Hammer the BioBolt into the skull!
The BioBolt brain implant, developed by engineers at the University of Michigan (the head of the group is Professor Euisik Yoon) uses the skin as a wireless transmitter of nerve signals of the brain. To begin with, it can be used to work with a computer, and in the future, as the developers hope, BioBolt will be able to control paralyzed limbs, suppress epilepsy attacks and diagnose Parkinsonism and other diseases.
Unlike other implantable interfaces that allow brain signals to be transmitted to external devices, BioBolt is minimally invasive and consumes very little power.
So far, the BioBolt looks like a 3/4-inch bolt (approximately 18.8 mm, the diameter of a dime). A film containing microchips is attached to the lower surface of its leg. The device is implanted into the skull, while the microcircuits are adjacent directly to the brain tissue, but, unlike existing devices, does not require implantation of electrodes or extensive trepanation of the skull.
A monkey skull with a prototype of a "biobolt" screwed into it
Moreover, after the procedure is completed, the "bolt" will be completely covered with skin, which eliminates the possibility of infection and makes it possible to use the implant in everyday life. Modern implants are completely impractical in this regard, since an open skull is a prerequisite for their functioning.
Biobolt chips capture sequences of impulses emitted by neurons associated with certain commands sent by the brain. These pulses are amplified, filtered and converted into digital signals transmitted through the skin to the computer. Using the skin as a signal conductor significantly reduces the energy consumption of the implant.
Ultimately, the developers want to learn how to collect and process the signals sent by the implant in a device that looks like a wristwatch or earrings, which will eliminate the need to use an external computer for signal processing. They have already applied for a patent and presented the concept of a biobolt (the future version is much less like a locksmith bolt) at the symposium on VLSI (ultra-large integrated circuits) held on June 13-17 in Kyoto (Japan).
Evgeniya Ryabtseva
Portal "Eternal youth" www.vechnayamolodost.ru based on the materials of the University of Michigan: The BioBolt brain implant could someday translate thoughts into movement.
21.06.2011