Turning thought into movement
Neuroimplant for computer control successfully tested on humans
Georgy Golovanov, Hi-tech+
Tests of a first-of-its-kind device designed to treat neurological diseases with electrical stimulation have yielded very promising results. The Stentrode implant was able to significantly improve the quality of life of patients suffering from motor neuron disease. The future plans include the use of technology to control exoskeletons.
For the first time, Australian scientists demonstrated a Stentrode implant in 2016, implanting it into the brain of a sheep. The idea was to record brain activity and stimulate it without invasive surgery. Instead of inserting wires into the cerebral cortex, the developers implanted a Stentrode through a small hole in the neck using a match-sized stent. Then he was guided through the blood vessels to the motor area of the cerebral cortex, the department responsible for planning and performing conscious movements. Here, the implant tracked electrical signals emanating from the brain and stimulated regions responsible for the movement of certain muscles, which was demonstrated on sheep.
Stentrode was implanted into the human brain for the first time in August last year, and then to the second patient in April 2020, according to a press release University of Melbourne Translating thought into action.
Article by Oxley et al. Motor neuroprosthesis implanted with neurointerventional surgery improves capacity for activities of daily living tasks in severe paralysis: first in-human experience published in Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery – VM.
Both Australians suffered from motor neurone disease (MND), which slowly kills neurons in the brain and leads to paralysis. Both now use this technology in everyday life.
The implant transmits brain signals to a small receiver mounted on the patient's chest, and from there – wirelessly to a computer that converts it into understandable commands. During the tests, both participants were able to use this device to control the cursor with an accuracy of over 90%. In addition, they learned to type at a speed of 20 characters per minute.
"It's like teaching the brain to work anew, in a different mode," said one of the patients, Phillip O'Keefe. "It only takes concentration, but, as with cycling, it becomes second nature." Now he can use the Internet on his own, write emails, work with a computer and check his bank accounts.
In the long-term plans of developers from University of Melbourne – use Stentrode to control a robotic exoskeleton. They hope to get regulatory approval in about five years.
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