectrical Muscle Stimulation

The proposed neuroprosthetic system would offerhuman users an advanced movement systemincorporating Cyberkinetics’ BrainGateNeuralInterface System

The command signals would drive a hybrid FES-orthosis

an orthotic device for the upper limbs,designed to provide the user with thought-controlled arm and hand movement throughthe use of the patient’s own muscles.

The purpose of the device will be, ultimately, to

restore voluntary control of paralyzed muscles.



The Brain Chip Group

Thank you!

Questions?



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The Brain Group_3!30!06