Head-tracking, eye-tracking… what next, brain-tracking? But of course!
from Wired.com
As you probably know by now, we like to follow all things “eye-tracking” here at the blog. But occasionally some news will catch our attention that has less to do with eye-tracking, yet still relates.
Today the New York Times posted an article about muscle reinnervation and the use of brain signals to control movement.
Muscle reinnervation is a rehabilitation technique that is gaining acceptance in the medical world after recent successes replacing lost or amputated limbs. The article describes a woman who lost her arm in a car accident three years ago, and has undergone “targeted muscle reinnervation.”
In an effort to attach a prosthetic limb, doctors have taken the remaining nerves from the arm and connected them with another muscle in the body – often the chest. Electrodes are attached to the new host muscle, and when the patient wants to move their new limb, the brain sends a signal to the host muscle. The signal is picked up by the electrodes, which then send an electrical signal to the prosthetic limb, instructing it to move accordingly. The patient can essentially move a prosthetic arm with their thoughts alone.
As a result of the technique, prosthetics controlled through muscle reinnervation show to be far more agile and accurate than before, and an amputee can live a normal life of activity.
The article also mentions that, using brain sensors, doctors have enabled a paralyzed patient to move a cursor on screen using only his brain. Scientists have monkeys controlling mechanical arms now as well. Very cool. With recent technological advances like these, things are looking pretty good for people with missing limbs or paralysis. We’re still years away from perfectly intuitive control, and implanting a brain sensor is as about as involved a procedure as it sounds, but with head- and eye-tracking advancements, along with limb control via brain signals, it appears we’re all on the right track.
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