Braingate Neural Interface System

Paper Summary:

This paper examines how Cyberkinetics Neurotechnology Inc's advances in technology have created a device that makes controlling simple devices, like television remotes and computers, possible through the implantation of a small sensor. It looks at how through decoding the brainwaves recorded with this sensor, paralyzed people may be able eventually control limbs and body parts of which they had formerly lost control.

From the Paper:

"When a person becomes paralyzed, neural signals from the brain no longer reach their designated site of termination. However, the brain continues to send out these signals although they do not reach their destination. It is these signals that the Braingate system picks up, and they must be present in order for the system to work. After an extended amount of time, the brain usually does not send out these signals anymore, since they do not actually cause anything to happen in reality. It is not known for how long after paralysis occurs that these signals continue to be sent, so Cyberkinetics does not yet know if people who are paralyzed from birth will be able to benefit from future technological advances in the technology. (Cyberkinetics) Matthew Nagel had been paralyzed for about 4 years before he received the surgery, and experienced great results although scientists were skeptical about the amount of time that had passed since he first became paralyzed. "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Agamanolis, Dimitri P. "Neuropathology." Neuropathology. 2006. Northeastern Ohio University's College of Medicine. 3 Jan. 2007 <http://www.neuropathologyweb.org/chapter14/chapter14CSF.html>.
• Bain, Julie, and Lisa C. Cool. "Medical Breakthroughs 2005." Reader's Digest. 24 Aug. 2005. 4 Jan. 2007 <http://www.rd.com/content/openContent.do?contentId=14484>.
• "Brain Chip Research Aims for Future Movement." CNN. 2 Mar. 2006. 29 Dec. 2006 <http://edition.cnn.com/2006/TECH/02/22/brain.gate/index.html>.
• "Braingate Neural Interface System." Cyberkinetics Neurotechnology, Inc. May 2006. 16 Dec. 2006 <http://www.cyberkineticsinc.com/content/medicalproducts/braingate.jsp>.
• "Braingate Neural Interface System." Popular Science. Dec. 2004. 2 Jan. 2007 <http://www.popsci.com/popsci/bown/2004/personalhealth/article/0,22221,768020,00.html>.

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