Communication Device for Paralysis Patients

[lastmagi]

BBC News: Communication Aid for Paralyzed

Japanese scientists have developed a device which allows people with severe paralysis to communicate.
The headband - called kokoro-gatari - has been developed to help patients incapable of even the slightest movement, such as blinking.

It works by measuring the one function these patients can still control - blood flow through their brains.

In tests it enabled patients to signal yes or no to a question with an 80% accuracy.

...

If the patient wants to agree with a question they try to activate the blood flow to the frontal lobe of the brain.

They do this by working out mental arithmetic or trying to remember the words of a song.

If they want to disagree they just relax to try to keep the blood flow unchanged.

Hm, I wonder what if they disagreed with something which used some function of the frontal lobe? Would there be unintended blood flow to the brain?


Also, I found it ridiculous to have the project halted because the accuracy was not 100%.

 

[Grandpa Frank]

Hummm??

I wonder if a real hottie nurse is in the room, if it would throw things off?
Can't think of a scarier situation to be in then have an active brain, be aware of your surroundings but can't communicate. Nice to see people work to solve these things!

Frank

☝

 

[EdZiomek]

LastMagi

Very, very, interesting project.

I would like to share this with a Eugene Oregon designer website. Thanks for the lead. www.designcommunity.com "fireside forum"

PS for Frank White... South Portland? Is Giobbi's still around? If so, say hello to Archie for me. I used to be his dishwasher, when I really, really needed a job, 30 years ago.

Great people.

Ed Z

 

[Kinsao]

Wow - this sort of thing fascinates me. I can imagine lots of problems initially with this, but it must be a so interesting project to pursue! I wish them good luck!

Haha, when I was a kid I used to have an ambition to invent such a device! Yes, something that could read people's thoughts from some of the movement/electronic impulse/blood flow/whatever in the brain... I had the idea 'it must surely be possible!' I think one day, after much refining of technology, this will happen...

 

[EdZiomek]

Thanking Hitachi, Suggesting Alzeihers Usage?

Note to all posters...

I have written the Hitachi President, Etsuhiko Shoyama, President and Chief Executive Officer, regarding this wonderful project and the possible usage of this project with Alzheimer's patients.

My father died of Alzheimers disease, and in his late stages, when he was completely vegetative, I brought my sons to meet him for the first, and as it was, last time before he died.

My mother told me, don't worry if he doesn't recognize you, or respond, he is completely "gone".

When I brought my sons to meet their grandfather, for the first time, he started to cry. This tells me their is cognitive understanding going on, inside the brain, which is unable to physically respond to, in most conventional terms.

However, and I am not sure of the terminology, there is the deep natural reflexive reactions which can be used to communicate, possibly through advances like the Hitachi product.

Who knows, can Alzheimers patients be taught to correspond, before they become deeply detached, using brain waves and the Hitachi product?

Your thoughts?

 

[EdZiomek]

Similar to Hitachi Research and Development

From the USA, on posted on another similar JREF thread....

Neuroscience studies the practice of Buddhist meditation.

In addition to the Hitachi research that is being done in this area....I just saw on C-Span 2, another American company developing "brain wave" products for the paralyzed...

Cyberkinetics Neurotechnology Systems, Inc

CYBERKINETICSINC.COM

"BRAINGATE SYSTEM NAMED ONE OF "BIGGEST DISCOVERIES OF 2005"
WIRED News' author, Leander Kahney, described the first BrainGate clinical trial volunteer, Matthew Nagle, as the "first neuro-cybernaut...the first paralyzed person to control an artificial hand by brain power alone."

 

[jp22]

The multitrillion dollar animal flesh industry likes to hide the fact
that Alzheimer's or senility is hastened by amyloid plaque, a byproduct
of animal protein

It is good that your sons had response from your father before he left
his body... perhaps he is now one of their guardian angels or devas

 

[sabro]

Is that an actual causality supported by research, or did you just make it up?