The exoskeleton will allow paralyzed people to move with the power of thought
ABC Magazine based on New Scientist: Mind-controlled exoskeleton lets paralyzed people walk
Clinical trials of the MindWalker exoskeleton, which will allow paralyzed people to start walking again, are coming to an end in Europe. In this case, the exoskeleton is controlled only by the power of the patient's mind. This device may appear on the market within the next 5 years.
It took 3 years to develop this miracle of technology. MindWalker consists of three main elements. The first is the exoskeleton itself, an ingenious system of straps and frames that take on the weight of a person's body and move it with their feet when they receive the appropriate signal. The second element is a virtual reality program, which doctors teach patients to handle. And the third component is a device for "mind reading", which is a regular "cap" with sensors for electroencephalography (EEG). So far, at the testing stage, this "cap" is on the head of one of the researchers, since the exoskeleton interferes with the EEG when working. However, scientists hope to correct this shortcoming in the near future.
A completely paralyzed patient is put on special glasses with flashing diodes attached to each lens. Each diode flashes in the peripheral vision of the patient with a different frequency. As soon as the patient looks at one of the diodes, the amount of incoming light is processed by the occipital cortex, and this activity is determined on the EEG. Depending on the diode the patient looks at, the exoskeleton starts moving or stops. It takes no more than one second to process this information. Another exoskeleton control option is suitable for patients who are paralyzed only in the lower half of the body. They can "command" the exoskeleton with small leans to the right or left. At the same time, the MindWalker will move the opposite leg.
The MindWalker clinical trial is conducted by a consortium of several major institutes and companies and is sponsored by the European Commission. During the 8 weeks of testing, five patients tried on the exoskeleton and they were all very pleased that they could walk again. The researchers plan to improve MindWalker for about 5 more years, reduce its weight and make movements smoother. Scientists also plan to teach the exoskeleton to distinguish between a person's desire to go fast or slow. After that, MindWalker may appear on the medical market.
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru14.06.2013