Brain Gate Technology

ABSTRACT

Brain gate technology is a technology that is previously owned by cyberkinetics and is currently under development. In this technology, it is a brain-nerve interface. Little did we know that within a few years we can read minds and transform thinking under brains into live actions. We can implement own imagination. Neurotechnology has been at an advanced level since the development of various technologies in the field of science. Brain gate is a technology to sense, transmit, analyze and apply the language of neurons. The first reported experiments involving the implantation of the microelectrode array in one human subject were carried out in 2002 by Kevin Warwick, Mark Gasson and Peter Kyberd. The procedure, which was performed at the Radcliffe Infirmary, involved the implantation of the array in the peripheral nerves of the subject in order to successfully bring about both motor and sensory functionality, i.e. bi-directional signalling.

INTRODUCTION

Brain Gate device is used to help those who have lost control of a part of  their body. It helps by inserting a chip on the brain which senses the brain signals. Several research labs are specifically for the development of brain gate. According to cyberkinetics two patients have been implanted with brain gate. Also, there has been found a lot of development in this technology.

It is engaged in developing brain computer interfaces to help people with severe paralysis to regain independence by allowing them to control a computer cursor or a robotic arm using only their thoughts. When a person becomes paralyzed, the neuron signal no longer reaches the desired state due to which they are not able to control their limbs. However, the brain doesn’t stop sending those signals. Brain gate picks up this signal. It is found that this technique has been of great help to Alzheimer patients and it also helps in treating Parkinson’s disease since they can control their movements through thoughts.

It has been also found that a person having a Guinness world record for the highest score in video games uses thoughts to control video games. So that makes me think about what comes in the future. “For years, the Brain Gate collaboration has been working to develop the neuroscience and neural engineering know-how to enable people who have lost motor abilities to control external devices just by thinking about the movement of their arm or hand,” said Dr. Jaimie Henderson, a senior author of the paper and a Stanford University neurosurgeon. “In this study, we’ve harnessed that know-how to restore people’s ability to control the exact same everyday technologies they were using before the onset of their illnesses. It was wonderful to see the participants express themselves or just find a song they want to hear.”

WORKING

Basic elements of brain gate are

a) CHIP

b) CONNECTOR

c) CONVERTOR

d) COMPUTER

CHIP –  It consists of several sensors that are extremely thin and it sensors the brain signals which are embedded in the motor cortex, the part of the brain responsible for controlling.

CONNECTOR – signal is transmitted through a connector. Whenever someone thinks of moving a cursor then the neuron signal is generated

CONVERTOR – signal is then transferred to an amplifier where it converts analog data into digital data and through a fiber optic cable it is transmitted to a computer.

COMPUTER –   The computer further processes the brain signal and the brain gate helps in associating patterns of movements.

When a person thinks of moving the cursor,  EEG signal is generated on the brain. The  Microchip is inserted on the motor cortex and the electrode present on the chip detects the signal and transmits it to the converter through a connector. EEG signal is in analog form, it is further converted into digital form and is transferred via optical cable and the computer processes the signal and is brought into actual coordination.

CONCLUSION

Brain gate is an investigational device, it is not for sale. The best part of brain gate is in the future it can be used by those whose injuries are minor. This idea helps many patients to control the prosthetic device on their own. This technology is well supported in the field of neurology and hopes it helps in the future.

REFERENCES

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BrainGate

http://www.rroij.com/open-access/brain-gate-technology.php?aid=48429