The Tetraplegiac Neuroprosthetic By Robert Valenti

What is Tetraplegia?

• Also known as quadriplegia

• Paralysis caused by illness or injury

• Partial or total loss of all one’s limbs and torso

• Loss of sensation and control of limbs

The Neuroprosthetic Arm

• Seven degrees of freedom

• Has three dimensional translation, three-dimensional orientation, and one dimensional grasping

• Reinstates command signals for hand placement

• Increases quality of life

Installation

• Surgery

• Two 96-channel intracortical microelectrode implants, called the “Braingate”.

• Motor cortex

Results So Far

• Arm movement with only two days of training

• Advanced movements after 13 weeks of training

• Massive increases to quality of life

•Ineffective with subjects who have viable limbs

• Possible availability within 5 to ten years

• Feedback so a person can interpret sensations, like the pressure of a grip

• The world of brain-to-computer interface will explode

What the Future Holds

References

•http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736%2812%2961816-9/fulltext The Lancet, Volume 381, issue 9866

•http://news.cnet.com/8301-27083_3-57559675-247/brain-implants-let-paralyzed-woman-move-robot-arm/

•http://news.cnet.com/8301-11386_3-57436475-76/paralyzed-woman-moves-robotic-arm-using-thought-alone/