14 DAY TRIAL // After announcing that fully functioning bionic limbs and eyes are currently under trial, the scientists inform that a brain device has been developed in order to help paralyzed people to lead an almost normal life.
The brain implant has already been tested by a man who could make his first moves after five years of stillness. Helped by the brain chip, he could make use of household electronic devices such as computer or TV set through the power of thought. He also could manipulate a robotic arm.
The research that proved that the power of a bionic brain can be used to directly control machines is the first one in the world of the type, according to the UK scientific journal Nature.
The study was carried out by senior researcher John Donoghue, director of Brain Science Program at the Brown University, Rhode Island. He and his colleagues have developed an aspirin sized chip that is introduced in the motor cortex and allows patients seriously affected by paralysis to use their thoughts in order to control things around the house. Moreover, scientists' goal is to improve the chip so as to let paralytic persons to use their muscles again and even walk around the house.
The principle on which the bionic brain is functioning permits the signals from the brain go through the damaged spinal cords and control the lifeless limbs. The device implemented in the brain of the volunteers until now contains 100 microscopical electrodes that take over the signals of 30 to 60 neurons in the motor cortex.
"This is a proof of concept that you can get signals out of the brain that can provide useful controls. I see this as opening the door to a whole new kind of neurotechnology that will provide new opportunities for those who have paralysis or other movement disorders," author John Donoghue stated. He also added that the results "hold out the promise to one day be able to activate limb muscles with these brain signals, effectively restoring brain to muscle control via a physical nervous system."