Mind in Motion by Miguel A. L. Nicolelis
Introduction
The practical application of the knowledge that is, technology continues to dominate throughout the world. Actually this is a systematic treatment of science and art where this science in its motivation is circular. The technological advances range from laptops and cell phones to enormous macro computers that are used in most delicate and detrimental of military operations.
The other area where technological advancements have been experienced in recent times is in virtual or mechanically artificial agent which is an electro mechanical machine guided by electronic circuitry or a computer program. What I am talking about here is actually a robot that with the help of a computer program or electronic circuitry performs duties that resembles those of a normal human being. In the upcoming world cup in Brazil, the author’s laboratory plans to mark a landmark in paralysis overcoming. In this, a paralyzed teenager may make the first game of the world cup. The motor signals from the brain of the kicker will control this teenager’s first steps in the field.
The kicker on approaching ball will visualize placing a foot on it. Later, in three hundred milliseconds the brain signals will give instructions to the robotic foot of the exoskeleton to hook under leather sphere and boot it aloft. In about ten years time, the technology which will link the brain with electronic, virtual machines or mechanical will have been developed which on the other hand will restore mobility to war victims to mention the patients suffering from Lou Gehrig’s disease among other disorders. The brain machine interfaces or Neuro-prosthetic devices will allow the scientists do much more.
The lightweight body suit, which is intended for the kicker is still under the development process. A prototype is under construction in the author’s friend laboratory. The project will build on nearly twenty years of pioneering work on the brain machine interfaces. In the year 1990, the author’s Duke Colleagues together with him pioneered a method by which the monkeys and rat brains could actually be implanted with pliable and hair thin sensors called micro wires. The flexible electrical prongs once implanted can detect action potentials or minute electrical signals that are generated by the neurons of the individual, which are distributed throughout the parietal and frontal cortices of the animal.
For ten years, this interface has used signals that are brain derived in nature to generate the movements of robotic hands, legs and arms in animal experiments. With the assistance of the international team of computer scientists, robotcists, neuroscientists, rehabilitation professionals and neurosurgeons, the Walk Again consortium has started to take advantage of the research findings of these animals to create a new way to rehabilitate and train patients who are severely paralyzed in how they can use technologies that are interfaced with brain machine to regain their full body mobility. The initial baby steps for the authors’ future ceremonial kicker is going to take place inside a room called cave automatic virtual environment that has some screens, which are projected on each wall including the ceiling and floor.
The exoskeleton mechanical movements are not in a position to be manipulated like those of software avatar hence this means that the training and the technology will be a bit complicated. It will be essential to directly implant electrodes inside the brain for robotic limbs manipulation. The author and his team will add the number of neurons that are to be read simultaneously all the way through the cortex and situate the electrodes under the skull found in the brain. A number of sensors are going to be implanted in motor cortex. In the author’s group at Duke, Gary Lehew has devised a new sensor which is a recording cube that can pick up signals when implanted throughout the cortex three dimensional volumes.
With successful application and implementation of this very new area of research in human beings, tremendous results mainly associated with enhanced locomotive capabilities will be realized. This is evidenced from the fact that electrically generated and robotic coordinated movements would easily instilled in physically challenged persons that previously faced locomotive challenges.
The new scientific discovery still hidden to many will become a puzzle that will marvel numerous people globally due to its uncomprehandable capabilities. Its unique features will make movement related in capabilities that has previously been perceived to be uncorrectable now become a possibility.
The recording system installed beneficiaries of this recent technology, will transmit the recorded data wirelessly to a small processing unit that is computer controlled located at the backpack of every patient. The numerous digital processors located in the electronic device, are capable of running many software programs that translates brain-generated commands into digital signals that regulates all the moving parts such as the limbs and joints.
The technological advancement entails various features that are designed to meet and suit the needs the varied needs of the numerous physically challenged persons. The innovations also aims at enabling its beneficiaries to slowly become well able to take one step then another, efficiently climb up or down a set of stairs, speed up or slow down the all the varied body movements and to some extend bent over more easily than one could have initially done.
The most fascinating thing is that the new technology does not only aim at restoring a sense of life to people who lost it long ago or born without, but also make them enjoy life just like any other person. For instance, the beneficiaries of this new technology are not only
expected have their normal movements restored, but also all the senses and feelings associated with general movements.
Questions
- Will the exoskeleton mechanical movements bear a resemblance to those of a normal human being?
- Are the sensors implanted in the motor cortex going to be efficient?
- Is the new type of the sensor devised by Gary Lehew in a position to record ably?
- What are the challenges associated with developing this new technology?
- What are the side effects of this technology to its beneficiaries?
Reference
Burks, A. W., S. M. Jones, R. A. Wood, D. M. Fleischer, S. H. Sicherer, R. W. Lindblad, D. Stablein, A. K. Henning, B. P. Vickery, A. H. Liu, A. M. Scurlock, W. G. Shreffler, M. Plaut and H. A. Sampson (2012). "Oral Immunotherapy for Treatment of Egg Allergy in Children." New England Journal of Medicine 367(3): 233-243.
