Half Man, Half Machine

Published on Thursday, 20 October 2011 15:51

	By Andrew Roach Follow @_AsktheExperts_

We all have a vision in the future where machine and man become one like Robocop and this dream could soon become a reality thanks to a new prosthetic arm that is controlled from within the brain.

A research team from the University of Pittsburgh have developed a prosthetic arm that responds to electronic signals from sensors placed within the brain.

During the initial tests, the patients managed to carry out several simple tasks with the prosthetic arm including moving a ball in both a computer simulation and in real life.

Rather unlike Robocop, it is thought that this new arm control will be able to allow patients to perform real tasks such as bare necessities like eating to more practical needs such as opening door handles.

Dr Jennifer Collinger, Associate Professor at University of Pittsburgh, comments that the new prosthetic arm could significantly benefit those who are disabled, especially the paralysed.

“A person with a cervical spinal cord injury is limited in their ability to use their arms and hands to perform activities of daily living. Brain-computer interfaces can bypass this connection and allow the user to operate a robotic device and perhaps even stimulate their own muscles to hopefully restore function,” she explains.

“For a person with an amputation, brain control might allow them to more effectively use a sophisticated prosthetic arm like the one we used, which mimics the joints and motion of a real arm,” Dr Collinger added.

Whilst this technology is still in its initial phases, the potential of controlling the arm with the brain can allow the technology to possibly be adapted for any part of the body as Dr Collinger elaborates.

“Brain-computer interface has the potential to control a number of functions by interfacing with other technology such as robotic arms or functional electrical stimulators,” she says.

“In our study, Mr. Hemmes (patient who tested arm) was able to control a robotic arm as well as a computer cursor in a virtual environment.  Future research will certainly focus on integrating with other assistive technology that best meets the needs and priorities of people with disabilities,” Collinger remarks.

There has been a lot of tests and experimenting currently testing mind and machine compatibility and with more breakthroughs, Collinger explains that this concept could really expand and take off in the next few years.

“We are very excited about the potential of this concept. In addition to our ongoing trial with the surface brain grid, we are also recruiting participants for a year-long protocol with penetrating microarrays that might offer additional functionality, such as control of the fingers of a prosthetic,” she comments.

“It is too early to say which technology will provide the most function and long term performance.   We have plans in place to test making this technology wireless and adding a touch component by using sensors in the prosthetic arm and sending signals back to the brain,” Collinger says.

It is hoped that the new arm would be ready for use in general practice within the next 5-10 years.

So whilst there may not be an army of cyborgs walking the streets, this new breakthrough could really improve and enhance the quality of life for those who struggle day in and day out.