University Of Maryland Invents Brain Cap To Control Motions

If you think that a physically disabled person, say a paralytic patient, will never be able to move, then think again! #-Link-Snipped-# researchers have invented a Brain cap which is able to transform thoughts into motion. The cap invented by the Maryland researchers is a non invasive technology with integrated neural interface software and has a great potential to be used in robotic prosthetic and motorized wheel chairs. The new brain cap technology will also be useful in computer control system. The Maryland project team is been led by José 'Pepe' L. Contreras-Vidal, Associate professor of Kinesiology.

#-Link-Snipped-#
Harsha Agashe, a Ph.D. student in Contreras-Vidal's lab wears the Brain Cap, a non-invasive, sensor-lined cap with neural interface software. Photo Credit - John Consoli, University of Maryland.

The cap which they have designed is lined with sensors to sense any neural activity. Contreras-Vidal and his team have presented three different papers in last 18 months. The first one showed the feasibility of 3D hand movements using the same technology, the next one showing the possibility of a subject controlling computer cursor. The recent one giving an account of the successful use of EEG brain signals to construct some complex motions like ankle and knee motion including the hip joint movement in human treadmill walking. The latest research paper is submitted in Journal of Neurophysiology . The team has researched upon the cortical dynamics of walking by studying the EEG signals and has developed a brain  machine interface to restore the lost human control over some of the basic motions.

During the last two decades, scientists have scratched their head for long over making a human brain interface practicable. They have eventually invented some of the invasive techniques. The techniques however require implanting electrodes in the brain which is achieved through a way of surgery. The surgery; as we know is not always safe and may sometimes prove to be complex, if not fatal in restoring a person's motion back to normal. The other non invasive techniques are so much complex that they are difficult to master. The recent one being a simple alternative in this regard will prove to be faster to commercialize.

The Maryland scientists are trying hard to bring this technology into reality. They expect that this can be done in recent future, say a few years down the line. The contreas-Vidal team has been collaborating with other researchers for a vast number of projects. Recently they got a $1.2 million NSF grant. With this aid Contreas-Vidal and his team is about to work on a four year project on designing a prosthetic arm for amputees. The other partners of Maryland team would be Rice University, University of Michigan and Drexel University. All of the projects including brain-machine interface would prove to be a miracle for the physically impaired.